Château de Chillon is a medieval island castle located on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva, at Avenue de Chillon 21, Veytaux — 4km from Montreux, Switzerland. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport options, parking, accessibility, and practical tips to help you plan your visit.
Last updated: February 2026. The adult admission price is now CHF 15.00. Some older guides list lower prices from previous years, so check the figures below before budgeting. To book tickets in advance, head here.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Avenue de Chillon 21, CH-1820 Veytaux, Switzerland |
| Opening hours | Apr–Sep: 9am–7pm (last entry 6pm) · Mar & Oct: 9:30am–6pm (last entry 5pm) · Nov–Feb: 10am–5pm (last entry 4pm) |
| Closed | 25 December and 1 January |
| Adult ticket | CHF 15.00 |
| Child ticket (6–15) | CHF 7.00 |
| Nearest public transport | Bus N201 (Chillon stop, directly in front) · S5 train to Veytaux-Chillon (6-min walk) |
| Parking | Free roadside parking for up to 3 hours (blue parking permit required) |
| Typical visit duration | 1.5 to 2 hours |
Chillon Castle opening hours
Chillon Castle is open every day of the year except 25 December and 1 January. Hours vary by season: April to September 9am–7pm (last entry 6pm); March and October 9:30am–6pm (last entry 5pm); November to February 10am–5pm (last entry 4pm).
Chillon Castle ticket prices
Individual adult admission costs CHF 15.00; children aged 6–15 pay CHF 7.00; children under 6 enter free. A reduced rate of CHF 12.50 applies to students, apprentices, pensioners, and those on disability benefit. A family ticket (2 adults and 1–5 children aged 6–15) costs CHF 35.00. Visitors with a motor or visual disability enter free, with one accompanying person also admitted free.
Tickets are best bought online in advance.
An audioguide can be hired on site for CHF 6.00, or downloaded via the Chillon app for CHF 3.00. The Swiss Travel Pass, Passeport Musées Suisses, ICOM card, and Raiffeisen card all grant free admission. The Montreux Riviera Card reduces adult entry to CHF 7.50 and child entry to CHF 3.50.
Ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
How to get to Chillon Castle
The most direct public transport options are the bus N201 (Chillon stop, directly in front of the castle, every 10–20 minutes from Vevey, Montreux and Villeneuve) and the S5 regional train to Veytaux-Chillon station, a 6-minute walk from the castle. Boat services operated by CGN call at a stop 100m from the castle during peak season, departing from Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux, and Villeneuve.
Walking from Montreux takes approximately 45 minutes (4km) along the lake path. From Villeneuve, the walk is around 20 minutes (2km).
Parking at Chillon Castle
Free car parking is available along the main road in front of the castle for up to 3 hours, but you must display a blue parking permit (disc). Spaces are limited, and the castle recommends arriving by public transport where possible. Additional parking is available at the Tronchenaz car park in Villeneuve, approximately 3km away. Visitors with reduced mobility may be dropped off by car at the drawbridge before moving to a roadside parking space.
How long to spend at Chillon Castle
Most visitors spend between 1.5 and 2 hours inside the castle. Allow additional time if you plan to use the audioguide, visit any temporary exhibition, or stop at Café Byron or the castle snack bar. Arrivals within two hours of the last entry time may feel rushed.
Accessibility at Chillon Castle
Chillon Castle is not easily accessible to wheelchair or walker users due to its heritage constraints, narrow passageways, and numerous staircases. Wheelchair access is possible in the cobbled courtyards, the cafeteria (which has an adapted toilet), the Bazaar, and Café Byron, though cobbled surfaces can be slippery when wet. Two audiovisual terminals in the cafeteria offer a virtual tour via eight themed mini-films available in nine languages. Assistance dogs accompanying visually impaired visitors are permitted on presentation of an assistance dog passport and an approved harness.
Inside Chillon Castle: what to see
The castle is self-guided by default, with a leaflet available in around 20 languages. Visitors pass through underground vaulted rooms, the famous dungeon (the setting for Lord Byron’s poem The Prisoner of Chillon), a series of courtyards, and banquet halls. The keep offers views across Lake Geneva and to the Alps.
The permanent exhibition covers the castle’s architecture and history across multiple rooms on several levels. A temporary exhibition space is also available; check the official website for the current programme. Signage and information panels are provided in multiple languages throughout the route.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book online | The castle recommends purchasing tickets online in advance. |
| Arrive early | The castle opens at 9am (April–September). Morning arrivals typically face smaller crowds than afternoon visits. |
| Prams and pushchairs | These cannot be taken on the visitor trail and must be left in the unattended cloakroom in the cafeteria. A baby carrier is recommended instead. |
| Luggage storage | Small bags can be locked in free lockers in the cafeteria and first courtyard. Larger items can be stored in unattended racks. |
| Photography | Cameras are permitted throughout the castle. Selfie sticks and drones are not allowed. |
| Dress code | Entry is refused to visitors in swimwear, those who are topless, or those with bare feet. |
| Toilets | Available outside the castle (opposite the drawbridge) and inside (second courtyard). Accessible toilets are in the cafeteria. |
| Dogs | Only medical assistance dogs are permitted inside. Open kennels are available next to the Bazaar for other dogs. |
| Wi-Fi | Free Wi-Fi is available on site. Select ChateauChillonFree and enter your mobile number to receive an activation code. |
Frequently asked questions about Chillon Castle
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Chillon Castle suitable for children? | Yes. Children aged 6–15 pay CHF 7.00 and under-6s enter free. Note that prams cannot be taken on the visitor trail. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Chillon Castle? | Advance booking is recommended but not mandatory. Tickets can be bought on the door or online. |
| Is Chillon Castle open on Sundays? | Yes, it is open seven days a week, except 25 December and 1 January. |
| Is Chillon Castle wheelchair accessible? | Only partially. Courtyards and the cafeteria are accessible, but most of the visitor trail involves stairs and narrow passages. |
| Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid at Chillon Castle? | Yes. A valid Swiss Travel Pass grants free admission. |
| Is there parking at Chillon Castle? | Yes, free roadside parking for up to 3 hours with a blue parking disc. Spaces are limited. |
| Can you use the audioguide at Chillon Castle? | Yes. Hire a device on site for CHF 6.00 or download the official app for CHF 3.00. |
| What languages is the castle information available in? | Visitor leaflets are available in around 20 languages, including English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, and others. |
Things to do near Chillon Castle
Montreux (4km): the lakeside promenade, Freddie Mercury statue, and the Montreux Jazz Festival venue are all walkable or a short bus ride away.
Vevey (11km): the Alimentarium (food museum), the Chaplin’s World museum in nearby Corsier-sur-Vevey, and the Nestlé headquarters town centre are worth combining on a broader itinerary.
CGN lake cruises: the CGN boat service connects Chillon to Lausanne, Vevey, and Montreux, and a combined cruise-and-admission ticket is available at a 15% discount.
Glacier 3000 (approx. 1 hour by car or combination of train and cable car from the region): a year-round Alpine experience accessible from the Lake Geneva area.
