Leysin
Discover Leysin
Leysin, Switzerland in the commune of Vaud is a laid back, non-posh, non-pretentious mountain village in the Vaud Alps, above Montreux. It also happens to be the site of a ski resort with awesome off piste possibilities. Leysin is quickly earning a reputation as the college center of Switzerland, as it is the home of five international schools. While here stroll down the Rue du Commerce and check out the bohemian galleries, yet another side of this sleepy town. All that and the Kuklos, a mountain top revolving restaurant (of course!). In a way it's sort of amazing that one village can have this much cool stuff and remain as laid-back as Leysin is. Leysin is in the Alpes Vaudoise roughly above and one mountain over from Montreux. The panorama includes all of the Alps Vaudois, including the Mont Blanc to the Eiger. It is just as, or more impressive as those found further up into Canton Valais, and prices that are a bit more competitive.
What to Experience in Leysin
Taste of Leysin...
Not available
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsLeysin is served by the TPC (Transportes Publics du Chablais) which has a cog-wheel train which runs once per hour from the Aigle station, which is timed to connect with the main Swiss National trains arriving from Montreux on the Geneva-Brig line. On certain dates during the ski season there are direct TGV trains from Paris to Brig offering the same connection at Aigle. The trains up to Leysin leave from track 12, which is actually in front of the Aigle station in the parking area (it's the track closest to the buses). There are multiple stops within Leysin, notably Leysin-Village, Versmont and Leysin-Feydey. Leysin-Feydey (+41 24 494 11 16) is the station closest to the Télécabines. For other destinations check the destination listing below for the correct station. Although the final approach to the village has a number of hairpin bends the potential motorist should not be deterred....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Leysin combines a great landscape, lower prices, and a lively atmosphere, so what's the rub? This is: a near total lack of public transport once you get off the train. The free village bus (navette) circulates once per hour, during the Winter (end Dec. - beg. April) and Summer (mid-June - mid-Sept.) seasons. Luckily it's not much trouble to walk to most places for a healthy young traveller, or for that matter for anybody who's used to it. Disabled travelers might opt for a better equipped (if pricier) mountain getaway in perhaps Zermatt or Verbier. If all else fails you can get a cab from Taxi ABC (+41 24 493 22 93) or Taxi Kojak (+41 24 494 25 55). The TeleLeysin cable car runs both summer and winter. People mainly come to Leysin to Do things like skiing, mountain biking, or horseback riding. That said, there are a couple of sites worthwhile for the casual traveler, even on a lunchtime excursion from Montreux or Lausanne
Safety Information
Glimpses of Leysin
Rega Helicopter in Lausanne Olympic game
Rega Helicopter in Lausanne Olympic game
green grass field near gray rocky mountain under white sky during daytime
Rega Helicopter in Lausanne Olympic game
Rega Helicopter in Lausanne Olympic game
green pine trees on green grass field under white clouds during daytime
a grassy hill with a mountain in the background
silhouette of trees under cloudy sky during daytime
green trees on mountain under white clouds and blue sky during daytime
green trees under white clouds during daytime
Rega Helicopter in Lausanne Olympic game
Rega Helicopter in Lausanne Olympic game
green grass field near gray rocky mountain under white sky during daytime