Come early or come late
Montreux fills up, and the streets, packed with vendors, can be difficult to navigate in the middle of the festival. If you’re coming for just a few days, consider coming on either end of the festival, or on weekdays when it’s usually a little quieter.
Take a samba or salsa boat in the lake
The themed shows tend to be on boats cruising the lake or in train cars traveling the region. It’s a nice way to step away from the crowds and enjoy the music in a more intimate setting.
Check out the competition
Three international competitions occur each year: Solo Piano, Guitar and Voice. Discover some new talent and the competitions are free.
It doesn’t have to be expensive
While accommodations, tickets, and food are priced for an affluent crowd, Montreux prides itself on the number of free venues and pop-up events that happen during the festival each year.
Can’t make it to Montreux this year? Bring it home
There’s a DVD series called “Live at Montreux” that allows you to watch all kinds of performances without spending the money to get there. Of course, you miss out on the visceral experience and the sublime setting, but it’s the next best thing to being there.