Lavaux Express

A non-profit association that has run a little tourist train through the terraced vineyards of Lavaux since 2004. It leaves from the landing stages at Lutry and Cully, and in summer runs trips with a tasting stop at the winegrowers' cellars.

Who they are

The Lavaux Express grew out of a trial season in 2003 and was set up as an association in spring 2004, with the support of the winegrowers' associations and the villages' wine cellars. It is run by a committee of volunteers, chaired in 2026-2027 by Thomas Ellis, and is driven by about 50 people, mostly retired people and young people, who act as drivers and hostesses. It has three locomotives styled as trains, from 2010, 2012 and 2021, pulling open carriages with rain and wind protection. Today it receives support from the municipalities and from public funds such as the Loterie Romande.

The routes

There are two regular loops of 1 hour 15 minutes, with a quarter-hour stop on the way:

• Lutry loop: Lutry, Aran, Grandvaux and back. In 2026 it ran on Wednesdays and Sundays, and in summer also on Fridays, from the landing stage at Quai Gustave Doret 1.
• Cully loop: Cully, Riex, Epesses, the Dézaley and back. In 2026 it ran on Saturdays and Tuesdays, and in summer also on Thursdays, from the landing stage at Place d'Armes 16.

The 2026 departures were at 10:30 at weekends and at 13:30, 15:00 and 16:30. There is also a market loop between Lutry and Cully, an aperitif train with a 45-minute stop among the vines at Aran and a cellar train with tasting. Both landing stages have a CGN boat and a railway station nearby, so they are easy to reach without a car.

The 2026 season has ended. The 2027 season begins on 3 April, and private trains from 20 March; the new timetable is published on its website.

Prices and tickets

In 2026, the ticket cost CHF 17 for adults, CHF 14 for seniors, young people aged 14 to 18 and students, and CHF 6 for children aged 6 to 13; under-6s do not pay. It is bought at the departure booth, in cash, in francs or euros, or by card. You can book online to secure a place, up to 18 people per group. The train runs in any weather, but the driver may cancel in a storm. Private trains with a driver can also be hired for companies, weddings or schools; for these, payment is in cash to the driver or by invoice.

Commentary, accessibility and dogs

The commentary on the landscape comes as a free audio guide in the izi.TRAVEL app, using your own headphones, in French, German and English; at the booth they also give a paper mini-guide in those languages. There is no Spanish version. Wheelchairs cannot be taken on board, because the benches are fixed, but they can be left at the booth. Small dogs travel free under the bench or in your arms; large ones are not admitted.