It’s impossible not to think of cheese and chocolate when talking about Switzerland! There are the most traditional and famous samples of these delicacies and, shall we say, the tastiest in the world too!
The Chocolate Train
There is a tour called The Chocolate Train, with GoldenPass, which runs from Montreux – Gruyères – Broc, with the following route: train ride from Montreux to Montbovon (40 minutes), and by bus from Montbovon to Gruyères and Broc. This tour includes tickets to the cheese and chocolate factories, as well as coffee and chocolate bread in the morning.
The first stop is in Gruyères, at the Maison du Gruyère cheese factory, with the possibility of visiting the castle. Then in Broc, in the famous Maison Cailler of delicious chocolates. Prices per person include booking fee and ticket: CHF 90 ($91.41 / R$378.68 / €82.96). Children with Junior travelcard pay half price. Half-Fare travelcard holders, children, groups and Swiss Travel Pass or 2nd class GA travelcard holders pay CHF 65 (U$66.02 / R$273.49 / €59.91). All quoted values are for class 2a, in November 2019.
The Chocolate Train days and hours of operation
May to June, Monday to Thursday
From July to August: every day of the week
From September to October: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Other tour options
However, if you want to pay less or if you are visiting Switzerland from November to April, you can visit Maison du Gruyère and Maison Cailler in the same way! They are open all year round, and visiting the castle in Gruyères is free for Swiss Travel Pass holders.
Visitation tickets for Maison du Gruyère cost: CHF 7 (U$7.13 / R$29.23 / €6.47), the family ticket (2 adults + 1 child up to 12 years old) costs CHF 12 (U$12, 23 / BRL 50.11 / 11.09 €), and the Factory + Castle combo costs CHF 16 (U$ 16.31 / BRL 66.81 / 14.79 €). The factory tour lasts about 30 to 45 minutes, with audio available in Portuguese, and you can enjoy an authentic Swiss fondue at the restaurant and take some treats home. The train from Montreux to Gruyères costs CHF 20.20 (U $20.58 / R$84.35 / €18.67), round trip.
Maison du Gruyère opening days and hours in 2019
.June to September: 9am to 6.30pm
October to May: 9 am to 6 pm
Last entry is 30 minutes before factory closing.
Tickets for Maison Cailler cost: CHF 15 (U$15.29 / R$62.63 / €13.87), and children up to 16 years old, together with their parents, are free. The factory tour tells the history of the chocolate up to the present day, while you enjoy tastings, and audio is available in Portuguese. The train from Montreux to Broc (Broc-Fabrique station) costs CHF 25 (U$25.48 / R$104.39 / €23.11), round trip.
The chocolate factory, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, starting at noon, has the Mon chocolat Cailler workshop where you make your own personalized chocolate bar (20 minutes long). Those who want to participate must buy the ticket on site: it costs CHF 12 per chocolate bar (U$12.23 / R$50.11 / €11.09).
Maison Cailler opening days and hours.
April to October: 10am to 6pm
November to March: 10am to 5pm
Last entry is 1 hour before factory closes
Closed December 25th and January 1st.
Check itineraries, prices and details on the SBB website at this link. And also see their special offer on this other link.