First time to Europe!! Help....

We will be traveling in June by the way.

I think you should go with your gut. You have 3 good destinations, a basic plan, adequate time to do them justice. Easyjet you can fly from Tegel to either Zurich or Basel. Bus from Basel airport to Basel SBB station then train to Lauterbrunnen, or from Zurich airport train station to Lauterbrunnen. Time wise they are about equal.

Good plan but need to be aware Switzerland’s money is the Swiss Franc not the euro. Not that it’s a problem if you have ATM access or can use your credit card for anything your may need/want.

You say you're going with a few friends, and this is your first trip to Europe? And you're already confused?
Remember that your first day and last day in Europe are wasted days. And every time you move from city to city is a wasted day. That means you're looking at 8 full days on the ground--a little short of time for 3 locations far apart.
Great European cities are just about all worthy of a 4 day minimum time, and Amsterdam and Berlin are great cities. They're also very lively and fun places. You may not have the time to go to Switzerland as it's really not the easiest country to travel to.
As far as taking friends: Travel can get difficult with very many in a party, especially 5 or more total people. Navigating airports, city public transit and train stations can put a lot of pressure on the host of the party if they're not experienced in international travel.
Good luck on planning your trip. Sometimes traveling slower is traveling better. If at all possible, you can save money if you go the last of May with Spring airfares. And if you're looking at fun places, Amsterdam and Berlin are it. So are Munich and Vienna. And Prague. And Budapest.

To begin with, as this is your first trip to Europe, I'd suggest that all of you read Europe Through The Back Door soon, before you get too far in the planning. It provides a lot of good information on how to travel well in Europe.

A trip duration of 14 days will provide 12 days for sightseeing, which will include travel days from one city to another. If you just want a glimpse of three locations, there's no reason you can't accomplish that. You could for example try something like this.....

• D1 - Flight inbound AMS
• D2 - Arrival AMS - train to Amsterdam Central and Taxi or Tram to hotel
• D3 - Amsterdam
• D4 - Amsterdam
• D5 - Train to Berlin - use a direct train, about six hours as I recall
• D6 - Berlin
• D7 - Berlin
• D8 - easyJet flight from Berlin to Zürich (about 1H:30M) - train from airport to Lauterbrunnen (as short at 2H:37M with two changes)
• D9 - Lauterbrunnen - hiking
• D10 - Lauterbrunnen (trip to Schilthorn or Jungfraujoch?)
• D11 - Lauterbrunnen
• D12 - train to Lucerne (2H:32M, two changes)
• D13 - Lucerne
• D14 - Train to Zürich airport for flight home (1H:03M) - try to book your return flight later in the day, so that you won't have to spend your last night in Zürich.

Have a look at the Rick Steves guidebooks for each of the locations you'll be visiting, to plan sightseeing, hotels, etc. You should be able to find these at your local library or larger bookstores.

As others have mentioned, be sure to budget accordingly for Switzerland as it's a pricey country to travel in. The scenery is exceptional so it's worth a visit (IMO).

You may enjoy having a look at this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybeBp4Z-YVY and this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AxtbifeoBY .

Good luck with your planning!

Allowing for travel days between locations so far apart and losing your first and last days as jet lag/ getting to the airport days, you can manage your three locations, but you will be short-changing them.

Amsterdam is compact, but needs 2-3 full days to see the highlights.

I had 6 full days in Berlin and didn’t have time to get out to Potsdam. It has some great modern history. It needs 3 full days to just scratch the surface.

Switzerland will certainly eat your cash. I’m not trying to dissuade you from going, but there is plenty good hiking in Germany that would save you travel time.

Where would you recommend hiking in Germany?

Here are a few suggestions......

https://www.tripsavvy.com/best-hiking-in-germany-4135999

If you'd like to venture a bit further south into the Trentino / Alto Adige region, you'll have lots of hiking opportunities.....

https://www.seiseralm.it/en/summer-dolomites/hiking/hiking-trails.html#cat=Hiking-main

I'm sure the avid hikers in the forum group will have more ideas for you.

Thanks guys!! Love all the help.

Don't cut out Switzerland. That's the best part of your proposed itinerary. Personally, one day in Amsterdam was enough for me. I prefer Harlem, the Netherlands.

What do you think about cutting out Berlin and Switzerland and doing this instead...

D1 - Flight inbound AMS
D2 - Arrival AMS - train to Amsterdam Central and Taxi or Tram to hotel
D3 - Amsterdam
D4 - Amsterdam
D5 - Amsterdam
D6 - EasyJet to Prague 1:20 min./ then Train to Krasna Lipa (Bohemian Swtlitzerland National Park) 3 hr 30 min
D7 - Bohemian Switzerland National Park
D8 - Bohemian Switzerland National Park
D9 - Bohemian Switzerland National Park
D10 - Train from Krasna Lipa (National Park) to Prague 3:30 min.
D11 - Prague
D12 - Prague
D13 - Flight out of Prague back home.
D14 - Flight inbound IND

Don't cut out Switzerland. That's the best part of your proposed itinerary. The Lauterbrunnen/ Murren/ Gimmelwald area of Switzerland is so beautiful and a great place for hiking. Personally, one day in Amsterdam was enough for me. I prefer Harlem, the Netherlands. I have not been to Berlin, so can't comment on that. I love other parts of Germany, however, especially along the Rhine and Mosel Rivers.

Joy is right. Don't cut out Switzerland, and Lauterbrunnen will beat the Switz. Natl. Park.
Check out my pics and maps of the hikes around Lauterbrunnen before you make your decision. Just click on my name and in my profile is a link to our dozen favorite trails in the area.