6 nights in Switzerland itinerary

We spent 5 nights in Wengen with our teens in 2023. We did the trip to Jungfraujoch because it was easier from Wengen. We took the first train up and were done by noon, then took the Eiger Express to Grindelwald and went to First. We rode the mountain carts and it was a highlight of the trip. The First activities sell out, and there can be very long lines even if you have a reservation. So choose carefully or you could spend all day doing those activities. The kids also might like the mountain coaster nearby.

I know the passes have changed since we were there. I would look at the Jungfrau pass also. It may be more inclusive, but have a smaller coverage area. When we were there, the BO pass covered most things 100% and we used it to go ALL over the area: Allmendhubel, Grindelwald, Murren, Lake Brienz. Totally different views from each area.

With kids and luggage, I’d do the route via Zurich that doesn’t require bus connections. If you’re coming from Como you don’t even need to go to Milan at all. You can take the Gotthard-Basistunnel from Como to Zurich, skipping Milan and the construction altogether. If you leave at the right time, this option only requires 4 changes Como > Zurich > Interlaken Ost > Lauterbrunnen > Grutschalp > Murren — the direct trains from Zurich to Interlaken Ost only go every 2 hours, so if you time it correctly, it’s going to greatly simplify this day. For example, if you left Como at 7:54 on July 5th, you’d arrive in Murren by 1:54 pm or leave 9:50, arrive at 3:54. I’d personally do the early one to get settled into Murren and still have some time for exploring before dinner.

To know what pass to advise, you have to list out every activity you plan to do, price it out on SBB (pricing defaults to half fare card) and compare. It takes a while. I’m pretty fast at it, but there is no getting around doing all the calculations. I’m happy to help but can only do so once you put together a pretty specific itinerary.

For the kids, there is a Sportzentrum in Murren. When you pay your tourist tax you get a pass to enjoy their facilities (indoor pool, hot tub, virtual reality room, outdoor soccer field, skate/scooter/bike ramps, etc.)

Obviously weather dependent/flexible, but I’d recommend something like this….

*Saturday - arrive in Murren by 2 pm, drop off your luggage (right across from the train station), explore the village, optional walk down to Gimmelwald or Sportzentrum

*Sunday - Schilthorn + Birg Thrill Walk in the AM, Allmendhubel funicular for lunch, playground, hiking in the afternoon (Northface Trail counterclockwise or Blumental Flower Trail)

*Monday - Murren > Grutschalp > Lauterbrunnen > Wengen > Mannlichen (kids would probably enjoy the extra 5chf riding on the top in the open air part of the cable car) > optional Royal Walk, alpine playground > easy walk to Kleine Scheidegg > optional detour to Falbodensee (Kniepp baths) > optional hike or train to Wengernalp > train to Wengen for exploration > Lauterbrunnen (more exploration) > Grutschalp > Murren

*Tuesday - Maybe Schynige Platte open air cog train up to viewpoints/hiking/lunch OR time walking down to Gimmelwald and exploring the farms + walking through the Lauterbrunnen Valley seeing the waterfalls OR if you want to brave the crazy crowds, Grindelwald First (not my “first” choice, ha!)

*Wednesday - Murren > Luzern - explore old town

*Thursday - boat ride to Vitznau + Mt Rigi?

*Friday - Luzern > Zurich Flughafen

Thanks for the advice! I was leaning towards the route with fewest connections— but we will be coming ultimately from Varenna so I think we will need to come via Milan. Looks like they have at least two direct trains to Zurich . However, I doubt we will be able to make the early one so this will probably make our arrival in Murren closer to 6 PM

We are not planning on Grindelwald-First. Although some of those activities sound fun, the idea of crowds and long lines for an attraction is a huge turn off.

Wanderweg: In terms of specific itinerary, what you have laid out is a pretty good framework of what we would plan to do. You read my mind! Perhaps the order would be a little different, but we certainly won’t be able to pack in any more than what you’ve suggested here.

With that outline, would you advise the half fare card and the Six day BO pass?

I did some rough estimate math. If you get the Half Fare Card your kids travel free with the Family Card, so that’s non negotiable. With the itinerary I gave you, the cheapest option is Half Fare Card only, so I think the only way the pass works in your favor is if you add in some extra rides that aren't in what I listed. Neither pass fully covers you, so the convenience is not perfect, in that you can't just spend your whole time there never purchasing any tickets, unless you adjust to only doing things the pass covers. With just the Half Fare card you have to purchase around 10ish tickets for your time, whereas the passes you're still purchasing around 5. So the convenience of not having to purchase 5 tickets is hardly worth 120 chf for 2 adults in my opinion.

These numbers are based on your arrival day from the Swiss Border (Lugano) to your exit to the airport with the exact itinerary I gave you, not including Italy. Numbers have been rounded for quick math, so they might be off by 20 chf +/-

Full Fare = 610 chf pp

Half Fare card only = 425 chf pp

4 Day Reduced Berner Oberland Pass + Half Fare Card = 485 chf pp
Tickets you’ll still have to buy @ half fare
- Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen
- Wilderswil to Schynige Platte roundtrip
- Whatever you decide to do in Luzern (I calculated in Rigi)
- Italy to Murren
- Luzern to airport

3 day Reduced Jungfrau Travel Pass + Half Fare Card = 495 chf pp
Tickets you’ll still have to buy @ half fare
- Schilthorn/Allmendhubel
- Whatever you decide to do in Luzern (I calculated in Rigi)
- Italy to Murren
- Luzern to airport

I have downloaded the SBB app and have been playing around with it. It’s Super easy to use. Perhaps it’s not only cheaper (according to your calculations for the itinerary) but also easier to only use half fare card given the ease of use, and the complicating factor of trying to figure out which rides are covered and which aren’t!

thanks again for your generous time and recommendations. If anyone else has any “ off the beaten path” type of recommendations I’m all ears