9 days and 9 nights, how to divide our time

There are people on this board who are experts on getting the best rail deals from the Deutsche Bahn. I remember posts about some good deals on trains extending into other countries, including Switzerland. You can start by reading about them here.

This would not be a substitute for an appropriate Swiss pass or half-fare card if you were spending the entire time in Switzerland, but it might be practical if you're in that country for only two or three days. It's worth checking out, anyway.

For the Bernina Express there's very good information on the Seat61 website. Part-way down that web page is a section on how to buy Bernina Express tickets for as little as 29 euros, with kids under 15 traveling free.

Seat61 has an equivalent web page on the Glacier Express. This seems to be a far more costly option.

April is not the best time for the Swiss Alps. Might be OK in Lucerne, or Lake Geneva, but the high mountain valleys will be grey and brown and muddy---snow melting and no green yet.

You enjoyed it in your 20's but what time of year was that?

Maybe limit your time there on this trip since it is so expensive. We often fly intomZurich cuz it is cheaper, but then go straight to Italy. You could go straight to Alsace.

Accommodations costs in Switzerland need not be prohibitive if you book ahead and choose carefully. For instance, in Muerren, Rick's Switzerland book recommends a couple of hotels that have quad rooms from 180 - 240/night, with price depending on view, whether or not it has a private bath, and also may have bunk beds. There must be others, too, as he doesn't list everything. You can also find apartments in the same price range. None of these are youth hostels, but some youth hostels also have rooms for 4 people, so they're also worth a look.

If you want to focus on Switzerland, then a Swiss Travel Pass is a very convenient choice and also often a good value, especially since the Swiss Family Card (free add-on) allows both kids to travel free with you on all transportation, including high mountain lifts. Coverage with this pass is already extensive and only getting better next year.

Thanks for all the great ideas. Seat 61 is my 'go to' for all train travel, to be sure. And I was wondering about what the mountains would look like in April...how much snow melt would occur--good point about them not yet likely being super green. I've only ever been in the summer--both times and for about 36 hours each time. Truthfully I'd envisioned a week or more in all of Switzerland sometime in the summer, but kind of felt silly flying in and out of Zurich and not seeing any of Switzerland. And appreciate the info on hostels--I haven't gotten any guidebooks just yet, as they are mostly broken out by country and I wanted to narrow down if we'd even be spending time in Switzerland before doing so, so have done only limited accommodation research. Hostels would be great as a way to save money. These are all great points to consider--thanks!

To arrive in Lauterbrunnen and look up at the snowy capped jagged peaks ANY TIME of the year is a plus in my book. The alps don't need to be covered in green grass in order strike awe into this mere mortal.

If you want cheap accommodations in Murren then try the Chalet Fontana or Hotel Alpina. There's also the Sports Center which has some cheap rooms. Chalet Fontana has an attached completely private apartment which is wonderful for families. The Alpina also has quad rooms and is perched right on the cliff overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

An apartment in Wengen would be my choice, second would be Murren, they are across the valley from each other, the third definitely cheapest option would be in Lauterbrunn which is at the base to both locations. An apartment allows you to cook for yourselves, there is a grocery store in all three, each day head up into the mountains for sightseeing or a downhill walk, North Face Trail above Murren, was easy enough for our 7 year old. Or the Mannlich to Keinne Scheidegg walk, then either walk down or take train. We would go to the grocery store and buy sandwiches for lunch before heading up to walk a trail. The food in Murren and Wengen is extremely expensive ($28 child's chicken nuggets in Murren comes to mind). Yes, fondue is a must try while there or if your apartment is equipped make it yourself they sell kits with all the cheese you will need.