Advice for travelling from Zurich to Grindelwald

Is the Zurich to Grindelwald trip on January 31 and the return to Zurich on February 1 include all of your travel in Switzerland?
If so, then the adult fares are going to run between $60-$90 per person going from Zurich to Grindelwald and another $55- $90 for each adult’s return fare to Zurich from Grindelwald. For the kids. buying a “Children’s Day Pass” for about $20 each will cover thei train travel on January 31. Another “ Children’s Day Pass” will be needed for each child on February 1. $60 x 2 =$120.
www.TheTrainline.com shows two trains with tickets for $55 departing Zurich for Grindelwald at 7:32am and 9:32am on January 31. There may be return trains on February 1, offering similar fares.
I can’t see any savings realized with a Half-Fare Card ( CHF120 for each adult) or a Saver Day Pass, which, at this late date, now cost more than simply point-to-point tickets.
So yes, you’re looking at about $400- $480 for your family’s roundtrip train tix from Zurich to Grindelwald on January 31 and for the return to Zurich on February 1.
Have a great trip.

What might be a good idea is to get at least one half fare card, as that comes with the free Family Card. Given that there are three kids with you that will be a big saving.
If you intend to do anything in Grindelwald that involves more transportation even getting both a HFC may be a good option. What are your plans in Grindelwald?

If you get both the HFC then you will be paying 2x120, plus about 4 x 45 for your trip. There are currently still supersaver tickets available on that route, and with the HFC these are further discounted, and your kids, as mentioned, go free.

Thanks for your replies, both are really helpful.
The plan is to get into Grindelwald late morning, and then do Grindelwald First.
The following day we’re booked in for activities at the Bodmi centre, before heading back to Zurich.
Looking on the SBB app, with Supeesaver and Kids day passes we can do it for £329 return which is certainly the best rates I’ve found so far and doesn’t seem too unreasonable.
Would your recommendation always be to book in advance?

Since you’ve been to Zurich before, have you considered skipping an overnight stay there and doing 2 nights in Grindelwald instead. Having 1 full day without travel instead of 2 days of travel where you have to cram in your activities would be really nice and much more enjoyable.

Look again the Half Fare Card then, as it will also give your kids free travel on the First. (And Half fare for the adults). One Half Fare Card costs 120,- which is what 6 Children Day Passes would cost as well. But the Children Day Pass will not give you free travel on the First, the Family Card that you get for free with the HFC however does.
And the HFC also gives the adults 50% off on the First.

Thanks WengenK,
So if I purchase 1 half price travel card, does that 1 card cover us as a group? So 2 adults and the 3 kids?
I only ask because on SBB there’s a drop down menu of passes/travel cards for each passenger.
Do I select the half price card option against all 5 passengers? If I do, it brings it down to £270 return.
But with the added bonus of discount on the First as you suggested.
Thanks in advance.

each adult to benefit from a Half Fare Card needs their own Half Fare Card.

The benefit of one having and one not having is the free stuff for the kiddies with the free Family Card you can get with at least one Half Fare card. To decide if it is worth both adults getting one is to noodle all the savings and see if it is more than the 120 CHF for the second card. If it saves the second adult 121 CHF you are ahead. Homework, eh?