Family of 5 Switzerland/Austria help

Check the night train details carefully. What I'm seeing shows a very large number of stops, which I think you not be restful at all. You can drill down to see the intermediate stops on the Deutsche Bahn website.

There is not a true "night train" between Vienna and Zürich---as noted above, all nighttime routes have one or more train changes. There are two options with a single change, either very late at night, or worse yet, a two-hour stop in Salzburg from 0:23 to 02:30. Neither is something I would consider with small children.

You can break up the journey with a day or two in Salzburg, which is something you might want to see in any case. In Switzerland you should find snow in the Berner Oberland, perhaps at the top of the Schilthorn, or certainly nay at the Jungfraujoch. There is a snowplay area up there with saucers for sliding. The trip up there is expensive, but the children will all be free if at least one adult has a Half Fare Card. Request a Family Card when you buy the Half Fare Card.

With the limited time you have for this trip and the distances involved, you do not have time for both the Berner Oberland region and Zermatt. Travel to Zermatt for a single day does not guarantee a view of the Matterhorn, as it is often shrouded in clouds.

Good point about the night train. I think you make a good point. Trying to extend our trip a bit so we will have more time in Switzerland. Now thinking...2 nights in Vienna, 2 Nights in Salzburg and then...

So if I am coming by train from Salzburg with a lunch stop in Liechenstien where would you head from there. Trying to talk hubby out of the matherhorn.

flying into Vienna on may 25 and out of Zurich June 2
2 nights in Vienna, 2 Nights in Salzburg and then...
So if I am coming by train from Salzburg with a lunch stop in Liechenstien where would you head from there. Trying to talk hubby out of the matherhorn.

Requirement: Somewhere in Switzerland (not Zürich), for 3 nights.
Given that, you don't have time to do much in Switzerland. I would recommend Luzern. Easy to get to (train Salzburg - Zürich, then change for Luzern. Zürich to Luzern = 60 minutes).
That would give you pretty town + lake (boat trips) + mountains. There are 3 mountains you can go up from Luzern (Rigi, Pilatus and Titlis). Titlis has a small glacier on top you can go on and inside (ice cave). Read website here: http://www.titlis.ch/en
Lots to do for all ages.

Then on 2 June catch a train direct from Luzern to Zürich airport (70 minutes).

Liechenstein: This may not be practical. Trains from Salzburg to Zürich do go through Liechtenstein, but they don't stop. Previous stop Feldberg(A), next stop Buchs(CH). If you want to go to Liechtenstein you have to get off the train, and catch a local bus or train, then the same to get to Zürich. This will take a good chunk of the day. Just bring food and drink to eat on the train, and watch Liechtenstein out of the train window.

Snow is easy to see at that time of year. Most of the upper slopes of the Alps are still covered in it (although I understand there hasn't been nearly as much as usual this winter).

After much research, our family decided to focus on Luzern and Engelberg, and simply saw Zurich's airport on our way out. We really wanted to see snow in July. Here's what we did - maybe it will appeal to your family?

We loved Luzern and Engelberg, and had a day we will all remember for a lifetime on top of snowy Mt. Titlis (10,00+ ft. above sea level). My family of 5 were teen/young adult age - and we did not choose to do the Ice Flyer chair loft over glacier and snow tubing activities (you'll see those on the website Chris referenced.) We did go through the ice cave, walked on the cliff walk, which was spectacular and blessedly enclosed so no fear of falling. My kids had fun sliding down the snowy slopes near the summit on their feet, and rear ends - no official sleds or tubes for us! We packed a picnic and enjoyed it in the Panorama Room of the complex. There was a small chocolate store where you could choose favorites by the piece from bulk bins, complete with a stuffed marmot!

The ride to Mt. Titlis was three different segments on cable cars, with the third one being a rotating lift. You might want to offer gum for popping ears as you ascend.

On the way down, we got off at the Trubsee stop and hiked down to the lake. There were rowboats there to use (no visible life jackets, though), and hammocks around the lakeshore. We were greeted by cows with ringing cowbells, and it was so beautiful there, about 5,000 ft. above sea level. Then we got back on the next cable car and returned to Engelberg. If you stay in Engelberg, I'd check out Hotel Edelweiss Engelberg, which advertises a children's program. Our kids were too old - but maybe yours would benefit? The hosts were gracious, and the breakfast there was generous and delicious. They also had a lap pool and hot tub out on the deck, which was a lovely way to end our time in the mountains. We stayed there as long as we could, dried off, and left for Luzern!

We also really enjoyed our boat ride to Weggis on one of our Luzern days - the paddlewheel steamers are a lovely way to see the lake and mountains. We simply went there, walked around, and a delicious meal, and sailed back to Luzern on a beautifully sunny day.

Have fun!
Laurie

Taken out Liechtenstein and extended our trip. Will this work

25-28 Vienna
29-30 Salzburg
31-2 Murren
3-4 Zermatt
5. ????
6 stay near Zurich airport for morning flight on 7th

Personally, I'd nix Zermatt. Its a bit cumbersome to get to and in my opinion the Berner Oberland is waaaaaay better. Zermatt is crowded with tourists, you might be able to see the Matterhorn from town, but the weather has to be clear. Yes, you can get up closer to it, but it'll cost you a lot of money. In terms of snow, I'd head up to Kleine Scheidegg. Odds are there will be snow to play in in the shadow of the Eiger if not in patches up there at Kleine Scheidegg. There's also an insanely scenic easy downhill hike from the top of the Mannlichen gondola and Kleine Scheidegg. Do that one and ride the train down to Lauterbrunnen - you'll see some amazing sights very quickly.

I second the day train from Vienna to Zurich. Its actually quite scenic (it runs down the spine of the alps and along two beautiful lakes in Switzerland). Yes its long, but you'll be glued to the window. The OBB now has some high speed trains (the RailJets) that are fast considering the twists and turns on the line and include dining cars as I recall.

Zermatt is crowded with tourists,

Forgive me for asking, but then who are all those people walking around Mürren, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen? They don't appear to be seasonal agricultural help...

I actually agree with not doing the Matterhorn but unfortunately its a nonnegotiable with my husband. He worked at disney and really wants to see it and its his only request. He is letting me plan the rest of the trip except that.

Since the Matterhorn is a must see, add the extra day to Zermatt to increase the odds that you actually see it. While it is expensive, the train to the top is a great way to spend a day and worth it to see the Matterhorn soar above the surrounding peaks.

the train to the top is a great way to spend a day and worth it to see the Matterhorn soar above the surrounding peaks.

I agree. I've been all over the Alps, and nowhere did the scenery take my breath away like it did on the slopes above Zermatt. Not just the Matterhorn, many of the surrounding mountains, like Monta Rosa, soar above you like nowhere else. The key, though is that you have to gain some altitude above the town for the scenery to start to open up.