First Time in Switzerland- Itinerary Help

Sarah,
Do you have Rick Steves' Switzerland guidebook? In it he covers the Berner Oberland thoroughly and specifically the Lauterbrunnen Valley is what many of us would recommend. You'll see many discussions of this area in the Forum. It is perfect for 4 to 7 days. You certainly want no less than 4 nights here. Lots of easy to moderate hikes and amazing transportation to and through the mountains. You can stay in Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, or Muerren. The only trick would be needing to stay somewhere within range of Zurich airport the night prior to flight. Luzern is a good option, and a nice place to stay for a couple of nights, but it lacks, IMO, the Berner Oberland's drama.

You might want to pick up the guide and read about it quickly as time is fleeting to make reservations. Rick covers the hotels, too.

I am interested in moderate hikes, staying near beautiful mountain views and a mix of leisure and seeing a reasonable amount. I have between 4-7 days available for Switzerland. Which highlights make the most sense and in what order?

All accessible by train from Geneva, Zurich, or Basel airports then trains
Luzern 2 nights to Lauterbrunnen or Murren 3 nights to Bern 2 nights or vice versa

Price flights with returns from Zurich, Geneva and Basel to see what you get. From my origin, Zurich always seems to be substantially less expensive than Geneva, but it may be different from California.

Thank you for your suggestions. Unfortunately, I do not have Rick Steves book on Switzerland. Would you recommend spending a night or two in Geneva or Luzern? I like the idea of 3-4 nights in Berner Oberland and leaving out of Luzern for at least one night. Would you recommend spending a night or two in Geneva on arrival or trying maybe to fly into Basil and go straight to Berner Oberland? And then 2 nights in Luzern on way out. Another option might be depending on the day to fly home from Geneva. Definitely leaning more towards a total of 7 nights in Switzerland rather than the initial thought 4. Also would you recommend purchasing train tickets before hand or is it easy enough to purchase when I'm there.

Sarah, Luzern would be recommended over Geneva. You could spend 4 nights in the Berner Oberland followed by 2 nights in Luzern before flying back to the US from Zurich. It's only a 1 hour train ride between Luzern and Zurich.

If you don't want to put out the money for a guide book your local library most likely has a copy. I would suggest that it's a very good small investment considering the amount you are spending on your trip!

Also would you recommend purchasing train tickets before hand or is it easy enough to purchase when I'm there.

Beforehand especially if you opt not to buy one of the different Swiss Rail Passes; I went 1st time last summer and found if you stick to a set schedule you save more money; be ready for serious sticker shock compared to Italy (not unless you got a rich uncle).
Most travelers buy the Swiss Half Fare Card. You have to really research this to see what kind of mountain top excursions you want to do.
https://www.swiss-pass.ch/swiss-half-fare-card/

I booked all Super Saver fares which sell out fast because they are half price but also if you have the Swiss Half Fare Card you get an additional 50% off Super Saver Fares.

Also it looks your library in Monrovia has some of the guide books but not Swiss. I am librarian by trade so i know how to research stuff.

Would you recommend spending a night or two in Geneva on arrival or trying maybe to fly into Basil and go straight to Berner Oberland?

Is Geneva the only place in Switzerland that Easy Jet flies directly to, from Sardinia?
You can get from Geneva to the Berner Oberland with the beautiful mountain views and hikes, to Wengen, for example, by train in about 4 hours. So no need to connect flights in Geneva to go out of the way to Basil to train to the Berner Oberland.

Here's a map of the Swiss Transportation System:
https://www.sbb.ch/content/dam/sbb/de/infotexte/uebersichtskarte-sts.pdf

And here's the official Swiss Transportation System schedule:
www.sbb.ch/en
(Ticket prices assume you have a half price card.)

Here's the official Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card web site:
https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/travel-in-switzerland/international-guests.html
You can purchase them at the train station in Switzerland, or ahead of time online, or you can purchase them through Rail Europe instead (http://www.raileurope.com)

If you choose to buy the super saver tickets ahead of time to save money, be sure not to include the one for the day you fly in, because the flight could be delayed, and the super saver tickets are limited to the exact train date and time that you purchased. Normal Swiss train tickets are good for any train any time of the day for which you purchase it.

PBS has a show called real rail journeys that has featured Switzerland recently. You cab check your listings or its website. I think you would get some great ideas about Switzerland.

You can watch Rick's TV shows on Switzerland from here.

Your costs in Switzerland are going to be very high; it's unavoidable. Rick is very, very good at laying out the logistical details that will help you avoid wasting money. Believe me, the cost of the guide book is chump change compared to what you'll be spending, and it will make your trip much better.