First trip to Switzerland - large age range in family group

What time of year do you plan to take this trip?

I wonder if there's a rail map for Switzerland that shows travel times between key points. That would be really handy for a group wanting to spend 10 days in one place.

The Swiss trains (and postbuses and lake boats) are very good and generally run more frequently than one might expect, but it's a mountainous country, and not every trip can be made in an hour or two. I think you need to start out with a list of the places folks will definitely want to go, then try to find a centrally located base.

This is a situation in which I wouldn't want to be staying way up in the mountains where I'd need to take something like a ski lift downhill just to reach a train station.

Honestly, with such a diverse group, especially one not comprised entirely of hikers who might be content to overdose on the hiking possibilities somewhere like the Lauterbrunnen area, I don't think I'd choose to stay in one place for the entire trip because of the likely transportation challenges. There may be a really good, central solution that I don't know about, but I see that Chur (for the Bernina Express) is around a 4-hour ride from Lauterbrunnen, which seems pretty far to me. Lugano's about 5 hours away. There are some nice places much closer, of course, but I think ten days is a long time to stay in one place in a country that--to put it bluntly--does not have a large number of major, time-consuming indoor sights like museums.

At least you can count on generally wonderful scenery pretty much everywhere you go in Switzerland.

You'll want to investigate the various Swiss transportation pass options, because the full fares will mount rapidly. It's possible that the optimal solution may not be the same for all the travelers.

The first thought that comes to mind is that you might consider two "base locations" for this trip. Divide the time between Lucerne and the Berner Oberland, as that should cover all the bases. Lucerne is a good base for exploring locations like Pilatus / Rigi / Titlus, taking cruises on the lake and enjoying the attractions of the city such as the excellent Museum of Transport. The Berner Oberland will provide all the hiking and outdoor activities and certainly the scenery that your Mom will enjoy.

Everyone on the forum has a preference in terms of which Berner Oberland town to stay in, and Mürren seems to be a big favourite. I prefer to stay in Lauterbrunnen as it's the transportation hub and is central to both sides of the valley.

You might find it helpful to pick up a copy of the RS Switzerland guidebook as that will provide lots of information to help work out the details of your trip.

I wonder if there's a rail map for Switzerland that shows travel times between key points.

I don't know of one that shows times, but this map here shows routes: https://www.swisspasses.com/railpass/overviewmap_en.pdf
You can use this with the Swiss railways site which will give you travel times: http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
Trains in the relatively flat "Mittelland" (Geneva-Bern-Zürich-St Gallen axis) are faster, those in the Alps are slower (but more scenic). The SBB website always finds the quickest route (unless you add "via" locations), which sometimes involves a longer route via the Mittelland.

I too agree you need two locations. The classic two are Luzern and somewhere in the Berner Oberland (Mürren, Wengen, Grindelwald etc.)
the large number of mountain railways and cable cars will allow all ages to see the views without over-exertion.
This 3D map shows the mountain railways in the Berner Oberland area: http://www.swisspasses.com/railpass/swiss-regional-rail-passes/validity-maps/images/jungfrau-vip-pass-validity-map.jpg
As an example, this is a place called Kleine Scheidegg, which you can find on the map and get to by train: http://www.mesimages.ch/images/jungfrau-region/19-IMG_3947.JPG

For what you have described I would stay in Interlaken. It's a rail hub from which you can make easy day trips by train to Bern or Luzern for sightseeing and culture the older folks might like. Interlaken is also flat (easy for your mom) and has its own attractions such as lake cruises and a really good open air museum nearby.

From Interlaken you can also make a very easy trip into the alps by connecting to Lauterbrunnen. From there the younger folks can find endless hiking opportunities from easy to rigorous. Depending on the time of year, white-water rafting and paragliding may also be available. Plus, you can take trips up to dizzying peaks such as the Jungfrau or Schilthorn.

Dad and i did 2 nights in Lucerne - could have done 3 (night one was our arrival) and then stayed in Lauterbrunnen. It made a great base for trips up to Jungfrau and the Shilthorn, a day trip on the Golden Pass to Montreaux and one or two days just enjoying the scenery from a cafe in Murren or Wengen.
Dad is a vigorous 80 yr old, but we mainly used the trams, etc. We took a beer break on way to and from our hotel in Lauterbruenen from the train. So if the older members of your party can walk some small uphill distances , they will be fine.
Another thing we have done (on other trips) is to allow ourselves the expense of having an overnight in another location while keeping our accommodations in our base city. Allowed for leisurely trip with only an overnight bag.

I appreciate all of the wonderful advice. Having everyone give me tips on this trip really helps me feel more confident in making our plans. We are going in June and this will be the first time my mother has ever been out of the country. It has always been her dream to visit Switzerland and so at age 76...she is going 😊 And I hope to make this the trip she has imagined. Thank you again!

I agree with two bases of Lucern and then either Lauterbrunnen in the valley or Murren on one side of the valley, or Wengen on the other side of the valley. You can visit Zurich or boat rides plus the mountains as previously mentioned.

Lauterbrunnen is very flat with spectacular waterfalls and nearly vertical walls. It has a good flat walking trail up to the end of the valley at Stechelberg. It has some places to cut across to the road where you can catch a bus. http://alpinetraveler.com/murren-travel-guide/

Here is a five day itenrary. I am not sure about day 4 as we have not done it. http://alpinehikers.com/self-guided-tours/self-guided-murren-tour/

More hikes. http://www.wikiloc.com/trails/hiking/switzerland/bern/murren

http://www.mappery.com/Schilthorn-Summer-Trail-Map

I would not stay in Grindelwald. You either are going up or down not very flat. Plus to me it is very touristy.

Murren is smaller than Wengen but seems touristy but several restaurants have great views of the Jungfrau. It is mostly flat with small inclines. Indoor pool. Several trails. A relatively flat one to Winteregg where the train from Murren meets the Cable car from Lauterbrunnen. We love the North Face Trail from the top of the funicular in Murren. It takes several hours but has several places to shorten the route and end back in Murren. http://www.muerren.ch/en/summer/hiking/ gives some hike details. Double the times because you will stop and enjoy the scenery. This site says you need equipment for the North Face Trail. Our 7 year old did this without any safety concerns. Just bring food and water. It took us 7 hours but we stopped and took a ton of photos, had lunch and admired the view which is the reason you are in Switzerland in the first place. If we hiked straight through, it would take 5 hours or so. The listed 20 minute walk from Murren to Gimmelwald took 40 minutes without stopping.

Wengen is larger more restaurants, hotels and shops. It has a pool with amazing views of the Jungfrau which might be of interest to the 16 year old. It also has a volleyball court, tennis courts, putt putt and several activity areas. It is relative flat but has some hills getting to different chalets, but there is a small electric taxi in the city which can help getting the older ones around if need be. Fewer trails than Murren.

Besides your itinerary you need to give eating a lot of thought. Really. You can't afford to feed teens and twenties the amount they want in a restaurant, plan for lots of grocery store visits and cafeteria-type meals.

And there is a train map with travel times and rough fares, it just so happens to be in Rick's guidebook! And probably here on his site as well.

Thanks! Right now due to the great advice...our plan is breakfast at our hotels, lunch at a cafeteria or Coop and then maybe dinner out...snacks bought at Coop as well.
I just purchased Rick's guide books for everyone in our group ( Christmas stocking stuffers 😊🎄)
Thanks again for all the great tips!