All:
We returned from Switzerland three plus weeks ago. Can't wait to go back. We were also there last summer. I wanted to share my thoughts/tips/gripes, hoping that it might be of service. These are in relatively random order. I may have to make two posts due to length. For all these points, I assume you have Rick Steves' guidebook.
1) Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card?
Last year, Lucerne --> Murren --> Zurich, we used the half fare card. This year, Lausanne --> Montreux --> Murren --> Zurich, we used the Swiss Travel Pass. Last year, I could not have fathomed the Swiss Pass being a good value. But for our our trip, the 15 day Swiss pass was indeed an excellent value. Wanna go to a museum? No worries. Wanna take a boat ride? Covered. Quick jaunt down the mountains from Murren to Spiez? Free. The Pass DEFINITELY paid for itself. It was helpful to make an excel chart beforehand to make sure it would be a good value, with planned itinerary/museums, but honestly, we did FAR more with the Swiss Pass than even my ambitious itinerary. If you're on the fence, I'd get the Swiss Pass.
2) Rick consistently underestimates lengths of time for his walks. I found this was most prominent in Portugal (does he not take pictures?), but true in Switzerland, as well.
3) Swiss trains are so incredible. I have lived on the East coast my whole life, and NYC for most of that, so I appreciate public transportation more than most, but good God, can we not learn something from the Swiss? America has this disgusting car fetish and our country would be MUCH better off with an effective public transit network.
4) I cannot understand those of you who choose staying in Wengen over Murren. I get it, I get it, to each their own--but Rick Steves is right. Wengen is relatively soulless compared to Murren. The views from Murren are better, it's quieter, the shopping is cuter, it's just more peaceful. And this time we stayed DURING the construction, and it was still fine. For me, the fact that Gimmelwald is right there is also a huge plus. Basically you get two amazing villages for the price of one. Wengen feels more like Zermatt in comparison.
5) The pizza at the Mountain Hostel in Gimmelwald is amazing after a hike. And their beer on draft is so refreshing. I just can't stand the cigarettes.
6) Rick describes the way down the North Face Trail to the Sprutz Waterfall as treacherous, or something like that. I heartily disagree. There have been walks of his where I've been like...whoa...this is kinda tough. But not this one. If you can hike the rest of the North Face Trail, you can hike this.
7) The Chocolate Train in Montreux -- we decided to forego this, as you can do the same journey for free (on the train itself, even). HOWEVER -- when we got to the Gruyeres cheese factory, we had to wait in line for 30 minutes, while the folks that took the train got ushered right in. I have heard that the chocolate factory is dull. We did not go to that. Also, if you want to go to the cheese factory, go in the morning. If you go in the afternoon, it's worthless, as there's nothing to see.
8) Gruyere castle has a really neat exhibit on tourism in Switzerland. I'm really into that kinda thing.
9) Zermatt makes for the perfect full day trip from Montreux. Download the Swiss Meteo weather app and watch for the forecast. Go on a perfect day.
10) Best restaurant in the Montreux area we found was Ze Fork in Vevey.
11) North Face Trail in Murren we find much more enjoyable than the Mannlichen-->KS trail on the Wengen side. We also love the Mountain View Trail. If cost is at all a factor for you, the ones from Murren are way cheaper.
Edit -- Part two: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/switzerland/it-s-been-three-weeks-my-switzerland-thoughts-part-2