Itinerary, Specfically regarding Travel between Lucerne and Basel

I would not be concerned about a train from Luzern to Basel. There are 2 direct trains every hour. The one at 54 past the hour is the fast one, just over an hour with only one intermediate stop.

Even though you probably do not have enough full fare tickets to justify it, if you get a Half Fare Card for 120 CHF, then you can also get the free Family Card and your 2 kids will travel with you for free. Parents will not need one. You can buy Saver Day Passes several months in advance to do the r/t to Muerren.

Thank you!! I am reading the schedule correctly, that on the fast train I will not need to transfer trains?

2 direct trains every hour. Direct means no transfers.

I’m assuming you’re departing from Boston or somewhere on the East coast so I understand why you’d want to minimize the travel time on the ground once you land in Zurich after a 7+ hour flight.
However, the travel time from Lucerne to Interlaaken is 2 hours with Lauterbrunnen a further 30 minutes. Roundtrip that is 5 hours. That is a very long day for a daytrip— too long for most.
If you could stay 2 nights in Lauterbrunnen after landing at Zurich, and then move on to Lucerne for two nights—- your itinerary will be much more relaxing. It does add 90 minutes of train time on the first day, but it’s Swiss Alps train time! I don’t think it’s advisable to overnight anywhere for just one night— particularly with two parents and two kids in tow.
The train ride from Interlaaken to Lucerne through the Brunig Pass is spectacular and among the most scenic in Switzerland. Don’t miss it!
So, if you can grow your itinerary to 4 nights in the two locations before moving onto Basel, I think your trip will flow much better.
If you can stay two nights in Lauterbrunnen followed by two nights in Lucerne— that would be ideal. You can then take the funicular or cogwheel train up to Murren and maybe even hike the easy— yet spectacular— 1-hour hike to Gimmelwald— one of Rick Steves’ favorite villages in Switzerland. The views from Murren of the Eiger, Munch and Jungfrau mountain peaks are unbelievable.
While in Lauterbrunnen, you can also visit the Staubbach and Trummelbach waterfalls in the valley.
Brienz was hit by a devastating flood last month that wiped out the buildings so I’m not sure if it will be fully restored by next July.
It’s a 2:15 train ride from Zurich Flughafen ( Zurich’s Airport) to Interlaaken and then about 30 minutes further to Lauterbrunnen. Then it’s 2.5 hours from Lauterbrunnen to Lucerne. Swiss trains run like Swiss timepieces— so don’t worry about the trains being on time,
Have a great Trip!

When is this going to be? The Meiringen - Interlaken part of the Brünig Railway is going to be out till 25 November. That would make visiting the BO from Luzern less attractive.

They said they are traveling in July so that is next summer.

Thank you, so much for the helpful replies! And thank you, Kenko for such a detailed response! I very much appreciate you taking the time.

I do agree I would love to do an overnight in BO but I only have three nights total making it a bit tricky. Per your suggestion, I could look at doing:
Day 1; arrive Zurich, head straight to Lauterbrunnen
Day 2: Lauterbrunnen
Day3: Head to Luzern
Day 4: Train Luzern to Basel

Also, that is a shame about Brienze. Hopefully they can get it cleaned up soon.

Funny, we are also traveling on a River cruise from Basel next July, with my parents (in their 70s) and our teenage boys. We are on Avalon. I am hearing about more and more people river cruising with families.

Hi Shannon - yes, I have been hearing a lot about the river cruises, as well! We love to travel but have never done one. I am expecting it to be similar to a land tour without the switching of hotel rooms. It's nice that when you dock you are closer to the city/town centers than you would be on a large ship. When traveling with a group of varied ages, I think its nice to have other people to meet and visit with. We are traveling on ABD. I am so looking forward to picking the excursions!

Have a wonderful trip!!

Only about 20% of Brienz suffered serious damage, unfortunately, at the train station and ship pier. The ship landing has already been reopened, and the train tracks/station is expected to fully reopen sometime in October-November THIS year.
There should be minimal residual by next spring.