itinerary -- Zermatt / Bern?

If you like hiking, maximize Berner oberland/lucerne (especially the former). Minimize everything else except Zermatt if you MUST see the Matterhorn. If you like wine, keep Montreux, but otherwise, there’s better hiking in Berner oberland. I would say screw your friends. They can meet you where YOU are lol. What a hassle to have two separate one night stops in Zurich!

Just to note that Bern, while a lovely city, is not in the mountains. So yes I would skip. I would also stay the last night in Luzern from where you can take trains to the Zurich airport, thus skipping Zurich as well.

Bern is a charming place to stroll around with fascinating clocks and fountains; if you prefer hiking then more time in Zermatt would let you hike more and increase your chances of seeing the Matterhorn.

You could stop off in Bern for a few hours on your way to Zurich to enjoy the sights if you want an extra night in Zermatt. I enjoyed wandering through Bern more than Zermatt; however, I spent most of my time there hiking in the mountains which was amazing.

All the best,

Raymond

Bern is a bit of an outlier on this itinerary. Since you seem to like scenic train journeys, take the Golden Pass route from Montreux to Interlaken Ost and the Berner Oberland. Then the Luzern-Interlaken Express to Luzern..

I completely agree that spending the last night in Lucerne works well with a noon flight the next day. It's very easy to get from Lucerne by train to the Zurich airport. The train goes directly to the airport. (Actually, Spending the last night in Bern works equally as well.) safe travels!

You are spending the time and money to take the Glacier Express. It would be nice to spend 2 nights in Zermatt once you arrive there. Lots to see and do, especially with hiking.

We did 5 trips to Switzerland before ever stoping in Bern. Now, we love that city, but we put it first or last in our itinerary, on our way to or from the Zurich airport. I you want to see Bern, you could make it your last stop, with one night there before your flight out from Zurich. There are direct trains right to the airport, taking 1 hour 12-20 minutes (no change at Zurich main station, which you would have coming from Luzern). The direct trains depart Bern at 7:02, 7:31, 8:02, etc.