Lauterbrunnen vs. Kandersteg

Staying in Lauterbrunnen gives you quick access to Murren and Wengen ( they are on either side of the Lauterbrunnen Valley). Grindelwald Is about 40 minutes away by train; Brienz is about 30 minutes away.

Kandersteg gives you access to Oeschinensee, but Kandersteg is 1:45 away from Lauterbrunnen which makes it far from everywhere else on your itinerary.

Thank you for your reply. We are looking to make the most of our time there. Are there any other things to do if we choose to stay in Kandersteg? Because we will be visiting Oeschinensee irrespective of our stay preference.

There is, of course, hiking around Kandersteg ( i.e. GemmiPass) but the hiking available in the Berner Oberland region around Lauterbrunnen is more extensive and arguably more spectacular.
If you want to see the turquoise color of the Oeschinensee, be sure to be at the summit on a sunny day between 11am and 1:30 pm. There’s a nice cafe there.
Have fun in Switzerland!

For sure stay in the Jungfrau region. Driving to Kandersteg only takes just under an hour. There is a lot of hiking there, but with two toddlers I don't think that there will be that many suitable options - most of them tend to be far more serious hikes and require a high level of ability/fitness. Oeschinensee has a route that you can do with strollers, but be aware that most images on social media are taken from a much more difficult (higher) hiking route...still, you can walk to the lake and it is very pretty up there.

You have a big list of things for just 3 days, even from my perspective, and I like to try and fit a lot into one day. It’s great to have this list though, you can decide what to do on a daily basis depending on the weather. The only thing that you need to reserve ahead of time is the Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe).

Your list is a bit ambitious for 3 days with 2 toddlers. You can combine some activities, but 2 toddlers means you can't get everywhere at the drop of a hat. Also, "Top of Europe" (Jungfruajoch) isn't exactly a great toddler activity and your car will need to just stay parked the whole time, as the area is really better done by train/cable car, as almost everywhere on your list is car free.

Realistically with 2 toddlers, your list looks like 5 days to me....
1 day - Wengen, Jungfraujoch
1 day - Murren, Lauterbrunnen
1 day - Grindelwald First
1 day - Oeschinensee
1 day - Lake Brienz

With 2 toddlers, I'd prioritize places that have alpine playgrounds for the kids that also have amazing views for the adults. You'll all be happier that way.

1 day - Lauterbrunnen > Wengen (village exploration) > Mannlichen (alpine playground + lunch) > cable car down to Grindelwald terminal > Grindelwald > Grindelwald First cable car up to Bort (alpine playground) > Grindelwald (dinner + playground in town) > Zweilutchinen > Lauterbrunnen

1 day - Lauterbrunnen > Grutschalp > Murren > Allmendhubel (alpine playground + lunch) > Murren (village exploration) > easy and stroller friendly walk down to Gimmelwald (playground, farm exploration, dinner) > Stechelberg > Lauterbrunnen

1 day - Lauterbrunnen > Interlaken Ost > Boat ride on Lake Brienz with optional stops along the way (Iseltwald, Giessbach, Brienz) > Interlaken Ost > Lauterbrunnen

I agree with all the above. Visiting with two toddlers is no easy task. You want to make things reasonable for the entire family. Remember that, many a time, less is more.

Hi,
I'm planning a similar number of days and want to do the same things! I'd love to see your itinerary as you make it if you're willing. We are staying in Wengen but want to go to Jungfrauboch and then enjoy the little villages and grindelwald first. I have no idea how to fit some of these things together in 3 days!
Thank you!

Thank you all for your response. I am travelling with my sister, her husband their 2 kids. While I want to spend most time together, I also want to not restrict myself and be open to exploring places where I can go by myself. Would you have any suggestions for things I can do by myself over these 3 days? Further, Can someone guide me on the Oeschinensee lake hike? The way upto the like and the panormic hike, keeping in mind that I may have to do this alone. Is this a safe bet?

Also, Is car a good idea? Our main concern is toddlers and luggage. We are planning to hire the car as well as take the swiss half pass. Please suggest if this sounds economical, and hassle free compared to train
We are starting from Laussane, going to Zermatt for a couple of days, moving on to Jungfrau region for 3 - 3.5 days, post which we go to Stoos / Lucerne for last couple of days before heading home.

Further, Can someone guide me on the Oeschinensee lake hike? The way upto the like and the panormic hike, keeping in mind that I may have to do this alone. Is this a safe bet?

I am not sure if you are asking for a hiking guide (someone to hike with you) or just information regarding the hike.

For a person to hike with you, check with the Tourist information for Kandersteg if they have registered guides.

https://adelboden-lenk-kandersteg.ch/en/places/kandersteg

The link also mentions Blausee, this is a good location for small children.

Also, before going up the mountain, check the Oeschinensee website and look at “operating information”. Today the mountain coaster is closed due to wet conditions, boats are closed, and very importantly the hike Läger-Heuberg-Oberbärgli is closed due to avalanche danger.

Last year people hiked this trail when it was closed and one person was killed and several were injured by an avalanche. Many other people had to be rescued by helicopter. Even though the trail was closed, they hiked it anyway. Hiking in the mountains is no joke, you need to know what you are doing, have proper footwear and hiking equipment and pay attention to all signs and closures. Trails are not closed just for the fun of it, there is always a good reason.

https://www.oeschinensee.ch/en/

@Meghana Shah - Do not rent a car and get a train pass. That does not make sense, especially since you said in another thread that your budget isn't allowing you to stay near Zermatt, but over 2 hours away. If you are on a budget, your itinerary needs to be adjusted to accomodate that, which means staying in economical areas that you can access either 100% car only (unlikely considering your desire to see car free mountain areas) OR 100% via public transportation with bases that are within 30 minutes of your desired activities, especially with young children. Your plan to stay in Saas Grund, 2 hours away with a bus in the commute and little kids is a bad idea and a car doesn't really help because then you have to add in expensive parking and still pay for the train to get into Zermatt. Your trip seems to be coming up very soon, so I think your best bet is to make a post with your entire plan all laid out and get some help on the big picture.

@wanderweg - Thank you for suggesting that. Here is my itinerary brief -

5th June - Land in Geneva - Check in to Laussane - Rest / Explore Lake Geneva
6th June - Visit Chateau de chillon, Laussane vineyards, visit Sion on the way and move onwards to Saas Grund. Stay the night there.
7th June - Hopefully the weather gods support us, Drive from Saas to Tasch, park there and visit Gornergrat (expect to take the 8 / 8.30 train), see the famous Matterhorn via Gornergrat Lake. Do the Panoramic hike, Rifflesee lake, visit cafes in Zermatt or head back to Saas-Grund and go up to the Kreuzbodensee. Overnight at Saas Grund
8th June - Move from Saas Grund to Kandersteg. Park at Kandersteg and we split. Parents and toddlers on the cable car. Other 2 adults move on towards Lager - Oeschinensee trek. Spend time at the lake and move on to Blausee / Do the toboggan run or head back early. Use half the day to explore Lauterbrunnen. Drive to Lauterbrunnen, Overnight at Lauterbrunnen.
9th June - Drive and park at Interlaken Ost. Take the train to Top of Europe - Stop at Wengen and explore a bit before hoping back on for the Top of Europe experience. Come down the other way via grindelwald and end at interlaken Ost. Please confirm this is possible (to take 2 different routes on the way up and on the way down). Spend time at Interlaken / Take the Brienz boat if possible. Drive back to Lauterbrunnen. Start the day early and end the day early.
10th June - Grindelwald first for activities, walk to bachalpsee and probably explore Murren in the evening / late afternoon.
11th June - Lauterbrunnen to Brienz, take the Brienz Rothorn Railway. Get back, move towards Rigi Kulm / Pilatus (we are yet to decide on one). Please help us select. Explore grimsel pass on the way. Overnight at Unteriberg.
12th - Stoos Ridge Hike and lucerne city tour.
13th - Buffer day for any activity around Lucerne. Move towards Laussane. Overnight at Laussane.
14th - Flight back home.

Overnight at Lauterbrunnen.
9th June - Drive and park at Interlaken Ost. Take the train to Top of Europe - Stop at Wengen and explore a bit before hoping back on for the Top of Europe experience.

9th June. You are at Lauterbrunnen to start the day? Why drive down the hill to Interlaken Ost to park the car then take the train back to where you started, to get the train to Wengen which starts at Lauterbrunnen station to then get off and then get back on again to go up to the Jungfraujoch?

The earlier you are up the mountain the better chances you have for decent weather at the summit (check before you go and don't bother if it is socked in).

Thanks @nigel. Dont we have to pre-book the tickets for Juagfrau the previous day? what if weather forecast shows sunny for next day, when infact it maynot be?

Also, we are planning to keep car as our primary mode of transport but also but a swiss half pass

do you realise that you can't use one half fare card for the whole family? Every adult needs their own.