Specific transportation needs in Switzerland, need help with decision

For how many people?

Two adults. My husband and myself.

Suggest you each get a Swiss Transfer Ticket for 141 chf. That will cover round trip between Zurich airport and Gimmelwald. While in Gimmelwald, just pay as you go, as these are (relatively) cheap local trips. Not nearly enough to justify any kind of pass.

Back at Zurich airport, get an Easyjet flight to Nice. These are in the 30 to 40 chf range booked in advance and I'm sure there will be luggage adders involved.

Using the Transfer Ticket will save about 25 chf per person over taking the train to Geneva airport. Gimmelwald is just about half way between Zurich airport and Geneva airport time and cost wise. The train to Nice from Interlaken Ost is 10 hours and 117 euro per person is the cheapest price I see. It is about a 1 hour flight from either Zurich or Geneva, although it will be about 4 hours on the train to get to the airport.

The Swiss Transfer Ticket must be purchased before your arrival in Switzerland.

Now to throw a giant monkey wrench into your meticulously planned itinerary... what happens when (not "if") the ever-fickle Alpine weather gods decide to throw a blanket of fog and a heavy dose of rain on you? I would suggest building in a little bit of flexibility into your plan. Bad weather in the Alps can last minutes, hours or days. At least, you've budgeted enough time to make some on-the-go adjustments based on short-term weather forecasts.

Not to add to the confusion, but would ask the other responders why they did not suggest buying a 1/2 Fare Travel card as a combi with the Swiss Transfer Ticket? It reduces the fare of the additional travel Kathy has planned by 50%. The cost when bought with the transfer ticket is an additional CHF 60.

I am planning a similar trip and looking at going to Jungfrau ( I know not on her iternary)- the saving covered the cost.

Kathy - share your confusion -the cost and choices can make your head spin!!!
We are doing a similar plan but with additional travel within Switzerland so went for the Flex pass with the 1/2 Fare card added. It was about $60 more than buying additional tickets but we wanted the flexibility. Dad is at the age (as am I ) where we have a little more money than the ability to stress. When we were younger -it was reversed!!
Enjoy your trip.
And thanks for the detailed plan -I may copy it!
Diane

Depends if Day 2 is a round trip to Piz Gloria, or one way and hike down. The round trip is 80 chf from Muerren, so a single ride up from Gimmelwald is about 45 chf. Add a couple of rides between Gimmelwald and Stechelberg and Muerren and the short bus ride to Trumelbach Falls and back would not come close to the required break even point of 120. If you do a round trip to Piz Gloria, it might come close.

Yes, my head is spinning.
Yes, I built in the extra day in case of weather on top of Schilthorn, but I have 8am reservations at Piz Gloria so I am hoping that won't happen. (I like to think positive) :)
In case the weather looks bad for both days we'll probably just head on down to the Cote d'Azur. :)
I like the idea of going back to Zurich and taking the Easyjet, but according to their website, they don't fly to Nice. They do fly from Geneva to Nice, ($20) but... can I use the Swiss Transfer from Zurich-Gimmlwald-Geneva? I can't seem to find the answer to that question.

Diane, we too, have more money than the ability to stress, so I am seriously thinking of just paying as I go. It may be cheaper in the long run.

Now I just have to decide whether to fly or train from Geneva to Nice and then decided if I want to lock myself into a specific time to get the best rate.

Decisions, decisions.