Switzerland itinerary: beauty in the mountains and lakes

Here is a plan.
Oct 27, train from Basel to Chur, spend the night.
Oct 28, Bernina Express to Tirano, then bus to Lugano. This is the next to the last day the bus will be operating. Spend next 2 nights in Lugano.
Oct 30, train to Luzern. All trains are currently using the Panorama route. Spend 2 nights in Luzern.
Nov 1, train to Interlaken Ost. There is a replacement bus operating between Giswell and Meiringen, but just a minor inconvenience, Continue to Wengen and spend 4 nights.
Nov 5, train to Zurich airport. There are 11 direct flights every day to Amsterdam.

I'd go with the 10-day Swiss Travel Pass.

I think you're trying to cover a bit too much in 8 days. Maybe do something like
Basel>Luzern (3 nights)
Luzern>Wengen (4 nights)
Wengen>Lugano (3 nights)
Lugano>Milan airport to fly to Amsterdam

The cable car/train is down for maintenance in Murren right now, so you'll have better connectivity from Wengen. I'd still visit Murren for a day trip but staying in Wengen will be easier right now. You're going in off season so some of the mountain vista cable cars/trains/etc. are going to be closed for the season (Mannlichen, Allmendhubel, Schynigge Platte, etc.) but you can still do things like Schilthorn/Murren/Gimmelwald, Lake Thun boat ride with stops at castles (Spiez, Oberhofen, Thun), Lauterbrunnen Valley, First, Kleine Scheidegg, etc.

The cable car/train is down for maintenance in Murren right now

The cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp is still running but the train along the cliff to Mürren is done until mid-November. One can still go up for the views and hike from Grütschalp to Mürren and then take the gondolas down to Gimmelwald and Stechelberg to return to lauterbrunnen by bus.

I liek Sam’s plan. Very practical and a nice mix of locations and scenery and great train rides!

Thanks so much!! I really appreciate the suggestions- this sounds like a great option- I hadn’t thought about starting with Bernina Express!

I welcome any other suggestions on must see spots/experiences and places to stay. Thank you! I’ll be taking your advice and will book. a flight from Zurich to AMS. 😀

In Wengen try to eat at Maya Caprice. Excellent Italian food including pizza. Do make a reservation even in off season.

Since transportation to Murren is limited I was looking at accommodation in Wengen instead. It appears there aren’t hotels available and just chalets that are quite pricey. Should I te-think and consider staying some place else? Grindelwald? Lauterbrunnen? Interlaken? Will restaurants be open if I do stay in a chalet?
Appreciate your feedback!!

If you struggle with Wengen accommodation, then Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen are good backups. Interlaken is more of a "plan C" since you'd need to take the train to the mountains.

The problem for Wengen may be that you are trying to include Sunday the 29th. I suspect that even the hotels that are staying open this late into October may close for a break on that Sunday.

I checked on booking.com for a single room in Wengen for 2 nights, arriving 27 Oct. and departing the 29th. They listed two options: a “Comfort Einzelzimmer” at the Arenas Resort Victoria-Lauberhorn, or a double room with ensuite bath and balcony at Residence Brunner. Both were $170-$180 per night. The Victoria Lauberhorn includes breakfast, and it has a higher rating on booking.com. They also offer a half-board package which includes dinner, which would solve your restaurant problem.

You should of course book directly on their website:

https://www.arenasresorts.com/en/wengen/

The price there is 329 CHF for bed and breakfast, or 399 CHF with half board; for the 2 nights.

Thank you! I was looking at November 1-5 per Sam’s recommended itinerary. It sounds like the lack of availability is due to closure of hotel rather than being fully booked. Would the close of hotels impact restaurants / experience in Wengen? Thank you!!