Switzerland Itinerary Help/Feedback

You're in luck- the various Swiss passes have been discussed in great detail here. Just browse back thru the threads under the Switzerland section, and/or do a Search for the topic here on the Forum. The passes do confuse folks and it does take some work penciling out the best option for you. Also, the weather is an unknown for the mountains, so buying the summit passes in advance carries some risk.
Some of the various Swiss Travel passes go on sale April 15. The Swiss train system is remarkably efficient and user- friendly, and a joy to use.
I always stay in Murren, so can't help with Wengen lodging.
The Zurich airport has always seemed pretty well organized, so two hours should be sufficient. When we get there earlier, we are waiting for desk to open to check our passports.
There will be quite a difference in temperature between the Swiss cities and mountains in July, so be prepared for a range of temperatures.
You will have a fantastic trip in this beautiful country.
Safe travels.

1) the train from Rome to Wengen looks to take around 7 hours. That’s probably faster than flying when you consider needing to get to the airport, the flight, then the train from the airport.

2) There are a few restaurants in Wengen, and you can easily take the train down to Lauterbrunnen for more options.

3) the Swiss Travel Pass might be your best option. It will cover travel from the Italian border. There is a sale soon that gives you a free day.

As for what to do - much is weather dependent. From Wengen you could take the cable car up to Mannlichen and do the Panorama Trail down to Kleinne Scheidigg. Or go up to the Jungfraujoch (partially covered by rail pass). Another easy trail with great views is from Grutschalp to Murren. In Wengen, there is a viewpoint called Staubachblankli. You could also take the cogwheel train up to Schynige Platte.

4) The Swiss Travel Pass will cover you to Lucerne and on to Zurich if you buy enough days. Look into the sale mentioned above.

6) If your flight is back to the US, I would get to the airport 3 hours before.

Some of the various Swiss Travel passes go on sale April 15.

Problem is the upcoming promotion is to get 10 days for the price of 8 and you only have 8 days of use.

Another option is to get the Half Fare Card plus the 4-day Berner Oberland Pass. This gives better coverage of lifts and mountain railways in the Berner Oberland then the Swiss Travel Pass. The Half Fare Card will get you a discount on Day 1, 6, 7, & 8. as well as on the Berner Oberland Pass.

Thank you all so much for the helpful advice!

So the Swiss Travel Pass also covers trains from Rome to Wengen? (And then Wengen to Lucerne to Zurich?) And even if I can’t participate in the sale, this Pass would still be what I should buy for transportation? And I was wondering how early in advance to buy these tickets (that journey me from city to city).

Thank you!

The STP only covers you from Domodossola at the Swiss border to Wengen. You may be able to find a very good price with an advance purchase Super Economy fare from Rome to Spiez, then use the STP there after. Find that ticket at https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html. You can compare with the price using the STP from Domodossola.

Question is what you mean by "Explore the BO area". The STP only gives a 25% discount above Wengen.

Got it, thank you!

One additional question for feedback: Would you suggest spending:

5 nights in Wengen/BO
2 nights in Lucerne

OR

4 nights in Wengen/BO
3 nights in Lucerne?

I was originally thinking of the latter (4 in Wengen/BO and 3 in Lucerne) but not sure if we should do 5 nights in BO instead and cut one day in Lucerne. (If we do 2 nights in Lucerne, we would arrive from Wengen on a Sunday, and then flight out of Zurich is Tuesday late morning).

Thank you for any insight!

I'd say 5 & 2.

Doing a split Trenitalia/SBB run would be the most ecomomical. I would give yourself a good gap when switching to allow for any delays you might have on the Italian leg.