Switzerland trip for 7-8 days

Are you arriving at ZRH on the 12th, or the 13th? Assuming the former,
Train from ZRH to Luzern, 2 nights in Luzern.
Train to Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen, 3 nights there.
Train to Geneva via Montreux (Golden Pass route), 2 nights there.
Train evening of the 19th to Zurich for departure on the 20th.

Skip Bern and you can get all of that in. Maybe Bern for a rainy day option from Interlaken. Rolex stores are everywhere (Luzern, Interlaken, Geneva).

Maybe you already have your flights booked. Otherwise a multicity flight arriving in Zurich and departing from Geneva would save time backtracking to Zurich. Have a great trip!

Thanks! Landing on 12th at 7:45 am local time. I could change the return from GVA instead of ZRH. Just that better connections from ZRH.

What about the swiss rail pass? Does 8 day pass advisable? And then take special trains at discount?

Yes, if you can fly out of Geneva, so much the better. You do not say where you are coming from. There are a whole lot more direct flights at ZRH to North America than GVA, but even if you still have a connection in ZRH, it will save you time.

The pass issue is always a bit complicated. You really don't have any trains that require seat reservations. The Jungfraujoch is only covered at 25% discount with the Swiss Travel Pass. Don't bother if the weather is not clear on top.

What is the family make-up? Number and ages?

Me and wife and daughter of 21. Plus our first time. We are flying from INDIANAPOLIS.

The Swiss Travel Pass is often the simplest solution. Your daughter will get a youth pass at a reduced price. The Swiss Travel Pass does not include mountain lifts, for the most part, but does give discounts, usually 50%, but for the Jungfraujoch only 25% from Grindelwald (free from Interlaken to Grindelwald). In Luzern, it is free to go to the Rigi Kulm (mountain peak), and the Stanserhorn mountain top, plus all the boat rides on the lakes. Other than that, you just hop on the trains and show your passes when the conductor comes by. In April, I do not believe you will need seat reservations on the Golden Pass trains, but they are available to purchase for extra cost.

Flying from IND, it will be 2 changes coming back from GVA, but prices still look better than driving to ORD. Buy through United, but you will be flying on Swiss from Chicago to Switzerland.

Thanks Sam!
I usually don't want to drive to ORD. On the way over it shows UA flight to ZRH , NOT swiss.

So I can wait to purchase rail pass tickets ? Looks like no benefit to purchase in advance.

Hard to say. Often it has a United flight number, but when you drill down, it is sometimes actually a Swiss flight. Look into it, because if it is a Swiss flight, you will have to transfer over to Terminal 5. If you come back through ORD, you will have to transfer anyway, no matter who it is.

Swiss is my favorite airline, but I always drive down to ORD. Air service is just too iffy from Green Bay.

You can buy your STP's at the airport train station.

Any suggestions on how to get breakfast free in hotels in lucern or lauterbrunen. Or suggestions on hotels that offer free breakfast?

Breakfast is never “free.” It’s always included in the room price.

Hotel Oberland in Lauterbrunnen has breakfast. Not a great one, but they do provide it.

The bakeries are a good place to pick up a quick breakfast. Bachmann’s in Lucerne is a favorite of mine for their chocolate chip buns.

Thanks Carrie !

Big watch geek here. Rolex stores are a waste of time as they will have the same models in the window that you can see at home and, likewise, none that you will be able to buy.

A day spent checking out the other boutiques in Geneva is very fun. I really liked Blancpain, Omega and Patek. Also, check out the Patek Phillipe museum in Geneva but be sure to book a guided tour to get the full experience.

Thanks Jason for the insights. I will look into booking the tour.