Thoughts On Itinerary

Since you have family there you might have already done this but if not then I recommend making a detour to see the beautiful middle rhine valley between Koblenz and Frankfurt. I come through there once a year and it's always a highlight of my trip.

The most obvious entry point into Switzerland from there is Basel which should be about 4 hours by train. I'd pick Basel, Berne or Lucernce for your second day. It's at most 2 hours from these places to Interlaken.

If you choose Lucerne and take the slower, direct route you could visit a number of interesting places on your way to Interlaken:

• Ballenberg open air museum
• Aare gorge
• Giessbach falls and Grand hotel

And on your way back to Frankfurt you could pick one or the remaining two (of Basel, Berne, Lucerne).

On the way from Frankfurt to Interlaken I recommend a one-day stop in the capital, Bern.
This small city is quite stroll-able, and its medieval character is intact in the old city. Particularly interesting - down by the river Aare, along its banks are paths with picturesque views of the old town, and the Rose Garden provides a great vista as well.
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ca/bern.html
If you're not in the mood for a capital city, how about stopping off in the adorable cheese-town of Gruyeres?
Not only is there very good food, but you'll get a real dose of Swiss mountain beauty.
http://www.gruyeres.ch/portal/
There is a lovely place, a little off the beaten path, in the Berner Oberland.
It's on the way from Bern to Thun, and it's called Blausee.
You might want to check it out as well http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ca/lake-organic-trout-hotel-and-restaurant-in-natural-parkland.html

Thank you for the advice and input.

As I looked at SBB's website I see that Bern is pretty central (within about 1 to 1.5 hour train ride) from most of the major cities. I was thinking that maybe I stay there before and after out trip to Berner Oberland. This way my wife and I can do day trips to pretty much any city. What are your thoughts?

You seem to only have 1.5 days each before and after Interlaken. I'm not sure how many day trips you can do in one day. Personally I'd pick two different places so you can see another city/town without having to take a day trip there.

Hi DB.
I don't understand why you would stay in both Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen since they are 1/2 hour apart by train, and the trains run frequently. The "outdoor touristy things" - would that mean hiking and riding the fantastic lifts and cog railways? Those are best done from Lauterbrunnen, or you can stay up in Muerren for a higher altitude experience.
My two cents:
Day 1 - Leave Frankfurt early (via ICE) to BERN
Day 2 - BERN
Day 3 - Bern to Lauterbrunnen/Jungfrau Region - you will pass thru Interlaken and can easily return to Interlaken for cruising the lakes
Day 4 - Lauterbrunnen/Jungfrau Region
Day 5 - Lauterbrunnen/Jungfrau Region
Day 6 - Lauterbrunnen/Jungfrau Region
Day 7 - Lauterbrunnen to Zermatt
Day 8 - Zermatt
Day 9 - Zermatt
Day 10 - Leave for Frankfurt

There's a ton to do in the Jungfrau Region whether you use Lauterbrunnen or Muerren as a base. Zermatt is beautiful, though a little touristy.

Once you settle on an itinerary come back with questions. There are some passes that will save you money on the mountain excursions.

EDIT: We just spent 11 nights in Lauterbrunnen and Zermatt, and it was a terrific trip with something exciting to do every day. Enjoy!

Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen are only 20 minutes apart...but LIGHT YEARS apart in terms of amazing beauty. Don't stay in Interlaken to visit Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Murren, Jungfrau, Schilthorn, etc. Just stay in Lauterbrunnen, Wengen or Murren instead of boring Interlaken. You'll be glad you did!

This is why I asked for input on this forum. Tim and Laurel thanks for your thoughts. Instead of staying in both Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen, we are going to stay in Lauterbrunnen only. We have changed our plans to go directly to Lauterbrunnen from Frankfurt and stay there for 6 nights. We'll hit Bern and Montreux/Lausanne at the end of our trip. David S. I didn't really think about that we were only spending 1.5 days before and after Interlaken/Lautrebrunnen stay until you wrote it. It only makes sense to make that 3 days at the end of our trip instead of doing only 1.5 at the beginning and end of our trip.

So what is everyone's thoughts on rail pass? I was thinking of getting the Eurail two country pass (Germany/Switzerland) and paying for the lifts (anything above Interlaken costs additional correct?) and any local city transportation. I did some number crunching using last year's numbers and it all seemed to be about the same (Swiss pass only and paying 50% of lifts paying for ICE from Frankfurt, Eurail 2 country and paying 75% of lifts, 2 country pass with half fare card)

For our 11 nights, we found a Swiss Half-Fare card plus a Berner-Oberland Regional Pass were a winning combo. We saved hundreds of CHF. The lifts are expensive and the B-O Regional Pass allows one to jump on a train or a lift without thinking about the price.

If you can sketch out roughly which lifts and trains you will be taking, ask at the point you enter Switzerland if a Half-Fare card makes sense. You get a discount on the B-O pass with the Half-Fare card.

Thank you Laurel. After running the costs, I think we will go with a Swiss pass for 8 consecutive days and buy the ICE tickets to/from Frankfurt. I can buy the ICE tickets (if I do so 90 days in advance) for around 49 Euros each one way (so a total of 200 Euros). If I am not correct the Swiss Pass gives the same discounts on lifts as the O-B Pass, correct?

The Berner-Oberland pass Laurel mentioned gives you unlimited rides on lifts and trains that aren't covered by the other train passes. You do get a discount on the Berner-Oberland pass if you have one of the other passes.

Check out the "any tips for buying..." section on this page on Rick's website: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/switzerland-rail-passes

My wife and I plan on hiking alot in the Berner Oberland; I figured we'd only go to Jungfrauhoch if it wasn't cloudy and it was a nice day. Otherwise, we'd figure we would enjoy Interlaken, Spiez, the Thunersee, and hiking on both sides of the valley, etc. That's why I thought of the Swiss Travel Pass over the O-B Pass.

DB,
On our last trip we used 200% of the face value of the 8 day BO Pass. Sketch, if you will, a few days worth of plans: which hikes you will take, how much each lift costs. Then compare. The Jungfraujoch ended up costing us €60 on top of our passes versus €220 with no pass. The pass also covers the Post bus, which we used daily either to or from our apartment. It all adds up!

Laurel, I think I am going to do what you did. I am going to buy the O-B pass and a Swiss half fare card.

How far in advance can you buy the O-B pass? And is it cheaper just buy it when we're in Switzerland?

I bought our B-O passes at Interlaken or Spiez, can't remember which. Just at the first point I needed one and it was applicable Ditto the half-fare card. Just bought it at the first place we were going to take a train within the country.