Train pass recommendations needed for Interlaken

Just went to Switzerland in September. We bought the Swiss Pass……pricey but had the ease of walking right on to the train, bus, boat, etc and never having to wait in line to buy a ticket…..and the lines were long to buy tickets. Put it on your iphone and just show it to the train monitors when they come by to check….so easy. Interlaken is lovely but SO CROWDED with people….stay in Lauterbrunnen at Hotel Silberhorn…..right across the street from the train station and a wonderful breakfast every morning. If you want to be nestled right into the mountains stay in Wengen….also if you have time take a day trip to Hotel Geissbach and see the falls and enjoy a lovely lunch at the hotel after boating from Interlaken to the hotel. The trains are ALWAYS on time…..get the SBB Mobile App for help in planning your train rides…….also go to YOU TUBE and watch any videos that apply to your needs by Jana and Brett Alpin…..the Alpins in the Alps……well done and such good advice. BTW……when in Luzern stay on the river at Hotel Balances or Hotel Des Alpes…….so worth it and eat brunch at Two Hands……can send more info if you need it

I think for only 4 nights in Switzerland, staying in 3 different hotels is a mistake. You're going to spend half of your short time traveling. I'd pick one spot and just enjoy being there as there is more than enough to occupy you without moving so much. You don't say what time of year this is for, so that may make a difference in the suggestion but I'd stay in just 1 or max 2 of these spots. My assumption is you're coming to Switzerland to see the mountains and beautiful scenery, so I'd skip the night in Bern and go immediately to Luzern or the Jungfrau Region. And depending on the time of year, I would not stay in Interlaken. Wengen is a good option instead. Maybe 3 nights Wengen/1 night Luzern on the way back to Paris.

It is essential to know when this trip will be. Some of the lifts are closed at various times, and the passes for 2025 have changed a bit from last year.

Definitely stay in Wengen, not Interlaken. That will save you time in getting to the lifts you want to ride, and will provide a more pleasant experience, with nice views from a charming hotel.

Assuming this is in late spring/summer, my first thought for your itinerary is a 3-day Berner Oberland Pass.This is different from a regular Swiss Travel Pass in that it fully covers some of the favorite cablecars above Wengen, Grindelwald, and Mürren which may be only 50% covered with a Swiss Travel Pass. It does NOT fully cover the Jungfrau railway above Wengen or Grindelwald, but it gives you a good discount, similar to a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card. It also does not fully cover the First gondola (which previously has been covered) but this lift is mainly of use to hikers. I suspect with your limited time you have have trouble fitting in the ones that are covered——Mannlichen cable car up from Wengen and the gondola down to Grindelwald, the Eiger Express up to Eiger Gletscher, and the Schilthorn above Mürren.

The Berner Oberland Pass will also fully cover your train from Bern to Wengen on Day , and from Wengen to Luzern on Day 4. You can read more about it here (make sure you look at the 2025 brochure, not 2024);

https://www.berneseoberlandpass.ch/

https://www.berneseoberlandpass.ch/assets/Uploads/Berner-Oberland-Pass-Prospekt-2025.pdf

To travel from Paris to Bern, and Luzern back to Paris, buy your tickets 3 months or so in advance to get the special “Saver” price on international tickets. For example, from Luzern to Paris the regular price for next April by the fastest route (Luzern-Zurich-Paris) is 203 CHF. The Saver price (totally inflexible ticket) is 69.50, and the Saver Flex is 93.

Before you purchase a swiss rail pass, be sure to compare the benefits from an Eurail pass which is currently on sale for 25% off through mid December for travel in most of 2025. The first class pass is far less expensive than a comparable swiss rail pass and has the benefit of covering your Paris train as well.

covering your Paris train as well

as long as you pay the fairly expensive passholder reservation fee (point to point tickets bought without the Eurailpass are included in the price)

And aren’t Eurail pass holder seats limited? I have read so many posts by people who couldn’t get the required seat reservations on the Eurail or other site.