Rail or Car for Switzerland/Germany

Rail! Switzerland has one of the best public transit systems in the world. Trains not only serve the cities but also the rural areas, with frequent service. The Swiss Pass covers most all train, bus, boat, and cable car services throughout the entire country, and includes free admission to most all museums. For scenic trips it gives you big discounts.

For most travelers it's the cheapest, most efficient, and stress free way to see the country regardless of the size of your group.

Just to add, places such as Zermatt and Wengen are ONLY accessible by rail.

Suggestion... skip staying in Interlaken and stay IN the Alps... Wengen, Muerren, etc.

Check out German Rail. They have a lot of point-point tickets that are less expensive than days of a rail pass. In particular, they have a Europa-Special Schweiz fare from Interlaken to Fuessen for as low as €39 pP, one way.

In Zermatt, which is a car-free village, you will have to pay to park a car outside of town (in Tasch) and not have the use of it.

The train works very well in Switzerland, even for a family of four (if the kids are under 16, they travel for free).

The train will take you directly from the Geneva airport to Zermatt---the station is inside the airport. No transfers necessary.

You might want to rent a car for the few days in Germany, but be sure you return it in the same country where you rented it, or face huge drop-off fees.

I'd do both. The train is great is Switzerland. Get a Swiss pass of your choice. When leaving Switzerland and entering Germany, jump the train and rent a car.

Try to keep your car rentals in one country, i.e, renting a car in Fussen and returning it in Geneva can be pricey.

another point--s Swiss pass works much better in Switzerland than any 2-country pass. It will cover all the train, including private ones without a supplement. And will gie you 50% off the high mountain lifts.

for Germany, point-to-point tickets are often the best deal, especially if bought in advance from bhan.de. Or rent a car there. But don't rent a car in Switzerland to go to places like Wengen and Zermatt.