Switzerland-Berner Oberland Confusion

Katherine, The trips you're planning are actually very easy. When you reach Interlaken Ost, the staff at the ticket office can provide supplemental tickets for those portions not covered by your Railpass. Note that there are two stations in Interlaken. Rather than the route you mentioned to get to Mürren on Day 1, you could also take the Post Bus (it's bright yellow, you can't miss it) from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg, and then the Cable Car to Mürren. The first Cable Car segment is steep and spectacular (have your Camera ready), and it will drrop you in Gimmelwald. Simply walk across the platform and board the next Cable Car and in a few minutes you'll be in Mürren. The current rates for the trip to the Schilthorn / Piz Gloria are shown Here. Note that these show the prices from Stechelberg, so the trip from Mürren will be less expensive. The first trip in the morning used to be discounted, and I'm assuming that's still the case? If you want to have a look around Gimmelwald (I'd suggest it), you might consider walking down the paved trail from Mürren. As it's all downhill, it's very easy. Use the Cable Car to return to Mürren (as it's only one segment, the cost is cheap). You may find it helpful to download the free PDF Rail Guide from this website. Click the "Railpasses" tab at the top of the page, and then look in the lower right corner for the link. The section on Switzerland is on about Page 20, and there's a chart that shows which trips are covered by a Railpass. When will this trip be taking place? Happy travels!

IF..... you haven't purchased your Eurorail pass yet, consider a Half-fare card, which is approx. $110 US, and consider going to Jungfrau as well as your other points of interest. This will give you 50% savings on almost all trains and other transportation as well while in Switzerland. You'll love Murren and surrounding areas. Is Luzern in your plans, Mt. Pilatus is wonderful, especially the boat ride to get there.

It sounds like you will be staying iin Mürren? The Schilthornbahn website (schilthorn.ch) will be much more helpful if you are trying to figure out prices and schedules. You can also find them on the Swiss transport site, rail.ch. I believe your Eurail pass will give you a 25% discount off travel from Interlaken to Mürren, but not on the Schilthorn cablecar above Mürren.

Yes, we will be staying in Murren for 2 nights. The Schilthorn website has info for the cablecar that runs from Gimmelwald, Murren, to Schilthorn. I was hoping there would be some sort of pass that would cover all or most of the trips I am planning.

I don't think there is a pass that will be cost-effective for the limited travel you will be doing. Travel to Mürren from Interlaken is relatively inexpensive, and partially covered by your Eurail pass. The Shilthorn from Mürren is around 71 CHF for a return ticket, if I remember correctly. To buy a Swiss pass, Half-Fare card, or other pass that would reduce that cost would cost more than the benefit.

Thanks so much, I get a little stressed when I don't have tickets ahead of time but I guess it will be better to wait until we get to Interlaken to get tickets and figure out which route we want to take. The Rick Steves book says that the Grutschalp cable car and Murren train is the more scenic route but it is good to know that the other option (Post Bus & Schilthorn cable car) is nice too.
We will be there the first week of September, 2 nights in Luzern, 2 nights in Murren, and 2 nights in Bern. Should I be prepared for very cold weather up in the Alps?

We like to go UP to Mürren via the Grutschalp route (cablecar then train), and DOWN via Gimmelwald and Stechelberg (cablecar then bus). We feel that offers the best views for each direction. As for your question about the weather, it can vary a lot in the mountains. The first time I was there in early September (around Sept. 2), it was warm and sunny, shorts weather even up on the Mannlichen ridge. Ten days later my friends hiked through there in a foot of snow from an early storm. Best to be prepared with layers---at least one long-sleeve shirt and fleece jacket, and a rain/windproof jacket.