We too are taking two kids for a week in May (ages 3 and 1). We'll be solely in the Berner Oberland region. I think we're going to do the rail system and do the Spring Swiss Pass. We're renting an apartment I found on homestay.com. We also like to use airbnb.com.

Our family went to Switzerland 2 years ago....did Zurich, Luzern, Berner Oberland(Lauterbrunnen) and Montreux.
Without a doubt...our best vacation ever! We travelled in August and bought a Swiss Railpass. Although it was expensive, it was a tremendous value....good on rail, ferries, trams, buses 50% off cable cars and provided free entry to many museums and castles. Definitely got more than our money's worth!

The Swiss transportation system is phenomenal and runs flawlessly AND punctually. It was part of what made our trip so much fun...we felt like we were on the amazing race...zipping from our train to our ferry or cable car! Would not bother with a car.

Take a look at the Swiss family pass...might be the best option for you.

Switzerland does have "family" rooms at some hotels. All of the hotels we stayed at also provided a free breakfast, which was filling and varied. This will help cut down on costs, as Switerland is pretty expensive.

If you are flexible, you could consider staying in Lauterbrunnen...gives great access to Wengen, Murren and Grindelwald, and you're still close to Interlaken. We stayed in a terrific family room at the Hotel Oberland...the room had bunk beds for the kids.

Where ever yo go in Switzerland, you will have a wonderful time, and yes, most people speak English very well!

thanks for the info.

currently swiss pass is having a promo "2 for the price of 1" on a 4 days pass (cost CHF 226 for 2 4 days pass).

i am wondering how many 4 days pass i need for an adult based on the plan below

1: zurich airport to luzern (2 night stay)
2: luzern to interlaken (3 night stay)
3. interlaken to zermatt (3 night stay)
4. zermatt to zurich (2 night stay)
5. zurich city to zurich airport

From the plan above, it seems that i just need a 4 days flexi pass for each adult.
However, i am not sure if during each stay in that area (i.e. luzern, interlaken, zermatt, zurich) i need to use the card for travelling within the city.

Another option is to get 3 4days flexi pass for each adult ( a total of 6 4days flexi pass @ CHF 678).

The option of 15 days continuous pass is probably out (CHF 430 per adult, CHF 860 in total for 2 adult)

Any one out there able to advise if daily use of the pass is necessary for the above mentioned travel plan?

Interested in this one -- Switzerland is on our list . . . Thanks.

As stated often on this forum, May is too early for the high Alps. In the Jungfrau region you can at least keep yourselves busy around the lakes (Thun, Brienz) but in Zermatt you're stuck in a dead place.

I would avoid Zurich - which is really a business city - not great with kids.

Late May is fine - but do realize that in the upper Alps there will still be lots of snow (they ski all year on the top of the Jungfrau). So with infants/toddlers be sure you have warm enough clothing (they're not as impervious as older kids are).

Unfortunately, no, there is no more year-round skiing on the Jungfrau. I think the only places you can do summer skiing is in Zermatt and maybe at Titlis.

s

We had our best family vacation ever a couple of years ago in Switzerland. We stayed in Wengen, very near to Lauterbrunnen, and it was spectacular. Our hotel also had bunk beds for the kids. The rail system is so easy to use and we were glad not to have a car. We travelled around a bit, seeing Lucerne as well, but Lauterbrunnen and Wengen were two of the most amazing places we have ever been. And most people spoke enough English so that it was never a problem! Enjoy!!

thanks for your reply ingo, what do you meant that MAY is too early for high alps?
we don't intend to ski, more of sightseeing and enjoying the nature beauty.

The only concern is that will all the cable car ski close?

Some of the cable cars and walking trails are still closed in May. We went the last week in May and caught the opening day of one lift, but the trail we had planned to hike (near Mannlichen) was still closed (completely blocked by snow).

Yes, that's what I meant - cable cars not running yet, hiking trails closed due to snow or mud, mountain huts and restaurants still closed. Also, I do not think it's nice to find hotels and restaurants closed in the villages (Zermatt, Wengen, Mürren e.g.), the streets empty.

Really appreciate for the info....

how about the train ride to gornergrat or a cable car ride to matterhorn glacier paradise sometimes between 6-9may?

The kiddo are pestering us for "snow play"...

Zermatt - Gornergrat round trip is CHF 80 per adult. Kids 6-16 years get a reduction of 50%. The Swiss Pass gives you a reduction of 50% also. This means you pay for the 6 years old, the 3 years old travels free. All in all it's CHF 100 for the four of you.

Zermatt - Matterhorn glacier paradise is CHF 49 per adult, your kids are free. On top of that the admission to the glacier "palace" is CHF 8 per person (don't know about the kids). So that's about the same cost.

Honestly, I would keep my dates flexible. No need to make hotel reservations in advance in early May. It might happen you are in Zermatt 6-9 May and the sun never comes out. Clouds, rain, snow, storm all day.

I think you would be better off in Interlaken/Jungfrau region. The Swiss Pass gives you free travel on the mountain railways up to Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren. From there on you get a 25% reduction. You could take the cog-train up to Kleine Scheidegg - CHF 30 per adult round trip with the reduction for Swiss Pass, kids younger than 6 years old are free, kids 6-15 years old are free with the Junior Card.

Another option is Mt. Schilthorn from Mürren - CHF 37 round trip for adults.

Both excursions are safe bets for snow in early May.

Did you see there is also a 2 for 1 deal for the Regional Pass Bernese Oberland, Tell Pass (Lucerne area), Regional Pass Lake Geneva? Definitely good deals! I would split my time in switzerland into a week Bernese Oberland and a week in the Lucerne region and buy a regional pass 2=1 deal for each.