From Interlaken you can hop the steamers on Lake Brienz to Brienz then postal bus to the Ballenberg Museum, in a meadow overlooking the lake. Then take train back - kids may love the boat for a while - can run around. If you have a Swiss Pass it gets you in free at Ballenberg (if using a day of travel on a flexipass) - probably about a $20 value each - kids free probably

One reason it's not a good idea to 'see the Matterhorn as a day trip' is that the peak is often IME shrouded in clouds or mist and could well be on the day you go there

Yes, I agree 4 1/2 hrs each way is far to complete on a single day. Also, valid point the peak could be shrouded in clouds. We were planning approx.10 days base in Lucerne and maybe 2 nights & 3 nights in some small village. Could be in some other part of Switzerland. Any place from where we Could see the Rhine Falls and Black Forest? To be honest, this is our first trip to any European country and language seems to be a barrier. Most of the sites I see are in german. Is May usually cold?

Kind regards,
Sherryskp

Another vote for splitting 2 wks into two hubs. Aside from Lucerne (which is lovely, strongly recommend Chillon castle), I think Gstaad makes a very good hub, conveneint to Gruyere, Chateaux d'Oeux, a train station and very good base. I cannot remember the name but there is a restaurant nr Chateaux d'Oeux that has indoor playground for the kids. There is a small petting zoo near Saanen which was a big hit with my kids (now 3 and 6 yo). Hotel swimming pool are great--you can use as a visitor. Talking about swimming pools, I'd call ahead and ask the water temperature--I found many commual pools to be too cold for young children.

Another possible base is Thun, which is a lovely town along Lake Thun. Personally I find Interlaken too touristic. Though the only drawback about Thun is that the train connection is not that great. (We usually rent a car anyway).

We spend 2 wks in summer, usually renting a flat in Rougemont (15min from Gstaad). You can call local tourism office, and they have a listing of local attractions, restaurants, and property companies that do short-term rentals. Another advantage of renting a flat is that you can cook your own meals. There are Co-Op or Migros and we loved loading up local delicacies (including bread freshly baked in-store and carbonated apple juice).

Hi all,

Small correction to the post above --
Chillon castle is on Lake Geneva, outside of Montreux and not far from Lausanne; it's not near Luzern. I think the poster above is mistaking Luzern/Lausanne.

s

swandav2000,

You're correct. I was thinking of Lausanne.

A neat way to get to Chillon Castle from Lausanne is by boat as there is a dock right near the castle on the water

and return by train - the train line runs right by the caslte (perhaps even under a portion of it if i have my memory right)

Or it's a lovely seasdie stroll on paths from Chillon the few miles to Montreux (as has boat service)

Hello & Good Morning,

Need some more advise. As indicated earlier, will be based in Lucerne for 5 nights - for Rigi, Titlis & Pilatus excursions and also some other interesting excursions which can be done with kids of 5 yrs & 4 yrs. Is 5 nights enough or should we stay for more time. Somebody has advised to move on to Interlaken but I feel this city is quite pricey. Could anyone suggest another better place to base ourselves so that we can do the Jungfrau and Schilthorn conveniently. How many days should we be based there? Then want to move on to Zermatt. Is there any alternate town to Zermatt which is equally good and less expensive for accomodation? Have read fantastic reviews about Graubunden region - Pontresina. In which place should we base ourselves and what are the attractions? Have also read somewhere about the caves with fantastic stalactites cannot recall the name. I think it is somewhere close to Geneva. Will we be able to see the Black Forest? Now I am absolutely confused not knowing what to see & what to skip. Our entry & exit airports will be Zurich. Please, please advise. Do not want anything fancy to stay like swimming pools etc but it has to be comfortable and conveniently located to the train station with good food available at reasonable prices. We will be using the trains and not be having a car.
Sherryskp

Hi sherry :)

Don't get frazzled by all this planning! It may seem overwhelming to you, trying to put this trip together, but just think of your rewards once you get your first glimpse of the Alps next May!

I think 5 days is good for Lucerne. You should not feel too rushed, which is good for you and the kiddos. One excursion a day, plus time for relaxing, walking around the towns, etc. in between. Good job!

So after 5 days, you've now got 9 nights left, right? You may find that staying in an apartment will do you best, not only for more room but it's a heckuva lot cheaper than getting 2 rooms in Switzerland! Many apartments for 4 have one bedroom and then the living room couch folds out into a bed. So you'd probably need at least a 2-room apartment. Remember, though, that a 2-room apartment does not mean 2 bedrooms. It means just that: 2 rooms, most likely a living room / kitchen combo and then a bedroom. (I have not found that bathroms are considered a room, lol.)

In Zermatt, there are many apartments for a 3-4 night stay. Check out zermatt.ch, click to accommodations, and take it from there. I have stayed at several places so could offer some suggestions, but need to know your price range ("reasonable prices" in Switzerland can be all over the planet).

Wengen, Muerren, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald are all good choices for excursions to Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch. Lots of apartments in these locales. Hotels for 4? hmmm... I believe that enzian stayed in Wengen in a quad room last year. Maybe you could click on her name and find the details.

Not every place in Interlaken is "pricey" and Zermatt the same.

You might want to take a look at www.rooms.ch is true budget accommodations are what you are after.

As to Zermatt..not all hotels there are pricey either...depends on timing in many cases.

The Black Forest???? As in Germany? Calm down and get an atlas to assist.

Re: End of year boost in Swiss Pass prices in U.S. via Raileurope, part owned by Swiss railways - word seems to be a price increase of at least 5% and perhaps much higher

As i note above you can buy passes at 07 bargain prices and activate within six months of purchase and then use for the month (flexipass) thus thru end of July - i don't know exact price but i'm sure BETS 800-441-2387 do by this time - about the only source you can actually talk to these days. Swiss pass prices currently are about 15-20% higher in Switzerland than abroad for some reason - at least last time in checked www.sbb.ch - due to fall of dollar probably.