Best route from Interlaken to Munich? Through Innsbrook, Zurich, Luzerne?
 

I've gotten a lot of input, and have narrowed it down (I think) :), to two options for my son's trip from Interlaken to Munich: I'd love input on which would provide the best scenery, connections, etc. for him. He's in a study abroad program and doesn't have time to research this before he leaves for Switzerland, and has very sketchy internet connection at his hostel (in case you're wondering why I'm the one looking it up) :). The cities listed below are the one's where we'd need to change trains. Also, most have only a 10 minute or so connection (particularly Zurich). Will that be an issue with a big bag(with wheels), and if so, what kind of ticket does he need to make sure he won't have to pay if he misses the connection and needs to get on another train?

Interlaken, Bern, Zurich, Innsbrook, Munich

or

Interlaken, Bern, Luzern, Zurich, Munich

Doing both Luzern and Innsbrook would be too long, time-wise.

Any recommendations which would be the most scenic and/or best route for someone who hasn't been to Switzerland before, would be really appreciated.

I think both routes had 3 connections. (plus the extra s1/s8 train to the airport in Munich) Didn't even look at the cost yet :) Also, is 10 minutes between connections okay in Zurich?

Thanks!

As for the 10-minute connection at Zurich since trains in Switzerland run hourly or twice hourly have him take any earlier train to Zurich - not Lucerne but direct to Zurich from Interlaken - yeh on some you must change at Bern - and have a 40-minute or longer change time - he can at least go out the station door and onto Bahnhofstrasse, called the world's richest street at times due to its fancy bank HQs and watch shops, etc. and see something of Zurich - Zurich Hbf or main station is a huge station with zillions of tracks and trains in Switzerland can indeed be late so the 10 mins is iffy - and since there are often big gaps between Zurich to Munich diect trains, which IMO he should aim for, he may have to wait a long time for the next one.

Great sites for info on trains in these countries - www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com.

I would look for the most direct trains like Interlaken to Zurich and Zurich to Munich as he would have little time to look around any city enroute as this is a fairly long train trip. If he is planning more train travel look at the bargain Eurail youthpass if he is under 26 he qualifies.

The most scenic of those routes is not the most direct and quickest route - Interlaken-Zurich-Munich but indeed the one that goes via Innsbruck, Austria as from the Swiss border the tracks traverse a verdant Alpine river valley, passing by swank world-famous ski resorts like At Anton - but this route will take much much longer as you probably have noted. But it is much prettier IMO than the most direct route Zurich to Munich.