Hello! My family of four (my husband and I, two sons, ages 14 and 22) will be traveling to Switzerland for the first time in early August and will be there for 8 nights. We are flying in to Zurich, and then at the end of our stay, flying out of Geneva to Montenegro. We will be traveling through Switzerland by train and would like to make three stops. We have decided that our first stop should be in the Lucerne region (2 days), but then are unsure if we should do 3 days in Wengen, Gridelwald or Zermatt. We decided that our last stop should be either in Geneva, Montreaux, or Lausanne (3 days). Our focus is seeing incredible views, and being near hiking, attractions, and excursions. We usually Airbnb when in Europe. If anyone can give guidance or suggestions (we don't mind being in remote areas, but don't plan to cook much besides breakfast and want to be not too far from restaurants), or if there are others areas that are cohesive with our trip that you can suggest, we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

Hello,
We did something similar last August. We flew in and out of Zurich. Went straight to Zermatt, spent a few days there and then went to Thun for a lakeside stay. We also stayed 8 days.
In your case, since you've got 2 days planned for Lucerne, and a few days in Geneva area, I'd skip Zermatt. It's out of the way, and you'd have a short time there. Zermatt was wonderful, and we all enjoyed the spectacular scenery, but I think your Wengen area idea would be less travel, and also with spectacular scenery. Have a wonderful time!

You are going at the absolute peak season and it will be very, very crowded everywhere that you mention. I hope you have reservations or soon will. Consider a base in Montreux at the end of your journey, perhaps for several days, and do many interesting day trips and activities that you and kids would enjoy without the constant moving around. In fact, at that time of year just stay in Zurich for a few days do some day trips and then take the train to Montreux, base there and fly home out of Geneva. The more you move the more time you lose. So many places will be crazy busy. Others here will suggest more do-able and easier journeys for you to consider. Good luck.

First, please check your timing: 8 nights translate to 7 days, and even though train travel in Switzerland is extremely efficient, you will still lose time each time you change locations. As a rule of thumb, assume at least 1/2 day for each transition. You can get an idea of transportation times on rome2rio.com and then add time at either end for checking in and out, packing and unpacking, getting to / from the train stations, etc.

FWIW, of Wengen, Grindelwald, and Zermatt, I prefer Wengen; of Geneva, Lausanne, and Montreux, I'd prefer one of the latter two ... but in each case, which to choose depends on what you want to see and experience.

As wildiowa says, yow will be there in peak season; plan accordingly.

Thank you for the good advice! I am getting nervous now. Should I drop one of them? I think what Virginia said sounds like good advice. We will drop Zermatt and focus on the Wengen area. I was thinking maybe dropping Lucerne and focusing on Wengen and Montreaux. The only thing that makes me nervous is that Montreaux seems pretty far from the Geneva airport. I booked Lodging in Lucerne, but I can still easily cancel. Wengen doesn't seem to have many choices for lodging, where the other places have many more options. How are Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen? I am reading that Wengen is definitely a first in these forums, just trying to find an alternative if I cant get anything in Wengen. Thank you!

Last August we stayed at the Hotel Silberhorn in Lauterbrunnen, very nice and really good food. We forgot it was max tourist season and the town was really packed. Montreux was very nice and not as crazy you can take ferries to France and other excursions and day trips, lots to do for teens, good rail and bus connections, easy to spend 3-4 days there around Lac Leman. You are a bit late better get on finalizing your lodging etc. there is a good Marriott right as you come out of the train station, convenient and fairly affordable. I would pick a couple places and not move or change locations it is impossible to see everything and running around wildly ruins everything.

Thank you so much for your good advice. Montreaux seems beautiful and I have read there are vineyards there which I'd love to see. Would you say Lauterbrunnen is a good alternative for Wengen? I am online now searching airbnbs since we all like our space. There is definitely more to choose from then Wengen offers.

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Lauterbrunnen, where I had a view of the stunning Staubbach Falls; I preferred glorious Wengen -- assuming you get a room with a view. I am not a fan of Grindelwald; others are. IIRC, I was not overly impressed by my dinner at the Hotel Silberhorn's -- OK, not great, IME. I didn't stay there.

Trains in Switzerland are almost as reliable as those in Japan, so if the timing works, I wouldn't worry too much about staying in Montreux before a flight from Geneva -- but before committing to that plan, I think you would do well to make sure you know your options and that you and your family are fully prepared to do what it takes to get to the Geneva airport in a timely way.

Each of the areas you have targeted is, IMO, magnificent, if in different ways. My advice is to think through your priorities and explore lodging options. You won't go wrong no matter what you choose.

Thank you for the good advice. I think my only concern now is getting to the airport in Geneva from Montreaux. Our flight is early in the morning. Do you suggest we leave Montreaux the night before and stay in a hotel in Geneva for a night?

The early flight out is always a concern. It appears it is about 1 hour 24 minutes by rail from Montreux to Geneva airport and that is usually very dependable and predictable. Work backwards from your departure time and see how early you will have to leave. I have begun just getting a room at a hotel adjoining the airport and walk for early morning flights, it cuts one night off in somewhere spectacular but ensures no surprises or delays getting there. Which further supports not trying to hit too many places and packing up and moving every couple of days. Pack as light and reasonable as you can, in August you will see many many frail young women sitting glumly on the train platform with a suitcase the size of a refrigerator lugging it all across Europe.

Oh I wish we can pack light! We are 4 and we are spending a month in Europe. Switzerland is our first destination. We will also be visiting Montenegro and Albania. I looked up cab fare which seems to be astronomical, but Uber fares may be much cheaper. I would be spending that extra money on a hotel room in Geneva anyway.

You've gotten plenty of good advice, but IMO, you've got your itinerary backwards. Suggest instead:

Fly into Geneva. Catch train to Montreux. Relax there two or three nights, take a boat cruise, enjoy the scenery, have some nice meals
Then...
catch Golden Pass train from Montreux to Interlaken Ost (no changes). Enjoy the gorgeous scenery en route. From Interlaken, hop on a local train to Lauterbrunnen and stay there or in Wengen, Grindelwald, etc. Hike if the weather is cooperative. If it's boiling hot and sunny, skip the hiking and relax in Wengen's terrific outdoor pool (mountain vistas included).
After the Wengen/Grindelwald/Lauterbrunnen segment, catch the train back to Interlaken Ost and board the hourly train direct to Luzern (no changes)
Two/three day for Luzern
Board direct train to Zurich airport; stay overnight at the airport (Hyatt Regency is perfectly fine)
Fly to Montenegro next day (direct flight leaves at 6:20 am, hence the airport hotel recommendation)

Wengen outdoor pool

Spend the last nigjht at Geneva. There are many reasonably priced hotels and B&Bs close to the airport.
Check booking.com and airbnb.com
That doesn't mean that you cannot spend the whole day at Montreux. Deposit youtr luggage at the hotel reception or in one of the railway station luggage lockers.
If you like boat cruises, you may even reach Geneva by more than 100 years old historic paddle wheel steamboats:
Montreux dp 17.20 - Geneva ar 22.20 (with board restaurant).

For me, the Zermatt area is the absolute highlight of the Swiss Alps, but Americans usually prefer Wengen/Lauterbrunnen/Grindelwald/Muerren.
Don't underestimate the Saas Grund/Saas Fee area with rope railways and gondolas to many glaciers and viewpoints too. Saas Grund is less crowded than Zermatt and accommodation is usually cheaper.

Gondola Saas Grund - Kreuzboden

Revolving restaurant Mittelallalin (SAAS Fee)

Thank you for the great advice, but we have already booked airfare.

Many of us travel for a month at a time with just one suitcase -- and not a huge one. Seriously, limit what you take!

We are 4 people. I can' take one suitcase for 4 people.

I meant one smallish suitcase per person -- no more than he or she can carry. Sorry if that wasn't clear!