I'm assuming the train is the best way to get there? How far is it and how much should we expect tickets to be?

Does anyone have a train schedule link?

The train to Interlaken is a little over 2 hours with another 20-30 minutes to Grindelwald. The fare to Interlaken is approximately $50 with around another $10 to Grindelwald. Mike

Here is the swiss rail website:
http://www.sbb.ch/en/

Trip from Zurich airport to Grindelwald will take a bit over 3 hours and cost from ~74 chf for 2nd class to ~125 chf for first class.

If you buy a half-fare card for 99chf per person (good for one month of unlimited train, bus, boat travel), the cost, not surprisingly, will be half that. The card also is good for 50% off on many mountain passes (train, gondola rides).

Here is a link to a map showing where the half-fare card is valid:
http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/halbtax-uebersichtskarte.pdf

The trip from the main rail station in Zurich is 2 hrs. and 3 minutes to Interlaken and 2:20 from the airport.That assumes you are on the nonstop train.

You probably will have to wait a short time in Interlaken for the local train to Grindelwald.

I've taken this train from Zurich several times over the last few years.

Mike

Great, thank you!

Any suggestions on where to stay ?
I'm thinking of Grindelwald, Interlaken, Murren, or Wengen.
I'd love to stay at a cozy B&B that is charming but not too pricey.
Thanks for any advice!

If you are arriving by plane, there is a train station in the Zürich airport.

If you are arriving from another European country, consider the Swiss Card.

It gives 50% off as does the half fare card, but also includes a trip from the border (or entry airport) to your first night's destination and also a trip out of the country. The entry and exit points need not be the same.

Some of the connections to Interlaken Ost, where you must change to a train headed to Grindelwald, require a change in Bern. Usually the connecting train is not far away. Often the connection is as simpleas walking across the platform to the waiting train.

Once you arrive at Interlaken Ost you MUST change to the BOB mountain train.

Usually, the train divides at a station called Zweilütschinen. Part of the Train goes to Grindelwald and part goes to Lauterbrunnen.

Make sure you get on a car where the hangtag on the outside says "Grindelwald."

Usually the Grindelwald cars are boarded from Gleis (Track) 2, Sektor B.

(Lauterbrunnen bound passengers board in Sektor A.)

Last year there were both smoking and non smoking cars as well as first and second class.

You don't really get a good look at the Alps until you approach Grindelwald.

But when you do, the Eiger seems to me to dominate the view.

Thank you Bob! We're arriving by plane and have friends in Zurich. We will either go directly to the Grindelwald area for one night and then back, or we will stay with our friends in Zurich and then head out from the city.

Can you tell me which is your favorite town in that area (Interlaken/Grindelwald?)