We are 4 seniors and will be in Zurich in September 2025. We want to take a day trip to Mt. Tillis. A bus tour with stops in Lucerne and includes the chair lift is around $150.00 USD. We are wondering how difficult it would be to do on our own since we have not had any experience with train travel ,transfers and concerned about the language barrier. Also how far is it from the train station to the chair lift in Engelberg? Also which would be more scenic, by bus or train? Any tips,help is very appreciated.

Easily done on your own. About 1:45 on the train from Zurich to Engelberg, then about a 10 minute walk from the Engelberg bahnhof to the Titlis cable car station. English is widely spoken in Switzerland and you'll have no issues in that regard. Fares for the cable car here:

https://www.titlis.ch/en/information/prices

Train schedule and fares here:

https://www.sbb.ch/en

You may benefit from a Half Fare Card, depending on what else you have planned for your time in Switzerland.

https://www.sbb.ch/en/tickets-offers...fare-card.html