I’m in the beginning stages of planning a two week vacation using scenic train travel. Nothing is booked yet, but, I am planning to fly into Zürich and immediately take the train through Lucern to the Interlaken area.
interlaken area three nights, where Lauterbrunnen, Murren, Interlaken?
Montreaux 2 nights,
Zermatt 3 nights
Locarno 2 nights
and then I’m undecided about whether to add more days to the previous locations are to spend three nights on Lake Como. I’ve been there before, but absolutely love it, and I’ve enjoyed staying in Varrena.
my plan is to fly out of Malpensa. I’d rather not stay the last night near the airport, but I’m anxious not to.
would love your suggestions on improving my itinerary and any accommodation suggestions.
we plan to do some hiking in the Interlaken and Zermatt areas.

What time of year? It makes a huge difference in the mountains...

If you travel from Locarno to Stresa or nearby instead of lake Como you could take the Alibus service (or train) to Malpensa airport.

I’m looking at traveling in early June. I hope that will be less crowded than July or August

I reached the Bernese Oberland in mid-June. Trails were just opening. In fact, some trails were closed when I got there because of a late snowfall. Plan accordingly!

Assuming you go to that region, I would argue against Interlaken. See post #24 of this thread:
4-Day Family Trip in Switzerland - Need Recommendations !

I'm not fond of Mürren though many Fodorites are. My favorite location in that area is Wengen. I also enjoyed my time in Lauterbrunnen.

IMO, two days is not much for that region. I was fully engaged for four days. Likewise, one day is very little for Montreux and one day is very little for Locarno. Your plan seems very rushed to me -- and I travel hard and fast. Here's my old trip report:
My delightful sampling of Switzerland’s gems, with many thanks

I agree that your plan is rushed and if it’s possible to add more time or reduce the number of stays then I would. I think it would give you a more enjoyable holiday.

Spend most of your time in Lauterbrunnen and Montreux. Take day trips don't move around so much. Also try Lake Garda rather than Como if you have already been there

Why not stay to see Zurich a bit as well? Unless you really want to go to lake como, which is ofc very beautiful as well

Skip Varenna (may be Montreux too) and spend more time at the other places.
Reach Malpensa airport from Locarno by train (scenic 2 hrs ride with train change at Lugano on the same platform).
Mid Jjune would be better for hiking at Wengen etc. and Zermatt (less snoiw). Hiking around Montreux and Locano (tons of panoramic triails) is possible all the year round.

Looks like a solid plan! For Interlaken I’d base in Lauterbrunnen, it feels more “in the valley” with easy train access to Mürren/Wengen/Grindelwald. Zermatt 3 nights is perfect if you’re hiking. If you add Lake Como, I’d cut Locarno down by a night.

I'll give you the same advice I give anyone asking about Interlaken - avoid it at all costs.

We are one week into a six week trip (four in Switzerland) and were just on a train headed to Interlaken today and even getting on the train was a scrum. Interlaken is a magnet for Asian tourists. Go higher!

I'd suggest Wengen, Murren or even Lauterbrunnen. I'm not a fan of Grindelwald either, but that's more due to the tourist crush than anything else.

To me, your plan is a bit rushed - remember that two nights is only one full day, and it takes awhile to get one's bearings every time you move locations.

If it were it me, I'd add a night or two to the BO and skip Locarno.

We really enjoyed Bellano on our most recent trip to Lake Como - it's a short train ride from Varenna, but without the crowds.

Lots of great suggestions, thanks. How does this plan sound?
arrive in Zürich and take the first train via Lucerne to the Interlaken area. Stay in Wengen, Murren or Lauterbrunnen. Would love suggestions for a charming place to stay
day 2 Bernese Oberland
day3 Bernese Oberland
day 4 Bernese Oberland
day 5 train to Montreaux
day 6 Montreaux
Day 7 Montreaux
Day 9 Zermatt
Day 10 Zermatt
Day 11 Locarno
Day 12 Locarno
Day 13 ??? Can I spend this night in Lucarno if I have an afternoon flight out of Zürich or Milan. They seem to be equidistant from Lacarno.
Another question- if I have one more day, should I add it to Zermatt or where?

I haven't been to Zermatt, but my understand is that if your aim is to see the Matterhorn, you would be wise to plan at least two days there because it is not always visible. I could be wrong.

If you decide to stay in Lauterbrunnen, you might look at the Hotel Staubbach, particularly if you can get a room with a view of the falls. That might not be critical, though -- guests in the rooms that don't have that view have access to small balconies across the hall from their rooms that do offer the view. The breakfast is wonderful and the staff are very helpful.

That said, if you can afford a room with a view in Wengen, my advice would be to go for it!

For Locarno, consider staying in Ascona, especially if you can get a room with a lake view.

Swiss trains are incredibly reliable, so assuming the schedules work, I would be comfortable staying in Locarno / Ascona the night before an afternoon flight out of Zurich. YMMV. I'd be a bit more reluctant to do that if flying out of Milan, JMO.

We were also on a train headed to Interlaken today and it was crazy. The whole day was a bit challenging though trying to get to Switzerland from Lake Como. Torrential rain, mudslide covering the road delaying our ride to the train station, train strike and storm damage on the tracks diverting our train which was actually running. Fortunately caught the city bus to Chiasso and took the train from there. Felt bad for so many who could not get to Milan for their flights.

I think there is easier access to more hiking trails from Wengen than Murren. Will you be using a pass? Planning on the Jungfrau? Lauterbrunnen
Would be ok too but busier and down in the valley.
We took the Bernina express a few years ago and ran into a delay in Italy because a rainstorm had washed some tracks away and we had to wait for a bus to take us to another train station so we could get to Milan. Created about a 5 hour delay.
In the past we have stayed at the Malapensa Sheraton which is right in the terminal and just above the train station. Takes about 50 minutes on train to go to Milano Centrale. Train schedule is quite frequent. Hotel is typically Sheraton and quite modestly priced.

I should also note that rain is no stranger to Switzerland and a short visit to the Berner Oberland runs the risk of rain and no hiking.

"Day 13 ??? Can I spend this night in Lucarno if I have an afternoon flight out of Zürich or Milan. They seem to be equidistant from Lacarno.
Another question- if I have one more day, should I add it to Zermatt or where?"

Timetables valid in June 2026:
Locarno dp 5.45am - Zurich airport ar 8.21am and then every 30 min until Locarno dp 20.45 - Zurich airport ar 23.21. Change at Bellinzona and Zurich HB
Locarno dp 6.22am - Milano Malpensa airport Terrminal 1 ar 8.42 and then every hr until Locarno dp 20.22 - Milano Malpensa airport Terminal 1 ar 22.42. Change at Lugano

RAILWAY LINE BRIG - DOMODOSSOLA CLOSED FOR WORKS IN JUNE
You may therefore have to travel via Andermatt:
Zermatt dp 7.52 - Andermatt ar 10.46, dp 11.29 - Goeschenen ar 11.44, dp 11.51 - Locarno ar 13.27
Locarno deserves more than 1 1/2 days

Thanks so much for the information. Good to know about the alternate route to Locarno. Is that route very picturesque?

The GLACIER EXPRESS itinerary rom Zermatt to Andermatt, the cog wheeel train through the SCHOELLENEN GORGE to Goeschenen and the TRENO GOTTARDO through the lovely Leventina mountain Valley up to the shores of Lake Maggiore are all very scenic indeed.