Arrive at Zurich Airport and take the efficient train to Lucerne (about 45-60 minutes). Drop bags at your hotel — consider a family-friendly choice near the Chapel Bridge like Hotel des Balances or Hotel Waldstätterhof — then enjoy a relaxed riverside walk and hot chocolate at a café while the kids stretch their legs.
Catch the train to Arth-Goldau and the Rigi Bahn or take the short drive/bus to Weggis for Rigi Kulm access; from there head to Rigi’s sled runs (or the family-friendly toboggan run at Rigi Kaltbad) for an afternoon of classic Swiss tobogganing with panoramic views over Lake Lucerne. If snow conditions are better in Engelberg, an alternative is the Titlis area where the sled run in Brunni or nearby sledging slopes give gentle runs and easy lift access for younger children.
Return to Lucerne for a cozy family dinner — try fondue or raclette at a child-friendly restaurant such as Stadtkeller or Fondue House Luzern — then take an after-dinner stroll across Chapel Bridge to see the lights reflecting on the Reuss. Wind down at your hotel; pack waterproof boots and extra layers for tomorrow’s full day on the snow.
After breakfast in Lucerne, take the scenic SBB/Obb train to Engelberg (about 45 minutes) — leave luggage at the Engelberg station lockers or your hotel and board the Titlis Xpress gondola to Trübsee. Start with easy, family-friendly tobogganing on the Brunni sled run or the gentle slopes around Trübsee; children love the short tubing runs and the panoramic views of the Titlis massif, and there are cafeterias at Trübsee for hot drinks and snack breaks.
In the afternoon, continue up toward Stand or the Titlis Rotair (cable car) if conditions allow, and take a short winter hike on the prepared trails around Trübsee or along the Jochpass for safe snow play and photo stops; older kids can try the longer Brunni sled run back toward Engelberg for a more thrilling descent. Alternatively, visit the Glacier Cave at Titlis (if open) and the Ice Flyer chairlift for spectacular glacier views — both are memorable experiences for the whole family.
Return to Engelberg village for a relaxed early evening — warm up over a family-style meal at Restaurant Alpenclub or the cozy Taverne Post, sampling rösti or a simple fondue for the kids. Finish with a gentle stroll past the monastery and its quiet cloister before catching the train back to Lucerne, packing your tobogganing gear and drying boots so you’re ready for tomorrow’s rail journey toward Interlaken.
Leave Lucerne after breakfast and board the scenic SBB/InterCity train toward Interlaken Ost (about 2 hours with a change in Bern); children will love watching the changing landscape from the warmth of your compartment. On arrival, store any unneeded luggage at Interlaken Ost and catch the Bernese Oberland Railway to Grindelwald (35-40 minutes) or the short postbus to nearby First — plan to take the Firstbahn gondola up for quick access to the sledging slopes and panoramic viewpoints.
Spend the afternoon at First or in the Grindelwald area for family-friendly sledging: try the First toboggan run (First Flyer area) or the long sled run from Männdlenen/Grindelwald (check local openings) where older kids can enjoy faster descents while younger ones use gentler beginner runs and tubing areas. Pause at the mountain café (Bachalpsee viewpoints or First Cliff Walk if open) for hot chocolate and snacks, or opt for a short winter hike on prepared trails — the Bachalpsee walk offers postcard views without being too strenuous for children.
Return to Interlaken before dusk for a relaxed lakeside stroll along Höheweg and the Aare promenade, stopping for an early family dinner at a child-friendly restaurant such as Restaurant Taverne or Hirschen — choose raclette or rösti for a cozy Swiss meal. If energy remains, take a gentle evening walk along the pier by Lake Thun or Lake Brienz to watch the lights reflect on the water, then head to your Interlaken hotel to dry boots and warm layers in preparation for tomorrow’s Jungfrau cogwheel train adventure.
After a hearty breakfast in Interlaken, board the Bernese Oberland Railway to Lauterbrunnen and transfer to the Wengernalpbahn cogwheel train up to Wengen and onward to Kleine Scheidegg — the short, scenic ride climbs through postcard alpine villages and snow-dusted forests that kids find magical. Once at Kleine Scheidegg, spend the morning exploring easy snow-play areas just above the station, snap family photos with the dramatic Eiger north face as your backdrop, and warm up with hot chocolate at the Kleine Scheidegg mountain café.
In the afternoon, choose a gentle, prepared winter trail toward Wengen or take a short sledging run if the season permits (look for local toboggan rentals in Wengen or sled-friendly slopes toward Männlichen), or ride the Wengen-Männlichen cableway for panoramic walks and kid-friendly snow fun at Männlichen’s plateau. For a memorable view, consider a short excursion to the Jungfraujoch only if weather and time allow — otherwise linger on the terraces at Kleine Scheidegg for unbeatable vistas and a relaxed mountain picnic while the children play in safe, roped-off snow zones.
Return by cogwheel and train to Lauterbrunnen/Interlaken as daylight fades, stopping in Wengen for an early family dinner at a cozy local restaurant such as Hotel Berghaus or Restaurant Silberhorn, where simple Swiss dishes like rösti and grilled sausages appeal to kids. End the day with a slow stroll through the village or along the valley floor to watch lights twinkle in the valley, then head back to your hotel to dry gear and pack light layers for the final travel day to Zurich tomorrow.
After breakfast in Interlaken, take the direct InterCity/InterRegio trains back to Zurich HB (about 2-2.5 hours) — sit on the right side for occasional lake and mountain glimpses as the family relaxes and naps. If you have early luggage drop-off at Zurich Airport, consider storing bags at Zurich HB lockers and stepping out for a quick stroll along Bahnhofstrasse to stretch legs and grab coffee and pastries at Café Schober.
For a final low-key outdoor adventure, ride the S-Bahn to Uetliberg (S10 from Zurich HB) and follow the family-friendly Pfannenstiel ridge walk or sled on the short toboggan-friendly slopes near the summit if snow permits; the panorama over the city and Lake Zurich is a rewarding last Alpine view. Alternatively, stay in town for a lakeside walk at Bürkliplatz and a relaxed boat cruise on Lake Zurich (seasonal schedules permitting), then warm up with lunch at Frau Gerolds Garten or Hiltl for kid-friendly options.
If you’re departing late, enjoy a farewell Swiss dinner near the old town—try Zeughauskeller for hearty classics or Raclette Stube for a last cheese feast—then take a final post-dinner walk along the Limmat to see the illuminated bridges. If heading to the airport, allow 30-45 minutes from Zurich HB to Zurich Airport by train, return luggage to the hotel or lockers, and savor a final hot chocolate before boarding.