Schwendistrasse is a very narrow road and you'll need to turn onto Scheideggstrasse about half way up. I don't think there are any restrictions on personal cars going up there, especially since there are a few inns up there, but legal parking could be challenging. Once parked, there are trails that lead down to the falls. The funicular from the bottom looked like fun, but we preferred the hike up, and we very happy with our decision. The falls are amazing.

The lower station is about 20 minutes walk from Meiringen at Willigen. The way is signed in Meiringen. The furnicular goes to the upper station. From there you can walk further up the path, it's not too difficult and you get good views of the valley below.

I can't remember, so it was not very expensive! We had a 15 day Swiss rail pass and I'm not sure if this covered the ride on the furnicular. From the furnicular station we walked along the path and then eventually down to Meiringen village.

It opens in May I think

My husband and I have traveled quite a bit in Europe and never rent a car. We much prefer the convenience of the train system and we also enjoy walking. Last summer, we took a train from Zurich to Meiringen, which was a couple of hours away. A train leaves Zurich every 60 minutes to Luzern and you change trains there for Meiringen. We stayed in the Hotel Victoria, which is a lovely boutique place and it is literally right next door to the train station and from there we walked to the Falls. In addition to the Falls, we also enjoyed Aare Gorge, on the river Aare. Each of these sites, were about a thirty minute or less than two mile walk in different directions from the train station. I do not recall any public transportation in Meiringen but we found this a delightful little town to walk about safely with break-taking scenery.

I'm answering myself so anyone interested can know. Dogs are allowed on the funicular no matter their size and they don't have to pay any ticket. They have to be very calm though, for safety reasons: they could get spooked by the noise or movement of the train or by the waterfall and, considering the funicular is open, try to jump out... so take your dogs, but only if they are very well behaved and ok with strong noises.

Yes, you can walk up, and I guess it would take about an hour and a half to reach the falls from the railway station or an hour from the car-park. If you arrive by 9 you can be back in Interlaken for lunch.

The museum has a commentary for each exhibit and though small is very interesting with a replica of the sitting room at Baker Street. Maybe allow 45 - 50 minutes for this ? I would allow a bit more time to get from town to funicular, say 20 minutes. Check the times as it takes a lunch break(get the leaflet from the tourist info ladies at the station) and there is not much to do at the bottom ! Also if you need refreshment then you should get it in the town. There is a nice restaurant if you do the walk at the top of the funicular which takes you above the falls but it has a lot of steps and quite steep. If you are going to stand and look at the falls from where you get off the funicular you may need an umberella or rain coat as the spray can be a bit damp. The nearest place to eat or drink once you are off the funicular at the bottom is Hotel Tourist (just up the main road if you turn right at the cross roads). Hope this helps !