Last Updated on September 13, 2023 by Roslin Dwivedi
Only a few places in the world can rival the stunning landscapes of Jungfraujoch in Switzerland. Often called the “Top of Europe,” Jungfraujoch Trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone. But how to reach here, what to expect from this place, and will it be a good trip among the Swiss alp day trips from Zurich, Bernese Oberland and the other cities of Switzerland? You are going to find all the answers right here in the blog today. And the steps of planning a day trip to Jungfraujoch and sharing our unforgettable experience at this remarkable destination during summer.
If you are having some doubts or second-guessing about making a trip to Jungfrau or its ‘worth it’ label, then I am not saying this is the activity you must do in your Switzerland trip . But for the first time in Zurich or Bern, you must try this as a first-time tourist over here. So let’s dive in.
Before talking about all business, I am writing about What is Jungfraujoch? And why do people make a trip over here?
What is Jungfraujoch?
A couple of astute visitors choose not to continue up the mountain and instead spend the day in Grindelwald. Or take the 45-minute cogwheel train excursion through a mountain to the Top of Europe. This is a tremendously steep ascent, with at times a 25-degree angle! The train comes to a halt at two observation windows. At 9,396 feet, Eigerwand is a mountain vista, while Eismeer is a glacier view.
Jungfraujoch is Europe’s highest train station. Construction of the railway was done entirely by hand starting in 1896, using pickaxes, shovels, and human labour. The railway took sixteen years to build and opened in 1912. Jungfraujoch was dubbed the “Top of Europe” after becoming a popular alpine tourist attraction approachable by train and also has Europe’s highest post office.
The Jungfraujoch is 3454 meters above sea level. We didn’t go to visit Zermatt, where you can also go to Glacier Paradise, which is located at an elevation of 3883 meters, 429 meters higher than Jungfraujoch.
Why should you make a trip to Jungfraujoch?
- Jungfraujoch is not just another snow mountain destination. To reach this magnificent place you go on a cogwheel train to one of the highest railway stations in the world.
- Starting stations like Grindelwald and Interlaken are some of the best places to stay and soak in the Swiss Alps’ beauty and life.
- You go on one of the highest peaks in the world without a lot of trekking or climbing. You can be here with your family and kids without getting tired.
- You will walk inside the Ice tunnel to an Ice cave, all man-made.
- Amazing observation deck from where you can see the other peaks like Eiger and Monch and with the whole beauty of the Swiss Alps of Jungfrau region to yourself along with other tourist fellows.
- And finally, why not visit this magnificent peak along with the other amazing cruise tours when you are in the Bernese Oberland region?
Planning Your Journey:
Choose the Right Time to Visit Jungfraujoch
Jungfraujoch is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is during the summer months (June to September) when the weather is relatively mild, and most attractions are open. Winter is also magical here, with snow-covered landscapes creating a winter wonderland. We did the Jaungfraujoch day trip from Lauterbrunnen during the summer season.
How to Get There
The journey to Jungfraujoch begins in the charming towns of Interlaken Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. To reach Jungfraujoch you have to take the train from any of these stations. You can park your car or leave your bus if coming from other cities like Zurich, Lucerne or Interlaken on any of these sites and board the train to Jungraujoch. The train from Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald will take you to Kleine Scheidegg, where you will change trains and hop on to the cogwheel train taking you to your destination, Jungfraujoch “The Top of Europe”
We parked our rental car at Lauterbrunnen, bought our tickets and Jungfrau railway pass and started our summit to Jungfraujoch on the most scenic trains.
When you take your train from Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen or Interlaken, you will see a series of trains that include the Jungfrau Railway, a feat of engineering that travels through tunnels and up the mountainside.
In the train, watching those summer white blooms on the grass and houses slightly covered with snow, you will reach Kleine Scheidegg, where everyone has to change trains for the last lap of journey to Jungfraujoch.
Another fast way to reach Jungfraujoch is via the Eiger Express tri-cable from Grindelwald to Eiger Glacier. This option to reach Jungfraujoch gives both a gondola ride and then a cogwheel train pleasure before reaching Jungfraujoch Top of Europe. From Grindelwald, you reach Eiger which is closer to Kleine Scheidegg. From Kleine Scheidegg you will take a train to the Top of Europe. This is one of the fun and cheapest rides to Jungfraujoch.
How to Book Tickets for Jungfraujoch
To enjoy a hassle-free experience, I recommend booking your train tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons. You can buy the tickets at the train station or online.
You can buy the tickets to this excursion from a Swiss Travel Pass for convenient transportation right from Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch.
I am not a big fan of the group tours but it saves a ton more than buying a single ticket.
The group tours in the Jungfraujoch were rushed for the people. I suggest if possible then please don’t do those group tours. You won’t be able to see many things properly. The way the Indian tour guide was conducting, gave a bad impression of Indian tour agents. The tour operator rushed the Indians so much almost making them forget their etiquette in public places.
Swiss Alps day trips from Zurich Jungfraujoch and Bernese Oberland are one of the trips that are the best in the region for your lifetime experiences. In this tour, you go on a coach to a fortable coach to the charming ski resort of Grindelwald. You travel across the Swiss countryside, learn about the Bernese Oberland region. Take a break at Interlaken for some pictures. At Grindelwald, you will take the Eiger Express gondola, V-Cableway, continuing your journey on a classic cogwheel train up the UNESCO site Jungfraujoch mountain, the “Top of Europe”. Check the prices and this tour details here
From Zurich: Guided Day Trip to Jungfraujoch with Train Ride – In this tour a bus will take you around in the magnificent Bernese Oberland, through the Brünig Pass and by the beaches of Lake Brienz. Get a break at Interlaken before taking the cable car at the Grindelwald Terminal for a breathtaking 15-minute gondola ride to the Eiger Glacier. You will have to change to a cogwheel train that will take you to the Jungfraujoch summit. Check the prices and this tour details here
From Zurich: Day Trip to Jungfrau and Interlaken – Embark on a remarkable journey starting from Zurich Central Bus Station. Board an air-conditioned bus for a scenic ride to Interlaken. After a brief stop, hop on the Jungfrau rack train at Lauterbrunnen for an awe-inspiring ascent of 3454 meters. At Europe’s highest train station, marvel at panoramic views from the Sphinx observatory. Don’t miss this chance to stand atop the continent’s highest glacier. Check the prices and this tour details here
From Interlaken: Day Trip to Jungfraujoch Mountain – Embark on a full-day guided excursion from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch. Experience a panoramic cable car journey, savor the sweeping views from the Sphinx Observation Terrace, and venture into the fascinating Ice Palace tunnels. Your journey commences with a coach ride from Interlaken to the charming mountain resort of Grindelwald. There, you’ll ascend via cable car to the Eiger Glacier, a ride that promises breathtaking vistas. Finally, transfer to a cogwheel train, which will transport you to the summit of Jungfraujoch.
Check the prices and this tour details here
From Lucerne: Day Trip to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe – Take a 10-hour tour from Lucerne to Jungfraujoch, home to Europe’s largest glacier and a UNESCO-listed site. Marvel at snowy peaks and the Aletsch Glacier from the Sphinx Observation Terrace and Plateau. Begin with a scenic coach ride through Brünig Pass and by Lake Brienz. Pause in Interlaken before a cable car ride to Eiger Glacier and a cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch’s summit. Explore the stunning Alpine surroundings, enjoy the Alpine Sensation tour, and don’t miss the Sphinx Terrace for incredible Aletsch Glacier views. Go inside the glacier via the Ice Palace tunnels. Return to Lucerne via Lauterbrunnen and Wengen on a coach.
Check the prices and this tour details here
For more Day trips to Bernese Oberland check it here
Tips and Facts from our visit to Jungfrau
What to wear for the trip to Jungfrau
Even in the summer, the weather at Jungfraujoch can be unpredictable. Layer your clothing and carry a thick jacket, gloves, sunglasses and a cap. Good walking shoes or boots are very much necessary for exploring the attractions. It’s freezing up there in the summer, yet the UV rays are at their strongest. Wear plenty of sunblock too.
High Altitude Considerations
Jungfraujoch is situated at a high altitude of over 11,000 feet (3,454 meters). As you ascend, your body will need time to acclimatize to the thin air. Take it easy, stay hydrated, and listen to your body to avoid altitude sickness. Because of the high altitude (about 3,400m), there is less oxygen in the air, leaving you out of breath. Just remember to walk slower and relax if you find yourself out of breath (your body gets used to it after a while).
Train experience
Our friends and hotel staff suggested we sit on the right side of the train to get the best views of Lauterbrunnen and otherwise. We did so and enjoyed the journey more. The train is a very smooth ride keeping the altitude it’s going climbing in mind.
Do not make plans after this excursion. Consider the whole day for the excursion. After doing this, do a nice rest. The duration and the elevation – It took around 2 hours to reach the main observatory. It was very hectic. I suggest not making plans after this one. It’s very tiring, it takes a full day. And I got a bad headache. And we went to meet some friends but couldn’t meet them properly because of a bad headache.
Also, consider the time you start from the hotel in Interlaken or in our case from Unterseen in our car. Furthermore, the group tours can make the experience feel rushed, so if possible, avoid them to fully enjoy this trip. Especially when you are up at the top of the mountain.
You can go skiing in several places along the way up here, so if it’s snowing, you can easily change your plans and go skiing after seeing Jungfraujoch. (I saw a couple of groups of people doing it on the lower snow ranges.)
Bring your ID with you. We had to carry our passports everywhere because they verified our ID with railway tickets.
Experiencing Jungfraujoch – What to do at Jungfraujoch
At the top, the entire tour took 5 – 7 hours right from boarding the train in the morning from Lauterbrunnen till finishing the activities and coming back. The elevator ride up to the Sphinx Observatory is exhilarating. Up at the observatory, you have an Ice palace, carved into the glacier itself, and more unique experiences.
- The Sphinx Observatory:
The journey to the main observatory from Kleine Scheidegg took around 2 hours, and I must admit, it was quite taxing. The high altitude, combined with the long duration of travel, left me exhausted and even triggered a bad headache.
Once we arrived at Jungfraujoch, the highest point in Europe at 11,333 ft. We were thrilled to see the Aletsch Glacier’s 31.5 miles through the huge glass window at the main building before reaching the sphinx observatory.
We stepped in an elevator that whisked us 364 feet in 25 seconds to the Sphinx Observatory deck. Right from the moment the elevator gate opens, you will be in awe. This is the Alps’ greatest glacier and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Sphinx Observatory is a must-visit. It’s one of the highest astronomical observatories in the world and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
Don’t miss the opportunity to step out onto the observation deck for panoramic vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see.
2. Ice Palace:
Venture into the heart of the glacier by visiting the Ice Palace. This enchanting attraction features tunnels, sculptures, and chambers all carved out of ice.
It’s a unique experience that lets you explore the magical world beneath the ice. The ice palace is cut from the glacier and houses various sculptures. Walking inside the Ice Palace it’s chilling but thrilling. Be sure to walk slowly and balance yourself while inside the Ice Palace because it’s ice you will be walking on.
3. Alpine Sensation:
Alpine Sensation is another beautiful hallway. You enter a hall that is lit up with attractive lights in the shape of stars. A huge snow globe that has a model of Jungfraujoch that is functional showing gondolas and people skiing, trains running up and around. It’s fun to watch it. Ahead in the Alpine sensation, you hop on to a flat excavator that takes you into the journey of how the Jungfraujoch station was carved inside the glacier. And how everything else was planned out here by the tourism visionaries back then.
4. Hiking Trails:
Jungfraujoch offers various hiking trails suitable for a stroll or a more challenging hike with different levels of fitness and adventure. The trails provide a chance to immerse yourself in the stunning alpine environment by discovering the Jungfrau region. Hiking to Monchsjoch Hut is one of the extended hikes you will give yourself to receive a lovely drink and meal with breathtaking views of the south side of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. It’s a 45-minute walk in a total of 2.5 km one way up to the hut (the cafe), at an altitude of 3650 meters from the main building of Jungfraujoch. It is an uphill trek on a neat snow trail seen from Jungfraujoch windows. You will see people walking on that neat trail but they are going to Mönchsjochhütte. It appears simple, but at this elevation, it is more difficult than you may anticipate. Small slopes take your breath away. In the summer, as the sun heats the snow, it can become mushy, making walking more difficult.
Check out more hiking excursions in Bernese Oberland: Day in Wengen (Hike & Raclette Cheese)
5. Jungfrau Panorama:
There are times when the Jungfraujoch’s amazing views are blocked by the clouds. And when this happens you can still enjoy the bright day’s view of the Jungfraujoch through the Jungfrau Panorama movie, which is playing before going to the elevator to the Sphinx Observatory.
6. Glacier Plateau:
Glacier Plateau is one of the most Instagrammable places in Switzerland and on your Jungfraujoch tour. There will be long lines to click pictures with Switzerland’s flag over here. We even saw a few fighting over breaking the line or taking too long to click pictures over this spot.
Once you are done with the Alpine sensation you go to the Glacier Plateau. This glacier is snowy throughout the year. So if you want to have snow fights in the summer this place guarantees that. Be careful while walking here as during summer it can also get a bit slippery Plus our hands were freezing even though it was a bright sunny day of the summer season.
7. Snow fun park:
At Snow Fun Park you will find activities like skiing, snowboarding, ziplining snow tube and sledging. The park is open for tourists of all ages from mid-May to mid-October. The tickets to the snow fun park are separate then the Jungfraujoch pass. So check it before going there.
8. Swiss Chocolate Heaven:
The interactive Maîtres Chocolatiers at Lindt Chocolate Heaven teach visitors how a bar of Lindt chocolate is prepared. The shop also sells a variety of chocolates and other delights. Indulge in chocolate creation with the assistance of a chef here. Indulge in Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven, a paradise for chocolate lovers. Discover the art of chocolate making and savor a variety of delicious treats.
9. Restaurants and Shops:
It’s time for lunch or a snack by the time you’ve seen everything Jungfraujoch offers. We were shocked by the number of tourists present. It was crowded. We could also see that the large numbers were from Indian tourist groups. To cater to the Indian groups, they built private Bollywood restaurants with big windows offering the greatest views of the glaciers. There were dining options as well. We ate at the Bollywood Restaurant and I must admit that they managed to maintain the taste of the Indian food just as they should at such a height.
Shops over there offered Swiss souvenirs, clothes and also Swiss chocolates. At a gift shop, it was so crowded but we still went inside and bought some souvenirs like woolen hats and keychains. Someone at the gift shop just gifted Aanick that Swiss bell keychain to play with and he played with that for the rest of the Switzerland trip
How much does it cost to go up the Jungfraujoch?
Getting a ticket for Jungfraujoch is expensive, so it’s a good idea to do some research and look for deals. In our case, we hadn’t bought any other passes for our Swiss trip, so we ended up purchasing the tickets at the window which turned out to be a more budget-friendly option.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you have a Swiss pass or a Eurorail pass, you might be able to get a discount on the trip tickets to Jungfraujoch.
Here’s some good news though: Children under 15 can go for free with a family pass, which is a nice perk. Since Jungfraujoch is known for being on the pricier side, likely, you might only have the chance to visit once in your life. So, make the most of it! Take your time, savour the experience, and enjoy every moment of your trip.
It might be costly, but it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Is it worth visiting Jungfraujoch?
A trip to Jungfraujoch is a dream come true for nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and anyone who appreciates the beauty of the great outdoors. The journey to the “Top of Europe” is an experience in itself, with awe-inspiring views and a sense of wonder at every turn. By planning, dressing appropriately, and embracing the altitude, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of your journey to this extraordinary destination. Our own experience at Jungfraujoch left us in awe of the natural world’s beauty and the marvels of human engineering, and we’re certain it will do the same for you. So, pack your bags and get ready for the journey of a lifetime to the enchanting Jungfraujoch!
Best Places To Stay for Jungfraujoch Trip
Lauterbrunnen is one lovely village where you spend a night so you learn about a bit of local life and also enjoy the scenic falls and villages around.
Interlaken: Interlaken has some lovely stays next to the Aare River, close to the main market and also near the train station with some great views of the Jungfrau region mountain ranges.
Grindelwald: Most tourists like to stay in this village since this is also an amazing village that is one of the stations for the train taking you up to Jungfrau Peak.
Wengen: Imagine living in a small car-free village with panoramic views of the Jungfrau mountain and the Lauterbrunnen valley.
There are many hotels near the railway station convenient to get the train for Jungfraujoch.
Final thoughts about the excursion
While the Jungfraujoch trip is undoubtedly an incredible experience, it’s important to be well-prepared and aware of the challenges that come with high altitudes.
The infinite white mountains shimmering in the sunlight make your view a unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’d recommend taking your time, skipping the group tours if possible, and fully immersing yourself in the majesty of the Swiss Alps. Just remember, there’s no need to rush – savour the moment and make the most of this extraordinary adventure.
The return ride to Grindelwald was a highlight, offering the picturesque views I had imagined throughout the day. Waterfalls dotted the landscape, creating a stunning visual treat. Looking back, I would opt to stay overnight in Interlaken and take the time to explore the region at a more leisurely pace, perhaps even renting a car to explore the numerous waterfalls.
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