Jungfrau - Eiger Travel Guide
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe was high on our Switzerland bucket list. Why? For starters, it’s the highest train station in Europe (3,454 meters). Second of all, the views on the way to Jungfraujoch and from the top are spectacular. And last but not least, you get to walk inside a glacier and visit an ice palace!
This place is incredible!
What is Jungfraujoch?
Jungfraujoch, located in southern Switzerland, refers to a visitor’s center and observation deck reachable by train situated at 3,454 meters elevation.
On the west side, you’ll gaze up at the majestic peak of Jungfrau (4,158 meters) and on the east side, you are just a few hundred meters below Mönch (4,099 meters). And just beyond Mönch, the famous Eiger peak looms at 3,970 meters.
The name Jungfrau is often confused with Jungfraujoch but refers to the actual Swiss Alp. The region around Jungfrau is commonly referred to as Jungfrau or the Jungfrau Region.
Jungfraujoch is often commonly referred to as “Top of Europe” because it is the highest train station on the continent. Don’t be confused by this marketing spin, however, because Mont Blanc on the French and Italian border is actually the highest point in Europe.
Best Time To Visit
You’ve got the best chance for great weather if you visit Jungfraujoch from May to September. These are also the busiest months, so remember to book your ticket in advance. We went in July and it was extremely sunny! Don’t forget sunglasses!
- Best time to visit:
May – September - Temperature:
Varies from 0-24 degrees C - Check the weather forecast before booking your tickets. You can also follow the 360° Jungfraujoch webcam, which is live and broadcasts 24/7.
What To Expect
Sphinx Observatory
The Sphinx Observatory is the iconic, picturesque observation deck situated in the saddle between the peaks Jungfrau and Mönch. It sits at 3,571 meters (11,716 feet) above sea level, and the views are incredible. From the observatory the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Interlaken, and the Aletsch Glacier can be seen clearly. You can also look down the glacier!
The Sphinx Observatory is usually the first attraction that visitors go to when they visit Jungfraujoch, so it can become crowded, fast.
For those who are afraid of heights, the platform which people stand on to enjoy the view is similar to a grate with large holes in it allowing tourists to see directly below them. This can be scary for those who don’t like heights, so if you fall into this category, it might be best to enjoy the view from inside the Observatory through the glass windows
Eismeer Station
Eismeer is another one of those German names that means much more if you understand it. In German, Eismeer means “Sea of Ice”, and that’s exactly what it is.
During the ride up to Jungfraujoch, the train enters a tunnel that is over 7 kilometers long. Don’t worry, there are still sights to be seen, even in the enclosed tunnels.
There are three stops on the ride up where tourists are allowed to get off the train and look out large windows in the face of the mountain, overlooking glaciers and a sea of ice.
The stop is only for 5 minutes however, so be prepared to rush off the train and fight the crowds to get a good look before continuing on up to the top.
Ice Palace (Eispalast)
One of the must-see attractions is the Ice Palace.
Descending into the ice palace feels like walking into an igloo, as you will soon be in a tunnel surrounded on all sides by large frozen blocks of ice. For those who need a bit more traction on their shoes, there is a handrail constantly at your side.
After traveling into the cold heart of the Ice Palace, it opens into larger corridors with ice sculptures of animals, people, and nature scenes that will astound you. The detail of each sculpture is very fine, and you’ll find yourself wanting to take pictures at each work of art.
Similar to the Sphinx Observatory, it seems that visitors come in waves. The palace can go from almost empty to claustrophobic in a matter of minutes, so try to time your visit so you can have more room and take photos without other people in them.
Lindt Chocolate Shop and Museum
The Lindt Chocolate Shop at Jungfraujoch is the highest Lindt shop in the world!
The creamy Swiss chocolates sold here are some of the best in the region. The entrance to the store is known as the Master Chocolatier’s Parlor, where audiovisual displays show travelers how the chocolates are made.
Snow Fun Park
During the summer months, the Snow Fun Park is open to visitors to enjoy sledding and other winter sports on top of one of the tallest of the Swiss Alps.
The park has snow tubing, skiing, snowboarding, a zipline, and, of course, sledding. The sledding and tubing slope has a conveyor belt that takes people up to the top of the hill so they can enjoy the ride down, without walking all the way back up.
All of the equipment is rented out and included in the price of the ticket. Prices are listed below:
| Adults | Children | |
| Day Ticket (Every Activity) | CHF 45.- | CHF 30.- |
| Ski and Snowboard | CHF 35.- | CHF 25.- |
| Zipline | CHF 20.- | CHF 15.- |
| Snow Tubing or Sledding | CHF 20.- | CHF 15.- |
| Special Sledding | CHF 25.- | CHF 20.- |
Best photo op locations
It’s hard to take a bad picture when the backdrop is the majestic Jungfrau poking through the clouds, the rolling valleys below, or even the larger-than-life Aletsch Glacier.
However, there are a few places that allow for more stunning pictures and memorable locations than others. When visiting Jungfraujoch, make sure to stop and click a pic:
- By the Swiss flags waving at the top of the snowy plateau with the Jungfrau peak behind you.
- In front some of the sculptures in the Ice Palace.
- On the observation deck of the Sphinx Observatory looking in any direction.
- Sipping a cup of steaming hot cocoa with the snowy glacier in the background.
- Riding the train with your head out the window to capture the most of you and the beautiful Alpine scenery.
- Looking out over Eismeer at the train stop (be fast to avoid getting other people in your shot).
- At Kleine Scheidegg looking up at the peaks.
Kleine Scheidegg
Kleine Scheidegg (map) is a mountain pass on the way up to Jungfraujoch that doubles as the train stop for the Jungfraubahn. It is here that travelers headed to the top must switch trains from across the valleys below to board the Jungfraubahn.
This is a great place to stretch your legs after being seated on the train for a few hours depending on where you are coming from. While wandering around, make sure to stop and admire the stunning views of the mountains, rolling valleys, glaciers, and waterfalls.
There are a few restaurants here for hungry travelers who didn’t want to purchase the expensive food at Jungfraujoch. However, the prices will only save you a few Francs because the food is marked up here as high as its mountain elevation.
At Kleine Scheidegg, the trains going to and from Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen meet, giving the option to descend a different way than you came up.
Eiger’s North Face at Kleine Scheidegg
Kleine Scheidegg is a great place to stop and enjoy the view and find your next profile picture for your social media account.
As you sit contemplating the mountains you will climb or just climbed, consider the sheer north face of Eiger.
For years mountaineers tried to scale the rocky cliffs to be the first to make it to the summit. These ascents ended in death for many of these climbers, but still many attempted to champion the mountain.
Jungfraujoch Train
The Jungfraujoch train is called Jungfraubahn, which literally translates to “Jungfrau train” in English. It is the train that carries passengers to the Top of Europe and along with offering a very smooth and comfortable ride, it gives visitors incredible panoramic views of the valleys below.
TIP
Although there is no bad place to sit on the Jungfraubahn, we strongly recommend sitting on the right side of the train for the ascent so you can enjoy the view unobstructed.
What to Eat in Jungfraujoch
- Restaurant Bollywood (Indian food buffet)
- Rated 3.5 on TripAdvisor
- Located in Jungfraujoch.
- Buffet style restaurant that serves lunch only. Indian buffet is CHF 32.50 for adults and CHF 19.50 for children 5-12 years old. It is open from 11:00-16:30 (11:00am to 4:30pm).
- Restaurant Crystal (Swiss food)
- Rated 3.5 on TripAdvisor
- Located in Jungfraujoch.
- Sit-down restaurant that serves lunch and dinner. Expect to spend 35-50 Francs on a main dish here. Open from 10:00-19:00 (10:00am to 7:00pm).
What to pack for Jungfraujoch
Since the weather is unpredictable, you need to prepare for more or less anything. You can leave the shorts at home, but I would definitely wear a T-shirt underneath or just bring it in my bag. It can get quite warm at the top once the sun is out. Also, you should bring snacks and water. Although you can buy it at the restaurant, the prices are sky-high.
- Winter jacket
- Waterproof gloves
- Scarf
- Sweater
- Warm pants (like ski pants)
- T-shirt
- Waterproof boots
- Extra pair of socks (especially if you’re hiking)
- Sunglasses a must to avoid snow blindness (Nick forgot his! BLINDED)
How to get there
From Interlaken to Jungfraujoch
You can start your trip to Jungfraujoch from these stations: Grindelwald, Interlaken, Kleine Scheidegg, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Wilderswil, Zweilütschinen and Mürren. Whichever route you take, you will always go through either Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald and Kleine Scheidegg, which is the last stop before Jungfraujoch.
From Interlaken, you have two options:
- Via Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg
- Via Grindelwald and Kleine Scheidegg
My advice? Take one route on your way up, and the other on the way down, this is what we did.
Let’s say your trip begins in Interlaken. You’ll board the train to Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald where you’ll change to a cogwheel train that takes you the rest of the way. There’s a stop at Kleine Scheidegg where the Alpine views are amazing.
The Jungfrau train then enters a long tunnel through the mountains. It stops twice on the way up the tunnel – once at Eigerwand (2685 m) and then at Eismeer(3010m) where everyone gets out to take photos through picture windows. You can also use the restroom here (there’s no restroom in the train). The tunnel trip lasts about 45 minutes and the ascend is very steep. At some points, the train is at a 25 degree angle, which is a lot. You need to sit down for this.
You’ll arrive at Jungfraujoch (still inside the mountain), and you just walk over to the entrance. There’s a screen where you can see the departures. You can just catch the train down the mountain whenever you like.
- Lauterbrunnen to Jungfraujoch
- At Lauterbrunnen, board the train with the destination Kleine Scheidegg. Ride it to Kleine Scheidegg (the end of the track).
- Change trains and board the train bound for Jungfraujoch.
- Wengen to Jungfraujoch
- At Wengen, board the train with the destination Kleine Scheidegg. Ride it to Kleine Scheidegg (the end of the track).
- Change trains and board the train bound for Jungfraujoch.
- Lucerne to Jungfraujoch
- Board the Lucerne-Interlaken Express in the direction of Interlaken Ost.
- Once in Interlaken, switch trains and board the one going in the direction of Lauterbrunnen.
- At Lauterbrunnen, switch trains and board the train with the destination Kleine Scheidegg. Ride it to Kleine Scheidegg (the end of the track).
- Change trains and board the train bound for Jungfraujoch.
- Zürich to Jungfraujoch
- At Zurich HB, board the train in the direction of Brig. Get off the train in Bern.
- In Bern, switch trains and get on the train headed to Interlaken Ost.
- Once in Interlaken, switch trains and board the one going in the direction of Lauterbrunnen.
- At Lauterbrunnen, switch trains and board the train with the destination Kleine Scheidegg. Ride it to Kleine Scheidegg (the end of the track).
- Change trains and board the train bound for Jungfraujoch.
- Bern to Jungfraujoch
- At the Bern train station, get on the train headed to Interlaken Ost.
- Once in Interlaken, switch trains and board the one going in the direction of Lauterbrunnen.
- At Lauterbrunnen, switch trains and board the train with the destination Kleine Scheidegg. Ride it to Kleine Scheidegg (the end of the track).
- Change trains and board the train bound for Jungfraujoch.
- Mürren to Jungfraujoch
- At the Mürren BLM, board the train to Grutschalp and ride it to the end of the line.
- Ride the cable car at Grutschalp down to Lauterbrunnen.
- At Lauterbrunnen, switch trains and board the train with the destination Kleine Scheidegg. Ride it to Kleine Scheidegg (the end of the track).
- Change trains and board the train bound for Jungfraujoch.
Jungfraujoch tickets and price
Price: US $116-160 or £84-115 for a return ticket. You should book in advance!
We won’t sugarcoat it – visiting Jungfraujoch is expensive. But then again, it’s one of those experiences that are so unique, and most of the activities at the top are included in the price. We went on our own without a guide. Personally, we don’t think it’s necessary to book a guide, especially when tickets are already on the expensive side. There’s a lot of info in the Alpine Sensation, and as we said, it’s easy to get around on your own.
- You can book online through Jungfrau Railways
- Get it directly at the Jungfrau train station (I don’t recommend this – tickets might be sold out and then you’re stuck)
- Book through GetYourGuide (slightly cheaper)
How to Save Money on Tickets
Along with the discounted Good Morning Ticket discussed above, there are a few more ways you can save money on your ticket to Jungfraujoch:
The Jungfrau Travel Pass
The Jungfrau Travel Pass is a ticket that allows for unlimited travel throughout most of the Jungfrau region for 3-8 days for one inclusive price. If you plan on being around Jungfrau for longer, the more money you will save with this pass.
Along with the unlimited travel by almost all trains, the travel pass includes a discounted price to go to Jungfraujoch, dropping the price to around CHF 60.- instead of around 200.- during peak season. Visit jungfrau.ch for exact details and pricing on the Jungfrau Travel Pass.
The Swiss Travel Pass
The Swiss Travel Pass is another option for getting a cheaper ride to Jungfraujoch. With the Swiss Travel Pass, you will be able to go on almost any public transportation in Switzerland for a consecutive 3, 4, 8, or 15 days. Along with the travel to most destinations in the country, you will get 25% off the price of the ticket to Jungfraujoch. Tickets and pricing can be found here.
The Swiss Half Fare Card
For those who want to save money but don’t want to be held to fixed, consecutive days with the Swiss Travel Pass, the Half Fare Card gives you half price public transportation throughout the country. The 50% discount does apply to tickets to Jungfraujoch. Tickets and pricing can be found here.
The Berner Oberland Regional Pass
If your vacation takes you throughout the Berner Oberland, the Regional Pass Berner Oberland gives free travel throughout the region on public transportation. In addition, tickets to Jungfraujoch are only CHF 99.- per person with this pass. Tickets and pricing can be found here.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to Jungfraujoch. Feel free to leave comments below or to ask us any questions.
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