Day Trip to Jungfraujoch: Getting Here From Different Cities
Jungfraujoch, also known as the Top of Europe, is the highest train station in Europe. It sits at the whooping height of 11371 ft. and is one of Switzerland’s most popular day trips, especially for those in the Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen.
Not only does it offer an opportunity for a spectacular train ride with amazing views, but it also offers many family-friendly activities once you get to the top of the mountain.
An added benefit is that, unlike other train rides that take many hours, the entire journey at the Jungfraujoch is easy and can be completed even as a half-day trip.
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Things You Will Find at the Top of the Mountain:
On top of incredible glacier views, you will find other things to do on the top that will keep you entertained all day if you intend to spend more than a few hours here.
- Aletsch Glacier. It stretches over 14 miles and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offers one of the most breathtaking views you will likely see anywhere in the world.
- Sphinx Observatory. While this is an international research station, the Sphinx Observatory is famous for being in many movies and offers spectacular panoramic views of Aletsch Glacier and the mountains around it.
- Ice Castle. Being operated for almost 100 years, the Ice Castle offers a beautiful display of ice carvings.
- Lindt Chocolate Shop. In this shop, you can buy everyone’s favorite Lindt chocolates at the Top of Europe and watch how it’s made.
- Restaurants. There are three restaurants and 2 bars at the Top of Europe. They offer beautiful views, fresh air, and delicious food, making your trip more enjoyable.
- Snow Fun Park. If you want to extend your visit while here, you should check out the snow fun park, where you can enjoy fun snow activities, including snow tubing, skiing, snowboarding, and sledding.
Getting to Jungfraujoch
There are a few different options to get the Jungfraujoch, depending on where you stay and how long you would like your train ride to last. Remember that the longer the route, the better your opportunity to get more amazing views.
Day Trip to Jungfraujoch From Grindelwald
Traveling from Grindelwald is the quickest way to get to the top of Jungfraujoch. It involves a short 15-minute ride on a cable car from Grindelwald to Eiger Glacier. You will ride a cable and a 30-minute train ride from Eiger Glacier to Jungfraujoch.
From the beginning, we knew we would be visiting Jungfraujoch, and staying in Grindelwald for a few days worked out the best for us. Visiting Jungfraujoch, First, and Lake Bachalpsee from Grindelwald was very convenient while traveling with a kid.
Day trip to Jungfraujoch from Interlaken
There are a few more options when traveling from Interlaken. Visiting Jungfraujoch from Interlaken is the most optimal way to plan your trip as it gives you different options and allows you to spend a good time on the train, enjoying spectacular views. You have an opportunity to travel to Jungfraujoch through the following routes:
- From Interlaken to Grindelwald via Train (30 minutes) → from to Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg via train (30 minutes) → from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch via Eiger Gletscher train (45 minutes). This option involves three stops and is close to 2 hours long.
- From Interlaken to Grindelwald via train (30 minutes) → from Grindelwald to Eiger Glacier via cable car (15 minutes) → from Eiger Glacier to Jungfraujoch via train (30 minutes). This option also involves three stops, is about 90 minutes long, and involves a quick cable car ride.
- From Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen (20 minutes) → from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen (15 minutes) → from Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg (25 minutes) → from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch (45m). This option involves four stops and lasts for about 2 hours.
I should also note that those traveling from Interlaken can pick one option for going up and another chance for their return trip to diversify their experience.
Day trip to Jungfraujoch from Lucerne
If you plan to visit Jungfraujoch from Lucerne, you must prepare a whole day for the trip. Your first stop will be from Lucerne to Interlaken. From there, you can choose your route as outlined above in the Jungfraujoch from the Interlaken section.
Jungfraujoch from Zurich
Much like the option to travel from Lucerne, a trip from Zurich also involves making the first stop in Interlaken. You can choose the above route in the Jungfraujoch from the Interlaken section.
Visiting Jungfraujoch from Bern
Visiting Jungfraujoch from Bern is easy because the Bern to Interlaken train ride is quicker. You can choose the above route in the Jungfraujoch from the Interlaken section.
Jungfraujoch from Geneva
Visiting Jungfraujoch from Geneva can be time-consuming, like a trip from Lucerne or Zurich. You will need to first travel to Interlaken. You can choose the above route in the Jungfraujoch from the Interlaken section.
When to Visit Jungfraujoch
While Jungfraujoch is usually open 365 days a year, the most popular visit is from June to September. Due to its location and altitude can get quite cold (freezing winter cold) even on sunny summer days. Plan accordingly.
As for the actual visit, trains usually run very often throughout the day, from morning to closing. Make sure to check out the timetable here. You can select the schedule specific to your trip based on the route of your journey.
Pro Tip: If you want to beat the tourist traffic for a more exclusive experience, get on the earliest train.
What to Wear During Your Day Trip to Jungfraujoch
Even if you are visiting on an excellent/hot day, the temperature at the top can be pretty cold. Therefore, I recommend bringing your gloves, hat, warm (preferably waterproof) shoes, and many layers. You would not be wrong if you visited the mountain in your winter coat.
While I completely understand if you do not want to bring your winter coat on your summer vacation, do keep in mind that it can be cold up there. My fleece jacket captured below over a sweater was pretty comforting. Also, don’t forget to bring your sunglasses. It gets very sunny.
Tickets to Jungfraugoch
Before you purchase your tickets, you should know two opinions about when to buy them. On the one hand, some experts recommend waiting until the day of your trip or at least waiting as close as possible to purchase your tickets to ensure your trip will be blessed with good weather.
Waiting until the last minute should not be an issue, as tickets are generally available for purchase even on the day of your trip at the train stations. On the other hand, because the journey can be a bit pricey, some people like to buy them ahead of time, lock in their expenses, and know their schedule.
Whichever way you decide to go about it, keep in mind that for a positive experience and great views, your best bet is to visit on a sunny day.
With that introduction, you can purchase tickets on the official website. For Swiss Travel Pass holders, you should also be able to buy discounted tickets on these websites.
Is a Trip to Jungfraujoch Worth the Money?
The trip to Jungfraujoch may depend on individual preference and budget. The total cost of a day trip to Jungfraujoch can vary (In addition to ticket price) depending on where you are traveling from. While the price is not very affordable, the experience is unforgettable and should be on one’s bucket list. I enjoyed the process, from riding the gondola and train to walking on top of Europe. While we did not have much flexibility to explore everything it offers to do during your visit, we were still delighted with our trip. So, I think it is worth it to spare some money for this journey in Switzerland.
Final Thoughts and Useful Tips
- Trains are always on time in Switzerland. Be on time.
- The earliest train that gets to Jungfraujoch departs at 8 am from Kleine Scheidegg. If you decide to take up this option, you should be able to get a discounted “Good Morning Ticket.” Do note that the ticket will not be valid for later train rides.
- You can reserve your train seats for an additional CHF10 here.
- Keeping in mind the altitude, please keep in mind that it is not ideal for infants to go up that high, as the air gets thinner and their lungs may not be able to handle it. For toddlers and adults with breathing/lung issues, do check with your doctor. Otherwise, you may feel a little pressure in the high altitudes, and you may get tired a bit quicker, but you should be okay.
- Depending on your appetite, you can spend the full day or half day here. If you take the early 8am ride, you can be back by the afternoon without having to feel like you missed out on much.
Are you planning a day trip to Jungfraujoch? I hope this article will help you plan your unforgettable day. I would love to hear your experiences in the comments!
