The Eiger Express is a modern cable car route that began operating in December 2020. Designed to carry up to 26 people at once, it serves as the last stretch for travelers heading to the “Top of Europe”, specifically Jungfraujoch, from places like Grindelwald, Interlaken, and further away cities like Zürich and Geneva. Offering stunning panoramic views of the mountains and landscapes through its large windows, the Eiger Express can move up to 2,200 individuals every hour during its busiest times. The glass windows ensure that you'll have a memorable visual experience regardless of where you're seated. The cable car starts between 7:15am to 8am on most days, with the last cable car up the mountain departing between 4:15pm and 7:20pm, varying by season.
Eiger Express in a nutshell
Handy Information
| ⏰ Duration: | 15 minutes |
| ☀️ Best Time to Visit: | 8am |
| 🎟️ Round Trip From Grindelwald: | CHF 211 |
| 🚡 Round Trip From Interlaken: | CHF 233.80 |
Opening Hours
From 7:15am to 7:20pm
Ascent and descent timings vary according to the season
Getting There
Grundstrasse 54, 3818 Grindelwald,
Switzerland
Get Directions
Facts about the Eiger Express
Lowest elevation: 947 m (3,107 ft)
Highest elevation: 2,328 m (7,638 ft)
No. of carriers: 44
Carrier capacity: 26 (per carrier)
Line length: 6483m
Where does the Eiger Express take you?
The Eiger Express cable car takes passengers from Grindelwald terminal to the Eiger Glacier station, situated at an elevation of 2,328 meters. At this station, visitors have the option to continue exploring the Jungfrau mountains by cog train, or they can take in the scenery from the viewing platform, ski in the Jungfrau area, or hike on the Eiger trail during summer. The cable car covers a distance of 6,483 meters in just fifteen minutes, offering a quicker alternative to the older route by saving forty-seven minutes. Those coming down from the Top of Europe can opt for a train for descent but using the Eiger Express is faster.
Pro tip: Travel during the off-peak season; this way, you might end up in a less crowded gondola, possibly with only 3 or 4 other passengers, giving you more freedom to move and take photos from different viewpoints.
Why is it worth taking the Eiger Express?
- You can reach Europe's highest point.
- Using the Eiger Express gondola cuts down travel time by 47 minutes compared to the old train route.
- On clear, sunny days, you'll enjoy incredible views.
- Cloudy, overcast days offer a unique, almost mystical experience.
- The Eiger Express has a special VIP gondola, number 888, which includes a champagne bar in the middle of the cabin for an extra touch of luxury.
- Visitors have complimentary access to attractions like the Sphinx Observatory, Ice Palace, Plateau, and Alpine Sensation.
Recommended Eiger Express tickets
Highlights of taking the Eiger Express
1Paronomic views of the Bernese Alps
Riding the Eiger Express gondola offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the Bernese Alps in all their majestic glory. As you ascend, panoramic views unfold before you, revealing dramatic peaks, sprawling glaciers, and lush valleys below. The large windows of the gondola frame these landscapes perfectly.
2Access to Sphinx Observatory
The Sphinx Observatory sits atop the Jungfraujoch in Switzerland, perched on a peak called the Sphinx. Standing at 3,571 meters (11,716 feet) above sea level, it ranksamong the world's highest astronomical observatories. It welcomes visitors, offering access to Switzerland's second-highest observation deck.
3Access to Ice Palace
The Ice Palace is a unique attraction 20 meters beneath the Jungfrau Observation Deck. To reach it, you need to pass through a long icy corridor that leads to rooms and halls shaped like caves. Inside, you'll find beautiful ice sculptures in various shapes. Access is via a blue revolving door followed by a blue staircase. The ceiling above is made from glacier ice, shaped by hand with tools like ice axes and saws. The temperature inside is kept at about minus 3 degrees Celsius to maintain the ice. The ceilings and corridors are carved again from time to time to keep their shape.
4Alpine Sensation
The Alpine Sensation is found in a 250-meter hallway that connects the Sphinx Hall to the Ice Palace. This path honors the hard work and sacrifices of the miners who built the Jungfraubahn. At the end of the walkway, there's a large snow globe showcasing everyday life in the Jungfrau Region and Switzerland.
5Plateau
Just a ten-minute walk from the Jungfraujoch train station, you'll find the Plateau, a popular viewing platform in the Alps. From here, you can see the Mittelland area stretching out towards the Black Forest and the Vosges on one side. On the other side, you'll see the stunning Aletsch Glacier, surrounded by towering peaks over four thousand meters high. This spot offers one of the best views you can find.
Best time to visit Eiger Express
Summer: From June to August, is a great time to visit the Eiger Express. In July, the warmest month, temperatures can rise to about 3.1°C, offering clearer skies and stunning views of the Eiger and Monch peaks near Jungfraujoch.
Fall: From September to November, sees temperatures gradually fall, reaching lows of -5°C in September, -7°C in October, and -12°C in November. This period signals cooler weather and the beginning of a quieter season.
Winter: From late November to February, brings the coldest temperatures, down to -15°C. However, it's an ideal time for winter sports enthusiasts to enjoy skiing, sledding, winter hiking, and ziplining in the area.
Spring: From March to May, sees temperatures slowly warming, from -14°C in March to -2°C in May. This season tends to be cloudier, which might limit views from the top attractions like the Sphinx Observation Deck and the Glacier Plateau.
The best time to visit for outdoor activities and clear views is between June and August, though this period also attracts the most tourists. For those looking to avoid the crowds and possibly find lower prices, the shoulder season of April and May is recommended. Keep in mind that cloudier days may obscure the scenic views, so checking the weather beforehand is advised for the best experience.
Eiger Express Opening Hours
Ascent hours:
- Aug 21 - Oct 22, 2023: 7:15am - 5:45pm
- Oct 23 - Dec 09, 2023: 8am - 4:15pm
- Dec 10, 2023 - Mar 28, 2024: 8am - 3:45pm
- Mar 29 - May 17, 2024: 7:15am - 5:45pm
- May 18 - Aug 25, 2024: 7:15am - 6:45pm
- Aug 26 - Nov 03, 2024: 7:15am - 5:45pm
- Nov 04 - Dec 14, 2024: 8am - 3:45pm
Descent hours:
- Aug 21 - Oct 22, 2023: 7:15am - 6:20pm
- Oct 23 - Dec 09, 2023: 8am - 4:50pm
- Dec 10, 2023 - Mar 28, 2024: 8am - 5:20pm
- Mar 29 - May 17, 2024: 7:15am - 6:20pm
- May 18 - Aug 25, 2024: 7:15am - 7:20pm
- Aug 26 - Nov 03, 2024: 7:15am - 6:20pm
- Nov 04 - Dec 14, 2024: 8:15am - 5:20pm
Getting There
Address: Grundstrasse 54, 3818 Grindelwald, Switzerland.
Get directions
You'll recognize it as the starting point for your journey on the Eiger Express, connecting Grindelwald to the Eiger Glacier station, also known as Eigergletscher.
How to Get to Grindelwald:
From Interlaken: Board the train at Interlaken Ost station. This will take you directly to Grindelwald.
From Lauterbrunnen: Take an SBB train and make a transfer at Zweilütschinen. From there, continue your journey to Grindelwald.
These routes provide a straightforward way to reach Grindelwald, where you can start your adventure on the Eiger Express to the breathtaking Eiger Glacier station.
