Read This Before Visiting Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe

Jungfraujoch is a slice of heaven perched 3,454m above sea level. This Alpine marvel, whose name means "ridge between two peaks," connects the majestic mountains Mönch and Jungfrau. Home to Europe's highest train station, it offers the most breathtaking viewpoint in the Bernese Alps.

Since the 2020 launch of the ultra-modern Eiger Express gondola, reaching this wonderland has become faster and more spectacular. The 15-minute cable car journey from Grindelwald Terminal to Eigergletscher station has revolutionized access, though traditional cogwheel trains via Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen-Wengen remain charming alternatives.

This UNESCO World Heritage site remains Switzerland's crown jewel—a must-visit destination that lives up to every traveler's alpine dreams. Planning to visit Jungfraujoch sometime soon? Read this blog to know everything you need for an unforgettable journey to the Top of Europe.

Jungfraujoch - Know before you go

Opening hours

Jungfraujoch is a glacial pass that welcomes millions of visitors throughout the year.

General timings for Jungfraujoch railway: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm
Weekends and holidays: 10am - 1pm | 1:45pm - 5pm
Recommended duration: 2 - 5 hours

Best time to visit

January to March is snowy and these winter months are perfect for skiing, ziplining, snowboarding, snow tubing, sledging, and ice skating through the snow-laden terrains. People who prefer these winter activities should visit Jungfraujoch during winter. Someone for whom extreme cold is unbearable, can visit this beautiful place during the summer months – June to September and go hiking and marvel at the alpine scenery.

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Why visit Jungfraujoch

The amazing journey: Hop onto the historic cogwheel trains that have been climbing these mountains for over a century, offering breathtaking vistas through panoramic windows at every turn.
Hollywood's Alpine backdrop: Walk where James Bond roamed in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" and other famous films that chose this dramatic setting as their cinematic canvas.
Unrivaled Alpine panorama: From the observation deck, marvel at 360° views spanning three countries—Switzerland's snow-capped Bernese Alps, the distant peaks of Germany, and on clear days, even Italy's mountains on the horizon.
Year-round winter wonderland: Experience the thrill of snow activities regardless of season at the Snow Fun Park, explore the magical Ice Palace's sculptures, or indulge your sweet tooth at Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven.
Engineering marvel: Ride the state-of-the-art Eiger Express tricable gondolas, offering bird's-eye views that complement the historic railway experience.
Gateway to adventure: Use Jungfraujoch as your starting point for nearby thrills like cliff walks, mountain karting, or the exhilarating First Flyer zipline at Grindelwald-First.

Best time to visit Jungfraujoch

Visit Jungfraujoch during the April-May shoulder season for the perfect balance of decent weather, fewer crowds, and better prices. Summer (June-August) offers the warmest temperatures (2-11°C) and longest daylight hours, but expect peak crowds and prices. Winter (December-March) transforms the area into a snow-lover's paradise ideal for winter sports, though temperatures drop significantly. Early autumn shares summer's benefits with gradually decreasing crowds.

For the absolute best experience, arrive early morning (before 10am) when visibility is typically clearest and crowds are thinnest. Always check weather forecasts before your trip—conditions at this elevation can change rapidly, and layered clothing is essential year-round.

PRO TIP: Remember, a trip to Jungfraujoch trip is an expensive affair but worth the money spent. Carry your winter essentials, water, and some snacks for the way to avoid paying exorbitant prices at the restaurants there. These are some places where you can save a couple of bucks.

Jungfraujoch Railway: Engineering Marvel of the Alps

The historic Jungfrau Railway, completed in 1912 after 16 years of challenging construction under Adolf Guyer-Zeller's vision, remains Europe's highest railway achievement. This pioneering 9.3 km cogwheel track burrows through the Eiger and Mönch mountains, rising 1,400 meters to deliver travelers to "The Top of Europe."

Visitors can reach Jungfraujoch via three main routes:

From Interlaken: Take a train to either Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald, then connect to the mountain railways
From Lauterbrunnen: Board the train to Kleine Scheidegg via the charming village of Wengen
From Grindelwald: Either take the traditional train via Kleine Scheidegg or the revolutionary Eiger Express

The game-changing Eiger Express, inaugurated in December 2020, transformed the journey with state-of-the-art tricable gondolas that whisk travelers from Grindelwald Terminal directly to Eigergletscher station in just 15 minutes. This modern addition reduced the total journey time from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch by 47 minutes.

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Things to do at Jungfraujoch

The Sphinx Observation Deck, perched at the Top of Europe is one of the highest observation decks in the world. Not only does it attract scientists for research but also tourists from all over the globe come and peer through the glass windows of the observatory to get panoramic views of the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger summits, snowy Alps, lush green valleys, rugged terrains, and the Great Aletsch Glacier. It comprises a weather station, two huge laboratories and a telescope. While this section is restricted for visitors, one can see as far as 11,000 feet below from the open viewing deck, which overlooks Germany and Italy. To reach the observation deck, take an elevator directly from the Jungfraujoch railway station.

The Ice Palace is a frosty world. This ice castle has been carved within the Aletsch Glacier, Europe’s longest glacier, and is the highest-altitude ice palace in the world. It lies 20 meters below the Jungfrau Observation Deck. It is the best place for children as they click pictures with animals like penguins, bears, eagles, and other figures are made out of ice. Each sculpture is carved with such intricacy that the visitors cannot get enough of them. The ice tunnel is slippery and one needs to be careful while walking.

The Alpine Sensation, The Eispalast and Sphinx Observation Deck is connected by a 250 m-long corridor. The Alpine Sensation is a recent attraction, opened in 2012 to mark the hundredth anniversary of the Jungfrau railways. It pays homage to the miners that connected the Jungfraujoch to the Jungfraujoch railway station. This exhibition includes a 250 m-long hall and a 360-degree audiovisual panorama. As the visitors step onto the moving walkway, moving past a 90 m long wall that is adorned with romantic paintings, the most breathtaking vantage of the splendid mountain tops and the entire surrounding areas can be captured.

This is a 45 minutes hike from Jungfraujoch to Mönchsjoch Hut, the highest-altitude serviced hut in Switzerland which is not available in the winter. As you make your way through the shiny glaciers in the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch region, you will reach Mönchsjochhütte. If the marked trail is taken, then the hike is short and takes around 45 to 60 minutes. This place is snug and cozy where a bed can be reserved at the dormitory. It gets really cold at night so wear layers and you can wake up to an astounding view of Central Switzerland, Eastern Switzerland, and the Valais mountains. If you want to go on this hike, make travel plans in the summer, and do not forget to wear carry hiking boots for a comfortable hike.

The Snow Fun Park welcomes visitors who want to enjoy some winter activities and ice sports line snow tubing, ziplining, skiing, sledging, snowboarding, and the list goes on. Children enjoy the most in Snow Park as they roll on the white sheets. The ticket is expensive, book them in advance to avoid the last-minute hassle.

Switzerland’s highest chocolate museum, the Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven is an experience shop that helps visitors know about the history of Lindt and how it is made from a virtual Lindt Maître Chocolatier. Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven is located at a height of 3500 meters where tourists get a sneak peek at the production of the famous Lindt chocolates. Apart from this, there are numerous shops selling Swiss souvenirs, candies, snow globes, and other knick-knacks. Great deals for these souvenirs can be found at the Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven as compared to the ones in Jungfraujoch.

Where to eat at Jungfraujoch

ALETSCH

With excellent views of the Bernese mountains, Aletsch, is where you can get a taste of traditional dishes, Rugenbräu beer and top-class wine!

RESTAURANT BOLLYWOOD

Craving for Indian food on top of Europe? Restaurant Bollywood is located right there on the peak for you to get a taste of fulfilling, Indian food!

CRYSTAL

A restaurant serving traditional Swiss classics to your table, Crystal is another one of your options to dine while at Jungfraujoch! Make sure to try their Eigerspitzli, a specially brewed in-house coffee.

COFFEE BAR

Along with serving quintessentially British dishes, this restaurant features the most eclectic interiors making it worth the visit. Don't forget to try their Champagne Fish and Chips or the Pulled Beef Soft Shell Tacos.

SPHINX BAR

Tips to visit Jungfraujoch

Make sure to book your tickets to Jungfraujoch in advance. If you arrive in Switzerland on a day with praticularly pleasant weather, it's highly likely you will not be able to find the tickets.
Wear sun-protection. It might be chilly, but the sun stings nonetheless.
Wear water-proof shoes if you plan to tread in the snow.
Avoid packing liquids in your backpack if you can help it; the air pressure at that attitude can lead to an explosive mess.
Keep yourself hydrated and walk slowly around the place initially to allow yourself some time to adjust to the high altitude.
There aren't a whole lot of charging points on the summit, so you'll want to keep a powerbank in hand to recharge after all the pictures you're bound to take!

Things to do near Jungfraujoch

Harder Kulm

Harder Kulm is also known as the crown of the Interlaken. It is viewpoint 1321 m above sea level, offering 360-degree views of the vibrant Interlaken (a small town in the Bernese Oberland) and Lake Thun, the peaks of Eiger, Monch, Jungfrau, and Lake Brienz. The funicular ride takes about 8 minutes to reach Harder Kulm from Interlaken.

River Rafting

River rafting in the Interlaken is quite an experience. You can enjoy the scenic beauty amidst the foaming waters as the powerful currents hit the raft. This is highly recommended and you get to choose from a wide range of rafting experiences.

Grindelwald First

Grindelwald First is a minor summit situated on the slopes of the Schwarzhorn in the Bernese Oberland and home to the sapphire Lake Bachalpsee. It is the starting point of many trails and is known for summer activities like Cliff Walk, hiking, mountain karting, First Flyer, First Glider, and bike tours to Grindelwald.

FAQS

Is Jungfraujoch worth visiting?

Yes, the Jungfraujoch is definitely worth visiting! Not only is it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Switzerland, but it also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. If you're looking for an unforgettable experience, the Jungfraujoch is definitely worth a visit!

What is special about Jungfraujoch?

Jungfraujoch is special because it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Switzerland. It also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. If you're looking for an unforgettable experience, the Jungfraujoch is definitely worth a visit!

What are some things to do at Jungfraujoch?

There are plenty of things to do at Jungfraujoch! You can take a cable car ride to the top of the mountain, visit the Ice Palace, or go hiking in the surrounding area.

How much does it cost to go to Jungfraujoch?

The cost of a ticket to Jungfraujoch varies depending on how you choose to travel there. If you take the train from Interlaken, for example, a one-way ticket costs around CHF 60. Alternatively, you can take a cable car from Grindelwald, which costs around CHF 35 for a one-way ticket. You can also book round trip tickets to and from Jungfraujoch with us!

What is the best time to visit Jungfraujoch?

The best time to visit Jungfraujoch is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the views are at their best. However, keep in mind that this is also the busiest time of year, so you may want to plan your trip in advance.

Is there always snow at Jungfraujoch?

No, there is not always snow at Jungfraujoch. In fact, the amount of snowfall varies greatly from year to year. However, if you're hoping to see some snow, the best time to visit is during the winter months.

What should I wear to Jungfraujoch?

What you wear to Jungfraujoch depends on the time of year you visit. During the summer months, light and comfortable clothing is best. In the winter, however, you'll need to dress warmly, as it can be quite cold at the top of the mountain.

Summary

Jungfraujoch Guide

Visit Jungfraujoch, everything about The Top of Europe