How to Visit Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe in Switzerland: 10 steps and Must do Activities
Switzerland often looks like the perfect example of heaven, the place where the elves live or the promised land where cows give instant milk chocolate. The grass is greener there, the lakes and rivers bluer and the cute marmots are trail companions. Right?
There are a few stereotypes for almost every country out there. Most though are wrong, as we experienced in Paris. So in September we packed and got ready to be underwhelmed by Switzerland. Boy we were so wrong! It really is perfect!
The target destination – The top of Europe, or Jungfraujoch. The place is known as the Top of Europe, as it is the highest point in Europe that is accessible by train. And only by train.
And because it’s in the vicinity of Interlaken and Grindewald (Instagram favorite pics destinations and Tolkien’s inspiration for Rivendell) we decided on a list of places to visit and things to do alongside the Top of Europe.
Read/Cuprins
Top 10 things to do in the Jungfrau Region
and
How to Visit Jungfraujoch
General things to consider first, and then a list of 10 Must-Do Things to do in the Jungfrau Region, to get the most out of the experience.
What to Prepare and what to Expect when you visit the Jungfrau Region of Switzerland
1. What to prepare for in the Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
Prepare to walk a lot. The place is trail heaven because the region of the Bernese Oberland is situated at the foot of the Bernese Alps. Basically, left and right you have places to climb, walk to and arrive at.
The region consists of two valleys south of Interlaken: that of Grindelwald and that of Lauterbrunnen, both drained by the river Lütschine. So invest in quality shoes and a good outer layer.
Choose the month with care, depending on what you want to do. For a season for walks and views with fewer people, go before June, when the summer season starts. For skiing, go after 15th of December, when the winter season starts. Some hotels, like the one in Wengen we stayed in, are closed from 1 Nov to 15 Dec.
2. What to Expect in Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
Expect to spend a lot on transportation. And on all the other things, except water. Water you can get for free at any fountain, the best water in the world, pure and cold.
How much does it cost to go up the Jungfraujoch, the top of Europe? – Well, if you get the standard Jungfraujoch ticket from Interlaken it will be CHF 235.80 return per adult during peak season (1 June to 31 August).
Tip #1: Get a SBB Halbtaxabo (Half Fare) or a Swiss International Half-Fare Card receive a fifty percent discount on all the railway fares of the Jungfraubahnen. It’s a pass for a month and you can find the details here.
The main reason why you should get one is the 50% of on any ticket.
CAUTION: If you use the app or the site for timetables and connections (Bern-Basel etc) all the prices shown are already halved, bacause all swiss people use the Half fare Card and the app assumes you do too. For the real price you should go further.
Also, there is no code you get when you buy a Half fare Card to insert and get a discounted Top of europe pass or Jungfrau Pass. But remember you have to print/save both and show them both to the train conductors.
– Our recommendation is to couple this Half Fare Pass with a Top Of Europe Pass (half price with the Half Fare) and you get, included a trip (just one) up to the Jungfraujoch. But you also get unlimited transfers on any trains, cable cars and gondolas in the Jungfrau Region. We abused this pass every single day and made every trip possible with the gondolas in the region and it was amazing.
– Or you can choose a Jungfrau Travel Pass (also 50% off with the Half Fare Card) and this has the advantage of a free boat ride on the lake Brienz or Thun. But you have to pay the Jungfraujoch return, at CHF 63. (in 2022)
I should mention that the combination we chose might not be the one for you. But we wanted to pay less for the transfers from Basel to Interlacken and maximum mobility in the Jungfrau region. So the Half Fare card PLUS the Top of Europe Pass was the best combo for us.
How to Visit Jungfraujoch
We visited the Jungfrau Region area below and all the small towns and attractions here, up to Jungfraujoch. This can be your itinerary too.
Wengen – as a base of operations, is perfect.
Its amazing views, no car policy and location make it ideal. It’s reachable by train from Lauterbrunnen (12 min) and has a cable connection to Mannlichen (Royal Walk). From Wengen you take the train directly to Jungfraujoch.
Another close contender is Murren, with the most breathtaking views, but visiting it we thought it’s a little more complicated to change a train and a cable car down to lauterbrunnen every day to our objectives. More below aboute all of them!
How can you get to Jungfraujoch? – You can get to the Top of Europe in 4 ways:
Option 1 to get to Jungfraujoch: from Interlacken take the train to Lauterbrunnen. There change to the Eiger Express (it passes through Wengen) to Kleine Scheidegg. This train is available by 4 pm. From 4 pm it only runs to Wengen. From Kleine Scheidegg take the famous train that runs to the highes train station in Europe (Jungfraujoch) with a little stop to Eigergletscher (2320m).
Option 2 to get to Jungfraujoch: from Grindewald Train station take the train to Kleine Scheidegg and then hop on the train to Jungfraujoch. Remember that the afternoon rides are limited.
Jungfraujoch is at the the end of an Eiger Express trip that first stops at Kleine Scheidegg (2061m). Options 3 and 4 don’t stop here. It’s an amazing place in every season, it gives beautiful views of the mountain and it’s a starting point to a lot of hiking trails you can take on your way back.
Option 3 to get to Jungfraujoch: from Grindelwald Terminal (the building is like a mall), go to the Eiger Express tricable gondola. Ride up to the Eiger Glacier station. After you get off, follow the signs to the trans station and get into the train up to Mönch and the Jungfraujoch.
Option 4 to get to Jungfraujoch in gondolas and trains: From Interlacken to Lauterbrunnem, if you are a little more adventurous and you have the Top of Europe Pass, go from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen, get off the train and look for the Gondola near the station (3 min walk). Get the gondola here to Mannlichen. Change the gondola with another one from Mannlichen to Grindewald Terminal in the mall I mentioned before. And go to the Eiger Express tricable gondola. Ride up to the Eiger Glacier station. After you get off, follow the signs to the trans station and get into the train up to Mönch and the Jungfraujoch.
We went with Option 1, because we stayed in Wengen. But instead of going back down the mountain to Kleine Scheidegg we left Jungfraujoch via the newly inaugurated gondola to Grindewald Terminal (Option 4).
Is Jungfraujoch Top of Europe worth it?
Yes. It is worth it. For the train ride inside the mountain and the stop that allows you to see the glacier half way up, for the chance to see a glacier, for the museum here and the ice palace, for the chocolate and for the history of these people who, lead by Adolf Guyer-Zeller, working 16 years, opened the spectacular railway on 1 August (Swiss National Day) 1912 with the highest Train station in Europe (3454m). The Tanggula Railway Station in Tibet is the highest in the world at 5,068 m (16,627 ft) above sea level.
For us, in September, it was special because we saw the first snow of 2022 here, with temperatures below freezing. We played in the snow and had warm chocolate after.
Be prepared with warm clothing and adequate shoes when going up and also:
TIP#2: Watch the special TV program on the TV at the hotel as it shows the conditions on all the mountains in the area. This way you can plan your day and get the most out of the views. Because we were lucky here, but some days the view is obstructed, like on our First Cliff Walk (see below).
Tips and tricks for the Jungfrau Region:
The Top of Europe pass gives you a 10% discount in the official shops of the area.
Once connected to the Jungfrau internet you’ll have wifi in the gondolas and all the attractions in the Jungfrau Region.
You’ll get a small thank-you chocolate once you leave Jungfraujoch.
On the Jungfraujoch, at over 3000 m some may get dizzy, and experience headaches or have short breath.
Top 10 things to do in the Jungfrau Region
1.Make the necesary stop in Interlacken. Admire the city, the wealth and all the atractions there (like the Victoria Jungfrau Hotel, the Japanese garden and the Casino). Make a count of all the watches in all the shops here, you’ll get to 1 milion easy.
From here, get the funicular railway to Harder Kulm. One of the best places to see Intelacken and the amazing blue of the valley’s river. Hang out with the cow here or even take a hike on one of the trails.
2. From Interlacken, take a boar ride on the Brienzersee or Thun lakes. We recommend Brienz. For 200 francs you get a 2 and a half hour journey with amazing views.
If you want to spice it up a little, get off the boat at Giessbach Waterfalls and see the old funicular there, then walk back for 3 hours (stopping in the amazing Iselwaldt – The Pearl of Switzerland. Or take a bus for 1 hour trip.
3. From Interlacken, get to Wilderswil, the vintage train station and get the cute train up the 7.3-kilometre cogwheel route to Schynige Platte. The amazing route climbs a height of 1,420 metres and both the ride and the destination are on my top 3 for this vacation. Up there you get a picture perfect view of Switzerland mountains. You might see the flowers in bloom in the mountain botanical garden and the local alphorn players will fill the air with musical notes.
I still dream about this place and I would go back today. It is more than a MUST, it’s a shame to go in the area a miss it.
4. Lauterbrunnen is the village you see in almost all albums about Switzerland. The amazing Staubbach Falls overlooking it is accesible by foot and you’ll get plenty of photo oportunities, with or without the happy cows.
It is said Lauterbrunnen has been the inspiration for the 19-year-old J.R.R. Tolkien. He hiked through the Swiss Alps and the steep rockfaces in the valley made him give shape to the magical world of the elves in «Lord of the Rings».
Once in this magic place, go waterfalls chasing. From Staubbach, to the amazing Trummelbackfalle, to Reichenbach Falls for the fans of Sherlock and all the other 70 watterfals in this valley. The 4 km trail starts in Lauterbrunnen and takes you to Stechelberg, where you can either take a bus back into town or walk back along the trail.
5. Wengen is amazing and my soul still rests there, at this perfect hotel, under the trees, on the green gras, ovelooking the Lauterburnnen valley.
It’s THE place to camp while on this journey, a 1274 m car free heaven and so typical to a Swiss village that you can make photo ops each day. And it’s other 2 advantages: it gives the perfect view of the 3 peaks Jungfrau, Eiger, Mönch and it is closest to The Top of Europe.
Wengen hosts the classic Lauberhorn ski races of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in January and for an autumn trip it offers close to 30 scenic trails (The Panorama Trail and the Royal Walk are a must).
TIP #3: After your hike, grab a beer and get behind the Evangelisch reformierte Kirche, sit on the bench and enjoy the views of Lauterbrunned and the falls, and the amazing sunset.
If you are lucky, you get to see a real-life cow parade, because some villages like Wengen do this once a week.
From Wengen you can take the Royal Ride to Männlichen and beggin the 30 minutes ascent on the Royal Walk.
From Wengen you can take the train to Kleine Sheindeg and marvel at the views, even if you don’t go further to Jungfraujoch. The Eiger Trail, the Jungfrau Eiger Walk and the Lauterhorn Trail make up for a good choice of activity.
6. From Wengen you can see, just on the other side, another amazing village> Murren. Go down to Lauterbrunnen, search for Murren cableway and go to Grütschalp. Then change to the narrow gauge train to „Mürren BLM”. It’s just amazing and the views here are breathtaking.
Not included in the Jungfrau Pass but you can chose to go are 2 attractions in this area: take a cable car up to the Schilthorn and see the famous restaurant featured in the BOND movie in1960 and take the Piz Gloria walk, a panoramic 360 degrees trail to take it all in.
Before Schilthorn there is Birg, a place you can chose to stop in for the Thrill Walk and taking a selfie on the skkyline platform.
7. Another amazing destination here in the Jungfrau Region is Grindewald. In the winter for snowboarders and in the summer and autumn for the adventure lovers. It’s just as instagramable, but the real thrill is up above it.
Get to First, and from there spend a day walking on clouds, gliding like a bird or go down the mountain on a cart od trott bike. So many activities that you need to plan a whole day here, Grindewald was not so good to us on the First Cliff walk and we got fog, even after the lunch we took (serving traditional oat soup) waiting for the weather to clear.
This is how it looks on a good day.
But the amazing ride down on carts compensated for this part and the views OMG the views.
Food, souvenirs, and a challenge for your trip to the Jungfrau Region
8. For the food lovers, make sure to try at least one of the delicacies below.
Get a beer with a view. Make it an Erdinger or a Quollfrisch.
Eat some Wernli (a piece of Swiss History, since 1905), some Cailler Ragusa, Ovomaltine, Villars and Sprungli chocolate. Just after you visit a Lindt shop and stock on these perfect pieces of heaven. Drink a hot chocolate.
Eat a fondue and get some Petite Arvie wine. The swiss don’t export their wine and you’ll surely get a nice white whatever you chose.
When in Interlacken go to Hüsi Bierhaus and go big.
9. Time to go souvenir hunting. Make sure to get a trauffer cow (wooden traditional cow figurines), get a Victorinox if you can get it in the bag for the plane, and a local Caran d’ache paper product. Of course, the cow bell in all sizes possible is a favourite souvenir, as is something with the edelweiss pattern or poya pattern on.
You can also get a swiss watch (plenty to choose from) but get a Mondaine if you love the clean design of the watches in all the trainstations.
10. Complete a challenge we devised: The way there and back again! In the span of one day, ride at least 10 modes of transportation: car, train, boat, bike, glider, cart, mountain railway, cable car, funicular ride, bus, gondola.
It’s the perfect check list for a trip to the region!
Some tips for you when you visit the Jungfrau Region:
Plan for about 3000 francs for a one week trip in Switzerland.
It’s nice that all the things they sell are Swiss made, even the hotel towels.
Out of 10 pics, 8 will be wallpaper material.
We still walked almost 60 km despite the countless trains and various aerial cableways, so get better shoes.
Try to get a hotel in the middle of the region, with easy connections to all the places of interest: Top of Europe, Interlaken, and Grindewald. Wengen is just amazing and as you saw, has an easy connection to all the places of interest.
Take at least one hike, the amazing trains and the app are made for this. There are shorter ones, harder ones, and even trails for kids, like the Munggi Weg (Marmot Trail). on these hikes and on your walks inside the villages even, make friends with the marmots and go cow pictures hunting, because the picture-perfect happy cow you imagine when thinking about Switzerland is real. And you can find so many little cow-shaped treasures.
Swiss people speak English and are very welcoming and polite. I never saw a train conductor upset or frowning.
The public services are excellent and there was little need to ask anything, even with all the changes from train to train.
Be polite, always, just because it’s a good way to be, not only because swiss people appreciate it. What impressed me were the people singing in Wengen at 9 in the morning and the lady with the newspaper on the train. Calm, relaxed, happy people.
The transportation network is the most impressive I ever saw and every region has one. That’s why you buy a Jungfrau Pass and you can only use it here. But we’ll return to other areas and I’m sure we’ll be just as impressed. honestly, going up and down the mountains of the valley in cable cars, trains and gondolas was the cherry on top of the trip.
Expect to fall in love with every corner of this region, because in this case, the images and the reality are one and the same.
Expect your ears to pop in the looong tunnels and your eyes to never get enough of what they see.
TIP #3: I will recommend the hotel in Wengen, because we thought is was Heaven and I want to go back there. Alpenruhe Wengen – Vintage Design Hotel gets a 5 stars review for the staff, the food but mostly for this view.
Wengen is perfect for another reason too. For us, it was the place we saw our first snow, in September. And it really is magic, as you can go to sleep in the summer and 18 degrees and get up to winter and minus 4.
Hope this blog helps! Take your time, get inspired, and come back to this region and these amazing views. We will! Switzerland, you really are everything you are advertised to be!
GAL scorecard:
Would you come back? – YES, anytime!
Would you move here? – NO, the touristy areas are a little hard to live in.
Is it an effort for the family budget? – YES, for Romania and the average salary I would say it is a considerable effort.
Would you learn the language? – NO, but I would learn german. The dialect here is a little different.
Top 3 highlights: views, transportation, and happy people.
And a little something in the marketing department, as if they need it. Search for all the commercials, it’s a laugh.
Safe travels,
The GALs, Catalina&Florin
”All we ever did was for a life with the freedom of choice. And travel was always on the list of things that matter.”
Decide on a trip to the Jungfrau Region with these essentials:
Legal disclosure: *These links are affiliate links. If you buy a product through these links, we get a small share of the price (without the product being more expensive for you). It’s up to you if you use them, thank you for reading!
Acest site foloseste cookie-uri. Prin continuarea navigarii, esti de acord cu folosirea acestora. Detalii. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
