Jungfraujoch Round-Trip Train Ticket from Interlaken

Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe

Jungfraujoch is the snowy saddle between the Jungfrau and Mönch peaks, and its station at 3,454 metres is the highest railway station in Europe. The railway that climbs here was built between 1896 and 1912, with most of the final stretch running in a tunnel blasted through the Eiger and the Mönch, a remarkable feat of engineering for its time.

Is Jungfraujoch worth it? For many travellers it is the highlight of Switzerland: you step out into a world of permanent ice and snow, even in August, with views that on clear days reach the Vosges in France and the Black Forest in Germany. Plan for altitude: walk slowly, drink water and give yourself time to adjust before climbing stairs.

The Sphinx terrace and the Aletsch Glacier

A fast lift inside the rock carries you up to the Sphinx terrace at about 3,570 metres, next to the observatory dome. From here you look straight down the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps at around 20 kilometres, sweeping south in a great river of ice. The area is part of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On the other side the view drops towards the green valleys of the Bernese Oberland. The best time to visit Jungfraujoch for views is early in the day, when the air is often clearest and before clouds build up over the peaks. Check the live weather before travelling, as views are never guaranteed at this altitude.

Ice Palace and the glacier plateau

The Ice Palace is a network of tunnels carved into the glacier about 20 metres below the surface, with ice walls, an icy floor and sculptures of animals glowing in soft light. The temperature stays around minus 2 degrees all year, so the ice never melts, and handrails help you along the slippery passages.

Another tunnel opens onto the plateau, an outdoor area of real snow where you can step onto the glacier, feel the wind and take photos with the Jungfrau and Mönch behind you. In summer a Snow Fun Park operates on the glacier, but its admission is not part of this ticket. Sunglasses are essential here, as the glare off the snow is intense even on cloudy days.

Alpine Sensation and the railway story

Alpine Sensation is a moving walkway and tunnel exhibition that tells the story of the Jungfrau Railway, from the first idea in the late 19th century through the years of tunnelling high in the mountain. Projections, sound and light effects bring the tale to life, and a large snow globe with a miniature alpine scene is a favourite with children.

Follow the marked circular route signposted at the top and you will see all the highlights in about 1 to 2 hours, leaving time for a meal or simply to enjoy the snow. Restaurants and cafés at the station serve hot food, but halal options are limited, so carrying your own snacks is wise.

Grindelwald and the Eiger Express

On the default route, the train from Interlaken Ost climbs the Lütschine valley to Grindelwald Terminal in about 30 minutes. Grindelwald is a classic mountain village beneath the dark north face of the Eiger, one of the most famous walls in the Alps. The village is a lively base with shops and cafés, and trains run every half hour in the main season.

From the terminal, the Eiger Express tricable gondola, opened in 2020, rises to Eigergletscher at about 2,320 metres in around 15 minutes, gliding close to the Eiger's base. How to get to Jungfraujoch quickly from Interlaken? This route is the fastest, bringing you to the top in about 1.5 hours. At Eigergletscher you change to the cog railway, where your seat reservation applies.

Kleine Scheidegg, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen (alternative route)

The second option follows the classic route through the Lauterbrunnen valley, a deep glacial trough with sheer rock walls and the Staubbach Falls, then up by cog railway to the car-free village of Wengen and on to the mountain pass of Kleine Scheidegg at about 2,060 metres, right beneath the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

This way is slower, about 2 hours each way, but many travellers love it for the views. Both routes meet at Eigergletscher for the final tunnel section to the top. Whichever you choose, a Jungfraujoch day trip from Interlaken typically takes 6 to 7 hours door to door. A popular plan is to go up one way and return the other, but this ticket follows the route you book.