Jungfraujoch

The Jungfraujoch excursion is a journey on a series of small trains, synchronized to provide you with a perfect prize—the Jungfraujoch, with the highest train station in Europe sitting 92 meters below the summit of the Jungfrau. The most popular starting points for this outing are any of the following train stations: Interlaken Ost, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, or Wengen. Although the trip can be taken in segments or as a side trip from one of its starting points, most tourists prefer to squeeze the ultimate enjoyment from their outing by taking the complete circle trip from Interlaken. The Jungfraujoch excursion is one of the highlights of Switzerland. Unless you have traveled the route, it sounds quite complicated, but it is not. We explain, step-by-step, how this fabulous mountain adventure is put together and then you can tailor the trip to suit your special needs, beginning and ending at the town you have chosen to spend the night. The complete circle trip begins at Interlaken Ost (Interlaken East) train station. However, you can also climb aboard at any of the stations along the route, for example, Lauterbrunnen, Kleine Scheidegg, Wengen, or Grindelwald, and the fare adjusts accordingly. Assuming Interlaken as your departure point, it is a 25-minute train ride to Lauterbrunnen where you change trains for the 45-minute ride up the mountain to Kleine Scheidegg (stopping en route to pick up passengers at the little town of Wengen). You have to change trains again at Kleine Scheidegg for the final ascent to the Jungfraujoch. For last thrilling leg of your adventure, the train creeps up the steep mountain and disappears into a 6½-kilometer tunnel through the glacier—reappearing at the Jungfraubahn, the highest rail station in Europe. It is possible to take an elevator even higher through the mountain to a vista point from where, on a clear day, it seems you can see the whole of Switzerland. You will also find an ice palace carved into the glacier, dog-sled rides, shops, a post office, and restaurants. For this journey, be sure to take sturdy shoes for walking on the glacier, gloves, a warm sweater or jacket, sunscreen, and sunglasses. When you leave the Jungfraujoch, it is necessary to retrace your journey to Kleine Scheidegg. For scenic variety, many travelers prefer to return to Interlaken from Kleine Scheidegg by a circle route. To do this, board the train for Grindelwald where you connect with another train that takes you directly to Interlaken. The Jungfraujoch is an expensive excursion, but a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, especially when the weather cooperates and blue skies color a magnificent backdrop for these majestic peaks. There are numerous daily train departures and tickets are available for purchase at hotels, campsites, tourist offices, train stations, or travel agencies.