The Jungfraujoch rail station is Europe’s highest, located at 3,454 metres (11,332 feet) above sea level in the High Alps. The way station is ensconced within “Jungfrau - Aletsch - Bietschhorn,” a UNESCO World Heritage site. The adventure begins with a steep cogwheel train journey from Interlaken (570 metres/1,870 feet above sea level) to the Bernese Alps stops for an unforgettable vista. The station itself is located underground and is connected via tunnels to various attractions and viewing platforms out in the open air. Jungfraujoch (Jungfrau saddle) is located at the range between Jungfrau and Mönch mountains. There, travelers have an opportunity to marvel at a beautiful and stark world of rock, snow, and ice. The station has been operational for more than a century. Read this guide to Jungfraujoch, Switzerland to prepare you for a mesmerizing journey to the “Top of Europe”.
Things to do / Highlights
Go higher at Sphinx Observation Deck
You can climb 117 metres (384 feet) higher from Jungfraujoch if you take a lift to Sphinx Observatory. The elevator brings you up to 3,572 metres (11,719 feet) above sea level in a jiffy. The Sphinx is an international research station and is among the highest astronomical outposts in the world. If the sun shines warmly, you can enjoy the Alpine air from a terrace. Otherwise, the 360-degree view from the panoramic windows should suffice.
Experience Alpine Sensation and Ice Palace
Below the observatory is a hall that connects the Sphinx to Ice Palace. What they call the Alpine Sensation is a moving walkway. As you go through the corridor you will experience lights and music. You will also see memorial tablets dedicated to miners who lost their lives when the railway was being constructed from 1896 to 1912.
Like other attractions in Jungfraujoch station, Ice Palace is open 365 days a year during railway operation hours. The tunnel itself is carved from ice. The sculptures you will see are lifelike. The artists who make them create likenesses of wild animals with the intention to convince you that they are frozen in time.
Tee off for a hole-in-one at Snow Fun Park
If you can get a hole-in-one in Jungfraujoch you win a prize–no less than an Omega Seamaster Golf Edition. Your target is 75 metres (246 feet) away. If the weather is fair between July and October and you’re feeling lucky, head out to Snow Fun Park and hit a golf ball towards the Aletsch Glacier–the largest glacier in the Alps. An Omega watch worth a few thousand dollars is yours only if you get a hole-in-one. Your consolation prize is a “Top of Europe” golf ball. Tee off time at Jungfraujoch is 10am to 5pm. Tickets to Snow Fun Park must be purchased separately.
Hike to Mönchsjochhütte
If you have sunglasses, good shoes, and cozy under winter clothes, you can leave the Top of Europe main building and hike out to Mönchsjochhütte. Step out onto the glacier itself and see the Valais mountains. On your uphill trail to the Mönchsjochhütte serviced hut, you will see Central and Eastern Switzerland from a unique vantage point. Overnight stays are offered to those who can spare the time and expense. The footpath is marked and the hike could take about 45 minutes. The best time to hike out is from mid-March to the end of October.
What to eat
Jungfraujoch restaurants offer affordable and flavorful meals. They serve hot soup and espresso to warm you up. Eat breakfast before heading out to the attractions, and then fill up again during lunch time after exploring the snowy landscape. There’s a place for a caffeine fix at the entrance hall of Jungfraujoch station called Coffee Bar, which is open year-round. Aside from coffee they serve homemade baked goods and chocolate treats.
Meanwhile, up in the mountains, you can take a seat at the Aletsch Restaurant and enjoy a meal while looking at the glacier it’s named after. At Jungfraujoch, there is another restaurant open to guests year-round but you need to make a reservation for a table. Crystal Restaurant offers an a la carte menu of international and Swiss dishes. You might be surprised to find Indian cuisine at Top of Europe, but Bollywood Restaurant prepares a special buffet to Jungfraujoch tourists. They are open from early April to late October. During the same period, you can opt to take refreshments at Sphinx Bar high up in the observatory.
Things to buy
The Bernese Oberland can be crowded with people in the summer. There seems to be a collective need to breathe fresh mountain air. When you make the trip to Jungfraujoch you must set aside money for famous Swiss keepsakes such as pocket knives and wristwatches. A snow globe is a great souvenir from a high altitude holiday. Buy a bar or two of Lindt chocolate at Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven. A virtual Lindt Maître Chocolatier tells anyone who wants to know how good chocolate is made. The Lindt shop is open from 10am to 5pm.
It’s always advisable to buy an extra warm bonnet or a pair of gloves if you’re on a high-altitude holiday. You can buy souvenirs of your trip up the mountains at shops located in and Kleine Scheidegg or Grindelwald as well.
Travel tips
Make good time and keep warm
A cogwheel train is your only means of transportation to Jungfraujoch so make time for the tip and dress appropriately. While the temperature at the lower altitude is quite pleasant, you have to prepare yourself for colder and drier air as you climb up. A day trip is your best bet for a relaxed visit. Otherwise, you may be in too much of a hurry to enjoy the Alpine landscape.
Caution: Altitude sickness
Be fully aware that there is a real risk for altitude sickness, especially among the young and the frail. If you’re not used to visiting locations higher than 2,500 metres (8,202 feet), then you must ask your doctor for advice prior to your holiday in Jungfraujoch.
How to get there
The Jungfrau Railway operates year-round from Kleine Scheidegg. Known to locals at the Jungfraubahn, the train starts bringing passengers to the top at 8am. The tunnels were dug through the Eiger and Mönch mountains. Along the route, the Eigerwand (Eiger Wall) and Eismeer (Sea of Ice) are two intermediate stations offering breathtaking views of glaciers and snow-capped mountains. The trip by rail takes about 35 minutes and ends at the underground station in Jungfraujoch. Most of the journey is underground but once you get off the train and head to the main building you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see the wintry landscape.
How to book tickets (from USD 259.4)
The official website of Jungfraujoch allows you to book tickets from anywhere in the world. On the appropriate boxes, indicate your place of origin and date of travel. Upon doing so you will see the ticket price. Based on current rates, one adult ticket from Kleine Scheidegg is worth CHF 128 or USD 133. The railway tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. You must make the trip or lose money. You can print the ticket issues to you or opt for a mobile ticket which you may add to your digital wallet. You may also book tickets from a third-party website.
Jungfraujoch: Roundtrip to the Top of Europe by Train
Duration: 6.0 to 6.5 hour
Jungfraujoch information
Address: Rail Info Interlaken, Höheweg 35, 3800 Interlaken
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 12:30pm, 1:30pm - 6pm; Sat - Sun: 8am - 12pm, 2:15pm - 6pm
Cost: Check website for exact prices
Official website: Jungfraujoch Top of Europe
Department of tourism: Visit Switzerland
Jungfraujoch: Top of Europe Day Trip from Zurich
Duration: 11 hours 30 minutes
History
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