Jungfraujoch railway
Since 1912 this railway has burrowed through the Eiger itself to Europe's highest station at 3,454 metres, emerging at an observatory above the great white river of the Aletsch glacier.
- Best forPhotographers · Couples · Families
- In August6°C · 18 rainy days
- Ideal stayA half-day trip from Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen
- Approx. flying time~11h 55m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyCHFSwiss franc
- LanguageGerman, French, Italian and Romansh
- Local time12:171h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType C / JBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+41
Why go
The train climbs out of the Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald valleys into a world that has nothing to do with the meadows below: bare rock, blue ice and a horizon of Bernese peaks. For the last stretch it runs inside the Eiger, in a tunnel bored through the mountain more than a century ago. At the top there are ice galleries, a snow plateau and, on a clear day, the Aletsch glacier running away south like a frozen motorway.
Most people ride up and back in a morning, which leaves the afternoon for Grindelwald, Wengen or Mürren, and that is the sensible shape of the day. Cloud is the enemy, so keep the trip flexible and go when the webcams show blue. Snow lies year round at the summit, so pack for winter even in August, and anyone prone to altitude headaches should take the ascent slowly and drink plenty of water.
- Ideal stay
- A half-day trip from Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen
- The vibe
- Engineering theatre, thin cold air
From our guides
It is magnificent and it is expensive — comfortably over two hundred francs return — so protect the investment: go only on a forecast-clear day, take the first train from Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, and stop at Eigergletscher on the way down to walk a little.
Featured in Ten mountain railways with views you won't believe
Things to do
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Sphinx observation terrace
The viewing platform above the station is reached by lift and looks over the Aletsch glacier on one side and the Bernese Oberland falling away on the other.
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Ice Palace
Tunnels carved into the glacier itself, lined with sculptures and kept a few degrees below freezing. Wear proper shoes, because the floor is polished ice.
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Eismeer window stop
The train pauses inside the mountain at Eismeer, where windows open straight onto a chaos of crevassed glacier and rock walls.
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Aletsch glacier
The longest glacier in the Alps begins at the col below the station, over 20 kilometres of ice within a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Walk down from Eigergletscher
Break the descent here and follow the marked path towards Kleine Scheidegg for close views of the Eiger and a sense of scale the train windows flatten.
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Kleine Scheidegg
The junction where the Jungfrau line starts is a fine place to eat outside, with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau lined up in front of you.
Getting there
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Fly to
Zurich (ZRH)
Nearest airport to Jungfraujoch, about 110km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Grindelwald
About two hours by train from Bern (BRN) to Grindelwald via Interlaken Ost. From Zurich or Geneva allow around three hours by rail, changing at Bern and Interlaken.
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On the ground
Getting around
From Grindelwald the Eiger Express gondola climbs to Eigergletscher in about 15 minutes, where you join the tunnel railway for the last stretch to the Jungfraujoch, roughly 45 minutes in total. Lauterbrunnen and Wengen are the older, slower route up.
Public transport: Excellent, and the only way up. Go on the first train of a forecast-clear day, and note that passes usually give a discount rather than free travel on the final section.
Flights
Los Angeles Jungfraujoch, Switzerland
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Roughly 11h 55m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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Flight times are estimates; prices open on Google Flights.
When to go
Daytime highs run from about -13°C in January to 6°C in July. Driest in January and February and April; wettest in June, with rain on about 23 days.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
August6° · rain 18 daysCold and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Alpine chalet hotels, family pensions and self-catering apartments, plus mountain inns up on the passes. Few chains, and many places run half board, which is worth taking.
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Best base overall
Grindelwald
The busiest gateway, with the Eiger above the village, the new gondola shortening the journey up and a real choice of restaurants. Prices are high and the centre sees plenty of coach traffic.
Find stays in Grindelwald -
Best with children
Wengen
Car-free, reached by cog railway, with sledging, meadows and a village small enough for children to roam. Everything arrives by train, so shopping is limited and costly.
Find stays in Wengen -
Best value
Lauterbrunnen
The valley floor has cheaper guesthouses, apartments and the region's main campsite, with trains up both sides. Sunlight is short in winter and the day-trip crowds pass right through.
Find stays in Lauterbrunnen -
Quietest
Murren
A terrace village opposite the Jungfrau, reached by cable car and train, with the best views and almost no through traffic. Onward journeys to the Jungfraujoch take longer from here.
Find stays in Murren
Worth knowing before you book: The railway fare is steep, so check whether a Swiss or Jungfrau travel pass covers part of it before booking rooms. Go only on a clear forecast.
Search everything else in Grindelwald by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Timing
- Take the first train of the day on a forecast-clear morning. Cloud fills the summit by mid-morning far more often than not.
- Altitude
- The station sits at 3,454 metres and you arrive there in under two hours. Move slowly at the top, drink water and skip the alcohol.
- Pack this
- Warm layers, gloves, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen, whatever the month. Snow glare at that height burns quickly.
- Book ahead
- Trains run to a fixed timetable and fill through summer, so reserve a departure time rather than turning up and queuing.
- Rail passes
- Swiss rail passes cover the valley trains and reduce the price of the final climb, so check what your ticket already includes before buying again.
Nearby destinations
Wengen
Switzerland · 8km away →
Grindelwald
Switzerland · 10km away →
Schilthorn
Switzerland · 11km away →
Interlaken
Switzerland · 18km away →
Oeschinensee
Switzerland · 20km away →
Furka Pass
Switzerland · 33km away →Elsewhere in Switzerland
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Jungfraujoch railway?
Daytime highs run from about -13°C in January to 6°C in July. Driest in January and February and April; wettest in June, with rain on about 23 days.
How long should I spend in Jungfraujoch railway?
Our suggestion: a half-day trip from Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen.
How do I get to Jungfraujoch railway?
About two hours by train from Bern (BRN) to Grindelwald via Interlaken Ost. From Zurich or Geneva allow around three hours by rail, changing at Bern and Interlaken.
Do I need a car in Jungfraujoch railway?
No. Excellent, and the only way up. Go on the first train of a forecast-clear day, and note that passes usually give a discount rather than free travel on the final section.
What currency and language are used in Jungfraujoch railway?
Currency: Swiss franc (CHF). Language: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Plugs: type C and J.
Who is Jungfraujoch railway best for?
Best for photographers, couples and families. In a phrase: engineering theatre, thin cold air.