Jungfraujoch in Switzerland is the highest point in Europe that can be accessed and is a UNESCO world heritage. You take the historic and scenic highest railway in Europe to reach the top. Two bucket list items on any avid travellers plans I am sure and if it isn’t it certainly should be!
Read more about the Top of Europe: click here
How to get there
Interlaken OST to Terminal (before Grindelwald station – if you want to take the cable car)
Eiger Express to Eigergletscher station
Eigergletscher station to Jungfraujoch (i.e. the top)
There are two ways up to Jungfrau (i.e. the top): one is via Grindelwald and one is via Lauterbrunnen. The Grindelwald route is quicker especially if you take the cable car, which if you do want to take, you have to get off at the train before the actual Grindelwald station – at the Terminal station.
How much it will cost you (CHF)
TOP OF EUROPE pass – 229 / 179 (half fare) – 3 day pass (no longer valid from April 2023)
There are other passes you can get such as the Berner Oberland Pass and the JUNGFRAU TRAVEL PASS. But we opted for the Top of Europe pass because it was the only one from the three that is available during the winter months, the other two are only available during the summer months, and it was the only one that included the final leg train that takes you to the very top. These two passes do not include that final train ride to the top and so you’ll have to pay a little extra.
How much time you will need for this
We left Interlaken at 9 am and left the top at around 2 pm, but it of course depends on how long you want to spend up there. Some parts were closed due to the bad weather. But overall getting there and back (if you’re base is in Interlaken) plus doing the tour at the top with the activities can take up most of your day. Make sure you go early in the morning though!
How was it and is it worth it?
This is a hard one to answer. Let’s talk about our experience first. The higher you go up, the snowier it will get and of course you want clear skies so you can get the views and the million dollar pictures. Unfortunately, we didn’t get that. The weather was terrible. Think horror movie near death experience kind of blizzard. We couldn’t see a thing at the very top. There were moments where we literally thought this was it. But because of the thrill of it all, it turned out to be an exhilarating experience. One that we’ll remember for the rest of our lives. And if we had to pick out a single moment/experience that was the best on this short trip, it will be that last bit when you come out on the plateau for the top of Europe views and pictures (where you’ll see the Swiss flag). Of course there are other things you can do while at the top and it isn’t just about the plateau, but in all honesty everything else probably isn’t worth the price. There is an ice palace there (a walkway covered in ice from top to bottom), which is pretty cool to walk on and get a few pictures, but it isn’t very slippery (wonder how they get it like that). Also, make sure you visit the highest Lindt shop in the world – but again they don’t have flavours you can get anywhere else (except for one – ask in store for details).
In summary, we think it is worth it, but it wouldn’t be something we do again. It is a once in a lifetime experience, whether you get the views at the top or not, it’ll be an experience!
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