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Over one million vacationers are drawn to the mountaintop of Jungfraujoch, Switzerland annually. This scenic spot, positioned within the heart of the Swiss Alps, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site beloved for its improbable views of glaciers, the encircling mountains, and even a number of different international locations, together with having just a few very enjoyable issues to do.
Jungfraujoch (typically referred to as “the” Jungfraujoch) is a whopping 3,463 meters, or 11,361 toes, above sea stage, making it really the highest of Europe. While you can technically get greater than that by climbing to the summit of Mont Blanc, Jungfraujoch’s beautiful views and snowy enjoyable gained’t require as a lot effort – that is the very best accessible spot in Europe by conventional means, because it’s related to the remainder of Switzerland by rail and cable vehicles.
For its spectacular surroundings and distinctive actions, the Jungfrau area is a popular place for Switzerland visitors as a day journey from each giant cities and tiny villages. But it may be overwhelming to plan a visit to the highest of Europe – there are questions of time of yr and climate, the a number of connections required by way of practice and cable automotive, and how you can really plan a go to, amongst different issues to think about.
Here, we are going to break down visiting Jungfraujoch in Switzerland and the whole lot it’s essential to learn about it. We’ll focus on if the journey to the highest is price it (spoiler alert: it’s completely price it) and all the good issues you are able to do there, in addition to how you can greatest plan a visit up the mountain.
What is Jungfraujoch?
Jungfraujoch, usually referred to as the Top of Europe, is the very best level in Europe accessible with out climbing. The phrase means “maiden saddle” in German, which refers to the truth that the mountain high is definitely a glacier saddle. This saddle sits between Jungfrau and Mönch, two outstanding peaks of the Bernese Alps on the border of the Bern and Valais cantons, which dominate the skyline from the nearby town of Interlaken, together with close by Eiger.
The Aletsch Glacier kinds on the east aspect of Jungfraujoch and flows for 14 miles, making it the longest glacier within the Alps. There’s one other smaller one, the Eiger Glacier, on the opposite aspect of the mountain. Due to the acute elevation of over 11,000 toes, there may be assured snow year-round at Jungfraujoch.
Clearly, Jungfraujoch is a spot of extremes, but it surely doesn’t cease there. This can be Europe’s highest practice station, publish workplace, and Lindt retailer. It’s a spot with beautiful views of not simply snowy peaks close by however throughout Europe, with Germany, Italy, and France seen within the distance.
Along with panoramic spots, the enjoyable on the high of Europe consists of the seasonal Snow Fun Park and its snowy pistes, plus indoor sights just like the Ice Palace and Sphinx Observatory viewpoint. Many guests additionally discover that the journey up the mountain by way of cable automotive and practice is half the enjoyable itself.
The Short Version: Is Visiting Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe, Worth It?
Yes, a day journey to the Top of the World, Switzerland is totally price it! The Jungfrau area is certainly one of Switzerland’s most picturesque places. No customer ought to be disillusioned with the vistas they’ll see and what they’ll expertise up right here.
Jungfraujoch is only a quick distance from the favored lakeside cities of Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen, which many vacationers placed on their Swiss itinerary anyway. Even should you don’t plan to go to these locations, they’re solely 90 minutes from Zurich or an hour from Lucerne, making guided tours of Jungfraujoch and day trips to the Top of Europe by practice to the world fairly simple.
There are only a few cons to visiting Jungfraujoch – for one, the associated fee is relatively excessive, as you’ll discover generally in Switzerland. Also, some guests could not respect the expertise as a lot if the mountains are lined with clouds, as it should affect the views the mountain high is so well-known for.
However, excessive prices are synonymous with Switzerland, and you may’t management the climate wherever. Therefore, our suggestion is so as to add Jungfraujoch to your Swiss journey as a result of there are few different locations prefer it on Earth.
See Related: Best Hotels in Switzerland | Top Places to Stay in Switzerland
Things to Do in Jungfraujoch
The Top of Europe in Switzerland is greater than only a lookout with an indication on a mountain. There are an entire bunch of actions, indoor and outside, that make Jungfraujoch a enjoyable vacation spot. Here is what you may count on on the high.
Europe’s Highest Train Station
First of all, your arrival by way of the Jungfrau Railway will deliver you to the highest railway station in Europe at 11,332 toes above sea stage. The practice trip is the one approach to stand up the mountain, and when it was completed in 1912, it was a serious engineering feat (and nonetheless is).
The journey on the Jungfrau Railway begins at Eigergletscher Station (or Eiger Glacier Station – we’ll focus on attending to Jungfraujoch intimately later). After leaving Eigergletscher, you’ll have two practice stops earlier than reaching Jungfraujoch, and the journey is essentially inside a tunnel by the mountain and glacier to guard in opposition to harsh situations. You’ll respect simply how a lot work it should have taken once they began this venture within the 1800s, which you’ll study all about within the Alpine Sensation – extra on that within the Ice Palace part beneath.
You’ll ascend practically 5,000 toes on this practice alone, and get off on the indoor terminus, proudly displaying its standing as the very best practice station in Europe and its altitude. The practice station capabilities as a kind of heart of Jungfraujoch – beneath it, you’ll discover outlets and eating places, whereas indoor tunnels result in the opposite sights. Don’t neglect to observe the Jungfrau Panorama quick movie right here to study extra concerning the railway and this particular place earlier than leaving.
Europe’s Highest Post Office
In the practice station complicated, you’ll discover the Jungfraujoch Post Office, additionally at over 11,300 toes above sea stage and Europe’s highest! This is an attention-grabbing spot to ship a postcard from. Your recipient will most likely be happy to obtain mail from someplace so excessive.
You may discover that the intense pink mailbox the place you drop your postcard seems to be a bit misplaced in comparison with different mailboxes across the nation, although, and for an attention-grabbing cause. The Japanese-style mailbox (in flip impressed by pink British “pillar bins”), adorned with Japanese characters, enjoys a spot at Jungfraujoch Post Office as a result of there’s one other excessive publish workplace on the high of Mount Fuji in Japan. In 1993, the 2 publish places of work have been “twinned” and exchanged publish bins to advertise tourism and relations between the international locations.
Postcards are on the market on the memento outlets close to the station. Or, deliver your personal mail – it is a functioning mail level, so why not pay your payments from the highest of a mountain?
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Sphinx Observatory Observation Deck
At the highest of a rocky peak just a few hundred toes above the practice station, you’ll discover a constructing with a silver dome reaching even greater into the sky. It’s the Sphinx Observatory, a functioning worldwide analysis station the place scientists examine the sky and the climate and carry out experiments.
While the general public can’t entry the observatory, you may take pleasure in an incredible view from the Sphinx Terrace simply outdoors of the constructing. This is likely one of the greatest locations to see the encircling mountains of Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger, the Aletsch Glacier, and the Eiger Glacier for various miles round. On a transparent day, you’ll see all the best way to the Vosges of France, the Black Forest of Germany, and the Alps of northern Italy.
A fast elevator trip will take you from the very best railway station in Europe to the second-highest commentary deck in Switzerland, and also you simply have to comply with the indicators. The Jungfrau Panorama expertise, a four-minute 360-degree movie about Jungfraujoch, is proven close to the elevator entrance.
Glacier Plateau
Just a ten-minute stroll alongside a marked footpath from the station, you’ll discover a spot outdoors for extra beautiful views – the Glacier Plateau. A bit decrease than Sphinx Terrace however extra uncovered to the pure environment, you may stand within the snow right here and marvel on the alpine panorama.
There’s a Swiss flag flying right here, and it’s an incredible picture alternative (as you may inform from Kyle’s smiling face). You can get the Aletsch Glacier, Swiss Alps, French Vosges, and German Black Forest into one picture if the clouds cooperate. And even when they don’t, you’ll have a reasonably superb perspective of Switzerland from above the clouds.
For guests who aren’t nice with heights, the Glacier Plateau could be extra fulfilling than Sphinx Terrace, as you’ll be standing on true floor that’s comparatively flat relatively than on a deck over a dramatic drop. If you don’t thoughts heights, be sure you try each.
See Related: Best Hiking Trails in the World You Must Visit
Snow Fun Park Jungfraujoch
If you’re on the high of Europe, Switzerland between mid-May and mid-October, the Snow Fun Park is the place to be for outside winter enjoyable… in the summertime! It’s only a quick stroll from the station and the elevator to the observatory to the snowy winter wonderland outdoors.
The park affords actions like snow tubing, snowboarding, snowballing, climbing, sledding, and far more. One of the most well-liked is the Flying Fox, a zipline journey over the longest glacier in Europe. There’s additionally the good SnowBar, the place you may take pleasure in refreshments whereas admiring the glacial panorama.
The actions on the Snow Fun Park require extra tickets, however you’ll be capable to purchase them once you get there. It can shut resulting from dangerous climate (you by no means know when a July blizzard may roll in), so verify the forecast if this is a vital exercise for you, and gown warmly!
Ice Palace Jungfraujoch
One of the few locations on the planet constructed into the ice of a glacier, the Ice Palace is a do-not-miss attraction on Jungfraujoch. You’ll entry the palace from a protracted tunnel starting close to the Sphinx Hall, which is an attraction itself.
The tunnel is named the Alpine Sensation, a multimedia exhibit concerning the constructing of the Jungfraujoch and its railway, together with memorials to the miners who misplaced their lives whereas finishing it. The hall ends with an enormous snow globe full of little shows about life on the Top of Europe.
Arriving on the Ice Palace, you’ll enter tunnels and halls carved into the ice of the glacier – and for the reason that glacier is continually shifting, it’s renovated yearly. A really proficient artist creates ice sculptures of animals, igloos, and extra, displaying them across the palace for guests to admire. It’s one of many “coolest” components of visiting Jungfraujoch.
See Related: Fun & Best Things to do in Zermatt, Switzerland
Lindt Chocolate Heaven
Finally, don’t neglect to cease on the most tempting place on Jungfraujoch – the Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven store! This is the world’s highest chocolate store and a spot the place you may attempt to purchase genuine Swiss chocolate, one of many nation’s most well-known merchandise.
You’ll discover Chocolate Heaven just under the station, making it a straightforward cease earlier than boarding your practice again down. Plan for extra than simply buying, although, as you can too take pleasure in reveals on the Lindt chocolate-making course of from Maître-Chocolatiers from the corporate. It’s an incredible place to purchase presents for anybody again residence – who doesn’t love chocolate, and who wouldn’t need some from such a prestigious and excessive place?
How to Get to Jungfraujoch
You may get a headache when making an attempt to understand the choices for getting up Jungfraujoch and all of the several types of tickets. However, it doesn’t should be so sophisticated. Let’s begin with the method of getting there, after which we’ll discuss tickets.
Jungfraujoch by Train Only
The unique technique was to take a series of trains to the highest of the mountain like this:
- Arrive by automotive, practice, or different means to both Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald, two small villages beneath Jungfraujoch close to Interlaken.
- Take a practice from a type of villages to Kleine Scheidegg, a ski station additional up the mountain accessible by practice. The practice trip takes about 50 minutes from Lauterbrunnen or about half-hour from Grindelwald.
- Connect to a different practice from Kleine Scheidegg to Eigergletscher, a transit level simply 5 minutes away.
- Finally, connect with the Jungfrau Railway, and trip for lower than half-hour to the highest!
You can purchase all the necessary tickets in advance and easily alternate your reserving affirmation for a voucher on the stations of Interlaken, Grindelwald, or Lauterbrunnen.
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Jungfraujoch by Train and Cable Car
Since late 2020, there was a brand new approach to get to the Jungfrau Railway that saves a little bit of time and has nice views – the Eiger Express cable car. This replaces two trains, bringing you from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher, the place you board the Jungfrau Railway. It goes like this:
- Arrive by automotive, practice, or different means to Grindelwald, a small village beneath Jungfraujoch close to Interlaken.
- Make your approach to Grindelwald Terminal cable automotive station, which is close to the Grindelwald Grund practice station. Board the Eiger Express cable automotive to Eigergletscher.
- Enjoy the trip – the gondolas are fashionable, have loads of seating, and have panoramic views of the Swiss Alps on the best way up the mountain!
- Finally, connect with the Jungfrau Railway, and trip for lower than half-hour to the highest!
Depending on the actual schedule you select, you can save a while getting up or down the mountain with this route. It can be purchased in advance for a seamless day at Jungfraujoch.
Many guests wish to take the complete practice route up and the cable automotive route down, or vice versa, simply to expertise each strategies. Either manner, the journey is a part of the expertise!
See Related: Fun & Best Things to Do in Lucerne, Switzerland
Jungfraujoch by Guided Tour
If you don’t wish to take care of tickets, station modifications, and voucher exchanges, that’s completely comprehensible. Luckily, there are a selection of nice excursions to Jungfraujoch, leaving instantly from a few of the major towns and cities round Switzerland.
As a plus, you’ll get a educated tour information for further data alongside the best way. Consider a few of these excursions relying on the place you’re staying:
You gained’t should be answerable for altering on the appropriate stations and on the proper occasions with these excursions, as your information will make certain everybody will get to the highest as they need to. Many can be found as non-public excursions, too, if you need one thing extra unique.
Discounted Jungfraujoch Tickets
If you’re questioning about Jungfrau tickets’ value with a Eurail Pass or one other sort of journey cross, these might be nice methods to economize. Don’t guide tickets till you’ve finished the maths to see how the totally different low cost playing cards could add up.
- Eurail Pass – Holders of this cross made for worldwide practice journey in Europe will get a 25% low cost on the Jungfrau Railway.
- Swiss Travel Pass – Sometimes referred to as the “Swiss Pass,” this low cost card will get the holder limitless journey on most types of transportation in Switzerland for a sure timeframe, however the Jungfraujoch journey is an add-on at a reduction of round 25% relying on the route.
- Swiss Half Fare Card – Similar to the Swiss Travel Pass, buying this card basically permits the holder to pay half fare on their practice journey round Switzerland for a month; journey to Jungfraujoch from Interlaken is true to its title at half value.
- Jungfrau Travel Pass – This cross, particular to the Jungfrau area, permits the holder to journey free on most public transport for 3 to eight days and will get them cheaper tickets on the ultimate leg to Jungfraujoch.
- Top of Europe Pass (Winter) – A reduction card for 3 to eight days of the winter months permitting limitless snow path climbing and sledding within the area, which incorporates one free round-trip ticket to Jungfraujoch.
Note that these passes are all fairly costly and normally solely make sense in case you have deliberate extensive travel around Switzerland or Europe, so issue within the prices rigorously. Some of them embrace a seat reservation on the Jungfrau Railway and Eiger Express, however some don’t. In that case, reserve a seat in advance to ensure a spot on the practice or gondola you like.
See Related: Best European Palaces to Visit
When to Visit Jungfraujoch
Jungfraujoch is open year-round, and you may go to in the course of winter if you need. However, the height season is within the summertime from mid-May to mid-October, which is when the Snow Fun Park can be open. In the summer time Jungfraujoch is much less prone to have clouds or storms, which is a vital consideration for a day journey right here.
Whenever you select to go, be sure you verify the climate forecast first. The views on the high are greatest skilled on a sunny day, and with out clouds and storms, you may see throughout the Alps to neighboring international locations.
The Verdict: Is Jungfraujoch Worth It?
This stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its majestic glaciers and panoramic views, is totally price just a few hours of your time on any journey to Switzerland. While it’s costly (like the whole lot else in Switzerland) and on the mercy of mountain climate (like the whole lot else in Switzerland), the Top of Europe is in contrast to most different locations beneath it on the continent.
If you’ve been to Pilatus in Lucerne, you already understand how breathtaking it’s to trip as much as the highest of the Swiss Alps – Jungfraujoch takes you virtually double the gap. By the best way – should you haven’t been to Pilatus, add that to your journey, too! Our total conclusion is that Jungfraujoch is unquestionably price it for all types of vacationers to Switzerland.
FAQ
Will I get altitude illness when visiting Jungfraujoch?
Jungfraujoch is excessive sufficient in elevation to trigger some guests to expertise altitude illness, however this gained’t occur to everybody. The greatest approach to stop signs is to stay well-hydrated and to descend if they start. Luckily, the journey up and down the mountain doesn’t take a really very long time – however that’s precisely what could trigger issues within the first place!
Are there eating places on the high of Jungfraujoch?
Yes, there are a number of eating places on the Top of Europe! There’s the Bollywood restaurant serving Indian delicacies buffet-style, the Aletsch Self-Service Restaurant with worldwide and native dishes, and Crystal serving à-la-carte dishes, together with fondue – a beautiful Swiss custom.
Is there all the time snow at Jungfraujoch?
Yes! There are a variety of days with snowfall even in June, July, and August, which means there can be snow on the bottom year-round at Jungfraujoch, so pack sufficiently heat garments even within the summertime!
What is there to do on Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe?
There are loads of nice actions on the Jungfrau Railway terminus, together with the Snow Fun Park in the summertime months, the Ice Palace with its stunning ice sculptures, and beautiful views from varied viewpoints. Don’t neglect to cease on the highest chocolate store in Europe!
What else is there to do round Jungfraujoch?
This a part of Switzerland is stuffed with wonderful locations to go to earlier than or after you’ve visited Jungfraujoch. Interlaken is known for its picturesque lakes between the mountains, in addition to paragliding off of the cliffs above.
Lauterbrunnen is a tiny, picturesque village with an incredible waterfall. Grindelwald is a superb place for climbing and climbing, with the First Cliff Walk taking you alongside the cliffsides and over their edges fairly actually.
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