For most people visiting Switzerland, taking the Jungfraujoch train is a real bucket list item. Jungfraujoch Station, otherwise known as the “Top of Europe”, is the highest railway station in Europe standing at 3,454 meters high. It’s a great day out and the station itself has a brilliant interactive experience and plenty of fun things to do for all the family.
Jungfraujoch train: Getting to the Top of Europe
The journey to get there is half the fun as you take connecting trains and mountain and cog railways from Interlaken down in the valley all the way up misty mountain passes, with your view out the window quickly changing from green valleys to snow-capped peaks.
Trains in Switzerland are some of, if not the, best in the world. The connection times are always near perfect and it’s super easy to transfer from one journey to the next. To take the Jungfraujoch train, you will actually need a few different tickets.
Most people visiting Switzerland will start out with a Swiss Travel Pass, a ticket that almost gives you an “access all areas” travel pass valid all over the country for trains, buses, boats and even some cable cars. If you’ve purchased this pass (I HIGHLY recommend it and have reviewed it here) then you can ride for free as far as Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, then you’ll need a separate ticket to get to Jungfraujoch.
You can also buy a Junfrau Travel Pass (3 days seems ideal and costs 135 francs if you already have a Swiss Travel Pass available here) which covers almost all mountain railways and cable cars in the Jungfrau region and gives you a discounted rate for the Top of Europe route for 69 francs return.
If you don’t have a Jungfrau Travel Pass but DO have a Swiss Travel Pass, then the price to get from Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen to Jungfraujoch is 103 francs return available to buy / book in advance here.
In summary: Get the Swiss Travel Pass in advance to cover all your transport in Switzerland. if staying in Jungfrau region for a few days, buy the discounted Jungfrau Travel Pass. If just visiting Jungfrau solely to travel to the Top of Europe, buy the discounted ticket using your Swiss Travel Pass.
The route and scenery
The best way to see Jungfraujoch and make the most of the adventure is to do a round trip starting in one town and finishing in another, or starting and finishing in Interlaken but going up one valley and down the other.
The two routes, via Lauterbrunnen (known as the “Instagram place”) and Grindelwald (any Harry Potter fans?!) are both gorgeous and it’s recommended you even get off and do some hiking on the way up or on your way back down.
Expect to be blown away by the scenery, as the mountain trains with huge open windows pass picturesque wooden chalets covered in colourful flower boxes, green valleys, happy cows and giant bells, fields of Alpine flowers and of course dramatic snow-capped peaks. Getting here really is half, or most, of the adventure and Swiss trains are a joy to travel on. The journey alone is probably one of the top things to do in Switzerland!
Jungfraujoch / Top of Europe tickets
Your train ticket, as detailed above, is your entrance ticket to all Jungfraujoch attractions. So, while pricey, you won’t have to spend a penny once you reach the top.
There are some other fun activities outside of the main visitor centre that cost more, but I’ll detail those later on in this article.
So, what’s included?
Once you arrive in Junfraujoch, you’ll want to do the full experiential tour which includes: an interactive 365 degree video screening of the mountain and the area, a huge ice palace that you can walk through and take photos in, an interactive museum showing how the station was built with memorials to those who died in the process, a panoramic view-point at the top, the fastest elevator in Europe (it ascends 108 meters in 27 seconds!), an outdoor walkway where you can stand in the snow and the chance to go shopping at both the highest watch and chocolate shop in Europe!
TOP TIP: The Lindt Chocolate Shop here sells chocolate for very cheap, even cheaper than Zurich airport!
Top of Europe weather
As you will my photos, or lack there of, we were very unlucky with the weather when we went. Although the trains in Switzerland run 365 days a year, and snow or rain definitely won’t stop them from running, if the weather is poor you’re likelihood of seeing anything from the top is very slim.
Best advice our guide gave us is to check out the Jungfraujoch web camera to see what the weather is like before you go. It’s advised in high season (July and August) to book at least one day in advance, in which case check some weather apps first. While it’s still fun to go up in bad weather -we got to play outside in a snow storm!! – it would obviously be more enjoyable on a clear, sunny day.
The weather at Jungfraujoch is pretty much guaranteed to be cold, so dress appropriately. I was NOT prepared and showed up in summer sandals and a dress. It was -2’c and snowing so I was absolutely FREEZING!
Top Of Europe Snow Fun Activities
Sadly we were unlucky with the weather so all the Snow Fun activities were cancelled for the day.
However on a good weather day between May and October (from 11am to 5pm), you can find a range of fun activities on the mountain top. From skiing and snowboarding (yes, in summer!) to snow tubing and a zip line, it’s fun for all the family.
COST: An all day pass costs 45 francs for adults and 30 for kids or you can pay 20 francs for individual activities.
If you want to be sure the activities will be running on the day you go up, email them to confirm.
Great post, and such stunning scenery!