Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe: A Train ride to find Summer Snow

Standing on the Jungfraujoch on Top of Europe at 3,454 meters (11,332 ft) surrounded by four thousand meter peaks and stepping on the Aletsch glacier is an experience you can’t miss when visiting Switzerland.

Top of Europe train ride is a “must do” with kids! You ride the Jungfrau Railway (Jungfraubahn) up to the Jungfraujoch, a snowy ridge 11,320 ft (3453 meters) high, and the highest train station in Europe. The amazing ride starts from Kleine Scheidegg, winds up the mountainside, then goes underground through tunnels inside the mountains, arriving at the station on the Jungfraujoch. The highest post office in Europe is also located here on top of Europe!

What is Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe

The Jungfraujoch Top of Europe railway is one of Switzerland’s most popular attractions. Jungfraujoch is Europe’s highest railway station, and an incredible feat of engineering. Trains and cog railways whisk you up the mountainsides, aerial cable cars carry you over dramatic panoramas, and there are miles of hiking trails to explore with kids.

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The Jungfraujoch is one of the best viewpoints in the world and is located in between the mountains Mönch and Jungfrau, in the heart of the UNESCO Natural World Heritage property “Jungfrau – Aletsch – Bietschhorn”. There are plenty of attractions and things to do in Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe.

Map of Jungfrau Region

Map of Jungfrau, Switzerland -Outside Suburbia
Map by Jungfrau.ch and the different options to get there

Getting to Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe

Most people start their trip to the Jungfraujoch in Interlaken, but you can board the train at any station along the way. Interlaken, situated in between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, is a jumping-off point for exploring the Bernese Oberland. From Lucern we went to Interlaken to spend a couple of days and took the train to did a day trip to Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe.

Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe - OutsideSuburbia.com
Kleine Scheidegg

From Interlaken Ost station, you can take a train to Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald on the Bernese Oberland Railway. We took the cogwheel train that connects Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via Kleine Scheidegg. Jungfrau region has green mountain valleys, alpine lakes, rushing waterfalls, sparkling streams, brilliant wildflowers, villages with no cars, and a range of majestic snow-covered peaks.  You can spend some time here before taking Jungfraubahn, Top of Europe train ride up to Jungfraujoch.

All trains to the Jungfraujoch depart from Kleine Scheidegg. Kleine Scheidegg can be reached via Interlaken – Zweilütschinen – Lauterbrunnen – Wengen, or via Interlaken – Zweilütschinen – Grindelwald.

Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald can be reached by train and by car. The rest of the area is only accessible by train. You can always go via one route and go down via the other. That way you see the most of this stunning alpine area.

Kleine Scheidegg - How to get to Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe - OutsideSuburbia.com

Interlaken to Kleine Scheidegg via Grindelwald

If you travel via Grindelwald, sit on the right for the best view. In Grindelwald, you change to the train to Kleine Scheidegg. You can either sit on the left for an up close view of the Eiger North face or on the right for a wider view across the mountains.

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Interlaken to Kleine Scheidegg via Lauterbrunnen

If you choose to travel via Lauterbrunnen, sit on the right of the train when departing from Interlaken. You’ll have a slightly better view that way. After changing trains in Lauterbrunnen, the best view on the train to Kleine Scheidegg is again on the right.

Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch

The majority of this section is in a tunnel, but it is impressive. The tunnel was engineered at an altitude of 3,000 m across the rocks of the Eiger. The train will make a short stop along the way, at Eismeer. You can get off the train for a few minutes to enjoy the view of eternal snow and ice through the panoramic windows.

The total time for the journey time from Interlaken-Ost was about 2 hours but with such beautiful scenery along the way, you are sure to feel that the time goes by very fast!

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On the Jungfraujoch – Even in summer, when you step out of the train station, there’s snow on the ground, and it can be 35 degrees. Bring jackets and sweaters, and wear closed-toed shoes. Also, wear sunglasses (lots of glare from the snow and ice).

Things to do in Jungfraujoch

There are several activities in Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe including an Ice Palace, restaurants, several exhibitions and informative multimedia shows. There is also Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven, where you can learn about the history of chocolate and how it’s made and buy chocolate here as well.

Take a lift takes you 117 m further up to the Sphinx observatory. You can enjoy a 360° view here, both from the terrace and from the comfort of a building with panoramic windows.

There is an Ice Palace with many ice sculptures that kids and adults will enjoy. There is another Alpine Sensation, a moving walkway with images, light and music, connecting the hall below the Sphinx observatory to the Ice Palace.

Best things to do in Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe - Outside Suburbia

In Summer you can go sledging, skiing or snowboarding in the Snow Fun Park. Our favorite part of the entire journey was going out in the snow and enjoying the view of the Grosser Aletsch glacier and the surrounding mountains… and of course playing in the snow.

Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe Activities - OutsideSuburbia.com

You can hike across the glacier to the Mönchsjoch hut in about an hour. Be sure to only do this in good weather and with proper hiking gear. Do not leave the marked trail.

Tickets and Tours to Jungfraujoch

Photos from our trip to Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe

Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe - OutsideSuburbia.com
Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe - OutsideSuburbia.com
Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe - OutsideSuburbia.com
Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe - OutsideSuburbia.com
Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe - OutsideSuburbia.com

You might also like: 
A day trip to Mount Rigi and Schwyz
The steepest in the world
Pilatus Cogwheel
Hiking in Upper Engadin
Best things to do in Zermatt

If you like alpine adventures, you might also like Peak2Peak Whistler & Blackcomb, Vail, Maroon Bells, JacksonHole, Whitefish, Bad Gastein

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1 thought on “Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe: A Train ride to find Summer Snow”

  1. Such postcard photos 🙂
    We actually were thinking to plan Switzerland during the winters (yes, even after living in Boston, lol) but summer looks very appealing too. Did you get swarmed by tourists much?

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