How to Get to Jungfraujoch from Lauterbrunnen: Tips & Routes

Jungfraujoch or “Top of Europe” is the highest altitude railway station in Europe located between Mönch and Jungfrau mountain peaks. My husband and I recently traveled to Jungfraujoch from Lauterbrunnen and am here to share all of our tips and tricks.

As you’re probably aware, you typically can’t just point to a mountain on a map and be able to take a direct route straight to it. Jungfraujoch is no exception. To travel from Lauterbrunnen, you must take several trains to reach this destination.

I know it may seem a bit complicated to get there, but I’ve provided a step-by-step guide below that allows you to reach Jungfraujoch stress-free.

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Before You Travel to Jungfraujoch

It’s no secret that visiting Jungfraujoch is one of the most expensive things to do in Switzerland. The cost of a regular round-trip ticket from Lauterbrunnen to Jungfraujoch will set you back over CHF 200.00.– ($230 US Dollars), so if you want to visit Jungfraujoch without paying full price, I would recommend buying a Swiss rail pass.

Now, this is the part that gets a little tricky. There are a TON of options to choose from— Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card, Unlimited Jungfrau Summer & Winter Pass, Jungfrau Travel Pass, Berner Oberland Pass, Good Morning Ticket, and the list goes on.

Which Swiss rail pass is right for you? That depends. Before you hit that “buy” button, I highly recommend checking out Aplins in the Alps who does a great job explaining the different passes so you make an informed decision based on your itinerary, length of trip, age, and planned activities.

TIP: Be sure to also check the live weather conditions on the Jungfraujoch webcam before your visit to try to plan your trip on a clear day for the best views.

How to Get to Jungfraujoch From Lauterbrunnen

The only way to reach Jungfraujoch is by train and/or gondola. If you are traveling from Lauterbrunnen, there are two different routes you can take. Both take about 1 hour and 40 minutes each way, so plan to make this your primary activity for the day.

Option #1: Traditional route via Wengen up to Kleine Scheidegg

This option will provide you with fewer transfers, but there’s also no opportunity for an earlier start time during the summer months (unlike option #2). Personally, my husband and I chose this option and enjoyed the relaxed journey.

Here’s the overall trip route you would follow for option #1:

Lauterbrunnen > Wengen > Kleine Scheidegg > Eismeer Station > Jungfraujoch

1st stop: Wengen (do not get off)

You’ll start at the Lauterbrunnen train station and take the classic Wengernalp Railway to Kleine Scheidegg. Trains run every half hour between Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg. There will be a stop at Wengen in between, but you do not need to get off. The trip time from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen is less than 15 minutes, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery.

TIP: Sit on the right side of the train for the best views of Lauterbrunnen Valley.

2nd stop: Kleine Scheidegg (transfer trains)

Upon reaching Kleine Scheidegg station (a 22-minute train ride from Wengen), you’ll need to disembark, marking the first and only (obligatory) stop during the journey. Here, transfer to the Jungfrau Railway for your final destination: Jungfraujoch.

You’ll have at least 10 minutes between arriving at Kleine Scheidegg station to switch trains for the Jungfraujoch Railway train. Take advantage of this break to utilize the available restroom facilities if necessary.

3rd stop: Eismeer Station (midway stop – optional)

You’ll now arrive at Eismeer station, marking your final stop before reaching Junfraujoch. The train will pause here for about 5 minutes for anyone who wants to jump out and take a souvenir photo of the Aletsch Glacier below. Or, you can choose to skip the photo op (we did) and remain on the train.

The remaining time to reach Jungfraujoch is about 5 minutes.

4th stop: Jungfraujoch

You made it to your final destination. Happy exploring!

Option #2: Combined route via Grindelwald and Eiger Express

While this route involves more transfers, it still takes the same amount of time to reach Jungfraujoch from Lauterbrunnen. The advantage of this route is the potential for an earlier start, specifically from mid-May to late August when the Bernese Oberland Railway’s first ride shifts to 6:32. If being among the first arrivals at Jungfraujoch is your goal and you’re traveling during these months, then this route is your ideal choice.

TIP: If you do plan on taking one of the first trains to Jungfraujoch, I would recommend looking into the Good Morning Ticket, which provides a reduced ticket price for the first three connections to the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe. The offer is valid from May 1, 2024, to November 3, 2024. The only “catch” here is that your time at Jungfraujoch is limited – you must leave Jungfraujoch no later than 1:17 pm. 

Ticket Options for Route #2:

Good to know: The ticket price from Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald Terminal is not included with a Regular Ticket, Good Morning Ticket, and a Ticket w/ Half-Fare Card. You’ll need to purchase a separate round-trip train ticket on SBB.ch which costs just under CHF 10.-.

Here’s the overall trip route you would follow for option #2:

Lauterbrunnen > Zweilütschinen > Grindelwald Terminal > Eigergletscher > Jungfraujoch

1st stop: Zweilütschinen (transfer trains)

You’ll start at the Lauterbrunnen train station and head in the direction of Interlaken Ost to your first stop at Zweilütschinen. Total time: 9 mins.

TIP: Starting in late March, the initial train from Lauterbrunnen (toward Interlaken Ost) departs thirty minutes earlier than usual at 7:02, with an additional half-hour shift later in May to August (6:32). You can arrive a whole hour earlier than if you were to take the traditional route via Wengen up to Kleine Scheidegg during the same months.

But, trains run every half hour between Lauterbrunnen and Zweilütschinen, so don’t feel like you have to catch the very first one if you’re not a morning person.

Upon reaching Zweilütschinen, there’s a brief 7-minute window to switch trains bound for Grindelwald, so don’t dilly-dally during this stop.

2nd stop: Grindelwald Terminal (transfer to gondola)

Following a 17-minute train ride, you’ll reach the Grindelwald Terminal, where you’ll transfer to the ultra-modern Eiger Express gondola.

TIP: The station includes restrooms, a grocery store, a pharmacy, and tourist shops. So it’s a great place to pick up any forgotten items.

In operation since December 2020, the high-speed Eiger Express carries up to 26 passengers per gondola from Grindelwald, 3,074 feet (937 meters) above sea level, to the Eigergletscher station (7,638 feet or 2328 meters) in just 15 minutes. It’s quite impressive and is quickly becoming a popular way to reach Jungfraujoch.

A special highlight: the gondola puts you so close to the Eiger North Face that you can almost touch it!

Eiger Express Operating Info:

3rd stop: Eigergletscher (transfer back to train)

Once you arrive at the Eigergletscher (Eiger Glacier) station, you must transfer for one final time to get on the Jungfraubahn. The remaining time to reach Jungfraujoch is ~26 minutes.

At the Eigergletscher station, you’ll find hiking trails, luggage lockers, restaurants, and public bathrooms.

TIP: If you decided to purchase a Regular Ticket without using a Swiss train pass, the ticket comes with a scheduled departure and seat reservation for the train ride from Eigergletscher (Eiger Glacier) station, not the gondola departing from Grindelwald Terminal, so make sure you factor in enough time.

Like option #1, between Eigergletscher and Jungfraujoch, there is a brief 5-minute stop at Eismeer station. The train pauses here to give you the opportunity to take photos or simply admire the panoramic view of the glacier below. However, you can stay on board if you prefer.

4th stop: Jungfraujoch

You made it to your final destination. Happy exploring!

FAQs: Jungfraujoch from Lauterbrunnen

Explore common queries and get quick answers in my Jungfraujoch FAQ section.

How much time do you need at Jungfraujoch?

This all depends on your chosen activities and the season of your visit. Here’s an example of what you can fit in based on your planned length of stay:

• 1 hour: Enough time for Alpine Sensations, Sphinx, 360° Cinema experience, and some shopping to purchase a souvenir or two
• 2 hours: Enough time for Alpine Sensations, Sphinx, 360° Cinema experience, Jungfraujoch Plateau, Ice Palace, Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven, and shopping
• 3 hours: Enough time for Alpine Sensations, Sphinx, 360° Cinema experience, Jungfraujoch Plateau, Ice Palace, Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven, Snow Fun Park (open: mid-May to mid-October), and shopping
• 4+ hours: Enough time for EVERYTHING – Alpine Sensations, Sphinx, 360° Cinema experience, Jungfraujoch Plateau, Ice Palace, Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven, Snow Fun Park (open: mid-May to mid-October), Mönchsjochhütte (open: End of March until mid-October), lunch, and shopping

How long is the train ride from Lauterbrunnen to Jungfraujoch?

Regardless of which route you decide to take (traditional route via Wengen up to Kleine Scheidegg vs. combined route via Grindelwald and Eiger Express), the total time from Lauterbrunnen to Jungraujoch is about 1 hour and 40 minutes one way.

Of course, double this duration for the round trip, and you’ll spend nearly 4 hours on transportation alone to Jungfraujoch. So consider an early start or designate this as your main activity for the day.

Can you do Grindelwald and Jungfraujoch in one day?

Logistically—yes! Especially if you plan to take option #2 on this post, the combined route via Grindelwald and Eiger Express, you will be passing right through Grindelwald before heading up to Jungfraujoch.

In terms of timing, can you explore both locations in one day? It depends on how early of a start you get. If you plan to take one of the earlier trains from Lauterbrunnen to Jungfraujoch (6:32, 7:02, 7:32, 8:02), then it’s doable. But your day will be PACKED!

From Lauterbrunnen, you can get to Grindelwald in half an hour. If you want to explore Grindelwald and check off some of the top things to do in town before heading up to Jungfraujoch, you can definitely do so. Just note that the last cable car back to Grindelwald on the Eiger Express will be between 17:20 and 18:50 (depending on the month).

TIP: My recommendation would be to explore Grindelwald on the way back down from Jungfraujoch since the last train from Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen is much later than the last cable car on the Eiger Express. Plus, the sooner you reach Jungfraujoch, the better, to beat the crowds, which tend to be thickest around noon.

Plan the day: Plan to allocate at least 2 hours (we spent around 3.5 hours) at Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe. If you catch the 7:02 train from Lauterbrunnen, arriving at Jungfraujoch by 8:41, and spending 3 hours there, you could descend to Grindelwald by approximately 13:30 (1:30 pm). The final train from Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen departs around 21:30 (9:30 pm), leaving you the rest of the day to explore Grindelwald.

Wrap-Up: Jungfraujoch from Lauterbrunnen

I hope this guide simplifies your trip from Lauterbrunnen to Jungfraujoch! Just plan for enough time to explore, pick a clear day for the best views, follow this step-by-step travel guide, and you’ll be good to go. Plus, most Swiss people speak English, so you can always ask for help if all else fails.

Enjoy exploring the winter wonderland, that is Jungfraujoch—Top of Europe!

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