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Interlaken is a world-famous town in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland. Interlaken serves a great purpose as a base for visiting various tourist attractions in this region, including the nearby mountains. Specifically, you are close to Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau among many others. It is also near the towns and lakes of Thun and Brienz.
Where is Jungfraujoch?
In the Bernese Oberland, Jungfraujoch – also known as the Top of Europe – is one of the most popular destinations.
Jungfraujoch, which sits at 3,463 meters above sea level, is actually a saddle between Jungfrau (4,158 meters above sea level) and Mönch (4,110 meters above sea level).
Most tourists start their journey from Jungfraujoch in Interlaken Ost. From Interlaken, you have three options.
- Classic Train Route from Interlaken via Lauterbrunnen and Wengen
- Modern Train Route from Interlaken via Grindelwald and the Eiger Express.
- A guided tour that takes you from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch and back.
If you would like to learn more about Jungfrau and Jungfraujoch, you can check out our article Jungfrau and Jungfraujoch: What Is the Difference?
There are three ways to reach Jungfraujoch to Interlaken and they couldn’t be more different. So what are these three options? Let’s find out more.
Option 1: Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via Lauterbrunnen – Wengen
First, there is the classic train route. It is a slower scenic train ride through Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg on the way to the Eiger Glacier and Jungfraujoch from Lauterbrunnen.
Here is the route that you will have to take from Interlaken Ost to Jungfraujoch via Lauterbrunnen:
- Lauterbrunnen – First, by train, you will travel from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen village. As soon as you arrive at Lauterbrunnen train station, you will take the Wengernalpbahn (WAB). Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, and Grindelwald are connected to the Kleine Scheidegg by the Wengernalpbahn. The railway is also the world’s longest continuous rack railway with a length of 19,114 meters.
- Wengen – As you ascend the mountain from Lauterbrunnen, you will be able to see almost the entire Lauterbrunnen Valley before you arrive in the car-free village of Wengen. No need to change your train. The train will continue its journey all the way up to Kleine Scheidegg.
- Kleine Scheidegg – Following the stop in Wengen, it will ascend to Kleine Scheidegg. Located 2,061 meters above sea level, Kleine Scheidegg offers spectacular views of the famous Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
- Eiger Glacier – You will need to change trains in Kleine Scheidegg to reach Eiger Gletscher. From there you will board the train ascending to Jungfraujoch.
| Route from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via Lauterbrunnen | Duration |
| Interlaken Ost – Lauterbrunnen | 20 minutes |
| Lauterbrunnen – Kleine Scheidegg via Wengen | 38 minutes |
| Kleine Scheidegg – Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher) | 5 minutes |
| Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher) – Jungfraujoch | 26 minutes |
The total travel time from Interlaken Ost to Jungfraujoch via Lauterbrunnen and Wengen is 2 hours and 6 minutes.
Option 2: Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald – Eiger Express
Alternatively, you can travel from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via the Grindelwald Terminal. At the terminal, you can take the Eiger Express gondola to the Eiger Glacier and finally to Jungfraujoch.
Here is the route that you will have to take from Interlaken Ost to Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald:
- Grindelwald / Grindelwald Terminal – From Interlaken, you will take the train to Grindelwald. Simply go into the Grindelwald Terminal. This Terminal is a new terminal that connects passengers to either Männlichen or Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher).
- Eiger Glacier via Eiger Express – From Grindelwald Terminal, you will take the Eiger Express cable car to Eiger Glacier. From there you will board the train ascending to Jungfraujoch.
Eiger Express
The Eiger Express opened on December 5, 2020. As its name suggests, the Eiger Express is a state-of-the-art tri-cable gondola lift. It is also called the 3S gondola. It is one of the world’s most modern 3S gondolas.
3S gondola lifts can support great lengths and weights without having to erect many support towers. Along the 6.5 km length from Grindelwald to the Eiger Glacier, there are only 7 support towers. Isn’t it amazing? The carrier cable facilitates this process using 3S technology. Thus, the Eiger Express has been designed with minimal impact on nature and blends in more with the environment.
After you arrive at the Eiger Glacier, you will board the train ascending to Jungfraujoch.
| Route from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald | Duration |
| Interlaken Ost – Grindelwald Terminal | 29 minutes |
| Grindelwald Terminal – Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher) | 20 minutes |
| Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher) – Jungfraujoch | 26 minutes |
The total travel time from Interlaken Ost to Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald is 1 hour and 36 minutes.
Option 3: Guided Tour via GetYourGuide
A third option would be to join a 7-hour guided tour to Jungfraujoch from Interlaken. On this tour, you can enjoy a panoramic cable car ride, see the Eiger north face, visit the Sphinx Observation terrace, and explore the tunnels of the Ice palace.
From Interlaken, you can take a guided tour to Jungfraujoch. You’ll travel from Interlaken to Grindelwald by coach. Then, you will ride the Eiger Express cable car from the Grindelwald terminal to the Eiger Glacier. After you change to a cogwheel train, you will arrive in Jungfraujoch.
At the top, you will see the Great Aletsch Glacier, snow-capped peaks, and Switzerland’s neighboring countries. You can also see the Sphinx Observation Terrace and tunnels at the Ice Palace. Refreshments and meals can be purchased at the restaurant.
During the descent, you’ll pass Wengen and stop at Lauterbrunnen, where your coach waits for you to head back to Interlaken.
To book the tour from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via GetYourGuide, simply click here – From Interlaken: Day Trip to Jungfraujoch Mountain.
Which route to Jungfraujoch is better?
The best route really depends on what you want to see or what mode of transportation you prefer. These routes are equally beautiful, and I’m not going to preach that one is better than the other.
Take the first option if you wish to take in the scenery, and get a glimpse of Wengen and its surroundings. As an alternative route, going via Grindelwald is also a beautiful experience. Other views include Schreckhorn and the village of Grindelwald itself.
If you can’t decide, why not do both? Take the train to Jungfraujoch and take the Eiger Express down. Go up via the Eiger Express and go down by the Wengeralpbahn via Lauterbrunnen.
So which route is better really depends on what you want to see. To make it easier for you, I have listed the highlights of choosing one over the other.
Highlights of Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via Lauterbrunnen – Wengen
- Lauterbrunnen – Village with 72 waterfalls
- Car-free village of Wengen
- Kleine Scheidegg Mountain Pass
- Lauberhorn
- Staubbach Waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen
Highlights of Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald
- Eiger Express
- Grindelwald Terminal – practical terminal that allows you to reach either Eiger Glacier or Männlichen mountain.
- Grindelwald First, Bachalpsee, and Pfingstegg – Although you will not see these on the way to Jungfraujoch, you can visit these places in Grindelwald after.
We’ve got some hotel suggestions for Interlaken in case you haven’t booked yours:
Whichever route you choose to lead you from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch, I hope you enjoy it.
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