How to Get From Interlaken to Jungfraujoch: Your Options

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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

If you would like to embark on a highly-rated guided tour from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch, you may book it via GetYourGuideFrom Interlaken: Day Trip to Jungfraujoch Mountain. In my opinion, a seamless experience to Jungfraujoch and comprehensive information about the region make the guide worth booking.

Interlaken to Jungfraujoch
Image of Interlaken by TouringSwitzerland.com

Where is Jungfraujoch?

Interlaken to Jungfraujoch
Image from Jungfraujoch by aranha from Pixabay

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 the mountains Jungfrau (4,158 meters above sea level) and Mönch (4,110 meters above sea level).

If you would like to learn more about Jungfrau and Jungfraujoch, you can check out our article Jungfrau and Jungfraujoch: What Is the Difference?

How to Get From Interlaken to Jungfraujoch

Most tourists start their journey from Jungfraujoch in Interlaken Ost. From Interlaken, you have three options.

  • Option 1: Classic Train Route from Interlaken via Lauterbrunnen and Wengen
  • Option 2: Modern Train Route from Interlaken via Grindelwald and the Eiger Express. 
  • Option 3: A guided tour that takes you from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch and back. 

There are three ways to reach Jungfraujoch from 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

Interlaken to Jungfraujoch - Wengen Train
Image of the train to Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg by Techno Ed from Pixabay

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:

  1. 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.
  2. WengenAs 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.
  3. Kleine ScheideggFollowing 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. 
  4. 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 LauterbrunnenDuration
Interlaken Ost – Lauterbrunnen20 minutes
Lauterbrunnen – Kleine Scheidegg via Wengen38 minutes
Kleine Scheidegg – Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher)5 minutes
Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher) – Jungfraujoch26 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

Interlaken to Jungfraujoch - Eiger Express
Image of Grindelwald and Eiger Express by TouringSwitzerland.com

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:

  1. Grindelwald Terminal – From Interlaken, you will take the train to Grindelwald Terminal. Grindelwald Terminal is a new terminal that connects passengers to either Männlichen or Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher).
  2. 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.

Note: Should the Eiger Express not be running or you prefer an alternative, there is a train that will take you from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg. It also stops at Grindelwald Grund, Brandegg, and Alpiglen on the way.

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 GrindelwaldDuration
Interlaken Ost – Grindelwald Terminal29 minutes
Grindelwald Terminal – Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher)20 minutes
Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher) – Jungfraujoch26 minutes

The total travel time from Interlaken Ost to Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald is 1 hour and 36 minutes.


Option 3: Guided Tour via GetYourGuide

Interlaken to Jungfraujoch - Great Aletsch Glacier
Great Aletsch Glacier as viewed from Jungfraujoch by peter verhelst from Pixabay

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 going 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

Image of Lauterbrunnen Valley by TouringSwitzerland.com

Highlights of Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald

Image of Grindelwald by TouringSwitzerland.com
  • 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.

Image of Hotel Victoria Jungfrau in Interlaken by TouringSwitzerland.com

We’ve got some hotel suggestions for Interlaken in case you haven’t booked yours:

  • Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa (5-star) – A luxurious and elegant hotel with distinctive design and decor, marble bathrooms, and views of the Jungfrau mountain.
  • Swiss Hotel Apartments (5-star apartments) – With spacious rooms equipped with a kitchen, balcony, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker, it’s the most affordable and convenient place to stay in Interlaken. It’s also just 80 meters from Interlaken Ost train station, so you can easily get there from Zurich and Geneva airports. 
  • Hotel Royal St Georges (4-star superior) – Close to the Harderbahn Funicular and Interlaken’s center, Hotel Royal St. Georges has a large, elegant lobby, restaurant, spa, and relaxing rooms. Personally, I loved staying here.
  • Hotel Bellevue (4-star) – This boutique hotel is near Interlaken West train station. Each room has a balcony with a view of the mountains. 
  • Hotel Bernerhof (3-star) – The Hotel Bernerhof is an affordable, central hotel right opposite Interlaken West train station. It has modern rooms and a restaurant that serves Swiss food. 
  • Interlaken Youth Hostel (Hostel) – A convenient hostel located near the Interlaken Ost train station. They have clean and basic accommodations, plus breakfast is included.

Whichever route you choose to lead you from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch, I hope you enjoy it.

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