Welcome to our guide to traveling from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch! If you’re looking to experience some of the most stunning views in Switzerland, then a trip to the Top of Europe is an absolute must. Nestled in the Swiss Alps, this mountaintop wonder is home to incredible glaciers and snow-capped peaks and offers visitors unparalleled views of the surrounding landscape.
There are several reasons why Interlaken makes for a great travel destination. Thanks to its good accessibility and excellent tourist infrastructure, it is the ideal base for reaching a wide variety of places in the Bernese Oberland. As the gateway to the famous Jungfrau region, Interlaken is also a popular starting point for a trip to the Jungfraujoch. And getting there is half the fun. This guide will show you how to get from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch. Let’s get started!
Option 1: Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via Lauterbrunnen – Wengen
Interlaken Ost is the central train station in Interlaken, Switzerland. You can take a train to Lauterbrunnen, about 30 minutes away from here. The perfect way to see the Swiss alps is by train. You can sit back and enjoy the ride while beautiful landscapes pass by your window.
Good to know is that the train that departs from Interlaken Ost consists of two parts (Please note the information on the platform) that separate in Wilderswil. Half of the train goes to Grindelwald, while the other half will take you directly to Lauterbrunnen, without having to change.
In Lauterbrunnen you change to the Wengernalpbahn (WAB). Then the journey upwards begins. Meter by meter, the train climbs towards Wengen, opening up ever more spectacular views of the Lauterbrunnen valley – which some also call the little Yosemite of Switzerland.
Insider tiP:
If you sit on the right side facing the direction of travel, then you have a little better visibility.
Once you arrive in the car-free village, you can stay seated because the journey continues directly to the little Scheidegg.
Arriving at 2,061 meters on the summit of the Kleine Scheidegg, you have an impressive view of the 3 giants Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
Here you change to the train of the Jungfrau Railway, which continues the spectacular journey past the Eiger Glacier station (depending on the connection, people coming from Kleine Scheidegg may also have to change trains here) up to the highest railway station in Europe on the 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 |
Total travel time from Interlaken Ost to Jungfraujoch via Lauterbrunnen is 2h 6 min.
Lauterbrunnen: Lauterbrunnen is a small village in the valley of the same name. It is surrounded by mountains and has several waterfalls, the most famous being the Staubbach Falls. The whole region from Lauterbrunnen via Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald is connected by a continuous cogwheel railway which makes it the longest in the world at 19,114m.
Wengen: Wengen is a small village located on a plateau above Lauterbrunnen. From Wengen, you don’t need to change trains as it’s a direct connection from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg.
Kleine Scheidegg: Kleine Scheidegg is a mountain pass located between the Eiger and Lauberhorn Mountain. From Kleine Scheidegg, you can take the train to the Top of Europe – Jungfraujoch
Eiger Glacier: The Eiger Glacier is located on the north face of the Eiger mountain, slightly elevated above the Kleine Scheidegg. Travelers from the Grindelwald Terminal transfer here to the Jungfrau Railway. Depending on the connection, people coming from Kleine Scheidegg may also have to change trains.
Jungfraujoch is a saddle between the Mönch and Jungfrau mountains. It is home to the highest railway station in Europe, as well as the Sphinx Observatory and several other attractions.
Option 2: Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald only trains
Trains run every half hour from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald. Note that the last departure from Interlaken, which takes you up to the Jungfraujoch, leaves at 02:35pm, so that you have enough time on the Joch and the return journey. You will need to change trains at the Grindelwald train station to continue your journey up to the Jungfraujoch.
Insider tiP:
If you sit on the left side in the direction of travel, you have an impressive view up to the north face of the Eiger and on the right side down into the valley to Grindelwald.
On the pass between the Eiger and the Lauberhorn, the Kleine Scheidegg, you change trains and drive to the Eigergletscher station.
This is where the final part of this exciting train journey to Jungfraujoch begins. Once you reach the top, you have an impressive view of countless Alpine peaks and Switzerland’s largest glacier, the Aletsch.
If you’re planning on visiting the Jungfraujoch, it’s advisable to purchase your train tickets in advance, and see with which abonoments and promotions you can benefit from discounts. You can purchase tickets online or at any train station in Switzerland.
| Route from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald | Duration |
| Interlaken Ost – Lauterbrunnen | 34 minutes |
| Lauterbrunnen – Kleine Scheidegg via Wengen | 32 minutes |
| Kleine Scheidegg – Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher) | 5 minutes |
| Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher) – Jungfraujoch | 26 minutes |
Total travel time from Interlaken Ost to Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald only with trains is 2h 6 min.
Option 3: Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald Terminal/Eiger Express (fastest way)
If you don’t have that much time and want to take the quickest route to the Jungfraujoch, it’s best to travel via Grindelwald Terminal. As with all other options, you board the train in Interlaken Ost, which leads to Grindelwald. The second last stop before Grindelwald village is the newly built super modern Grindelwald Terminal.
Also called the V-Bahn because two cable cars depart from here, one in the direction of Männlichen and the other to the Eiger Glacier, forming a V shape.
You board the 26-seat Eiger Express Gondola and begin the spectacular journey along the north face of the Eiger. This new ultra-modern cable car with 44 large gondolas is an engineering masterpiece in itself. Large parts of the route are overcome with very few masts, so that the interference with nature is as minimal as possible.
After a journey time of 20 minutes, you reach the top station of the Eiger Glacier, which was built into the rock. Here you change to the train of the Jungfrau Railway and make your way up to the Jungfraujoch. This railway, built a hundred years ago through the rock of the north face of the Eiger, is also an absolute technical marvel which you can admire from the comfort of your seat.
| Route from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald Terminal | Duration |
| Interlaken Ost – Grindelwald Terminal | 29 minutes |
| Grindelwald Terminal – Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher) | 20 minutes |
| Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher) – Jungfraujoch | 26 minutes |
Total travel time from Interlaken Ost to Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald and Eiger Express is 1h 36 min.
Which route to Jungfraujoch is better?
The first thing to consider when deciding which route to take is what you want to see and how much time you have. If you’re primarily interested in the scenery, all three options have their own special appeal. But from our point of view, the ride from Lauterbrunnen up to Kleine Scheidegg is the one with the best view. The view down into the Lauterbrunnen valley, with its rugged cliffs and numerous waterfalls, is simply unique.
On the other hand, if you’re more interested in the village of Grindelwald itself, then going via Grindelwald may be a better option. Other things to remember include the time of year and your preferred mode of transportation.
We recommend that you take enough time for the journey and, for example, take one way up to the Jungfraujoch and another way back down, then you can experience the most impressions.
Dates of operation
Jungfraujoch is a mountain pass in the Alps, accessible all year round. The trains from Kleine Scheidegg to Eigergletscher/Jungfraujoch operate daily, and Kleine Scheidegg can be reached all year round as well. There are maintenance breaks on the various routes to Kleine Scheidegg and Eigergletscher. Check the timetable before you start your trip. The Jungfraujoch is at an altitude of 3,466 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest railway stations in Europe. From the Jungfraujoch, there are views of the Aletsch Glacier – the longest glacier in Europe – and the other glaciers in the area.
FAQ from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch
Is there a direct train between Interlaken and Jungfraujoch?
No, there is no direct train between Interlaken and Jungfraujoch. There are several options to get to the Jungfraujoch but all require a change of train. For example the journey involves taking a train from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald, then transferring to the Jungfraubahn (the cog railway) for the ascent to the Jungfraujoch. The journey from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch is scenic, offering spectacular views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains. The return journey is essentially the reverse. The journey takes 2h and 6 minutes.
How long does it take to get from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch?
It takes approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes to get from Interlaken to the Jungfraujoch, including transfers. But there are several ways up with the fastest option via Grindelwald Terminal taking just 1h 36 minutes.
Where do I catch the Interlaken to Jungfraujoch train from?
Interlaken to Jungfraujoch train services, operated by Berner Oberland-Bahnen, departs from Interlaken Ost station. The journey time is around two hours and six minutes. Tickets can be purchased from the official BOBS and SBB website or any of the staffed rail ticket offices in Switzerland.
Summary & Final Thoughts
On the journey up to the Jungfraujoch, they are spoiled for choice. But don’t worry, all options have their special charm and it only depends on your personal preference of the means of transport and how much time you have. We recommend taking one way from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch up and another way down.
