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Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe, sits at 3,454 metres on a saddle between the Mönch and the Jungfrau. No road goes there. The only way up is by train and cable car through the Jungfrau Region, and the route you choose decides how long the day takes, where you change and how much of the scenery you see. This guide explains every way to reach Jungfraujoch, starting from Interlaken, Zurich or Lucerne, and how the Swiss Travel Pass fits in.
If you are still deciding whether to go, start with our Jungfraujoch Top of Europe guide, which covers what you will see at the top. This article is about getting there.
The short answer
Every route to Jungfraujoch passes through Interlaken Ost and ends on the Jungfrau Railway, the rack railway that climbs through the Eiger and the Mönch to Europe's highest railway station. Between Interlaken and the Jungfrau Railway there are two ways up: the fast route through Grindelwald Terminal and the Eiger Express cable car, and the classic route over Kleine Scheidegg on the Wengernalp Railway. Most visitors go up one way and come down the other, so they see both sides of the Eiger.
| Route | Changes | Approx. time from Interlaken Ost |
|---|
| Eiger Express route (via Grindelwald Terminal) | Grindelwald Terminal, Eigergletscher | About 1 hr 30 min to 2 hrs |
| Classic route via Lauterbrunnen and Wengen | Lauterbrunnen, Kleine Scheidegg | About 2 hrs 15 min |
| Classic route via Grindelwald | Grindelwald, Kleine Scheidegg | About 2 hrs 15 min |
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Route 1: Interlaken to Jungfraujoch via the Eiger Express
This is the fastest way up and the one most first-time visitors choose. Take the Berner Oberland Bahn (BOB) train from Interlaken Ost towards Grindelwald and get off at Grindelwald Terminal, the stop just before Grindelwald village. The train divides at ZweilĂŒtschinen, so sit in the part marked for Grindelwald; the other half goes to Lauterbrunnen.
At Grindelwald Terminal you board the Eiger Express, a tricable gondola that glides up beneath the Eiger North Face to Eigergletscher at 2,320 metres. From Eigergletscher the Jungfrau Railway takes you the rest of the way, mostly inside the mountain, with a stop at Eismeer where you can look out over the glacier through windows cut into the rock. From Grindelwald Terminal to Jungfraujoch takes about 50 minutes.
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Route 2: The classic route via Kleine Scheidegg
The classic route is slower but more scenic, and it is the best way to come down in the afternoon. From Interlaken Ost, take the BOB to Lauterbrunnen, then the Wengernalp Railway (WAB) through car-free Wengen up to Kleine Scheidegg at 2,061 metres. You can also reach Kleine Scheidegg from the other side, by taking the BOB to Grindelwald and the WAB up from there.
Kleine Scheidegg is a mountain pass right below the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, and it is where you change to the Jungfrau Railway. From Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch takes about 90 minutes. If you have time, stop at Wengen or Kleine Scheidegg on the way down for lunch with a view. Our Lauterbrunnen guide has ideas for the valley.
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The best combination: up one way, down the other
Our favourite plan for a first visit is to go up early on the Eiger Express route, because it is the quickest way to the top while the weather is usually clearest, and to come down in the afternoon via Kleine Scheidegg and Wengen to Lauterbrunnen. That way you ride every railway in the region, see the Eiger from both sides and end the day in the Lauterbrunnen valley, a short train ride from Interlaken. A round trip ticket can be booked for this circle.
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How to get to Jungfraujoch from Zurich
Jungfraujoch is a long but very doable day trip from Zurich. Take a train from Zurich HB to Interlaken Ost, which takes about 2 hours, usually with a change in Bern or Spiez. From Interlaken Ost follow one of the two routes above. Allow around 4 hours each way, so leave Zurich by about 7 am to have enough time at the top. If you can, stay a night or two in Interlaken instead: it turns a rushed day into a relaxed one and lets you pick the clearest day for the summit. Our Interlaken travel guide helps you choose where to stay.
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How to get to Jungfraujoch from Lucerne
From Lucerne, take the LuzernâInterlaken Express over the BrĂŒnig Pass to Interlaken Ost. The journey takes just under 2 hours and is one of the most scenic in Switzerland, passing Lake Lungern and Lake Brienz. Then continue on either route to the top. Plan for about 4 hours each way, or spend a night in the Jungfrau Region. Many travellers combine Lucerne and Interlaken on a 7-day Switzerland itinerary and visit Jungfraujoch from the Interlaken base.
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Seat reservations and timing
From 1 May to 31 October, a seat reservation is mandatory on the Jungfrau Railway between Eigergletscher or Kleine Scheidegg and Jungfraujoch. For the rest of the year it is recommended, especially during Christmas, Chinese New Year and Indian school holidays. Reserved passengers board first, followed by groups and then passengers without a reservation. On the Eiger Express, boarding for your reserved slot opens 15 minutes before the time on your ticket and the turnstiles close 10 minutes before departure, so arrive at Grindelwald Terminal in good time.
Trains on the Jungfrau Railway run every half hour, all year round. The Eiger Express closes for annual maintenance for a few weeks each November; in 2026 it is closed from 9 to 20 November, when all trips run via Kleine Scheidegg.
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Using the Swiss Travel Pass to reach Jungfraujoch
The Swiss Travel Pass covers your train to Interlaken Ost from anywhere in Switzerland, and in the Jungfrau Region it covers the trains to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Wengen. From Grindelwald Terminal, Wengen or Grindelwald onwards, holders get a discount on the mountain section, including the Eiger Express and the Jungfrau Railway. Read how to use the Swiss Travel Pass for the full picture, and our guide to Swiss Travel Pass mountain discounts for other peaks.
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Tips for the journey
Check the live webcams at jungfrau.ch before you leave Interlaken; if the summit is in cloud, swap your day around if your plans allow. Take the earliest train you can manage, because crowds build from mid-morning. Sit on the right-hand side of the Eiger Express going up for the best view of the Eiger North Face. Carry a warm layer even in summer, because it is below freezing at the top on most days. Our Jungfraujoch weather guide explains what to wear month by month.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch?
Via Grindelwald Terminal and the Eiger Express, it takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours from Interlaken Ost, depending on connections. Via Kleine Scheidegg it takes about 2 hours 15 minutes.
Can I drive to Jungfraujoch?
No. You can drive or park at Grindelwald Terminal or Lauterbrunnen, but the last section is only reachable by the Jungfrau Railway.
Is Jungfraujoch a day trip from Zurich or Lucerne?
Yes. Allow about 4 hours each way and start early. Staying in Interlaken, Grindelwald or Wengen makes the trip much more relaxed.
Do I need a seat reservation for the Jungfrau Railway?
From 1 May to 31 October a seat reservation is mandatory; the rest of the year it is recommended, especially on holidays.
Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover Jungfraujoch?
It covers the trains to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Wengen. The mountain section above them is discounted for pass holders, not free.
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Final thoughts
Getting to Jungfraujoch is half the experience. Go up on the Eiger Express in the morning, come down through Kleine Scheidegg and Wengen in the afternoon, book your seat in advance in summer, and let the Swiss Travel Pass take care of every train on the way. When you are ready to plan, book your Jungfraujoch excursion and Swiss Travel Pass with SWISStours.
