Journey by cogwheel train into the shadow of the Eiger
Tunnel directly through the solid granite north face of the Eiger aboard Europe's highest railway to Jungfraujoch (3,454m), stepping onto the ice palace overlooking the colossal Aletsch Glacier.
At a glance
Year-round; summer (July to August) allows hiking on the glacier snow plateau; winter offers world-class skiing
First morning departure for pristine snow conditions, clear skies, and lower crowds
Half to full day (4 to 6 hours) from Grindelwald or Interlaken including 2 hours exploring the summit attractions
High-alpine pioneering cogwheel railway & glacier discovery · Guided or self-guided
Easy (fully enclosed railway and elevators; high altitude 3,454m requires gentle pacing)
Advance seat reservation recommended during peak summer and holiday periods
The audacious railway blasted through the Eiger's heart
In 1893, industrialist Adolf Guyer-Zeller conceived a vision that contemporaries dismissed as madness: blasting a 7-kilometer tunnel directly through the limestone and granite bedrock of the Eiger and Mönch mountains to carry a train to the glaciated saddle between the high alpine peaks. Opened in 1912 after sixteen years of perilous construction, the Jungfraubahn remains Europe's greatest monument to mountain civil engineering.
Today, the journey is faster than ever thanks to the ultra-modern Eiger Express tricable gondola from Grindelwald, connecting to the historic cogwheel train. As the train ascends through the dark mountain tunnel, it stops at the Eismeer (Sea of Ice) station, where panoramic windows cut into the sheer rock face reveal a frozen world of towering blue seracs and bottomless crevasses. Stepping out onto the Sphinx Observation Deck at 3,571 metres, the view sweeps across the vast 23-kilometre expanse of the Great Aletsch Glacier all the way to Germany's Black Forest and the French Vosges.
Visiting the Top of Europe
Ascend via the Eiger Express or cogwheel train
Glide from the Grindelwald Terminal up to the Eigergletscher station aboard the Eiger Express gondola in just 15 minutes, skimming right beneath the Eiger North Face.
Tunnel through the Eiger to Jungfraujoch
Board the electric Jungfraubahn rack train to climb through the tunnel to Europe's highest station at 3,454 metres altitude.
Explore the Ice Palace and Sphinx Observatory
Take the high-speed lift to the open-air Sphinx viewing terrace overlooking the Aletsch Glacier, then walk through the crystalline blue corridors of the Ice Palace carved directly inside the glacier.
Plan your experience
When to go
Year-round. Summer brings pleasant walking on the snow plateau and the high-alpine snow park. Autumn and winter offer crystal-clear visibility and sea-of-clouds inversions over the Swiss plateau.
Getting there
From Interlaken Ost station, take the Berner Oberland-Bahn (BOB) train to Grindelwald Terminal (30 mins). From there, the Eiger Express gondola and Jungfraubahn cogwheel railway bring you to the summit in just 45 minutes.
Booking & permits
Reserve a timed boarding slot online during July, August, and Christmas to guarantee your preferred ascent and descent times. Swiss Travel Pass holders receive a 25% discount on the Jungfraujoch mountain sector.
What to bring
- Warm winter jacket, hat, gloves, and sunglasses (even in July, temperatures on the glacier hover near 0°C)
- Sturdy shoes with good traction for walking on snow and ice inside the glacier galleries
- Sunscreen and lip balm (high UV reflection from eternal alpine snowfields)
Before you go
- Check the live Jungfraujoch summit weather cameras before buying tickets; clouds can obscure views even if valleys are sunny.
- Take deep breaths and move at an easy pace: at 3,454 metres, the atmosphere has roughly 30% less oxygen than at sea level.
Official information
Always verify permits, seasonal weather conditions and access directly with public authorities:
Official mountain railway portal for Jungfraujoch tickets, live webcams, timetables, and Eiger Express passes.
Official regional tourism board for Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and UNESCO Aletsch conservation.
Ways to experience it
Take the morning Eiger Express from Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch, spend 2.5 hours exploring the Sphinx and Ice Palace, and return via Kleine Scheidegg for a rustic mountain lunch.
Join an accredited high-alpine guide for a guided glacier trek along the marked snow path from Jungfraujoch to the Mönchsjochhütte alpine refuge.
Certified providers & operators
Jungfraubahn Holding AG
High-alpine cogwheel trains, Eiger Express gondola & summit attractions
Operating Switzerland's world-famous mountain railways and glacier facilities continuously since 1912
GrindelwaldSports (Mountain Sports & Ski School)
Certified UIAGM mountain guides & glacier treks
Historic mountaineering agency providing guided walks across the Aletsch glacier snow fields