The Jungfraujoch, nicknamed the « Top of Europe », is the highest railway station in Europe, at 3,454 metres (11,332 ft), in the heart of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO site. You get there by rack railway through the Eiger and the Mönch, most often via the Eiger Express gondola from Grindelwald. The site is open 365 days a year; from 1 May to 31 October 2026, a seat reservation (CHF 10) is compulsory in addition to the ticket. This page explains how to buy the right ticket, the rules of the Good Morning Ticket, what there is to see at the top, the real temperatures at 3,580 m (11,745 ft) and the light month by month.
The Jungfraujoch combines well with a stay in the Bernese Oberland: see our guide to visiting Switzerland, our page on the best time to visit Switzerland and, for another high-mountain excursion, our Matterhorn guide. For passports and visas, see entry requirements for Switzerland.
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Jungfraujoch: the essentials
- Opening: 365 days a year; station at 3,454 m (11,332 ft), Sphinx terrace at 3,571 m (11,716 ft) — checked 27 October 2026 on jungfrau.ch
- Ticket: return; price depends on the starting point, the date and discounts; configurator on the official website
- Seat reservation: compulsory from 1 May to 31 October 2026, CHF 10 per person, children included — checked 27 October 2026 on jungfrau.ch
- Children: free up to age 5; from 6 to 15, free with the Junior Card or the Children’s Travelpass, otherwise CHF 20
- Time to allow: a full day, according to the operator
- Entry requirements: see entry requirements for Switzerland
Why go up to the Jungfraujoch?
Since 1912, the Jungfrau Railway has run through the Eiger and the Mönch to the pass. At the top, the view looks on one side over the Swiss Plateau as far as the Vosges and the Black Forest, and on the other over the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps: 22 km (14 mi) long and 900 m (2,953 ft) thick according to the operator. Snow and ice are present all year round.
Tickets: how to buy the right ticket
The official ticket is sold on jungfrau.ch and at stations. The price depends on the starting point (Interlaken, Grindelwald, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen…), the date and your passes: the website showed different « from » amounts on the pages we consulted on 27 October 2026, so we chose not to quote a price and to point to the configurator instead.
| Official option | What to know |
|---|---|
| Return ticket | Via the Grindelwald terminal and the Eiger Express: the fastest route according to the operator (45 minutes from the terminal) |
| Seat reservation | CHF 10 per person; compulsory from 1 May to 31 October 2026; valid on the Eigergletscher or Kleine Scheidegg ⇄ Jungfraujoch train; pass through the turnstiles at least 10 minutes before departure |
| Good Morning Ticket | Valid from 1 May to 31 October 2026 on one of the first two connections; return from the Jungfraujoch by 1:17 pm at the latest; cannot be combined with the Half Fare Card, GA Travelpass, Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Half Fare Card, Eurail or Interrail |
| Jungfrau Travel Pass | 3 to 8-day pass, boats included, covering the Jungfrau region |
| Unlimited Jungfrau Summer / Winter Pass | Season passes including unlimited trips to the Jungfraujoch |
The Good Morning Ticket in practice
The Good Morning Ticket gives a discount on the full fare provided you take one of the first two connections. Example published by the operator from Interlaken Ost: departure at 7:04 am or 7:34 am, arrival at the Jungfraujoch at 8:41 am or 9:11 am. If the schedule is not respected, the difference with the regular ticket and a CHF 10 processing fee are collected by the conductor, who may also issue a CHF 90 fine. A refund is generally not possible.
Resellers: what to check
Activity platforms and agencies resell tickets or guided excursions. Before buying, check: is the compulsory seat reservation included for the date you chose? Is the train time specified? Is the ticket an official Jungfrau Railways ticket or a voucher to exchange? What are the cancellation terms in case of bad weather?
Opening hours, access and parking
- Frequency: from Eigergletscher station, one connection every 30 minutes depending on the season and demand (jungfrau.ch).
- Journey: Eiger Express from Grindelwald Terminal (937 m / 3,074 ft) to Eigergletscher (2,320 m / 7,612 ft) in 15 minutes, then 26 minutes by train inside the mountain, with a 5-minute stop at about 3,160 m (10,367 ft).
- By car: the operator recommends the Matten Park+Ride near Interlaken, with live car park status on its website.
- Reduced mobility: the route Interlaken Ost – Grindelwald Terminal – Eigergletscher – Jungfraujoch is accessible; via Kleine Scheidegg, prior registration by phone is compulsory.
- Works and maintenance: some sections close for maintenance in the off-season; check the official timetable and calendar before fixing your date.
What to see at the top
| Stop | Altitude | Time indicated by the operator |
|---|---|---|
| Sphinx terrace and observatory (108 m / 354 ft lift in 25 seconds) | 3,571 m (11,716 ft) | approx. 15 min |
| Plateau (snow and ice all year) | 3,454 m (11,332 ft) | approx. 15 min |
| Ice Palace | 3,454 m (11,332 ft) | approx. 15 min |
| Alpine Sensation (multimedia walk) | 3,454 m (11,332 ft) | approx. 15 min |
| 360° cinema | 3,454 m (11,332 ft) | 5 min |
| Snow Fun Park (in season) | 3,454 m (11,332 ft) | ~45 min |
| Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven | 3,454 m (11,332 ft) | ~10 min |
In summer, the operator also mentions the glacier hike to the Mönchsjoch hut. Several restaurants (self-service, à la carte, Indian cuisine) operate at the top.
When to go up to the Jungfraujoch
The Jungfraujoch weather station (3,580 m / 11,745 ft) shows that it freezes almost all year: the average maximum is above 0 °C (32 °F) only from June to September. The operator points out that even when the valley is under cloud, the summit is often above the clouds; the view of the Aletsch, however, depends on the sky at the top. Look at the official webcam the same morning.
| Month | Max °C (°F) | Min °C (°F) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | −9.5 (15) | −15.5 (4) | ⚠️ very cold, seat reservation optional |
| February | −10.2 (14) | −16.3 (3) | ⚠️ very cold, seat reservation optional |
| March | −8.6 (17) | −14.4 (6) | ⚠️ very cold, seat reservation optional |
| April | −6.3 (21) | −12.0 (10) | ⚠️ very cold, seat reservation optional |
| May | −2.1 (28) | −7.8 (18) | ⚠️ cold, seat reservation compulsory |
| June | 1.7 (35) | −4.0 (25) | ✅ milder, seat reservation compulsory |
| July | 3.4 (38) | −2.1 (28) | ✅ milder, seat reservation compulsory |
| August | 3.5 (38) | −1.7 (29) | ✅ milder, seat reservation compulsory |
| September | 0.5 (33) | −4.7 (24) | ✅ milder, seat reservation compulsory |
| October | −2.2 (28) | −7.4 (19) | ⚠️ cold, seat reservation compulsory |
| November | −6.5 (20) | −11.8 (11) | ⚠️ very cold, seat reservation optional |
| December | −8.7 (16) | −14.5 (6) | ⚠️ very cold, seat reservation optional |
Destination de Voyage calculation based on the 1991–2020 normals: over the twelve months, the average minimum stays below zero every month, and the average maximum is above zero only four months (June to September, 3.5 °C / 38 °F at most in August): pack winter clothing even in midsummer. The operator recommends a jacket, closed shoes, a hat, gloves and sunglasses.
Light at the summit
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8:08 am | 5:07 pm | 8 h 59 min |
| February | 7:32 am | 5:52 pm | 10 h 20 min |
| March | 6:41 am | 6:33 pm | 11 h 52 min |
| April | 6:41 am | 8:15 pm | 13 h 34 min |
| May | 5:54 am | 8:54 pm | 15 h 00 min |
| June | 5:34 am | 9:22 pm | 15 h 48 min |
| July | 5:49 am | 9:17 pm | 15 h 28 min |
| August | 6:25 am | 8:38 pm | 14 h 13 min |
| September | 7:05 am | 7:40 pm | 12 h 35 min |
| October | 7:45 am | 6:42 pm | 10 h 57 min |
| November | 7:29 am | 4:55 pm | 9 h 26 min |
| December | 8:05 am | 4:41 pm | 8 h 36 min |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying a ticket without a seat reservation between May and October: it is compulsory and paid.
- Taking a Good Morning Ticket and then coming down after 1:17 pm: a supplement, fees and a fine are possible.
- Going up in summer clothes: it freezes at the top for most of the year.
- Counting on a refund in bad weather: it is generally not possible for the Good Morning Ticket.
- Combining Good Morning with a Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass: they cannot be combined.
- Planning half a day: the operator advises a full day.
What to see nearby
The Jungfrau region also has the Harder Kulm, Grindelwald-First, the Schynige Platte and the Lauterbrunnen valley. For other Swiss stops, see our guides to Zurich, Lausanne and Geneva, arrival airports cited by the operator (along with Basel). To stay connected in Switzerland, which is outside the European Union, see our travel eSIM guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to reserve a seat for the Jungfraujoch?
Yes from 1 May to 31 October 2026: the reservation (CHF 10 per person, children included) is compulsory in addition to the ticket.
How much does the Jungfraujoch cost for a child?
Free up to age 5; from 6 to 15, free with the Junior Card or the Children’s Travelpass, otherwise CHF 20, according to jungfrau.ch.
How much time should you allow?
A full day, according to the operator. At the top, each attraction takes 5 to 45 minutes.
What is the temperature at the Jungfraujoch in summer?
In July, the average maximum is 3.4 °C (38 °F) and the average minimum −2.1 °C (28 °F) (1991–2020 normals for the station).
Is the Jungfraujoch wheelchair accessible?
Yes via Grindelwald Terminal and the Eiger Express; via Kleine Scheidegg, prior registration by phone is compulsory.
What happens if I miss the Good Morning Ticket time?
The conductor collects the difference with the regular ticket plus CHF 10 in fees; a CHF 90 fine is possible.
Our sources
- Jungfrau Railways (jungfrau.ch): Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, Buy a ticket, Good Morning Ticket, Seat reservation, Sphinx and built-in FAQ pages, consulted on 27 October 2026
- Jungfraujoch station 1991–2020 normals (NOAA / WMO normals), via the Wikipedia article « Jungfraujoch », consulted on 27 October 2026
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, applied by Destination de Voyage to the coordinates of the Jungfraujoch (Wikipedia) (15th of each month, year 2027, unobstructed horizon)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.