October, 2011.
Coming from a tropical country, visiting Jungfraujoch was one of the highlight of my very fist Eurotrip back in 2011.
Sightseeing to Jungfraujoch can be done by day excursion from Interlaken. There are several ways to reach this area :
1. By train directly from Interlaken. But this will definitely cost more. (CHF197.6 per person – summer 2013 rate)
2. By car from Interlaken to either Grindelwald, Grund, or Lauterbrunnen, continue with train to Jungfraujoch station. Then, you can go back by train to either one of those three stations. The last time, I used the Grindelwald – Jungfraujoch – Grindelwald route, and the return ticket cost CHF177 per person (summer 2013 rate)
Most villages in Switzerland (including Grindelwald) is a car-free village. There’s a designated parking area +/- 300m from the station, as well as hotels and souvenir shops. Coming from a heavily polluted city such as Jakarta, I can really feel the light and refreshing mountain air around me. The area around the station was also very clean.
Grindelwald Station
To reach Jungfraujoch from either Grindelwald, Lauterbrunner, Grund or Interlaken, firstly you need to take the Wengernalpbahn (the green-yellow train) to Kleine Scheidegg station.
Area Map and Train Timetable
Inside the Train
The cabin was not very spacious, with limited seating area. But the windows were big and clear so you can enjoy the beautiful views outside the moving train. Small huts were scattered across the green village.
View of Grindelwald Village from inside Train
View from Inside the Train – Village of Grindelwald
After around 30minutes ride, you’ll reach the Kleine Scheidegg station.
All trains from Interlaken, Grindelwald, Grund and Lauterbrunnen will terminate at this station and we need to change to Jungfraubahn (the yellow-red train) to reach Jungfraujoch.
Kleine Scheidegg Station
Kleine Scheidegg Station
Jungfraubahn
Not long after the journey started, the train will go into the underground tunnel.
There are two stops along the tunnel before reaching the final station.
Underground Tunnel
The first stop at 2,865 meters called the “Eigerwand” and the second stop at 3,160 meters is “Eismeer“
In every stops, there’s a viewing point which you can take a look at the glaciers outside.
Eismeer (3,160m)
After almost an hour, we reachead the final station, which is Jungfraujoch – the highest railway station in Europe.
The Highest Railway Station in Europe
There are several different points of interest at this station :
1. The Sphinx Terraces – where you can get a good view of Mönch and Jungfrau
2. The Plateau – to set foot in one part of the Aletschgletscher
3. The Ice Palace – ice cave with interesting ice sculptures
4. The Mönchsjoch Hut – 45 minutes on foot from the Plateau
There are also restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and post office – send postcard from the top of Europe!
Being October, the weather was already starting to get cold, it reached 0 degrees at the top. But fortunately, once I step outside to the Plateau, the sun was shining very brightly, so it was very warm. The guide who accompanied us told me that we’re quite lucky, because out of five times she went there, she only got three times clear weather like that day. Can’t imagine if it was raining, then we wouldn’t be able to have a clear view of the glacier.
The Plateau
Sphinx Terraces
Aletschgletscher
Aletschgletscher
Mönch
What about you? Have you visited Jungfraujoch or any other mountain top area?
tell me your story in the comment box!
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