The Sphinx Observatory in short
The Sphinx Observatory sits on a rock above the Jungfraujoch station. It is an international research station, and its terrace is the top viewpoint of the trip. A lift climbs 108 metres in 25 seconds from the station hall to the observatory.
The terrace was redesigned in 1996. From 3,571 metres you look down the 22 kilometres of the Aletsch Glacier. On a clear day the view reaches as far as the Black Forest and the Vosges. The visit is part of the Discovery Tour and is included in your ticket.
Discovery Tour stops and how long they take
The tour is included in the ticket. The durations are the approximate times given for each stop.
| Stop | Time | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Sphinx terrace | About 15 min | Lift to 3,571 m, view of the Aletsch Glacier |
| Plateau | About 15 min | Snow field outside, snow and ice all year |
| Ice Palace | About 15 min | Corridors in the glacier, around −3 °C, ice sculptures |
| Alpine Sensation | About 15 min | 250 m corridor from the Sphinx hall to the Ice Palace |
| 360° cinema | 5 min | Short film |
| Alpine Glow | 5 min | Light and sound show |
| Lindt shop | About 10 min | Chocolate shop, see below |
Added together, the stops take a little over an hour. Allow more if you want to eat or walk further on the plateau. The Snow Fun Park (zip line, tubing, ski and snowboard) is a separate activity of about 45 minutes. Its 2026 season ended on 18 October, and the 2027 season has not been published yet.
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The view and the research station
What you see from the terrace, and what goes on in the building behind you.
South: the glacier
The Aletsch Glacier flows away to the south. It is 22 kilometres long and up to 900 metres thick. This is the view most visitors come for.
Aletsch Glacier →Far views
In very clear weather you can see the Black Forest and the Vosges. In cloud you see little, so check the forecast and the webcams before you buy a ticket.
Best time to visit →Research station
The observatory is an international research station. The terrace is the part open to visitors on the Discovery Tour.
Restaurants and shops
Jungfraujoch lists four restaurants and two bars. These are the ones named for 2026.
Aletsch Self
Self-order restaurant for a quick meal.
Crystal
À la carte restaurant.
Bollywood
Indian and vegetarian food.
Pikantus Lounge by Erdinger
A lounge.
The Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven is advertised as the highest Lindt shop in the world. A souvenir shop, the Top of Europe Shop, is nearby. Lower down, the Eigergletscher station has a restaurant and a bistro. We could not verify opening hours of individual venues, so check them at the station when you arrive.
Altitude sickness and clothing
The station is at 3,454 metres, so a few precautions are worth it.
Altitude sickness
It can start from about 2,500 metres. If you feel unwell, go down quickly. Drink plenty of water or tea, because you lose about 200 ml of fluid an hour through breathing. Move calmly and avoid stress, alcohol and nicotine.
Who should ask a doctor
Ask a doctor first if you have heart or circulation problems, shortness of breath or anaemia. The trip is not recommended after a stroke, with severe asthma or COPD, or with a cold or fever, because of the pressure change.
What to wear
Dress in layers. Bring a jacket, closed shoes, a hat, gloves, sunglasses against snow blindness and sun cream, even in bad weather. Children get cold faster than adults.
Planning your time at the top
How to fit the stops into a day.
Early start
The first train from Interlaken Ost leaves at 7:04 and reaches the top at 8:41 on the fast route. In high summer there is also a 6:34 train, arriving at 8:11. Early arrivals give you the best chance of a clear terrace.
Order of stops
Start with the Sphinx terrace while the view is clear, then do the plateau and the Ice Palace. Keep the shop and the restaurant for the end.
Going down
Trains leave the Jungfraujoch every 30 minutes during the day. The last descent depends on the date, so check the timetable before you plan your final stop.
Sphinx Observatory: frequently asked questions
How high is the Sphinx terrace?
3,571 metres. The Jungfraujoch station itself is at 3,454 metres, so the lift covers 108 metres.
How long is the lift ride?
25 seconds. Plan about 15 minutes for the whole terrace visit.
Is the Sphinx terrace included in the ticket?
Yes. The Sphinx terrace is one of the stops of the Discovery Tour, which is included in the ticket for the Jungfraujoch.
How long should I plan for the whole Jungfraujoch?
The Discovery Tour stops add up to a little over an hour. Official advice is to plan a full day trip, including the train ride up and down.
Can I get altitude sickness at the Jungfraujoch?
It can happen from about 2,500 metres. Drink enough, move slowly and go back down if you feel unwell.