Two routes to the Jungfraujoch
All trains to the Jungfraujoch end with the same last leg: the Jungfrau Railway from Eigergletscher or Kleine Scheidegg through the tunnel in the Eiger and the Mönch. What differs is how you reach that point. From Interlaken Ost you choose between the Eiger Express gondola via Grindelwald and the mountain railway via Lauterbrunnen and Wengen.
The fast route is the better default. The classic route is slower, but it passes Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg and makes a good second leg for the way back. The timetable data on this page comes from the operator's 2026 timetable. Check the exact connection on the day you travel.
Fast route and classic route compared
Times from the 2026 timetable, including the change at each station. Sample dates were in October, November and December.
| Leg | Fast route | Classic route |
|---|---|---|
| Interlaken Ost to the valley station | BOB to Grindelwald Terminal, 29 min | BOB to Lauterbrunnen, 22 min |
| Valley to the pass | Eiger Express to Eigergletscher, 15 min (18 min in the timetable) | Wengernalpbahn via Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg, 38 min (Lauterbrunnen to Wengen alone is 11 min) |
| Last leg to the top | Jungfrau Railway from Eigergletscher, 26 min (28 min with the Eismeer stop) | Jungfrau Railway from Kleine Scheidegg, 43 to 44 min |
| Total from Interlaken Ost | 1 h 37 min | 2 h 7 min |
| Return price, summer 2026 | CHF 271.20 from Interlaken Ost on either route, including the CHF 10 reservation | |
From other starting points the timetable gives these times to the top: Grindelwald Terminal 56 to 66 minutes including the change, Grindelwald village about 1 hour 25 minutes, Wengen 1 hour 25 minutes and Lauterbrunnen about 1 hour 40 minutes. The operator advertises 45 minutes from Grindelwald Terminal, which is the ride time without the change.
Jungfraujoch tours from Interlaken
If you do not want to plan the connections yourself, guided day trips and combined tickets run from Interlaken, Zurich and Lucerne. Live prices and availability.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
A round trip that uses both routes
Go up one way and come down the other. You see two sides of the mountain for the same trip.
Up: Eiger Express
Take the early train to Grindelwald Terminal, ride the gondola to Eigergletscher and the Jungfrau Railway to the top. It is the quickest way to the top.
Eigergletscher →Down: Kleine Scheidegg
Return by Jungfrau Railway to Kleine Scheidegg and continue by Wengernalpbahn to Lauterbrunnen, then by train to Interlaken Ost.
Kleine Scheidegg →Sample timing
On 15 August the timetable showed this chain: leave the top at 15:45, Kleine Scheidegg 16:24, Lauterbrunnen 17:25, Interlaken Ost 17:54. Whether the price differs from a plain return ticket from your start point is not confirmed, so ask when you buy.
Ticket prices →First and last trains
The Jungfraujoch is open 365 days a year. These times come from sample dates in 2026.
First departure
07:04 from Interlaken Ost, arriving at the top at 08:41. In high summer, in the samples from 1 July to 10 August, an extra train leaves at 06:34 and arrives at 08:11.
Last descent
Trains leave the top every 30 minutes during the day. The last departure was 18:15 on 15 August (Interlaken Ost 19:54), 17:45 on 24 October, 16:41 on 10 November and 16:45 on 16 December.
Good Morning Ticket
Valid from 1 May to 31 October 2026 on the first two connections, 07:04 and 07:34 from Interlaken Ost via Grindelwald Terminal, with the descent by 13:17 at the latest. It cannot be combined with a Half Fare Card or other passes. A winter version was not announced.
Ticket prices →Autumn 2026: line closures
Three lines close for maintenance. The Jungfrau Railway itself kept running on every sample date until the end of December.
| Dates in 2026 | Line closed | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 26 October to 6 November | Wengernalpbahn Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg | Use the Eiger Express or the Wengen side |
| 9 to 20 November | Eiger Express | Trains to the top run only via Grindelwald and Kleine Scheidegg, about 1 h 58 min from Interlaken Ost |
| 9 November to 4 December | Wengernalpbahn Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg | The classic route via Wengen is not available |
Spring 2027 maintenance dates are not yet confirmed. Look at the timetable before you book a specific day.
Getting to Interlaken Ost, parking and access
From Lucerne
A direct train reaches Interlaken Ost in 1 hour 48 minutes, every hour.
From Zurich
On 16 December the timetable showed a direct train from Zurich HB in 1 hour 57 minutes. In October and November the trip needed a change and took 2 hours 2 minutes to 2 hours 44 minutes. A total time from Zurich or Lucerne to the top is not confirmed, so check a full connection in the timetable.
Parking
The operator recommends Park+Ride Matten near Interlaken for day guests. At Grindelwald Terminal the multi-storey car park has 1,032 spaces and costs CHF 15 for 2 to 24 hours.
Accessibility
The fast route is step-free all the way. On the route via Kleine Scheidegg, wheelchair users must register by phone in advance.
Jungfraujoch from Interlaken: frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Interlaken to the Jungfraujoch?
About 1 hour 37 minutes via Grindelwald Terminal and the Eiger Express, or about 2 hours 7 minutes via Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg.
Which route is better?
The fast route saves half an hour and is step-free. The classic route is slower but scenic, and works well as the return leg of a round trip.
What time is the first train?
07:04 from Interlaken Ost on all sample dates, with an extra 06:34 train in high summer. The first connection reaches the top at 08:41 or 08:11.
Can I do a round trip on a different route?
Yes, the timetable allows it, for example up by Eiger Express and down via Kleine Scheidegg and Lauterbrunnen. Check the last connections and the autumn closures first.
Where can I park?
At Park+Ride Matten near Interlaken or at the Grindelwald Terminal car park, which costs CHF 15 for 2 to 24 hours.