A journey to the top of the Jungfraujoch is a trip of a lifetime.
So, don’t ruin this fantastic experience by making some simple mistakes you can easily avoid.
The following seven mistakes are things I see tourists making that are easily avoided and can make a huge difference to their trip. Some of the later tips are even more important!
1. Not Seeing Anything (Literally NOTHING)
One of the things I remember most about my first trip to The Jungfraujoch when I was six was NOT seeing anything. Sure, we went to the ice cave, and I remember that well. But when we went to the observation deck, all we could see was fog!
The Jungfraujoch is extremely high and can sometimes be entirely shrouded in clouds. So, before you book your ticket, be sure to check the weather forecast for the coming day or, even better, the webcam on the morning you want to go.
Of course, if you only have one day, you may want to go anyway and risk it. But if you can ensure there is perfect visibility when you go, do it!
2. Going At The Wrong Time
You might want to sleep in or have a long breakfast at the hotel, but when planning a trip to the Jungfraujoch, time is of the essence.
If you head up the Jungfraujoch too late, you will find it extremely crowded at the top. During peak season, the trains may also be full.
The best time to go is as early as possible. The top is often quiet and the weather can also be clearer in the morning. There is also a cost factor, which I will explain a little later.
But, the early bird catches the worm!
3. Bringing The Wrong Clothes
The Jungfraujoch is the highest train station in Europe and is completely covered in snow and ice. So, it can often be cold and windy at the top, even if it is warm in the valley.
Always be prepared with various layers so you can put them on or take them off as the weather changes.
On top of that, if you head into the ice cave, you will find it is extremely, well….cold. After all, it is a tunnel of ice, with an ice floor. And it does not melt. So, it’s pretty darn cold!
Be prepared. You can see my recommended packing list and list of jackets here.
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4. Getting Out Of Breath
The altitude at the top of the Jungfraujoch is no joke, especially if you have not been up into the mountains beforehand. Although most people will not have a problem with it, except for a little shortness of breath, be prepared for the altitude gain.
If you have a relevant medical condition, be sure to consult your doctor. For anyone else, here is a helpful list of things to consider
Before you go
- Hydrate well – Drink plenty of water before and during your visit. Dehydration makes altitude effects worse.
- Avoid alcohol (and very salty or heavy meals) the day before and during your trip.
- Get some rest – Being well-rested helps your body cope with the lower oxygen levels.
- Ascend gradually if possible – Spending a night in places like Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, or Wengen first can make it easier than going straight from Interlaken.
While you’re there
- Take it slow – Don’t rush walking around. Even a few stairs can feel surprisingly tiring.
- Dress warmly – It’s often below freezing on top, even in summer, and the cold can add extra strain.
- Eat light snacks – Small, frequent snacks keep your energy stable.
- Find fresh air – If you feel uncomfortable indoors, step outside briefly (but stay warm).
- Listen to your body – If symptoms get worse (severe headache, nausea, dizziness), go back down.
Extras that may help
Oxygen bars/cannisters – At Jungfraujoch, you can buy small oxygen cans in the souvenir shop. They’re not essential but can give quick relief if you feel lightheaded.
Altitude tablets / remedies – Some travelers use Diamox (prescription), or natural options like Gingko biloba, but for Jungfraujoch’s altitude, most healthy people manage fine without medication.
5. Paying Too Much
One of the most expensive things you can do in Switzerland is go up the Jungfraujoch. It can cost you around $250 or more, if you don’t use my handy “discount tips” :>
Although, given that they have to maintain a train through a mountain and in the snow, it was certainly never going to be cheap!
However, there are a few ways you can save a pretty penny on the Jungfrau:
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- Good Morning Tickets – The first three very early trains up are quite a bit cheaper
- Use your Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card (save 30-40% from Interlaken)
- If you are longer in the region, consider a Berner Oberland Pass or Jungfrau Travel Pass
** Confused about all the train passes, why not grab my short guide on how to pick the right one for your trip.
6. Missing The Scenic Way Back
There are multiple ways up and down from the Jungfraujoch, and for the same price you can enjoy both!
So, instead of seeing the same views on both parts of the trip, why not make the most of your money and the journey:
- Go up via Grindelwald Terminal and the Eigergletscher, connecting to the Jungfrau train there.
- Come back, changing at Kleine Scheidegg and catching the train to Wengen and Lauterbrunnen.
The views down to Lauterbrunnen are stunning. You will thank me for it later!
The easiest way to organise this non-standard way back is to do it at a train station with the help of a pro.
But, you can also do it online via their website. Just be on the lookout for the small link (see above) at the bottom of the times they list where you can alter the journey manually.
7. Getting Burnt or Snow Blind
Last, but certainly not least is the opposite of being prepared for cold weather.
The sun!
There is a reason that mountaineers scaling Everest wear crazy sunglasses. The glare and reflection on snow at high altitudes can do some serious damage! Not to mention that the higher you go, the less protection the atmosphere provides from the sun.
So, in short:
- bring strong sunglasses
- wear very strong sunscreen
If you are just outside for 10 minutes, then ok, you can ignore that. But most of you will be outside for a lot longer and getting burnt at altitude can be far worse than a day out at the beach!
BONUS IDEAS
While spending a fortune going up to the highest train station in Switzerland, why not make the most of your journey, time, and money? Here are some ways to make the day even more enjoyable
Make The Most Of The Top
There are lots of things to enjoy at the top such as
- Sphinx Observation Deck
- The Ice Palace
- Lindt Chocolate Heaven
- Jungfrau Panorama – video
But the most fun (especially for those wanting some action) is at the Snow Fun Park where you can do
- Ziplining above the glacier
- Snow tubing
- Try a little skiing or snowboarding
For those with a little more time and fitness you can also walk to the stunningly situated Monchsjoch hutte as well.
Combine It With A Hike
There are so many stunning walks in the area that you can easily combine your trip up the Jungfrau with a walk.
- Walk down epic the Eiger Trail from Eigergletscher stop – this is a proper hike, although all downhill so not too strenuous and takes in the stunning Eiger from the bottom (showing you what the climbers see as they start their crazy ascent)
- An easier version of this same walk is to follow the gravel road downhill from Kleine Scheidegg to Alpeglen on the Via Alpina (1)
- A short walk uphill to the stunningly aqua Fallbodensee (20-30 min up)
4. Walk downhill to Wengen (or partway as there are train stops along the way) which takes about 2hrs walking time
Plan Your Trip to Switzerland
Accommodation: I always book my hotels via Booking.com. They have some of the best rates, longterm deals, easy cancellation and more 
Transport: Train travel is one of the best ways to explore Switzerland. Buying a Swiss Travel Pass is a great way to save money on travel and museums. 
Car Rental: Having a car gives you flexibility on your travels. I use RentalCars.com and Discover Cars to get the best deals on car rentals in Switzerland. 
Luggage Storage: Find out where you can store your store your luggage while you are visiting various places in Switzerland. 
Trips & Tours:Viator and Get Your Guide are the best places to find local tours and trips for your adventures in Switzerland. 
Packing: Here are my recommendations for what to pack for a trip to Switzerland. As someone who has lived half their life in Switzerland, I have a good idea of what you need to bring! 
I’m trying to buy tickets to go up Jungfraujoch but I’m not able to purchase a ticket with a different journey down. The default option is to go up the mountain & back down using the same transfer stops. How were you able to book yours?
Thanks!