Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn: A Detailed Comparison

Choosing the Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn can be a challenge.

These mountains sit across from one another with the Lauterbrunnen Valley sitting in between. And they both offer quite a different experience.

Here is a quick rundown if you are short on time:

Below, I discuss the costs, things to do, and more to help you save time researching the best choice for your trip.

Join me as I provide a detailed comparison so you can choose between Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn on your next visit to Switzerland.

Jungfraujoch

Jungfraujoch is a saddle between the two mountains, Jungfrau and Monch, in the Jungfrau region of the Bernese Alps, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is known as the top of Europe, and it sits at 3,454 meters above sea level but it is not the highest peak in the Swiss Alps, which is a little confusing.

From Jungfraujoch, you get incredible views of the region along with the famous Aletsch glacier, and being so high, the area is covered in snow all year round.

It is a stunning day trip that is one of a kind, which makes it extremely popular for anyone staying in Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Interlaken, Lucerne, and even Zurich.

How To Get To Jungfraujoch

So, how do you get to the top of a Swiss mountain? Well, in Switzerland it is not that hard as this country is prepared for these kinds of things. You also have two options to choose from, and you can do one on the way up, and another on the way down if you like.

The Trains

There are two routes via train that go from either:

• Lauterbrunnen via Wengen
• Grindelwald

No matter where you are beginning your journey, you are going to have to get to the Kleine Scheidegg train station. This is the junction of the two train routes from either Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald.

When you reach Kleine Scheidegg, hop on the iconic red Jungfraubahn, a cogwheel train that will take you up to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe.

The train takes 44 minutes to get to Jungfraujoch, and most of the journey is through a dark tunnel built through the Eiger mountain way back 1912.

Just before you reach Jungfraujoch, the train stops at Eismeer Station for a few minutes where you can see spectacular views of the peaks of Eiger and Monch.

Loop via Cable Car & Train

Your other option is to get to Grindelwald Terminal and hop on the Eiger Express cableway, which takes you up to Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher in German) train station, where you then catch the Jungfraubahn train.

The train then takes you up to Jungfraujoch from there.

This option is lovely. The cable car ride provides panoramic views of Grindelwald and the surrounding mountains, and the views only get better as you increase in altitude.

This is also a much faster route to Jungfraujoch if you are traveling from or via Interlaken or Grindelwald cutting the journey time down by more than 40 minutes.

It also makes sense to go this way up, and then descend via Wengen/Lauterbrunnen so you get a complete other view on your way down. You could also catch the train down from Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald, but the view is much the same as the faster gondola.

Completing The Loop

I always recommend to people who are not in a hurry to do the complete loop.

This means taking the cable car (Eiger Express) one way and then the train to/from Lauterbrunnen the other way.

It is especially recommended when you want to see both Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen in one day.

Booking is a little more complex on the Jungfrau website as they do not typically offer it “out of the box”. But if you click on “Other Departure Locations” you can arrange it after choosing your departure point.

So, you choose Interlaken Ost as you starting point (as this is necessary to complete the loop)

• Quick Route (Eiger Express from Grindelwald Terminal) one way
• Traditional route via Lauterbrunnen

Then you can see both sides of Kleine Scheidegg and both Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen all in one trip!

Things To Do At Jungfraujoch

See The Aletsch Glacier From The Sphinx Observatory

The Aletsch Glacier is a UNESCO World Heritage site on its own and you can view it best from the Sphinx Observatory on Jungfraujoch.

The Sphinx Observatory has a viewing platform 108 meters high and you get up there by elevator, not stairs, thank god.

From the top, you can see the 23-kilometer long 2 km wide Aletsch Glacier. It is a view of note and one you are not likely to forget anytime soon. The amazing views of the surrounding mountains are also incredible from up on the observation deck.

Visit The Ice Palace & Ice Cave

On the top of Jungfraujoch is the stunning Ice Palace which is full of beautiful ice carvings that are worth seeing. You can also go into a cave made of ice which is another unique experience Jungfraujoch offers.

Learn About The History Of Tourism In The Alps At Alpine Sensation

If you are into trains or want to learn about the Alps and how tourism developed here, Alpine Sensation has you covered. It is in a long 250-meter tunnel, and it runs through how tourism was made possible in the Alps, the infrastructure, and more.

Enjoy the Snow and Adventures In The Snow Park

Jungfraujoch has snow all year round which means you get to play on the snow, even in the summer. You can ski, go snow tubing, and sled around the snow fun park, but this does come at an extra price.

Or do some of the other fun adventure activities

Imagine skiing in July at the Top of Europe on a glacier, how cool is that?

Have Lunch Or Drinks At The Restaurants

You will find a few restaurant options at Jungfraujoch, which might surprise you. There are three in total, and two of them are always open. Enjoy a delicious lunch or a drink with a spectacular view.

Hike To Mönchsjochhütte

Mönchsjochhütte is a mountain hut used as a base for climbers and hikers trying to climb the surrounding peaks. You can follow a hiking trail to Mönchsjochhütte from Jungfraujoch if you are brave enough and know what you are doing, it is a great adventure!

Stop Off At Other Stations

You can, of course, stop at other stations on the way up to or down from Jungfraujoch. There are restaurants at Eiger Glacier and Kleine Scheidegg. You can also do some great hikes, a good one is down from Eiger Glacier to Kleine Scheidegg.

Cost To Visit Jungfraujoch

Generally speaking, a trip to Jungfraujoch is not cheap and it will cost on average around CHF 200. If you are traveling from Interlaken in the high season, it will be more like CHF 240.

The cost of the train from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch is CHF 155 and from Grindelwald Terminal to Jungfraujoch via the cable car is CHF 214 in high season.

But, you can bring the price down in several ways.

• Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare holders get 25% off
• kids with a Junior Travel Card go for free.
• If you have a Jungfrau Travel Pass, then it will only cost you CHF 75, which is a significant discount.
• Berner Oberland Pass holders only pay 99 CHF

Good Morning Ticket

You can also save a lot of money even without any of the above passes if you get out of bed early.

Jungfraujoch allows anyone who travels on the first three trains in the morning to save big! Sure, you have to get up early, but you save a lot of money and avoid the crowds too.

Check out the good morning tickets

Time Needed To Visit Jungfraujoch

It is best to plan a full day for a visit to Jungfraujoch especially if you plan on doing any hiking or skiing or snow tubing when you are up there. One thing you should plan for is also acclimatization, as the air is thin so you will want to move slowly.

If you add lunch, seeing the glacier, and other experiences, you will undoubtedly want a full day, including travel time.

Schilthorn

Schilthorn is a peak on the other side of the Lauterbrunnen Valley from Jungfraujoch, and it sits above the car-free village of Mürren.

Schilthorn is not as high as Jungfraujoch and sits at 2970 meters above sea level. Once you are up there, you will be blown away by the panoramic views that feature over 200 different peaks of the Alps.

At the top, you will find a fantastic revolving restaurant in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, a James Bond Movie.

Day trips to Schilthorn are not as popular as visiting Jungfraujoch, so it is not as crowded.

How To Get To Schilthorn

There are two ways to get to Schilthorn: one is hiking to the peak (or back down), and the other is taking a series of cable cars.

You will have to get to the Stechelberg station, accessed via a bus from Lauterbrunnen station, so head there from Interlaken or if you are coming from elsewhere.

The first cable car ride is from S

• techelberg to Gimmelwald
• Gimmelwald to Mürren
• Mürren to Birg
• Birg to Schilthorn

This might sound like a hassle, but the changes are quick and require crossing from one cable car to the next.

Despite using multiple cable cars, the journey only takes 30 minutes. The view from each cable car is insane as you get panoramas across the Alps, and it only gets better with each cable car as you get higher.

There is a new cable car system being built that will go directly to Mürren, so you will only have to ride 3 cable cars instead of 2.

Things To Do At Schilthorn

Take In The Views From The Observation Deck

You will find some of the most spectacular views on the planet from the Schilthorn observation deck.

You will always be able to see the peaks of Monch, Eiger, and Jungfrau but on a clear day, the views reach the Jura Mountains, Mt Titlis, Germany’s Black Forest, and sometimes Mont Blanc if you are lucky!

And don’t forget the stunning lakes of Brienz and Thun. It is truly a view that you can not forget or capture with a camera.

Spy World & 007 Walk of Fame

Having been featured in James Bond, you can have a 007 experience at Schilthorn. At Spy World, you can hit the helicopter simulator, ride a virtual bobsleigh, and check out parts of the film in the cinema.

The 007 Walk of Fame has awesome views and you can learn about 007 along the way. There are also comfy rest spots where you can chill and just take in all the views too.

Have Lunch At Piz Gloria, The Revolving Restaurant

Piz Gloria was the first revolving restaurant on a mountain in the world. It takes 45 minutes to do one rotation. Just imagine having a delicious lunch while seeing a slow 360-degree view of the Alps from Schilthorn.

Be sure to reserve a table as this place books up quickly!

Skyline Walk

On the way down, stop at the intermediate stations, particularly Birg. The Skyline Walk lets you walk off a vertical abyss on a see-through floor. It is intense, but the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau are standing right before you.

The Thrill Walk

The Thrill Walk is a steel pathway attached to a cliff that you can hike around. There is also a tightrope, tunnel, and glass floor to get your adrenaline pumping.

Cost To Visit Schilthorn

The price to visit Schilthorn is much more affordable than Jungfraujoch and is almost 50% cheaper.

You can also hike back down to see incredible views and save 50% on your ticket.

From Interlaken, it is about CHF 120, and from Lauterbrunnen, about CHF 85. Discounts also apply, and you get 50% off with the Swiss Travel Pass and children go free with the Junior Card.

Time Needed To Visit Schilthorn

You will want to spend between 2 and 5 hours on Schilthorn, depending on what you would like to do. If you want to do it all and have a solid lunch at the restaurant, 4-5 hours is about right.

Without any hikes or lunch, you can do it in 2 to 3 hours plus travel time up and down.

Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn: Verdict

So, which one is right for you, Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn? They are both awesome in their own rights, but there are some key differences.

The journey to Schilthorn is

• less time-consuming
• gives views the whole way up
• way more affordable

Also, Schilthorn is often less crowded and the views are more spectacular. And if you love James Bond, then that’s a plus too.

The Jungfraujoch offers

• a more unique experience on a train
• a view of both the Grindelwald and Aletsch glaciers up close
• time in the snow 365 days a year
• a hike across a glacier to the mountain hut
• ice sculptures in an ice cave

But, the extra costs, crowds, and extra time to get to Jungfraujoch make it a hard one to choose for me.

Overall, I would personally choose Schilthorn if I had to, but doing both would of course be ideal!