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During our visit to Switzerland we took a whole day out to visit Jungfraujoch which is a very popular tourist attraction in this region. But even with all the crowds it's definitely worth a visit! We drove to the Zweilutschinen train station where we parked the car as you can park there for free (not sure if this is still in effect). From here we took the train to Lauterbrunnen where we got off the train to take the train to Kleine Scheidegg. Once we were at Kleine Scheidegg we had to get off again and hop on the Jungfraubahn, the train to Jungfraujoch. Jungfraujoch is the train station inside of the Eiger mountain and it is the highest train station in Europe with an elvation of 3,454m/11,333ft. It was very busy on the trains because everybody wanted to take advantage of this beautiful weather after having a few rainy days. So be prepared that it can be quite busy.
During the trip from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch the train enters a tunnel that was created within the Eiger and Monch. The train has to overcome an elevation gain of about 1,400m/4,600ft, so it goes fairly slow. On the way to Jungfraujoch there are a couple of stops so you can get out and a look through huge windows created in the mountain wall to see the Eiger glacier and the Eiger wand (a straight mountain wall popular with mountain climbers). Once we arrived at Jungfraujoch we were able to visit different areas through a set of tunnels. Up here it’s like winter forever…it was 0 Celsius (32 Fahrenheit) which is freezing and there is snow everywhere you look. The day before it was pretty cool outside and fresh snow had fallen here as well.
Up at Jungfraujoch there are several things to do and see. You can visit the Ice Palace which is created inside the Eiger Glacier, you can visit the sled dogs who can give you a fun ride on the snow up at Jungfraujoch. There are possibilities for skiing, snow walks and such. There are several areas to go outside onto the snow and glacier, the most interesting area was the Sphinx Observatory which is located even higher than Jungfraujoch. This Sphinx Observatory is located at an elevation of 3,571m/11,760ft. The views from the Sphinx Observatory were amazing, you could walk out on a big platform and see for miles and miles in the distance, the mountains were up close and you could also see the amazing Aletsch Glacier which is the longest one in Europe with a length of 25km (15.5mi). Inside Jungfraujoch there were a couple of restaurants, a gift shop of course and big windows for viewing the surrounding mountains and beautiful scenery.
Definitely a must if you are in the area!
We had a Bernese Oberland Pass with 3 free travel days. This day was one of our free travel days, so we took the train from Zweilutschinen via Lauterbrunnen to get to Kleine Scheidegg where we took the Jungfraubahn train. On the way back the Jungfraubahn would go back to Kleine Scheidegg, but from there we took the train to Grindelwald instead of Lauterbrunnen. From Grindelwald we took another train back to Zweilutschinen, so we made a big loop which was nice as we saw different scenery this way. We only had to pay for the Jungfraubahn and that was 50% off because we had that Bernese Oberland pass. All the other train rides were free as we enjoyed a free travel day.
Updated Feb 1, 2012
Website: http://www.jungfrau.ch/en/tourism/places-to-visit/
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The Jungfrau region offer hundreds kilometers of hiking trails in a unique landascape.
You could combine your walk with the local transportation as train or cable cars to help you to reach easily the top or to take a rest.
Have a look to the local map to decide which trail to choose according to your fit level and time availability.
Enjoy your Alpine walk and views ;-)
Updated Apr 4, 2011
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What a delight for train lovers with all these alpine railways. During your journey you will enjoy the great landscape, you just need to choose your destination...
The Bernese Oberland Railway (BOB) linked Interlaken Ost railway station to Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen. A modern, straight-track shuttle service is operated with two train compositions usually coupled together to travel to Zweilütschinen where they are then split. One train travels to Grindelwald in 35 minutes, the other to Lauterbrunnen in 20 minutes.
The Wengernalp Railway is a cogwheel railway which links Lauterbrunnen, Wengen (a traffic-free village) to Kleine Scheidegg in 45 minutes and on the other side Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald in 30 minutes. Kleine Scheidegg railway station at 2,061m offer train services to JungfrauJoch, Grindelwald, Wengen/Lauterbrunnen and the local skiing area in Winter.
The Jungfrau Railway is the only Swiss private railway company which is profitable... you could easily understand this fact by the unique offer and price ;-) Since 1912, this first mountain railways operates all year-round from Kleine Scheidegg to the European highest railway station Jungfraujoch (3,454m). You will travel in the heart of the Eiger and Mönch through a 7km long tunnel, two intermediate stations, Eigerwand and Eismeer, will offer you panoramic views thanks to windows carved in the rocks. After a 50minutes train trip you will reach the top and enjoy a sunny and snowy experience ;-)
Insider tip: Have a look to my transportation tip to get good value pass ;-)
Updated Apr 4, 2011
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What a great way to relax and enjoy the alpine view surroundings the lake.
The fleet is quite modern but for nostalgic two historic paddle steamers are still cruising: the Blümlisalp on Lake Thun and Lötschberg on Lake Brienz.
During my cruise the crew members were really efficient and obliging. I could order some refresment from the rear deck to the barman, I was serve in the minute! The captain was at time to my destination, the Swiss punctuality legend is safe, once again ;-)
My insider tip: Cruise on Mondays
For the entire season (7 May to 8 October 2007), you'll be able travel onboard luxury liners and authentic steamers the whole day every Monday for the special price of CHF 25.- (in 2nd class instead of CHF 50.-!) or CHF 35.- (in 1st class instead of CHF 70.-!).
There's also a daily menu from the on-board galley for only CHF 15.-.
Departures from Interlaken West (Thun Lake) or Ost (Brienz Lake).
Enjoy your Swiss cruise!!!
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Lake Thun and Lake Brienz
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As if jumping out of an airplane before I ate breakfast or even had a cup of coffee wasn't wild enough. Watching the Swiss Alps surround me as I flew through the air was truely amazing. If your going to come to Interlaken go skydiving, or at least bungy jumping. Also, if you really want a rush, skydive out of a helicopter, it's a whole different world.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Ask at the Funny Farm
Phone: +41 (0) 79 652 61 27
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Another recommendable activity for those that don't go climbing mountains is a boat cruise in either lakes Thun or Brienz. That's a great opportunity to watch the lanscape and tour the castles and churches around them. You can see http://www.bls.ch for more info, or
http://www.thunersee.ch/en/som/aus_sch.asp, for anything concerning lake Thun.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
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After Hang gliding, bernie and Ed will probably recommend you to go to Art Pizza.
But heck, why wait for them to recommend it?? Just go check it out yourself! They serve the cheapest pizza in town, and it is no exaggeration. 10 SF for a large pizza, which those with small appetities may even find too big to handle. Their pizzas are freshly baked and the staff are a friendly bunch. I had my pizza after hang gliding, and well there is a little reason why one should eat there after hang gliding and I will leave it to the Hang gliding guys to explain why. It's got to do with a special unlisted item on the menu. I had that along with another regular pizza with artichokes, it was a hearty meal which didnt burn a hole in my pocket. Hardly believable if you actually been to Switzerland and know what the food prices are like, but believe me.
If you are interested, it's at Unterseen. Or just ask the hang gliding guys how to find it.
Updated Sep 13, 2010
Address: Hauptstrasse 59, Unterseen.
Phone: 033 821 6785
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If you are well-travelled and have seen the grandeur of natural landforms and the beauty of architecture in other parts of the world (such as Jiu Zai Gou in China and the Prague Castle), then all I can say is, ditch all your ideas of visiting the lakes and the castles or historical sites at Interlaken. The one thing that you must try however is hang gliding (if you have not tried anything like it before). Paragliding is heavily marketed in Interlaken, but believe me, Hang gliding is the real deal. There are ppl who have tried both and most of them preferred hang gliding. Why? 1) hang gliding gives you the sensation of true flying, cos you are "lying down" instead of sitting up like in Paragliding. 2) hang gliding is enjoyable in most weather conditions, while the paragliders have it difficult even in normal windy conditions. (I witnessed a tandem paraglider not being able to take off when I took off perfectly while doing tandem hang gliding).
To be fair, lake Thun and Lake Brienz are nice, and certainly the Jungfrau mountains are a Unesco site for a reason. But in hang gliding, you get a bird's eye view of EVERYTHING! so unless you really want to physically be on the Jungfrau or the lakes, there is no compelling reason why you would need to choose them over hang gliding. of course, if you have the luxury of time, go ahead and do everything. In short, hang gliding is a must-do at Interlaken. (A 70 yr old man did it just before I flew; granted, he was a bit of a daredevil, but that shows it almost physically possible for all ages). It's time to fly, people!
Written Sep 3, 2010
Address: The hang gliders pick you up from all hotels
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Many people who pay a short visit to Interlaken take a walk on its main street, the Höheweg, they notice the many shops, the restaurants and cafes, the crowd of tourists, and come to the conclusion that they don't like Interlaken very much.
A change of route would probably be enough to make them (or at least some of them) change their mind.
For instance a walk by the river Aare can be very pleasant. It is quiet, the view is beautiful and you see plenty of picturesque houses and gardens along the way, not to mention the even more picturesque locks of the river.
Updated Aug 15, 2010
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Switzerland as a whole is renowned for what seems to be an endless profusion of beautiful flowers. In summer and spring especially, there are flowers on or around just about every building and street. The gardens of Interlaken are particularly colourful and beautifully designed. A photographer's dream come true.
Updated Jul 10, 2010
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