Last updated: . Clarified Jungfraujoch routes and reservations, dated fares and seasonal access, altitude and outdoor-planning cautions, and linked travel resources while preserving the family’s past visits and captions. Date information added October 31, 2026.
A family-visit guide, with route and planning details checked in October 2026. First published October 25, 2022, this story includes our summer and winter visits, weather frustrations and second-visit sledding-ticket memory. Those visits are not dated here. The photos and captions preserve past experiences; displays, fares, routes and outdoor access can change.
Book the right journey: Jungfraujoch is Europe’s highest railway station at 3,454 metres, not Europe’s highest accessible point. The Eiger Express changes to the train at Eigergletscher. A valid travel ticket and any required reservation are separate: the operator makes reservations mandatory May 1–October 31, 2026. Check the current rule for your visit and plan for altitude as well as weather.
If you plan to visit a “postcard in real life,” as I like to say it, and make your way to Switzerland with kids, you will likely want to see the Top Of Europe above the valleys reached from Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen. Rest assured, the Swiss have done excellent planning and work for this attraction and how to get there. However, I’ve compiled my most helpful hints to assist your next family visit to enjoy the many activities, overwhelming beauty surrounding you, and a few modes of transportation to get you to the top.
The Swiss Alps, famed for their beauty, height, and snow, have been recognized by many of us from childhood, and for a good reason. These impressive peaks will shock you with their jagged mountains, massive glaciers, waterfalls, and sheer drops and humble your sense of nature.
No trip to the Swiss Alps would be complete without seeing them from the top! While Jungfraujoch, or The Top Of Europe attraction, is not the highest point you can visit, it delights young and old with the Aletsch Glacier, seasonal outdoor activities, lush valley views or snow-covered mountains, and more.
Watch our original Jungfraujoch family short on YouTube.
*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Opinions shared are my own, and I only endorse products I support. By clicking on any of the links below, I may get a small commission if you purchase at absolutely no additional charge to you. I appreciate your support.*
A stunning feat of engineering, this marvel has been open since 1912, when the first train ride was completed after a fascinating history of bringing it from imagination to reality. It took 16 years to finish and dig out of a mountain. It serves Jungfraujoch, which the operator identifies as Europe’s highest railway station.
The complex offers various attractions to spend the day. Take in the sweeping views of the Alps and the Aletsch Glacier, described by the operator as the longest glacier in the Alps. Glacier measurements change, so our old fixed length and thickness are not planning facts. Or head inside for various attractions and delights. There are also outdoor offerings.
Getting to the Top Of Europe takes some time and planning. The journey consists of several legs, and you have options for getting there.
Balance weather flexibility with availability. I used to recommend waiting to buy, but busy dates and timed reservations can limit that flexibility. Check the forecast, ticket conditions and availability together rather than assuming you can always book at the last minute.
The views offer the most delight at the top, and a sweeping blizzard or thick fog will completely block your view. It’s best to closely monitor the weather and pick the best option during your stay in this magical part of the world.
You can purchase tickets directly from the Top Of Europe Website. Their trip planner helps compare routes and connections. Check the current ticket and pass conditions for your starting point and every child’s age.
Ask the operator or a staffed ticket office which current fare applies to your family. Do not assume every local hotel sells discounted tickets. A guide or a staff explanation may help if the different legs feel confusing.
Compare current offers and any eligible rail-card reductions; prices and conditions change.
On our second visit, the train station helped us book an all-day sledding ticket to combine with the Jungfrau Railway. That made our visit more affordable then. The date and package are not specified here, so treat it as a past memory and ask whether anything similar exists for your dates.
Travel to this attraction often begins in the towns of Interlaken or Grindelwald, and your journey may come from cities like Zurich or Lucerne. We enjoy the train journeys, while delays and missed connections still need a little buffer time.
For the Eiger Express route, travel from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald Terminal. Follow the destination boards and ask staff which service and carriage to use. Do not rely on a remembered front-or-back train position.
The Eiger Express takes about 15 minutes from Grindelwald Terminal to Eigergletscher (Eiger Glacier). That is where you change to the Jungfrau Railway, not Kleine Scheidegg.
For the classic railway route, continue to Grindelwald village station, or travel via Lauterbrunnen and Wengen, then take the Wengernalp Railway to Kleine Scheidegg. Use the operator’s route planner for the day’s connections.
This ride is one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world and has a couple of stops along the way that you can explore if you have time. Skiers utilize this train in winter with their skis to get up and down the mountain.
Kleine Scheidegg is the interchange on the classic railway route. The Eiger Express route changes at Eigergletscher instead. Keep those two interchanges separate when planning your journey and return.
Continue on the Jungfrau Railway through the mountain. The operator lists about 26 minutes for the tunnel journey from Eigergletscher; allow longer from Kleine Scheidegg. The Eismeer viewpoint stop is normally five minutes but can be omitted, including when trains are delayed.
The luxury train astounds with how fast it ascends inside the mountains, and video clips showcase some of the histories of the railway.
Staying overnight in Grindelwald before your trip to the Top Of Europe is ideal for saving some travel time on the day of your visit. Grindelwald is quite magical and has shot to the top of our list of favorite European cities. We love this quaint town, the warm, lovely restaurants, fun activities, and the set at the base of stunning, snow-capped peaks.
Grindelwald village station and Grindelwald Terminal are different stops. Choose the one for your route: village station for the classic railway, Terminal for the Eiger Express. Check the timetable instead of assuming the gondola starts in the village centre.
As already stated, weather is critical to your visit. While there are many things to do on the Top Of Europe, the views are still the main attraction, and a white-out storm will dampen the experience.
The weather is different than in the valley, so it’s best to check some live webcams and weather predictions like this site, along with the operator’s live webcams and conditions.
I would keep a generous part of the day free for the journey and our family’s pace. Even if you are staying in Grindelwald, the experience lasts several hours.
Coming from another city, like Interlaken or farther, can mean several hours of travel to the top.
An early departure can leave more time for connections and activities, but it does not guarantee clear weather or shorter queues. Choose according to the forecast and your reserved travel times.
There is no single 90-minute plan that covers everything for every family. Leave time for slower walking, children’s breaks and your return connection; outdoor activities need additional time and suitable conditions.
Lines can be long at busy times. Timed reservations and the day’s operating plan matter more than an assumption that morning is always quiet.
If you find long lines, ask staff which queue matches your booking. There are several approach routes; everyone continues to Jungfraujoch on the Jungfrau Railway. A different approach does not guarantee a way around queues.
Our original activity links below mix summit attractions, the Eiger Express approach and the Eismeer en-route stop. Check what is operating on your date; this is not a list of everything included in one admission:
The vistas and attractions are well worth a visit. We loved the snowy peaks and incredible views but had to visit twice because of the weather! A blizzard steals away many of the joys of a visit, so be sure to watch the weather predictions beforehand.
These original hotel links are starting points for comparing a base in Grindelwald or Interlaken, not proof that we stayed at each property. Several retain old dates in their affiliate URLs; reset your dates and confirm family occupancy, current names, transport and terms.
Did I make you even more excited to travel to Switzerland and see the Top Of Europe with your family? 🙂
Xoxo,
Leslie
Book your next flight to Europe with Booking.com, Skyscanner, Kiwi.com, or Expedia
Thinking about where to stay? Find great hotel deals on Expedia, Vrbo, and Booking.com (we also love Tripadvisor!)
Explore tour options from GetYourGuide (this original affiliate link is a Milan–Como–Lugano–Bellagio day tour, not a Jungfraujoch visit), Airbnb Experiences, or Viator
Need a car? Visit Rentalcars.com
Compare current family travel-insurance cover and eligibility with World Nomads
Want to have a photo shoot while traveling? Check out flytographer!
Capture your best memories at Jungfraujoch-Top Of Europe with a GoPro, Sony camera, or our favorite drones: DJI FPV, Air, and Mini
Check out other travel necessities for your trip from a comprehensive list of all the 7Wayfinders Travel Must-Haves. Click Here!
10 Important Things To Know When Traveling From Italy to Switzerland By Train
Our Review Of All Disney Parks In The World
10 Tips For Surviving Jet Lag When Traveling With Kids
Facebook
Pinterest
Youtube
6 Comments