Jungfrau Railway & Train | History, Highlights & More
Jungfraujoch Railway | Knowledge Graph
- Official name: Jungfraujoch Railway / Jungfrau Railway / Jungfraubahn
- Address: 3801 Fieschertal, Switzerland
- Date of opening: 21st of February, 1912
- Timings: Jungfraujoch Railway is open daily from 8 A.M to 4:20 P.M
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: 2001
- Number of visitors per year: 1 million
Plan Your Jungfrau Train Experience
Address: 3823 Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
The starting point of the Jungfrau Railway is the station of Kleine Scheidegg, located in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. On its route, the train passes by Eigergletscher Station, Eigerwand Station, and Eismeer Station.
The train makes a five-minute stop en route at the station Eismeer. You are free to disembark the train for the short duration and take in the views.
Getting to Jungfraujoch
The Jungfrau Railway is open year-round., including weekends and public holidays. The train runs from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
The first train departs from Kleine Scheidegg at 9:30 AM, while the last train leaves at 3:30 PM. The first return train departs from the top of Jungfraujoch at 10:13 AM, while the last train leaves at 4:13 PM.
Duration: The Jungfraujoch train takes 35 minutes to travel between Kleine Scheidegg and the top of Jungfraujoch.
Jungfraujoch Opening HoursHighlights of Riding the Junfrau Train
Riding the Highest Railway Line in Europe
As the train ascends through the Swiss Alps, the panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, and pristine glaciers, are simply mesmerizing. As you make the exhilarating journey crossing towering viaducts through tunnels, the crisp alpine air, and the scent of pine trees, create a sensory symphony that lingers in your memory long after the journey ends. Riding this engineering marvel is a true bucket-list adventure that will leave you in awe of the natural beauty of Switzerland.
Breathtaking Alpine Views
As the train chugs its way up to the summit, you will be treated to awe-inspiring panoramic views of the Swiss Alps. The majestic peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau tower above you, while the Aletsch Glacier stretches out below, an immense river of ice winding its way through the valleys against the endless expanse of blue skies. The train passes through tunnels and over bridges, offering glimpses of stunning mountain vistas at every turn.
Passing Through the Jungfrau Tunnel
There are three tunnels on the Jungfrau railway line, which make up 80% of the entire length of the route. The longest of these tunnels is the 7 km-long tunnel between the Eiger and Mönch mountains, known as the Jungfrau tunnel. It was built over a century ago over a course of 16 years and plays an instrumental in providing access to the Jungfraujoch. It also helps protect the line from snow and extreme weather.
Ascending 1400m in 35 Minutes
Embark the Jungfrau Railway and ascend a jaw-dropping 1400 meters (4593 feet) to reach the Top of Europe in just 35 minutes. Take in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Swiss Alps along the way. The railway line has a steep incline, and the train moves at a steady pace, providing passengers with the opportunity to enjoy the panoramic views from their seats. The train ride uphill provides a thrilling experience, as the landscape gradually transforms before your eyes.
Midway Stop at Eismeer station
During its ascent to the summit, the train briefly stops for five minutes to allow passengers to enjoy the stunning views from the midway station — the Eismeer Station. It is located at an elevation of 2,587 meters and has a unique combination of being both an open-air observation platform and a fully enclosed train stop. The Eismeer provides access to windows on the east face of the Eiger, with a view overlooking the Eismeer, which is also known as the "sea of ice."
Visiting Europe’s Highest Railway Station
Visiting Jungfraujoch, Europe's Highest Railway Station, is the main highlight of riding the Jungfrau train. Located at an altitude of 3,454 meters, this destination is truly one of a kind. As you step out of the train, you will be surrounded by stunning panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and pristine alpine scenery. There is so much to explore here, including the Ice Palace, the Sphinx Observatory, and the snow park.
Things to Do at JungfraujochHistory of Jungfrau Railway
Initial Plans
The initial plans for a mountain railway to be constructed on the Jungfrau started in the 1860s but were not financially feasible. It was in 1893 that Swiss industrialist Adolf Guyer-Zeller came up with a feasible plan to lay a railway track through a tunnel connecting Kleine Scheidegg to the summit of the Jungfrau.
Construction
The construction began in 1896 and in two years the Eigergletscher railway station was opened at the foot of Mount Eiger. In 1899, the construction was stalled for a few months due to a strike that followed an on-site explosion, but construction resumed after. The Eigerwand station and Eismeer station were opened on the 28th of June, 1903, and the 25th of July, 1905, respectively.
Rennovations
In 1908, there was yet another explosion at the Eigerwand station. Finally, after sixteen years of work, the railway was completed on the 21st of February, 1912. The Jungfraujoch station was inaugurated on the 1st of August that year. The stations have undergone several extensions and new attractions have come up at the Jungfraujoch station in the years that followed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jungfrau Railway
The Jungfrau Railway is the highest railway line in Europe. It is a 9km long line that passes through the Jungfrau Tunnel connecting Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch - the top most accessible point in Europe.
The Jungfrau Railway is famous for being the highest railway line in Switzerland and the whole of Europe. It is known to be one of the most beautiful ways to reach Jungfraujoch - the top most accessible point in Europe.
The Jungfrau Railway is located in the Bernese Alps in Switzerland, connecting Kleine Scheidegg in the Bernese Oberland to the Jungfraujoch, which is the highest railway station in Europe.
Swiss entrepreneur Adolf Guyer-Zeller is the one who came up with the idea of constructing a railway tunnel to get to the top of Jungfrau.
The Jungfraujoch Railway opened on the 21st of February, 1912.
You can buy tickets for Jungfraujoch Railway from any of the stations en route. It is recommended to buy them online instead, to avoid waiting in long queues at the station.
It takes approximately 35 minutes to reach the summit of Jungfraujoch from Kleine Scheidegg, the starting point of the journey.
The journey from Interlaken to the Jungfraujoch on the Jungfrau train takes approximately 2 hours.
Yes, there is a midway stop at Eismeer station, located at an altitude of 2,587 meters. This provides access to windows on the east face of the Eiger, with a view overlooking the Eismeer.
