Jungfraujoch Day Trip from Interlaken: Eiger Express & Ice Palace

Summary

Alpine railways, glacier tunnels and the quiet awe of Jungfrau

You’ll ride up through Grindelwald on the Eiger Express cable car, switch to a classic cogwheel train for sweeping Alpine views, walk inside shimmering glacier tunnels at the Ice Palace, and take in wild panoramas from the Sphinx Observatory—all with a local guide handling every detail so you can just soak it in.

What’s the experience like?

I’d heard people talk about the Jungfraujoch day trip from Interlaken like it was some kind of pilgrimage, but honestly, I just wanted to see what “Top of Europe” felt like. The morning started with that nervous-excited energy — you know when you’re not sure if you packed enough layers? Our guide, Daniel, greeted us at the shop in Interlaken with this big grin and a handful of languages. He checked everyone’s shoes (solid soles are a thing here), then we piled onto the coach. The drive up to Grindelwald felt almost unreal — cows with bells, mist curling off the grass, and Daniel pointing out which peaks were which. I kept mixing up Mönch and Jungfrau; he just laughed and said even locals do that sometimes.

The Eiger Express gondola is slick — glass everywhere, so you can’t really hide from those views even if you tried. At one point I pressed my forehead against the window (probably left a smudge) just to watch the cliffs rush by underneath. We switched to this old-school cogwheel train at Eiger Glacier station; it rattled and hummed through dark tunnels before suddenly bursting into white light near the top. Everyone went quiet for a second when we stepped out at Jungfraujoch. It’s cold — not biting, but dry and sharp enough that your nose tingles. There’s this faint smell of snow (if snow has a smell?) mixed with something metallic from all the rails.

The Sphinx Observatory feels almost sci-fi — glass walls, wind whipping around your ears, clouds close enough to touch if you’re lucky with the weather. Daniel pointed out the Aletsch Glacier stretching away below us; it looked endless and kind of lonely in its own way. We wandered through these icy tunnels — the Ice Palace — where everything sparkled blue underfoot and I nearly slipped twice (nobody saw, thankfully). Someone ahead tried licking an ice sculpture as a joke; their friend shrieked in three languages at once. Made me laugh harder than I expected.

On the way down we caught glimpses of Wengen through fogged windows. By then my cheeks were burning from wind and grinning too much. Back in Lauterbrunnen, waiting for our coach back to Interlaken, I realized I’d barely checked my phone all day — just kept looking up instead. There’s something about standing above everything like that that sticks with you long after your socks finally dry out.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Jungfraujoch day trip from Interlaken

• Meet guide at Outdoor Interlaken Shop
• Travel by coach to Grindelwald
• Take Eiger Express gondola to Eiger Glacier
• Change to cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch
• Explore Alpine Sensation discovery tour
• Visit Sphinx Observation Terrace and Plateau
• Walk through the Ice Palace tunnels
• Descend by cogwheel train to Lauterbrunnen
• Return by coach to Interlaken

Top questions

How long does the Jungfraujoch day trip from Interlaken take?

The full tour takes most of a day, including travel time between Interlaken and Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No lunch is included; bring snacks or buy food at Jungfraujoch or stations along the way.

Does this tour include pickup in Interlaken?

No hotel pickup; you meet your guide at Outdoor Interlaken Shop for departure.

Are tickets for Eiger Express & cogwheel train included?

Yes, seat reservations and tickets for both are included in your booking.

Can children or infants join this trip?

Yes—infants can ride in prams or strollers; specialized infant seats are available.

What should I wear for Jungfraujoch?

A warm jacket, sturdy shoes with rubber soles, and sunglasses are recommended due to year-round snow.

Is there time to visit all attractions at Jungfraujoch?

You have at least 2 hours on top to visit sights like Sphinx Observatory and Ice Palace (weather permitting).

Are guides multilingual?

Yes—professional guides speak multiple languages during the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes reserved seats on both Eiger Express cable car and cogwheel train rides up to Jungfraujoch, entry to Alpine Sensation exhibits, access to Sphinx Observation Terrace and Plateau plus those surreal glacier tunnels inside the Ice Palace (weather allowing), all guided by someone who knows these mountains well—and comfortable coach transport back to Interlaken where you started.