Jungfraujoch Day Trip from Zurich: Cogwheel Train & Sphinx View

Summary

Zurich to Jungfraujoch by train sweeping glaciers & alpine air

You’ll travel from Zurich through storybook valleys to reach Jungfraujoch by cogwheel train, soaking up mountain air and glacier views along the way. Stand atop Europe’s highest railway station, step inside an ice palace, and gaze out from the Sphinx Observatory—all with a local guide and seamless transport included.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit it: I almost bailed when I saw the early start time. But there we were, shuffling onto the coach in Zurich while the city was still half-asleep. Our guide, Stefan, had this easy way about him—he joked about Swiss punctuality (“We leave at 8:00, not 8:01!”) and handed out chocolate. The drive south through Bernese Oberland was quieter than I expected; everyone just kind of stared out at those green valleys and little wooden chalets. There’s this moment when you catch your first real glimpse of the mountains and, honestly, it hits different than any photo.

Interlaken was our first stop—just enough time to stretch and watch locals heading off with their dogs or shopping baskets. Then Lauterbrunnen, where that old red cogwheel train waits like something out of a storybook. The climb up is slow, creaky in places, and you can actually hear cowbells echoing when the windows are open. At Kleine Scheidegg I tried to order coffee in my best German (the barista smiled politely), but mostly I just watched clouds moving over those jagged peaks. By the time we reached Jungfraujoch—the so-called Top of Europe—I felt a little lightheaded from the altitude or maybe just from looking out at all that snow and ice.

The Sphinx Observatory is wild—windy up there, with everything blindingly white except for these distant blue shadows on the Aletsch Glacier. You can see into France and Italy if you squint (Stefan pointed out which was which; I promptly forgot). Lunch at the panoramic restaurant wasn’t fancy but tasted better than it probably should have after that climb—something about eating with your gloves on makes even soup feel special. Walking through the Ice Palace was colder than I expected; I kept touching the walls just to check they were real. A few people slipped around but everyone laughed it off.

The way down felt faster somehow—maybe because we’d already done “the hard part.” The V-Cableway Eiger Express zipped us back toward Grindelwald Terminal where our coach waited for one last sleepy ride to Zurich. Somewhere along that drive back, someone started snoring softly behind me and I realized how tired—and happy—I felt. That view from Jungfraujoch keeps popping into my head days later, especially how quiet it gets up there above everything else.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Alpine journey to Jungfraujoch

• Board coach at Zurich bus terminal
• Drive through Bernese Oberland to Interlaken
• Short stop in Interlaken
• Drive to Lauterbrunnen
• Take cogwheel train via Kleine Scheidegg
• Arrive at Jungfraujoch, explore for 3 hours
• Visit Sphinx Observatory and panoramic restaurant
• Walk through Ice Palace glacier
• Ride cogwheel train down to Eigergletscher
• Take V-Cableway Eiger Express to Grindelwald Terminal
• Coach drive back to Zurich
• Arrive at Sihlquai bus terminal in evening

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Zurich to Jungfraujoch?

The tour lasts a full day, departing in the morning from Zurich and returning in the evening.

Is lunch included on the Jungfraujoch day trip?

No set lunch is included but there’s time to buy food at restaurants on Jungfraujoch.

What is the elevation at Jungfraujoch?

The Jungfraujoch railway station sits at 11,333 feet (3,454 meters).

Does this tour include pickup in Zurich?

The tour starts at a central bus terminal in Zurich; hotel pickup isn’t included.

Can infants join this day trip?

Yes, infants can join and may ride in a pram or stroller but must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Is this tour suitable for people with heart problems?

No, it’s not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to high altitude.

What attractions are visited during this tour?

You’ll visit Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Kleine Scheidegg pass, Jungfraujoch station, Sphinx Observatory, and walk inside an Ice Palace.

How do you get up to Jungfraujoch?

You take a coach to Lauterbrunnen then board a cogwheel train via Kleine Scheidegg up to Jungfraujoch.

What’s included

Your day includes coach transport from Zurich through Bernese Oberland valleys with a professional guide leading throughout; rides on both cogwheel train and V-Cableway Eiger Express; entry to Jungfraujoch attractions like the Sphinx Observatory and Ice Palace; plus plenty of free time for photos or grabbing lunch before heading back in comfort that evening.