A trip to Jungfraujoch top of Europe - you need to know that

When planning our week-long stay in Switzerland, we knew right away that we wanted to start the trip with one of the most famous attractions in Switzerland. We went to the Jungfraujoch glacier by train, which is the highest railway line in Europe. We will describe how to get to the glacier, leaving the camper at the campsite in Lauterbrunnen. We will also tell you about the costs of traveling by camper in Switzerland .

Getting to the Jungfrau Glacier Top of Europe

Be sure to plan a whole day for this trip. You need at least 4-5 hours to see everything without rushing. You will need 7 hours if you want to go for a walk on the top of Jungfraujoch. In addition, the difference in altitude itself is quite tiring, so do not plan anything for the afternoon. When you get down, you will probably be exhausted.

We stayed at the Jungfrau campsite in Lauterbrunnen. We like it when campsites have good public transport connections to nearby attractions. Then we can explore the area without moving the camper, and this is no different. The nearest train station is less than 2 km away. The walk is short and pleasant, as you walk along pretty local buildings and pass the famous Staubbach waterfall.

There are two ways to reach the Jungfraujoch via the Eiger Glacier. Both routes start at the train station in Lauterbrunnen. One route leads by train via Kleine Scheidegg, and the other from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher. This new cable car was put into operation in December 2020. You can see the entire journey in brief here:

During our stay, the Kleine Scheidegg railway was closed for periodic maintenance. So we chose the route from the video, which is: Lauterbrunnen – Grindelwald – Eigergletcher - Jungfraujoch. After the winter season, many railways undergo maintenance. When traveling in Switzerland at the turn of the seasons, pay attention to this. Especially if you really want to travel a specific section. These shutdowns are described perfectly on the railway websites.

Travel costs to Jungfraujoch top of Europe

A train ticket from Lauterbrunnen – Grindelwald - Lauterbrunnen – cost us around 20 CHF. The franc travels for free. From what we have noticed, children up to 5 years of age have many attractions and facilities for free. Remember that tickets must be purchased in advance at the ticket office. You cannot buy a ticket from the conductor. You can travel on many train routes for free with a Swiss Travel Pass. I write about this below.

The gondola ride from Grindelwald Terminal and then the cable car to the Jungfraujoch summit costs 190 CHF for adults and 20 CHF for children aged 6-15. Children under 5 travel for free. So for our 2+2 family it comes to 400 CHF .

Attractions along the way and at the Jungfrau top of Europe

The very beginning of the journey in the large gondola to Eigergletscher is awe-inspiring. Firstly, because of the incredible views, and secondly, the gondola itself is incredible. It is huge, but there are only seats in it. This was the first time we had ridden one. This was also the first time we had been to such a modern transfer terminal. The terminal looks a bit like an airport. There are shops, cafes and restaurants here.

The gondola takes you to the Eigergletscher. If the weather is nice, you can admire the Bernese Alps from here. The kids played in the snow, and we had a picnic on the terrace. Below you will read why we spent a bit more time here than the train schedule requires to get to Jungfraujoch.

After getting off the train at the top, look for signs that will guide you through all the free attractions at the top. The entire experience begins on the viewing terrace of the iconic observatory, the Sphinx building. Then you walk through a 250-meter-long tunnel connecting the Sphinx with the ice tunnels (Ice Palace).

The tunnels are one of the biggest attractions – note that this tunnel is carved in ice and you also walk on ice. It is very slippery... From the ice tunnels you go to the next viewpoint, the Jungfraujoch Plateau. Here, a mandatory point is to take a picture with the Swiss flag!

From here we head to the building where the Lindt chocolate workshop and restaurants are located. The kids are exhausted and fall asleep in the restaurant, so we eat dinner and head for the train back.

We didn't go for a walk to Mönchsjochhütte because the whole group was tired. That's the only symptom of a quick trip to such a high altitude - sleepiness and tiredness. On the way back, most of the passengers are just sleeping. The conductor hands out bars of Swiss chocolate to all the passengers.

More descriptions and photos of the attractions can be found on the Jungfrau top of Europe website: www.jungfrau.ch

My tips for going to the Jungfraujoch peak

Already at the campsite at the reception it was pointed out to us that the journey to the summit of Jungfraujoch can be associated with various ailments due to the quickly overcome difference in altitude. There are several ways to deal with this and minimize the symptoms of altitude sickness.

Plan on a one-hour stop at the top of the Eiger, the transfer station between the gondola and the cable car. Gradually climbing the altitude will allow your body to get used to the lower air pressure.

Drink plenty of water, and on the way to the summit it is best that everyone drinks at least half a liter of water.

In addition, take: extra layers of clothing, warm hiking boots, sunglasses, sunscreen.

We had beautiful weather so we could admire the beautiful views on the glacier, but this trip is also a good idea if, for example, it is raining in Lauterbrunnen . You can spend practically the entire journey either on the train or in the gondola, or in the transfer terminals. At the top of the Jungfrau you visit the ice tunnels - there is something to do here in any weather.

Swiss Travel Pass

A good idea is to buy a Swiss Travel Pass. You can buy it for 3 or 6 days, for example. It entitles you to free travel on almost all trains in Switzerland and on some railways, including Rigi on Lake Lucerne, and discounts of up to 50% apply to many attractions, including a trip to the Eigergletcher or Jungfraujoch.

Campervan trip around Switzerland

Many people have asked us about road tolls in Switzerland and on the way to Switzerland for a camper over 3.5 tons. It turns out that in some countries we travel cheaper than with a vehicle up to 3.5 tons.

We currently use two toll collection devices. One is the Czech e-toll collection device. In this case, for the trip to Switzerland and for driving 550 km on the Cieszyn - Rozvadov section, I paid 33 CZK (approx. 7 PLN).

The second device we use is UTA One. It allows for automatic toll collection in many European countries. This is done without the need to register and install a separate device in each country. This device works in Poland, Austria, Italy, France, Spain and Switzerland, among others.

However, when it comes to Switzerland and the GVWR of a camper over 3.5t, different toll rules apply here for campers and for "heavy goods" vehicles. Therefore, we turned off the UTA One device for the duration of our stay in Switzerland. Instead, we bought an e-vignette. The fee for a camper trip is not settled for every kilometer traveled, but periodically. All you need to do is buy an e-vignette using the VIA app. For 7 days, you have to pay CHF 25 (approx. PLN 110).

So the total cost of road tolls for a camper over 3.5 tons from Poland to Switzerland is PLN 120. Driving the same route with a camper under 3.5 tons (for a week to Switzerland) I would have to pay about PLN 240 in total for road tolls (a 10-day vignette in the Czech Republic and a 1-year vignette in Switzerland).

Additionally, if I wanted to go through Austria instead of the Czech Republic, I would have to pay around €120 one way for the Mikulov - Salzburg section for a 3-axle camper with a GVW of 5.5 t.

Internet and telephone calls in Switzerland

During our week in Switzerland we never connected to a roaming network, and we used the phone normally and without any problems or high costs . How did we do it?

While still in Poland, we started the WiFi calling service with our operator. Right after crossing the border, we bought an internet card for a mobile router (I'll write about that below). Then we turned on airplane mode (for the entire stay in Switzerland) and had free calls via WiFi. We happen to use the T-mobile network. If you use a phone with another operator, they may charge additional fees for the WiFi calling service.

We chose the SALT network. Unlimited internet in this network costs 2 CHF per day. You must first buy 10 days in advance. We highly recommend this solution. You will find a SALT store in most shopping malls, so use Google to find a location that suits you - remember that stores are closed on Sundays.

As for the mobile router we use, it is the Huawei E5785.

Jungfrau campsite in Lauterbrunnen

Here we stayed for two days. This campsite is one of the most beautifully situated campsites in Switzerland . It is located in the small mountain town of Lauterbrunnen at the foot of a huge waterfall. Walking along the town, you get the impression that the water is falling directly onto the nearby houses. However, it turns out that this is just one of 67 waterfalls in the area! Be sure to plan a few days of stay here, because there are many attractions in the area. It is recommended to take the train from here to the town of Murren. Another idea for a trip is a trip to the Schilthorn peak. At the top, you will find the panoramic restaurant Piz Gloria. You may remember it from a James Bond movie. When you check in at the reception, you will learn absolutely everything about the possibilities of this region. The campsite staff are very nice and will help you choose the right attractions for you, depending on how you want to spend your time.

The campsite is open all year round, so it is also suitable for winter skiing trips. In the winter season, a skibus goes straight from the campsite to the nearest ski resorts. The same bus will also take you to the train station, where you can go to more distant slopes. The campsite also has a room for storing equipment. The campsite has heated toilets, which is ideal for people who like to take long showers after returning from skiing.

Facilities at Jungfrau Campsite

The campsite has a total of 3 buildings with sanitary facilities. There is a so-called baby room in them. This is a room for bathing babies. There is also a family bathroom. The dishwashing facilities are also located in heated rooms and there are dishwashers there. The campsite has, of course, a camper service , i.e. a point for emptying waste from the camper.

The campsite also has a restaurant, a well-stocked shop. There is also a fully equipped large kitchen with a huge fridge and a dining area. There is also a room with a fireplace and comfortable sofas and a hammock. In the evening, you can sit here with a glass of wine and a cheese board.

Camping in May cost us around 55 CHF for two days. This is the cost of a Standard pitch . This price includes the fee for 2 adults, two children (3 and 6 years old) and electricity. In winter, electricity is charged based on consumption, while in summer it is a one-time fee. The campsite is also perfect for those who prefer camping. The excellent infrastructure will provide comfort to all those who enjoy spending time outdoors.

The campsite also has a playground for children and a laundry. The nearest train station is less than 2 km away.