Jungfraujoch Sphinx Observatory
Jungfraujoch Sphinx Observatory things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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A visit to the Jungfraujoch mountain is probably on every tourist’s bucket-list esp. if they have read a guide-book or a website selling the Top of Europe train ride. We checked the weather in Interlaken and bought tickets for the group at an expensively jaw-dropping price. Since we were staying in Wengen, we conveniently hopped on this train for a quicker ride. The views and weather at Kleine Scheidegg base station were other-worldly beautiful. Our excitement was building as we were seamlessly transferred to the smaller train for ride to Europe’s highest train station. Upon arrival, we were delivered into a multi-level tourist indoor complex full of multiethnic fast-food type joints selling samosas and chai for Indian crowd, and other items; if you had more money you could have a sit down experience. And plenty of shops selling chocolates, trinkets, toys and high-end items. You could also take tour of museum for history of this train station, or check out the the man-made ice-cave corridors. As we were wondering, how about the glaciers and mountains. Ah! Just wait. You come outside to soak-in scenery from outdoor viewing area. There comes the disappointment - limited vistas from a rather small viewing station. The open-air outdoor views are limited. I could see the more adventurous kind going down the slopes for more real fun. For an average tourist, the train ride, the views and what few things you could do was definitely not worth the hype or the price. Jungfrau region is gorgeously beautiful and an amazing place for skiers and snowboarders. I am afraid that the Top of Europe train ride comes short. By comparison, for more pristine views and at fraction of cost, Schilthorn is worth considering. Our ride up from Lauterbrunnen was free with the travel pass. A stop-over to indulge in adventurous walk over a rope (James Bond style!) was thrilling. We started in the afternoon and by then the clouds had covered peaks and we could be go all the way to the highest level. Definitely next time.
Rakesh Goyal
00
Absolutely stunning! Not just the ride up to the top in the cog wheel railway, but once you get up there it will blow you away. Yes it's expensive, and yes the food up the top is also very expensive, still 100% worth the price for the trip up, maybe take your own snacks though. We booked well in advance and I would recommend you do the same, we also reserved seats but didn't really notice anything different in terms of whether it was actually worth it. Perhaps if you travel during a busy period you would want to, although keep in mind we travelled up on the 26th of December. There is so much information about the general area and also all the good work that is being done up there in terms of research. Although it was very disappointing to see other tourists smoking cigarettes outside in the clearly signposted areas saying "NO Smoking". There is sensitive air quality research happening up there and it's very disrespectful for people to just smoke anyway. Perhaps a plain clothed staff member in the outside areas to watch for this would be ideal? Although it can get VERY cold over time so not sure how viable it would be. Definitely bring some warm clothes if you plan on waiting in any of the lines to take photos with the top of Europe flag outside, we were there on quite a nice day and it was still freezing after 15 minutes standing there. The views need no explanation, stunning. We had some issues with the 25% discount that you get from the Eurail pass, the information has only just changed and we were unaware. You need to be on a travel day for the 25% discount to be valid, rather than just having a valid pass as what it used to be. If you are not then you'll need to pay the extra 25% on the train heading up. Thankfully the Jungfrau team was very helpful and has refunded the difference for us as the information had only just changed and we were unable to know. We appreciated that. If you're in the area, make Jungfraujoch a top of your to visit list!!
Grayson Hardcastle
00
CHF 157 ( in addition to a valid Swiss travel pass) for few hours at Jungfraujoch. Not sure if it is really worth . We visited Jungfraujoch from Grindelwald . While taking tickets ,the lady at counter insisted that we take a return ticket too ,and we had to specify beforehand for how many hours we wanted to visit . Now this was very confusing as we were visiting for 1st time and weather seemed foggy and erratic .We had no idea how much time we will take as we were travelling with a teenager .We decided on 3 hour duration and had to pay a whopping 315.20 CHF for 2 adults ( despite having the Swiss Travel Pass ).Children below 16 years travel free on Family Card . From Grindelwald Terminal we took a Gondola to Eigergletscher station. From there we went in a train till Jungfraujoch. The Gondola ride was scenic but the train was going only in tunnel ,except for a 5 min stop in between for view . Once at the top ( 3454 metres above sea level) there were many attractions ,we went to the Sphinx viewpoint , it was initially foggy but the view cleared up after a while . We had little bit of snowflakes falling on us which was quite nice .360 degree cinema experience was average . Alpine Sensation was informative .Aletsch Glacier is open from May to October .So is Monchsjoch Hut which is a 45 mins walk! Different people may do the activities in different sequence... so its advisable to carry the booklets which you get at the stations and various places .As one is paying a bomb price ,it is better to pre-check the weather and attractions and not miss out on anything you plan to visit . Whether it is worth it or not -is a subjective answer ...will vary from person to person and what you are looking to experience ,plus your health conditions ,the weather conditions on the day of visit . I would recommend to keep a spare day so that you are not stuck there at top in foggy weather .
Anky Sh
00
So let me start by saying the views are spectacular. I didn’t make it to the top as they had to shut down because of weather but that isn’t why my rating is low. The general organization and running of the operation seems poor and causes a less than great experience (especially based on the price). First, when you book online you enter where you want to start / end and how you want to get up / down the top. For me I choose Interlaken Ost and all seemed great. It turns out the itinerary they send you has no information on which train / location / time you are supposed to use to make the itinerary they sent you work. You CAN piece it together using their website, but it would be so simple to add the full itinerary making it a better experience. Next, in the small itin email they do send you they mention there will be queues based on if you have a reservation and so on. I experienced none of this, just all out madness of people trying to make their connections and a couple employees yelling at us in German. Again, this very much detracted from the experience and since I wasn’t there to ski the experience was my whole reason to be there. It’s worth going, but take a deep breath as it could be frustrating! Now the fun will be to see how long it takes to get the refund for the portions I couldn’t use as the only place they told me to go at the time was shut down due to the weather as well :) Update: The email support team is claiming I could have gone up still and are denying my refund request (even though I was directed to ask for this by their staff). Downgraded to one star.
George Bryan
00
Once the Jungfraujoch train arrived the Jungfraujoch peak, it leaded us directly towards the Sphinx Observatory. Underneath the Observatory, there were also other attractions like the Alpine Sensation, Ice Palace, Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven...etc. We entered the lift which ascended 108m to the top in just 25 sec. Once we arrived, we went straight to the stairs and queued for the pictures with the Top of Europe sign like every body did. We didn't come on a good day as it was heavily snowed with strong wind. We couldn't see the UNESCO World Heritage Great Alestch Glacier, neither the Jungfrau, Monch & Eiger peaks as it was just all white out there when we arrived. We were very disappointed but we always knew there was a risk if we came in May. Nevertheless, the observatory deck itself was great. We did take picture with the "Crushed Landing on You" sign. We also went onto the plateau to take pictures with the Swiss flags and rolling ourselves on the snow under the heavy snow and strong wind. It was an unforgettable experience but still gutted that we didn't see what we planned for the whole year. Afterall, it's not cheap (CHF 160.60) with our Swiss Travel Passes. (without discount was CHF 214).
Kenny K
00
I went with my daughter it was incredible. It seems much more complicated to get there then it really is. Just buy a ticket online and get on the gondola from grindewald terminal and then switch to the train. And then there is a discovery circle you just follow that and then back to the train. Much better than it looks on photos. However I did find the statues at the ice palace old and outdated/ we called the polar bear- the melted polar bear. (I have attached the photo)But we enjoyed the icy environment. The actual glacier was very crowded even though we came very early but the other one was much spacier and people seemed to avoid it because it was walking slightly out of the discovery circle. The snow was fluffy and amazing and we had the best time. We ordered seats with extra cost/ but we are not sure it was nessesary as everyone went on the train at the same time, there was no reserved seats. Maybe it’s more important if you come later but we took the early morning package so there was plenty of space. Highly recommend sun glasses. We forgot ours and by the end we couldn’t see anymore so well. Also term socks and water repelant boots, those really kept our toes warm. Highly recommended.
Yehudit T
00
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Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
Eigergletscher-Jungfraujoch, 3818 Grindelwald, Switzerland
Map
Phone
+41 33 828 72 33
Call
Website
jungfrau.ch
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Reviews
Overview
4.7
(2.5K reviews)
Ratings & Description
scenic
outdoor
adventure
family friendly
attractions: Jungfraujoch, Sphinx Observatory, Jungfraujoch, Jungfraujoch, Jungfrau - Top of Europe, Jungfraujoch Plateau, Ice Palace Jungfraujoch, Snow Fun Park, Alpine Sensation Jungfraujoch, Jungfraujoch, restaurants: Restaurant Crystal, Pikantus Lounge by Erdinger, Self Service Restaurant Aletsch, Restaurant Bollywood
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