Jungfraujoch
Ideal: Ideal for mountain views, special train routes, and an unforgettable Swiss experience.
The station at 3,454 metres is Europe's highest; the railway there runs through a tunnel drilled inside the Eiger and Mönch. Construction began in 1896, took sixteen years, and cost thirty workers' lives — the original plan was to reach the Jungfrau summit but money ran out here. The Aletsch visible from above, about 20 kilometres long, is the Alps' longest glacier and under UNESCO protection. The Ice Palace carved inside the glacier stays a few degrees below zero year-round.
Did you know?
How was Europe's highest railway station built?
The tunnel reaching the station at 3,454 m was bored through the Eiger and Mönch between 1896 and 1912 — 16 years of work, largely by hand and dynamite, and not without fatalities.
How much ice is up there?
The Aletsch Glacier is the longest in the Alps: about 20 km long and close to 900 m thick in places. It is UNESCO-listed and visibly retreating.
What should you know before going up?
At 3,400 m there is roughly two-thirds of the oxygen at sea level, and headaches and breathlessness are common. Snow glare is intense too, so sunglasses are necessary even in summer.
Why go?
- To see one of Europe's most impressive high Alpine views
- To combine train journey and mountain experience on one route
- For glacier, snow, and panoramic viewpoints
Travel tip
Weather can change quickly at altitude — checking tickets and forecast in advance is essential.
