Jungfraujoch tour questions
Aug 9th, 2004, 08:41 AM
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Jungfraujoch tour questions
I will be in Interlaken next week and am thinking about doing this tour. I understand that it is best to wait to book it until the day before or so in case of weather. But being new to Switzerland, and this board, I have a couple of questions.
Are there multiple tour companies that I need to look at or do they all cover the same region - Wengen, Kleine Schediegg, Grindelwald, Junfrau, etc?
How much of the cost will be covered by my Swiss Pass?
Can someone give me a few details of the actual trip up the mountain? Is it scary - meaning are there lots of tunnels, scary heights, etc? I'll have my kids with me and I tend to not enjoy "theme park" type heights. Is there any need to worry about altitude sickness?
I know I sound paranoid, but I just want to come prepared and prepare my children. I know it's a fabulous experience!
Are there multiple tour companies that I need to look at or do they all cover the same region - Wengen, Kleine Schediegg, Grindelwald, Junfrau, etc?
How much of the cost will be covered by my Swiss Pass?
Can someone give me a few details of the actual trip up the mountain? Is it scary - meaning are there lots of tunnels, scary heights, etc? I'll have my kids with me and I tend to not enjoy "theme park" type heights. Is there any need to worry about altitude sickness?
I know I sound paranoid, but I just want to come prepared and prepare my children. I know it's a fabulous experience!
Aug 9th, 2004, 09:08 AM
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You don't really need to get involved with a tour to go up to the Jungfraujoch - just take the Berner Oberland Bahn (BOB) from Interlaken Ost up to Kleine Scheidegg. You'll need to change trains at either Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen depending on which way you go at Zweileutscheinen, but it's virtually impossible to get lost. At Kleine Scheidegg you just walk to the other side of the station building for the train to the Jungfraujoch - there's only one.
Most of the trip is in tunnel through the Eiger - from about 10 minutes after the start to the top, with two stops along the way to look out windows that are cut through the rock. The windows are covered with plexiglas, so there's no particular scary height problem (and you don't need to walk up to them, but that kinda defeats the purpose). I doubt you'll be at the top long enough for altitude sickness to be a problem. It's likely to be chilly depending on when you go, so dress appropriately.
Most of the trip is in tunnel through the Eiger - from about 10 minutes after the start to the top, with two stops along the way to look out windows that are cut through the rock. The windows are covered with plexiglas, so there's no particular scary height problem (and you don't need to walk up to them, but that kinda defeats the purpose). I doubt you'll be at the top long enough for altitude sickness to be a problem. It's likely to be chilly depending on when you go, so dress appropriately.
Aug 9th, 2004, 09:29 AM
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i just read your post and i wish that i could be joining you! My husband and i went there about a year and a half ago. (my right wrist is broken, i'm right-handed, and can just type a little right now). Part of our trip was paid for going up to the base resort from where the extended ride continues to the very "top of europe". wewanted to really go further and so while our friends waited down below, we continued to the top. we paid $110 each to do this, but we did not have a swiss rail pass. if we had only known!
DO GO TO THE TOP, -- IT IS A TRIP OF A LIFETIME! There are stops along the way where you will have views of the mountains through large windows. at the top you may walk out along very safe areas to see the views and the glacier, take phtos and experience the peaceful silence. you should be fine, -- the scenery is magnificent!
there is an Ice Palace that will blow you away with its beauty, only don't linger there too long for you will want to make sure that you get to the observetory,which we missed, but has got to be something to see.
the altitude did not make me dizzy and it really wasn't as cold as one might think! i saw that there were hiking trails, but don't know anthing about them. I believe that you may stay either the length of time your original train remains waiting for its passengers for its return trip, or you may wait for the next train to take. it depends on how much time you have for other sightseeing. hope this helps a little.
DO GO TO THE TOP, -- IT IS A TRIP OF A LIFETIME! There are stops along the way where you will have views of the mountains through large windows. at the top you may walk out along very safe areas to see the views and the glacier, take phtos and experience the peaceful silence. you should be fine, -- the scenery is magnificent!
there is an Ice Palace that will blow you away with its beauty, only don't linger there too long for you will want to make sure that you get to the observetory,which we missed, but has got to be something to see.
the altitude did not make me dizzy and it really wasn't as cold as one might think! i saw that there were hiking trails, but don't know anthing about them. I believe that you may stay either the length of time your original train remains waiting for its passengers for its return trip, or you may wait for the next train to take. it depends on how much time you have for other sightseeing. hope this helps a little.
Aug 9th, 2004, 10:49 AM
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The sled dog rides are rather short and overpriced (only a circle on the glacier) - I did not do it. Better hike the groomed glacier path all the way to the Mönchsjoch hut. Approx. 45 min one way (same back). The hut sits like an eagle's nest on the rocky wall above the glaciers.
The Swiss Pass covers the train ride up to Wengen (or Grindelwald, but I recommend the route via Wengen, it is more scenic) - from there to Jungfraujoch you get a reduction of 25%. If you get up VERY early you can take an "Early Morning Train" which is another 25% or so cheaper.
Ingo
The Swiss Pass covers the train ride up to Wengen (or Grindelwald, but I recommend the route via Wengen, it is more scenic) - from there to Jungfraujoch you get a reduction of 25%. If you get up VERY early you can take an "Early Morning Train" which is another 25% or so cheaper.
Ingo
Aug 9th, 2004, 03:55 PM
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Don't pay for any kind of tour. You will end up at the same place anyhow.
I agree, go up to Kleine Scheidegg via Wengen from Lauterbrunnen.
If you start at Interlaken Ost, you will change twice. Once in Lauterbrunnen and again at Kleine Scheidegg. The reason for the changes is a need for different mountain train equipment.
The walk along the groomed snow track to the hut is an interesting walk. I did it last summer. The sun was shining brightly and people were in short sleeves. Just be aware that sun burn is vicious because of the thinner air (less filtering of UV rays) and reflection from the snow.
The track is usually on the lee side of the ridge, so you are not in the wind.
If you walk out from the hut, there is an open spot and the wind can whistle through there at gale force.
The hut serves as a climbers' shelter but it also serves snacks to any guest. Hut is something of a misnomer because it is 3 stories high and can sleep 125 hikers/climbers plus the staff.
As far as I know, it is the only place that sells baseball or golf style caps that say Mönchsjochhütte.
At 3650 meters the hut is reported to be the highest attended hut in the alps.
(11975 feet.)
Even if you don't go all the way to the hut, the stroll along the snow track is spectacular.
I suggest an early start because late in the day, particularly on a sunny Saturday or Sunday, the return crowd gets thick.
I agree, go up to Kleine Scheidegg via Wengen from Lauterbrunnen.
If you start at Interlaken Ost, you will change twice. Once in Lauterbrunnen and again at Kleine Scheidegg. The reason for the changes is a need for different mountain train equipment.
The walk along the groomed snow track to the hut is an interesting walk. I did it last summer. The sun was shining brightly and people were in short sleeves. Just be aware that sun burn is vicious because of the thinner air (less filtering of UV rays) and reflection from the snow.
The track is usually on the lee side of the ridge, so you are not in the wind.
If you walk out from the hut, there is an open spot and the wind can whistle through there at gale force.
The hut serves as a climbers' shelter but it also serves snacks to any guest. Hut is something of a misnomer because it is 3 stories high and can sleep 125 hikers/climbers plus the staff.
As far as I know, it is the only place that sells baseball or golf style caps that say Mönchsjochhütte.
At 3650 meters the hut is reported to be the highest attended hut in the alps.
(11975 feet.)
Even if you don't go all the way to the hut, the stroll along the snow track is spectacular.
I suggest an early start because late in the day, particularly on a sunny Saturday or Sunday, the return crowd gets thick.
Aug 9th, 2004, 11:23 PM
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How warmly do we need to dress - are we talking long pants and jackets, or would shorts and sweatshirts suffice? We only plan to be there a couple of hours. Does anyone know the average temperature up there in August?
Aug 10th, 2004, 09:44 AM
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The average temperature on the Jungfraujoch reminds of the joke about the economist. An economist is a person who will stand with one hand on a piece of dry ice and the other on a hot stove and say that on the average he feels fine.
If you reread my other post, I stated that we were there on a sunny day in September and people were hiking in short sleeves.
It was indeed a strange feeling to be walking on snow and sweating at the same time. Then we walked from the shelter of the ridge right into the teeth of the gale, and jackets came on quickly.
If the day is overcast and the wind is blowing, you could be cold without a good fleece jacket under your windbreaker shell. And conditions can change in 30 minutes from one to the other.
The rule of thumb when hiking in the mountains is to be prepred for weather conditions that will cause you to suffer. In September you can be in sleet or sweat, and all on the same day.
And don't rush your trip. It is costing you major bucks to be there.
So why would you rush it??
If you reread my other post, I stated that we were there on a sunny day in September and people were hiking in short sleeves.
It was indeed a strange feeling to be walking on snow and sweating at the same time. Then we walked from the shelter of the ridge right into the teeth of the gale, and jackets came on quickly.
If the day is overcast and the wind is blowing, you could be cold without a good fleece jacket under your windbreaker shell. And conditions can change in 30 minutes from one to the other.
The rule of thumb when hiking in the mountains is to be prepred for weather conditions that will cause you to suffer. In September you can be in sleet or sweat, and all on the same day.
And don't rush your trip. It is costing you major bucks to be there.
So why would you rush it??
Aug 10th, 2004, 10:22 AM
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You can get the weather for the Jungfraujoch at www.grindelwald.com - it was mostly sunny with a high of 4 C there today - warm jacket weather, indeed.
Aug 10th, 2004, 12:13 PM
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At the ticket office in Lauterbrunnen they have closed circuit TV showing conditions at Jungfraujoch. I would suggest you stop there and decide whether you want to go to the top, or to one of the other scenic wonders in the area.
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