Our 6th time in Switzerland - Should we finally go to Jungfraujoch?
May 9th, 2017, 04:16 AM
#1
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Our 6th time in Switzerland - Should we finally go to Jungfraujoch?
We will be in Lauterbrunnen May 27-June 2. We have been to Switzerland 5 times previously and never gone to the Jungfraujoch. Wondering now if we should finally do it even though it's expensive.
Once up there, are there hiking trails? Other things to do? I know there's snow all year round (which I love).
A bit concerned about the crowds that we've heard about. Giant groups of tourists?
What's your opinion?
Once up there, are there hiking trails? Other things to do? I know there's snow all year round (which I love).
A bit concerned about the crowds that we've heard about. Giant groups of tourists?
What's your opinion?
May 9th, 2017, 07:11 AM
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It's like Niagara Falls. You do it simply because it's there to do. How long can you stand and watch water fall off a rock? That's Niagara falls in a nutshell. With Jungfraujoch, it's how long can you stand and watch a glacier recede? LOL, kinda like a waterfall in reverse.
Yes there are some touristy things to do up there just as there are at Niagara Falls.
http://www.myswissalps.com/jungfraujoch
But if you are looking for justification for spending the money to get there, there is no real justification other than just seeing the view.
I'm curious if this is your 6th visit, what other areas of Switzerland you have visited. While the Bernese Oberland is the picture postcard Switzerland most people go to see, many who visit multiple times don't return to the area and instead move on to other parts of the country.
Yes there are some touristy things to do up there just as there are at Niagara Falls.
http://www.myswissalps.com/jungfraujoch
But if you are looking for justification for spending the money to get there, there is no real justification other than just seeing the view.
I'm curious if this is your 6th visit, what other areas of Switzerland you have visited. While the Bernese Oberland is the picture postcard Switzerland most people go to see, many who visit multiple times don't return to the area and instead move on to other parts of the country.
May 9th, 2017, 07:47 AM
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Dogeared: In addition to the BO we've been to the Ticino, Bern and Fribourg area, Schaffhausen, Lausanne and the Lake Geneva area, Neuchatel and Morten, Zurich, Lucerne and Engelberg (Mt. Titlis), and this past January to Zermatt. So, we've been around.
If we went to the Jungfraujoch of course we would only do it on a clear day - at least it being clear at the beginning because one never really knows with mountains how quickly things can change.
But the money to go there and back does stop us as well as the ability to be in the Alps and see the Big 3 peaks while doing other hikes/walks/trains and cable cars.
If we went to the Jungfraujoch of course we would only do it on a clear day - at least it being clear at the beginning because one never really knows with mountains how quickly things can change.
But the money to go there and back does stop us as well as the ability to be in the Alps and see the Big 3 peaks while doing other hikes/walks/trains and cable cars.
May 9th, 2017, 09:17 AM
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In order to answer your question:
there is a rather popular hiking trail through snow and ice from Jungfraujoch to Moenchsjoch Hut SAC. From there, you can only go back the same way.
There are of course other easy glacier hiking trails in Switzerland, like
Glacier 3000 cableway - Refuge de l'Espace - Prarochet Hut - Sanetschpass cableway and bus stop,
Rotenboden train stop - Monte Rosa Hut (and back),
Trockener Steg cableway - Gandegg Hut SAC - Theodul Hut CAI - Testa Grigia cableway,
Felskinn cableway - Britannia Hut SAC (- Plattjen cableway),
Diavolezza cableway - Pers Glacier - Isla Persa - Morteratsch Glacier - Boval Hut - Morteratsch railway station (to be done as guided tour only),
etc. etc.
there is a rather popular hiking trail through snow and ice from Jungfraujoch to Moenchsjoch Hut SAC. From there, you can only go back the same way.
There are of course other easy glacier hiking trails in Switzerland, like
Glacier 3000 cableway - Refuge de l'Espace - Prarochet Hut - Sanetschpass cableway and bus stop,
Rotenboden train stop - Monte Rosa Hut (and back),
Trockener Steg cableway - Gandegg Hut SAC - Theodul Hut CAI - Testa Grigia cableway,
Felskinn cableway - Britannia Hut SAC (- Plattjen cableway),
Diavolezza cableway - Pers Glacier - Isla Persa - Morteratsch Glacier - Boval Hut - Morteratsch railway station (to be done as guided tour only),
etc. etc.
May 9th, 2017, 11:28 AM
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neckervd - We will be in the Berner Oberland so only some of your hikes would make sense for us. That being said, I always appreciate your incredible knowledge and advice.
Ingo - Thanks for the input. Starting to tip towards the not going on that excursion. I just thought, gee, this will be our 6th time and we still haven't done this iconic side trip.
Ingo - Thanks for the input. Starting to tip towards the not going on that excursion. I just thought, gee, this will be our 6th time and we still haven't done this iconic side trip.
May 9th, 2017, 02:48 PM
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Diane,
Like you, I have been to Switzerland several times now (9 or 10), and only gone as far as Kleine Scheidegg, more than twenty yrs ago, when the price was not quite as catastrophic, never the whole way to the summit. I would rather discover my own, but equally beautiful hikes and lesser (tourist-known) peaks!
Been to Pilatus, Titlis, Schilthorn, Brienzer Rothorn, Rigi and so many of the minors, just don't feel the lure of Jungfraujoch!
Like you, I have been to Switzerland several times now (9 or 10), and only gone as far as Kleine Scheidegg, more than twenty yrs ago, when the price was not quite as catastrophic, never the whole way to the summit. I would rather discover my own, but equally beautiful hikes and lesser (tourist-known) peaks!
Been to Pilatus, Titlis, Schilthorn, Brienzer Rothorn, Rigi and so many of the minors, just don't feel the lure of Jungfraujoch!
May 9th, 2017, 03:07 PM
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Jogging my memory/Far lesser priced:
Kandersteg/Oeschinensee
Lungern/Schoenbuel
Brunnen/Urmiberg
Pontresina/Alp Languard
Scuol/Motha Naluns
Stans/Stanserhorn (pre-open Cambio days)
I do regret not getting up to the Lauchernalp in the Loetschental...someday though!
Kandersteg/Oeschinensee
Lungern/Schoenbuel
Brunnen/Urmiberg
Pontresina/Alp Languard
Scuol/Motha Naluns
Stans/Stanserhorn (pre-open Cambio days)
I do regret not getting up to the Lauchernalp in the Loetschental...someday though!
May 9th, 2017, 05:33 PM
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mokka - We've been to the same peaks as you with the exception of Pilatus.
Kandersteg to Oeschinen is definitely on the list for this trip. Planning on hiking Kleine Scheidigg to Wengernalp. Crossing fingers weather will cooperate for the most part.
Kandersteg to Oeschinen is definitely on the list for this trip. Planning on hiking Kleine Scheidigg to Wengernalp. Crossing fingers weather will cooperate for the most part.
May 9th, 2017, 05:58 PM
#11
The Schilthorn makes me dizzy.
Kleine Scheidegg to Wengernalp is only a 20-minute walk, certainly not a hike unless you are very old.
I would rather go up to the Schynige Platte than the Jungfraujoch.
Thin
Kleine Scheidegg to Wengernalp is only a 20-minute walk, certainly not a hike unless you are very old.
I would rather go up to the Schynige Platte than the Jungfraujoch.
Thin
May 10th, 2017, 07:40 AM
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I think you have got it right when you say it is 'iconic'.
It really is like Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon to me. If you are in the area, how can you not go and see it? But having been and seen it, would you go again? Probably not.
The average visitor to the Grand Canyon apparently spends something like 17 minutes actually at the rim looking into the Canyon. Would they say it was worth the cost of getting there? It really isn't something you can try to come up with an equation for that has cost on one side and value on the other side. It isn't a measurable value.
Either you want to go there or you aren't really bothered about it. It's really up to you to decide if you want to go and asking the question, 'should I or shouldn't I' isn't really a question anyone can answer for you.
I've been to all 3 of the places I've mentioned. Do I regret going and spending the money to get there? No. Would I go out of my way and spend the money to visit them again? No. Do I think they were worth visiting? Yes. But for me, the cost was not a major issue. It costs what it costs and if I can afford the cost, then cost is not a factor. It's simply about do I want to go or don't I.
If I were in your position what I would be more likely to be asking myself is do I want to return to the BO area again or do I want to visit a new (to me) part of Switzerland on this trip. That's why I asked where have you been before. Did you know that the Graubunden region (which it appears you have not yet visited) is the number 1 area for tourism in the country? Almost twice as many Swiss vacation there as in the BO. Yet the number of foreign visitors to the two areas is almost equal. You might ask, what do the Swiss know that foreigners do not? Why are they going there and not to the BO?
Scroll down to page 20 on the following link to see the stats on visitors by Tourist Regions.
http://www.swisstourfed.ch/files/inf...iZ_2014_en.pdf
If you were to decide you want to visit a new area, the whole question of 'yeah or nay on Jungfraujoch' would disappear.
It really is like Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon to me. If you are in the area, how can you not go and see it? But having been and seen it, would you go again? Probably not.
The average visitor to the Grand Canyon apparently spends something like 17 minutes actually at the rim looking into the Canyon. Would they say it was worth the cost of getting there? It really isn't something you can try to come up with an equation for that has cost on one side and value on the other side. It isn't a measurable value.
Either you want to go there or you aren't really bothered about it. It's really up to you to decide if you want to go and asking the question, 'should I or shouldn't I' isn't really a question anyone can answer for you.
I've been to all 3 of the places I've mentioned. Do I regret going and spending the money to get there? No. Would I go out of my way and spend the money to visit them again? No. Do I think they were worth visiting? Yes. But for me, the cost was not a major issue. It costs what it costs and if I can afford the cost, then cost is not a factor. It's simply about do I want to go or don't I.
If I were in your position what I would be more likely to be asking myself is do I want to return to the BO area again or do I want to visit a new (to me) part of Switzerland on this trip. That's why I asked where have you been before. Did you know that the Graubunden region (which it appears you have not yet visited) is the number 1 area for tourism in the country? Almost twice as many Swiss vacation there as in the BO. Yet the number of foreign visitors to the two areas is almost equal. You might ask, what do the Swiss know that foreigners do not? Why are they going there and not to the BO?
Scroll down to page 20 on the following link to see the stats on visitors by Tourist Regions.
http://www.swisstourfed.ch/files/inf...iZ_2014_en.pdf
If you were to decide you want to visit a new area, the whole question of 'yeah or nay on Jungfraujoch' would disappear.
May 10th, 2017, 08:59 AM
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Dogeared: I think I wasn't considering the Engadin because it is an hour longer (3.5 vs. 2.5) to travel to, say, Samedan from Zurich airport and that after a long airflight. Although I see that it's 3 hours to Scuol.
Any preferences about where it would be best to stay if we did in fact change our plans and go to that area? You've got me thinking now!!!
I've been to Schynige Platte twice and would go again. So many places to walk.
Thanks thin for telling me that the "hike" to Wengernalp isn't a hike. But then there's Kleine Scheidigg to Mannlichen which we've never done.
Any preferences about where it would be best to stay if we did in fact change our plans and go to that area? You've got me thinking now!!!
I've been to Schynige Platte twice and would go again. So many places to walk.
Thanks thin for telling me that the "hike" to Wengernalp isn't a hike. But then there's Kleine Scheidigg to Mannlichen which we've never done.
May 10th, 2017, 09:11 AM
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There are lots of posts on the Engadine here, Diane. I've been there two dozen times in the last 15 years, I think. It would indeed be totally different as it is Rumantsch culture and language. Different architecture, different food. If you're not sure yet where to go and you haven't been to the Engadine yet, then it's a no-brainer 
May 10th, 2017, 09:54 AM
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Dianedancer, read my response on this thread for the links:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-or-azores.cfm
I see on another thread you are used to using a Swiss rail pass. I suggest you look at the Davos-Klosters guest card that I linked on that other thread. It is an amazing FREE card.
OK, so you arrive in Zurich and are tired, I know how that is. But if you arrive early to mid-morning, you can still be at your hotel of choice by early afternoon. It's under 3 hours.
https://www.trainline.eu/trains/davo...rich-flughafen
Now continuing on the transportation subject, all you have to buy is a return ticket from Zurich to Davos. ALL your transportation after that will be FREE with the Guest Card. No other area has a card that comes near to being as good.
Look at the panorama map I linked on that other thread. There are 700 kms of trails in the IMMEDIATE area. I don't know of any better area for hiking.
There are hotels at all price points in both Davos and Klosters. We actually prefer staying in a small village called Wiesen which is down the valley from Davos. But it is not for everyone if they want choices of places to eat etc. When we stay in Wiesen, we stay on half board at the hotel.
http://bellevuewiesen.com/
It's a lovely little boutique hotel with an award winning restaurant. They have some incredible room prices sometimes. This month for example, you can get a standard room for 2 people with breakfast for $62 USD. Yes, $62.00! Unfortunately, that spring deal ends just before you plan to go. On your dates, I think the lowest price would be around $100 USD per night for a standard room.
It's only 20 minutes by bus from Davos town centre but the problem is that the last bus back from Davos to Wiesen leaves around 7.45 pm. So dinner either has to be eaten early in Davos or at the hotel as there is nowhere else in the village to eat. So you have to be OK with that or stay at a hotel in Davos or Klosters themselves.
Now you are on your 6th visit Carolmom, it's time to start learning just how affordable Switzerland can be if you know where to go.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-or-azores.cfm
I see on another thread you are used to using a Swiss rail pass. I suggest you look at the Davos-Klosters guest card that I linked on that other thread. It is an amazing FREE card.
OK, so you arrive in Zurich and are tired, I know how that is. But if you arrive early to mid-morning, you can still be at your hotel of choice by early afternoon. It's under 3 hours.
https://www.trainline.eu/trains/davo...rich-flughafen
Now continuing on the transportation subject, all you have to buy is a return ticket from Zurich to Davos. ALL your transportation after that will be FREE with the Guest Card. No other area has a card that comes near to being as good.
Look at the panorama map I linked on that other thread. There are 700 kms of trails in the IMMEDIATE area. I don't know of any better area for hiking.
There are hotels at all price points in both Davos and Klosters. We actually prefer staying in a small village called Wiesen which is down the valley from Davos. But it is not for everyone if they want choices of places to eat etc. When we stay in Wiesen, we stay on half board at the hotel.
http://bellevuewiesen.com/
It's a lovely little boutique hotel with an award winning restaurant. They have some incredible room prices sometimes. This month for example, you can get a standard room for 2 people with breakfast for $62 USD. Yes, $62.00! Unfortunately, that spring deal ends just before you plan to go. On your dates, I think the lowest price would be around $100 USD per night for a standard room.
It's only 20 minutes by bus from Davos town centre but the problem is that the last bus back from Davos to Wiesen leaves around 7.45 pm. So dinner either has to be eaten early in Davos or at the hotel as there is nowhere else in the village to eat. So you have to be OK with that or stay at a hotel in Davos or Klosters themselves.
Now you are on your 6th visit Carolmom, it's time to start learning just how affordable Switzerland can be if you know where to go.
May 10th, 2017, 11:11 AM
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Dogeared - I looked at your other link to hikes (via Ireland?). The one that slinks to the Davos Card comes up blank. I googled it and various sites I clicked on were blank too. I'm hoping this card is still in effect! I am seriously thinking of changing our plans now.
May 10th, 2017, 12:26 PM
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Ok, Davos is not bad, but not exactly a charming mountain village - it's a town. As for architecture, think Bauhaus and modern. Seriously think about a half hour longer on the train and on to Scuol. I wish my Virtoualtourist pages were still available, but TA nuked VT a while ago 
Btw, if you decide to stay in the Upper Engadine (let's say from Zuoz up the valley) then keep in mind that hotels offer complimentary pass for public transportation and cable cars (different versions of the pass: not all of the hotels, some only one or the other, some not including Bregaglia valley e.g.) if you stay two nights or longer.
Btw, if you decide to stay in the Upper Engadine (let's say from Zuoz up the valley) then keep in mind that hotels offer complimentary pass for public transportation and cable cars (different versions of the pass: not all of the hotels, some only one or the other, some not including Bregaglia valley e.g.) if you stay two nights or longer.
May 10th, 2017, 01:04 PM
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Yes, Ingo, I've been looking at photos of Davos and it seems pretty bland to me. Lots of roads and hotels and parking spaces. At bit like Interlaken. I've been looking for some charm and haven't yet found any.
I'll check out Scuol again. And see if there are any hotels with transportation passes.
I'll check out Scuol again. And see if there are any hotels with transportation passes.
May 10th, 2017, 03:50 PM
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oh NO NO NO it is NOt just like Niagra Falls.
Take a walk to the Monch hut, take the zip line, the ice cave, look on their website for a start, there is far more than Dogeared has said. Also spend an hour or more at Kleine Scheidegg on you way back and take some walks, you can get to the top of the Lauberhorn, start of the world cup, in about an hour. Also get off the train for a few hours in Wengen to enjoy this postcard town and walk to the church on the point for a quiet romantic view of the Lauterbrunnen valley.
Be on the train in Lauterbrunnen by 7am to make the most of your day so that you can hike as well. unlike what Edward inferred.
There is LOADS in the Bernese Oberland area to do - a week itself is not enough in Lauterbrunnen/Wengen. So many special places to experience and enjoy. It is THE most special place in Switzerland. Other sites just do not compare.
I have been up the Jungfrau about 6 times with visitors, never is a trip the same!. Always there is something new to see. We stay regularly in LAuterbrunnen and when we decide to research a day trip to somewhere else, we can"t ever find something as beautiful as the Jungfrau region! DO you Geocache? that is also a lot of fun in this region as well as worldwide and takes you to a lot of fun places and trails you would never have found otherwise.
Take a walk to the Monch hut, take the zip line, the ice cave, look on their website for a start, there is far more than Dogeared has said. Also spend an hour or more at Kleine Scheidegg on you way back and take some walks, you can get to the top of the Lauberhorn, start of the world cup, in about an hour. Also get off the train for a few hours in Wengen to enjoy this postcard town and walk to the church on the point for a quiet romantic view of the Lauterbrunnen valley.
Be on the train in Lauterbrunnen by 7am to make the most of your day so that you can hike as well. unlike what Edward inferred.
There is LOADS in the Bernese Oberland area to do - a week itself is not enough in Lauterbrunnen/Wengen. So many special places to experience and enjoy. It is THE most special place in Switzerland. Other sites just do not compare.
I have been up the Jungfrau about 6 times with visitors, never is a trip the same!. Always there is something new to see. We stay regularly in LAuterbrunnen and when we decide to research a day trip to somewhere else, we can"t ever find something as beautiful as the Jungfrau region! DO you Geocache? that is also a lot of fun in this region as well as worldwide and takes you to a lot of fun places and trails you would never have found otherwise.
