well I am claustrophobic and reading this thread's description of that tunnel nearly gave me an anxiety attack (only partly kidding). Switzerland is an amazing place. Personally I'd skip this one and find a different mountain, tram, cable car, whatever to do instead. Why spoil your day and put yourself thru the anxiety?

Not being able to breath at the top is a function of less oxygen in the air - not anxiety. Almost everyone from sea level will experience this at 12,000+ feet. (I felt a little light headed when I stood up in the train when it arrived at the top - but we had a light meal and walked around a little bit and felt better - although any type of exercise is much more difficult at that altitude.)

But for someone with lung problems - either asthma or emphysema (and anyone who has ever smoked has the latter to some degree) - the problem can be more severe, and they may actually have to go right back down to be able to breathe easily. Of the people we came up with on the train the only ones who left immediately were a young couple dressed only in shorts, tees and sandals - they were frozen even inside - and of course couldn;t go out of the complex into the snow.

<<So...are you claustrophobic?>>

Yes, I'm claustrophobic. I loved the Jungfraujoch and am glad I went. It was a few years ago so I don't remember many of the details but I remember being anxious at Kleine Schedeig (sp?) and looking up and wondering if I should go. But I did and became so interested in the sights and the train ride and the people that I calmed down. The tunnel didn't bother me after the first few minutes.

I do remember that the train stopped somewhere in the tunnel and we got out and walked around and there were places with displays in the walls. I also remember being afraid of falling in the ice palace and how great it felt to be outside at the top. It was a win for me; I overcame my anxiety and enjoyed the experience.

I was more fearful on a cable car but that worked out all right too. However, if for some reason I had to do one of those again, I would choose the Jungfraujoch -- it felt less confining to me.

I'm like you about flying. I always request an aisle seat. I can manage a window seat if I'm traveling with someone and I know I have the option of switching seats. But I think I'd have to skip the flight if I ever got a middle seat. I can't imagine anything worse than being in the third seat in a row of five.

schuler: Yes it smells (I mean sounds) like a long ride down! Yes my husband and I are looking forward to having the relaxing flexibility of knowing we have plenty of time in the Berner Oberland...so that If the weather isn't too good one day there is always the next day... And as you say we can train into Bern or Thun for activities if the weather doesn't cooperate for the mountains.

suze: We feel satisfied that we are "informed" about the Jungfraujoch...and we just aren't going to worry about it. We will either go...or not...up to Jungfraujoch on the train...according to what whim strikes us...and according to the weather! As for me, I think many of the other opportunities to see lovely mountain views in the Berner Oberland area would thrill me...I don't necessarily need to do the Jungfraujoch...

nytraveler: You gave me a chuckle at the thought of a young couple in shorts and t-shirts and sandals going up to Jungfraujoch...

Luisah: Thanks for sharing your experiences. I feel more relaxed now that everyone has shared what it was like for them, because if we do decide to go up, we know what we are choosing and we know what to expect.

By the way here is my weather forecast: You can all expect unseasonably warm weather in Switzerland in late June/early July...because unseasonably warm weather has followed us on our vacations for the past 2 years. There will be a record heat wave on at least 2 days. If we remember to pack our rain gear, it won't rain very much. If we forget our rain gear, it will rain a lot. :-P

Hi, Melissa! I was looking for info about jungfrau and found this old thread.... I have the exact same problem about claustrophobia and suddenly the journey seemed soooo difficult. Did you decide to go after all? If so, how was your impression? Please enlighten me! ��

Some years ago my niece who is claustrophobic went to Jungfraujoch, and thoroughly enjoyed herself. I had said to her that if necessary we would not go all the way, the trains now from Kleine Scheidegg up have a running commentary and film of the journey which she found distracted her and made her forget her claustophobia.

Melissa, I'm pretty badly claustrophobic. I can't do caves, can't get an MRI, and find crowded elevators almost unbearable. I've never been able to convince myself to take the train from Paris to London because I'm afraid I'll go nuts in the chunnel.

I had little trouble with the Jungfrau. I think I had a few moments of anxiety when I felt it was going on for a long time, but it didn't feel too terribly closed in.

At the spot where you get out and walk around, I got out so I could look out the windows which helped. I do remember walking quickly back to the train, and then I felt a bit out of breath and dizzy. My husband and I were both slightly affected by the altitude, but found the key was to take it slow. And we sat down at the restaurant and had some coke and a light bite of food before walking around too much. That seemed to settle us both down a bit.

All in all, I found it very much worth it.

Of course, the day we went to the Schilthorn, the clouds rolled in, so no wonder i though Jungfrau was better. But views like this:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

Totally worth it!!

Tipsygus and china_cat, thanks a lot! Nothing like real stories from real claustrophobics..... Im starting to see a light at the end of this tunnel ������

China_cat, by the way, i took the tgv from london to paris and didnt suffer at all. We went on the first train in the morning, so i slept half the way, but even so, didnt find it claustropobic at all! You shoud try it ��

It's funny to see my old post about this pop up here. No, I didn't go to the Jungfraujoch! However, funnily enough, I'll be in the Berner Oberland again this summer...so will be facing the same decision again! Probably will skip it again... The Schilthorn was high enough for me last time!

You know, in general tunnels haven't bothered me too much, so maybe I can do the Chunnel. The one that was really difficult is the tunnel leaving Whittier Alaska. It' say one lane tunnel (opens for 30 minutes at a time in each direction), and it's really narrow an very long. I hated that tunnel, and couldn't wait to get out if it,

Melissa, you should consider going up the Jungfrau....it really is worth it :)

I'm SO happy to see this post! have claustrophobia too! We planned on going to Jungfraujoch too, We watched a travel show about it, and when I saw that 45 minute tunnel, I also felt anxious! II also wasn't sure about the ice caves. I'm able to fly ,as long as I sit on the aisle, and I can ride a tram or cable car. EVEN helicopter...but that tunnel got me wondering how I might feel. I might do mt Titlis instead. Did you go on this after all?

There are tons of phantastic viewpoints an the glacier area in and around Switzerland. Jungfraujoch is just one of them. The best of the others are:
Kleinmatterhorn and Testa Grigia (gondolas Zermatt - Furi - Furggg - Kleinmatterhorn - Testa Grigia - Cimes Blanches - Plan Maison - Cervinia/Breuil);
Aiguille du Midi and Pointe Hellbronner (gondolas Chamonix - Aiguille du Midi - Pointe Hellbronner - Courmayeur);
Mitelallalin (gondola Saas Fee - Felskinn and rope railway in a tunnel (!!) Felskinn - Mittelallalin
Glacier 3000 (gondola Col-du-Pillon near Gstaad - Cabane des Diablerets - Glacier 3000);
Hohsaas (gondola Saas Grund - Kreuzboden - Hohsaas);
Diavolezza (gondola Bernina Diavolezza - Diavolezza);
Grawand (gondola Kurzras Val Senales - Grawand);
Karlesjoch (gondola Ochsenalp/Kaunertal - Weissseeferner - Karlesjoch);
Titlis (gondola Engelberg - Truebsee - Kleintitilis).

I do not remember a tunnel that took 45 minutes. I have a fear of heights and some claustrophobia, but did fine going to and being at the Jungfrau. It was very cold at the top so wear layers and shoes, not sandals.

loristarr0954: "Did you go on this after all?"

Welcome to Fodors. You may not have noticed but this thread is more than 10 years old, and the OP hasn't been on Fodors since 2015. If you want info about a future trip, it would be better to start a new thread of your own . . .

The tunnel journey takes just 25 minutes. But it lasted 45 minutes some 50 years ago..
Jungfraujoch railway station is in a tunnel too.