sundown

I've been up both of these but it's been a few years, so I'm looking for some advice/opinions. My wife has never been to Switzerland and I'd planned on us going up Jungfraujoch our first clear day (we're leaving next week). However, after hearing about how much of the last stretch is confined to a tunnel with no views, she became more interested in the Schilthorn. I'm sure we'll enjoy ourselves regardless but what are your thoughts?

P_M

Jungfrau, hands down!! There's so much more to see, such as the ice cave, dogsled rides, disc sledding, and skiing. Besides, they will make a few stops in the tunnel so you can get off the train and look out from windows. For me there would be no comparison, definately the Jungfrau.

padams421

We went to both places this summer. The Jungraujoch experience is superior IMHO. J is a one of a kind experience. The views are better at the top of J, and there is so much more to do. S is a series of gondola rides to the top of a mountain with a mediocre restaurant and some old James Bond memorabilia. Even my husband who is a big James bond fan agreed afterwards that if we return to that area, we don't need to go up S again. Tell your wife she needs to trust you on this one.

amelia

The Jungfraujoch train ride itself--a feat of engineering--is amazing.

Rent "The Eiger Sanction" before (and after) you go.

vinolover

We just went to both two weeks ago. Loved both but the experiences are very different. At the Schilthorn we liked having breakfast at the panorama restaurant and the views are incredible of the mountains and valleys. But the highlight for us was the hike down. We took to gondola back to Birg and hiked the rest of the way down to Mürren, stoppping in Sonnenalp for a beer break. Great hike, fabulous scenery.

We almost didn't go to the Jungfraujoch based on things we read about how it's so expensive and over hyped. But we lucked into a crystal clear day our last full day in the area and since we had Half Fare Cards we went for it. Really glad we didn't miss the experience, it's beautiful. And as others have stated, there is a lot to do. We enjoyed the Ice Palace and again our highlight was a hike. This time on the snowy path up to the Mönchjoch where we rewarded ourselved with break for a beer in in the hut restaurant. The hike up takes about 45 minutes, the hike back about half that time.

The trip in the tunnel was fine, we didn't feel claustrophobic. They now have flat screen TV monitors in the train cars and during the tunnel ride they show an interesting video about the Jungfrau and the building of the rail line.

If you are doing other train travel in Switzerland it would be economical to buy some sort of rail pass that will give you a 25-50% discount on either of these excursions.

bob_brown

I have done both in years past. This year, even though I spent 9 nights in Lauterbrunnen, we did neither.

I would lean toward the Jungfraujoch, particularly if you walk the snow track along the top of the glacier to the hikers' shelter on the flank of the Mönch. It is about a mile of fairly level walking on a groomed track that is prepared for hiking purposes.
The wind is strong once you walk out from behind the ridge, but the last time I was there, it was a strange sensation to be walking on snow in short sleeves and perspiring in the sun.

Then we got into the teeth of the wind when we walked out for a view and my jacket was back on in a hurry.

You can also get a tremendous view from the crest of the Männlichen, that ridge that towers 4,500 feet above the valley.

Another great view is available from First (ridge in German). Then gondola ride up there is really great as you see the whole valley around Grindelwald spread out before you as you gain elevation.

As for passes, that is a whole nother ball game. I have done considerable cost figuring for myself,and if you are interested, I will email with you about it. I have done several sets of figures for myself, and a friend of mine did some also and came to a different conclusion because of specificc travel plans.

So before we can really get into it, you need a good idea of your travel plans. With a firm basis for an estimate, there are so many variations that different assumptions can alter the whole picture.

bob_brown

PS The train stops twice for views through holes in the mountain face.
So it is not fully true there are no views. Besides, from the top, the views are more tremendous. Anything before the top is just a warmup.

amelia

One additional thought...we did the Schilthorn first, and as glorious as the view was and as gorgeous as the day was, all I could think of was the Seattle and Toronto needle/tower experiences (and those of you in Seattle and Toronto, I adore your cities so don't be upset). Jungfraujoch will only ever remind me of...Junfraujoch.

sundown

Well, you made my decision quite easy! Thanks for the help. We have Swiss Passes (going to be doing a lot of train travel during our trip; figured that was the best way to go) so that will save 25% off the Jungfraujoch trip. Good to know about the video on board the train. They didn't have that when I went a while back.

McBetsy

You can do both as was said. We went from Gimmelwald up to the Shilthorn in the morning and had breakfast. Took the cable car down into the valley, the postal bus to the Lauterbrunnen rail station; Lauterbrunnen train to Wengen. Cable car up to a place I can's spell, (Mannlichen????), had a great lunch outside among the cows. Walk a very easy trail on into the town w/the Jungfraujoch train. Eventually took another train back down into Lauterbrunnen. It was a busy day but one of the most memorable of all my travels because of the beauty. I will say I started feeling a bit queasy with all the up and down cable cars, but I'm a light weight.