would I like Jungfraujoch or those aerial cars/gondolas?
Apr 6th, 2011, 02:23 PM
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would I like Jungfraujoch or those aerial cars/gondolas?
Hi, I've read much about going to Jungfraujoch, Schilhorn etc and how thrilling it would be to visit. However, I don't like roller coasters, fast moving gizmos, or thrill rides that you'd get in theme parks.
Are the cable cars, funiculars similar to the theme-park rides, ie "scary"?
I wouldn't like to waste my money and not enjoy. I do like easy hikes, scenery and train rides; I also liked the London Eye.
Thanks in advance.
Are the cable cars, funiculars similar to the theme-park rides, ie "scary"?
I wouldn't like to waste my money and not enjoy. I do like easy hikes, scenery and train rides; I also liked the London Eye.
Thanks in advance.
Apr 6th, 2011, 02:46 PM
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Hi
I last saw the Jungfraujoch about 15 years ago so my knowledge is old but it was not scary, just a cog wheel train to a spectacular location. I loved it and I hate roller coasters and cable cars etc. None of the cars go that fast.
I went on the cable car to the top of Pilatus a couple of years ago and, although not fast I had my hands clamped to the bar and my eyes shut most of the way. I preferred the train ride back down. Quite liked the London Eye though. Hope this helps. I know I am a coward about heights in small dangling pods but trains are fine.
Rosemary
I last saw the Jungfraujoch about 15 years ago so my knowledge is old but it was not scary, just a cog wheel train to a spectacular location. I loved it and I hate roller coasters and cable cars etc. None of the cars go that fast.
I went on the cable car to the top of Pilatus a couple of years ago and, although not fast I had my hands clamped to the bar and my eyes shut most of the way. I preferred the train ride back down. Quite liked the London Eye though. Hope this helps. I know I am a coward about heights in small dangling pods but trains are fine.
Rosemary
Apr 6th, 2011, 02:56 PM
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For Jungfrau climb you stay on the ground on slow moving cog-wheel trains.
Schilthorn, on the otherhand, requires cable cars. If you like scenary, the Stechelberg-Gimmelwald cable car is not to be missed. Type "stechelberg" in Youtube and you can see several videos of this trip.
Schilthorn, on the otherhand, requires cable cars. If you like scenary, the Stechelberg-Gimmelwald cable car is not to be missed. Type "stechelberg" in Youtube and you can see several videos of this trip.
Apr 6th, 2011, 07:44 PM
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Hi phatfree,
If you liked the London Eye you will be fine. I was scared on the London Eye so I sat in the middle.
I am absolutely terrified of heights but I handled the cablecars (buckets of death as I termed them) with a couple little tricks. I brought along a little something to read, just to distract myself. A page or two sufficed. I also sat on the floor of the two person bucket for the 25 min. ride from Grindelwald to First so I couldn't see down. It was just my husband and myself so I didn't feel foolish until we passed through one of the stations and I waved at the attendant from the seated position on the floor.
I figured I came all this way and I wasn't going to let my fear get the better of me and miss out on the beautiful country and memories. Nothing was even remotely close to roller coasters etc. Everything was slow and steady.
Have fun,
Michele
If you liked the London Eye you will be fine. I was scared on the London Eye so I sat in the middle.
I am absolutely terrified of heights but I handled the cablecars (buckets of death as I termed them) with a couple little tricks. I brought along a little something to read, just to distract myself. A page or two sufficed. I also sat on the floor of the two person bucket for the 25 min. ride from Grindelwald to First so I couldn't see down. It was just my husband and myself so I didn't feel foolish until we passed through one of the stations and I waved at the attendant from the seated position on the floor.
I figured I came all this way and I wasn't going to let my fear get the better of me and miss out on the beautiful country and memories. Nothing was even remotely close to roller coasters etc. Everything was slow and steady.
Have fun,
Michele
Apr 9th, 2011, 11:16 AM
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Many of the ascents are trains (as i n attached to the tracks on the ground) not cable cars. And the ascent of the Jungfrau - I forget exactly - but it's 2 different trains (you switch at one) point - and takes almost an hour. A really long time to sit with your eyes shut - and you would miss incredible views.
None of them are anything like a roller coaster. Their speed can best be described as deliberate.
None of them are anything like a roller coaster. Their speed can best be described as deliberate.
Apr 10th, 2011, 04:48 AM
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The trip to the Jungfraujoch, as others have indicated, is on surface cog trains and is not scary in the least. You first go from either Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg, where you change for the train that actually takes you to the Jungfraujoch. The latter train trip is mostly through a tunnel bored through the Eiger, so there's no need to avert your gaze as there's nothing to see. The train stops twice on the way up and you disembark to viewing ports that are cut through the side of the mountain. The first is a wonderful vista through the North Wall looking out over the Mannlichen ski slopes - if you really don't like heights you probably won't want to get too close to the plexiglass-covered windows. The second is on the other side, overlooking the Aletsch glacier and will be no problem.
The trip to the Schilthorn is another matter entirely, with a long and very high tram (cable car) ride that is also in two stages. The second, shorter, part goes from Berg to the Schilthorn and is a bit of a challenge if you don't like heights. If you rent the old James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", which was filed at the Schilthorn, you'll get a good idea of what the ride will be like (you get to ride inside the car, unlike Bond, who had to ride on top of it).
Of the two ways to get up to Murren, where the Schilthorn tram leaves from, the less-frightening is to take the new tram from Lauterbrunnen, which replaced the old, and decidedly decrepit, funicular and then change to the train for a short ride. The tram from Stechelberg, while a great trip, is again a bit of a challenge for those afraid of heights.
The trip to the Schilthorn is another matter entirely, with a long and very high tram (cable car) ride that is also in two stages. The second, shorter, part goes from Berg to the Schilthorn and is a bit of a challenge if you don't like heights. If you rent the old James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", which was filed at the Schilthorn, you'll get a good idea of what the ride will be like (you get to ride inside the car, unlike Bond, who had to ride on top of it).
Of the two ways to get up to Murren, where the Schilthorn tram leaves from, the less-frightening is to take the new tram from Lauterbrunnen, which replaced the old, and decidedly decrepit, funicular and then change to the train for a short ride. The tram from Stechelberg, while a great trip, is again a bit of a challenge for those afraid of heights.
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