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Train to Jungfraujoch from Kleine Scheidegg

Posted by (TN, USA) on

Researching for a potential trip next summer. I'm reading page 175 of the 2016 RS guidebook for Switzerland. Here's the question:

If I stay overnight in Kleine Scheidegg during peak season, would there be a (space) problem catching the train to the top of Jungfraujoch? The guidebook author warns that trains (which come up from stops further down the mountain) could be standing-room only. Are they ever so filled that new passengers are not allowed to (or just physically can't) board (thinking of packed cable cars in San Francisco where sometimes one has to board where they start in order to board at all).

The guidebook says that one can reserve a seat for Kleine Scheidegg on up, but that it would limit the times one could ride (and I'd rather stay flexible for weather, etc.

Also, on pg. 190, the guidebook speaks highly of Hotel Bellevue des Alpes. Any experience/specific room recommendations, etc. would be appreciated. Is the location generally convenient for the area, other than just going up to Jungfraujoch? Kleine Scheidegg appears to offer the closest access for Jungraujoch and great views of Eiger, too??

Also evaluating staying in Murren (would that give us much more flexibility for other activities?) Right about the time I think I've got a grip on all this, I read something that makes me second guess my understanding.

Thinking three nights in the area, so we can have options should the weather not cooperate.

Thank you!!

Posted by
16893 posts

Those three departures that can be reserved shouldn't have any deadline to reserve, so I'm guessing you could decide the day before.

The first two trains of the day have early-bird discounts in order to try to get them to fill up (to distribute the crowd). So they should have a better chance at space available and by sleeping in Kleine Scheidegg you get to sleep an hour longer than people who stayed in Lauterbrunnen.

Everyone is making a connection at Kleine Scheidegg, so your chances of boarding from the platform are equal to those of people who got off the train from Lauterbrunnen.

Posted by
2114 posts

Laura,
HUGE thanks. And, the guidebook really is helping a lot......very good info!!!
Just watched a YouTube video of the train ride up and it looks fascinating (and they had perfect weather). Maybe we'll be as lucky.

Posted by
7209 posts

After making many journeys from the valley floor in Lauterbrunnen to the Jungfraujoch (and passing through Kleine Scheidegg each time) I've often thought to myself "I would never want to stay here". It's so far away from EVERYTHING. Talk about in the middle of nowhere and totally isolated. I'm sure there are people who love it, but for a first time visitor choose a village that has more to offer like Murren, Lauterbrunnen or Wengen.

Posted by
11322 posts

Great advice above, and as to staying in Kleine Scheidigg, I think it could be fun for one night. You'd have the serenity of a mountain night, the peace of a mountain morning, and as Laura mentions an extra hour of sleep! You can certainly take off on hikes from there if you are desirous of taking some particular trails, but there is no community, per se, so probably not a great choice for multiple nights. We came up from Lauterbrunnen on the first train to go to the Jungfraujoch and were back in Wengen for a late lunch about 13:30.

Posted by
32212 posts

Margaret,

I agree with the others in terms of staying in Kleine Scheidegg, as there's really not much there. My impression is that it's primarily designed for the ski crowd in the winter, but not as much for summer tourists.

Mürren would be a great choice if you're planning to spend a lot of time on that side of the valley. The most convenient location to stay for touring both sides of the valley is Lauterbrunnen, as it's the transportation hub.

The Jungfraubahn seems to be more crowded in the middle of the day when day trippers arrive from outside the valley (ie: large bus tours). Some of the morning runs might not be as busy. Given the usual Swiss efficiency, I suspect they might match the capacity on the Wengernalpbahn (which is what you'll use to get from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg) to that of the Jungfraubahn. That way there will never be too many passengers to fit on the Jungfraubahn. Just a theory......

Posted by
2114 posts

Thank you all for your candid input.....exactly what I'm looking for. I wondered about the isolation, especially if the weather is bad for 3 days.
I'll look with more detail in the other locations.

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