have found a lot of useful tips on this traveler's helpline, but i have one more decision to make and i can't seem to make up my mind. any advice would be great in choosing between these two mountains. my husband and I will be in the berner oberland in september, we are base in lauterbrunnen for 3 days and we don't think we want to do both. thanks!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
We understand, to do both is expensive. The voting here in the past has been maybe 60% Jungfrau and 40% Schilthorn--you can't go wrong with either. Others will give their favorites and tell you why.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Kent is correct. Both are fantastic. But, here's some scoop. From the Lauterbrunnen train station to the Jungfraujoch (highest train station in Europe), it takes 2hrs on the cog train to go up and 2hrs to come back down. Retail cost for a round trip is about $177 for each person. With any kind of Swiss pass (not Eurail), you get a 50% discount. On the way down, you can hop off and walk around Wengen. A nice stop.
For the Schilthorn, you can again depart from the Lauterbrunnen BLM which is across the street from the Lauterbrunnen train station. You ride up on a gondola to Gruetshalp and then transfer to a cog train to Muerren. You then, take the gondola up to the top of the Schilthorn. Retail round trip cost is about $91 per person. On the way down, you can visit Muerren and then gondola down to Gimmelwald and visit there. Wonderful visits.
If you want to do both, I would recommend purchasing a Swiss 1/2 fare card for CHF99. The card is good for 30 days. The trip to the Jungfraujoch will almost pay for it. I would suggest that you buy the pass upon entering Switzerland and the 1/2 fare card will be good for a 50% reduction on any transportation in Switzerland.
Posted by
Salem, OR, USA
13 posts
Do the Schilthorn. The Jungfrauloch is expensive and if it is cloudy there's no views to speak of. It is also a lot less expensive. Besides you can stop in Murren for lunch, consider hiking down to Gimmelwald, and then take the gondola back.
Posted by
Charlestown, PA, USA
193 posts
I've done both. The views are spetacular from each peak. It also takes much less time to get to the Stilthorn leaving more time for hiking, long lunch in Murren, etc.
For the money I'd go with the Stilthorn.
Posted by
San Leandro, CA, USA
632 posts
Larry has summed it up nicely...it is really about your personal interests...if you like hiking, the Schilthorn seems the logical choice...if you want to experience "the ultimate", the highest train station in Europe and a pretty darn good restaurant at the top with a spectacular view of the glacier on the back side, then the Jungfraujoch is for you...whatever you do, if you are in Switzerland for more than a couple days or if you intend to take the Jungfrau route, buy the swiss pass...it really does pay for itself.