train reservations to Jungfrau

You don't want to pre-reserve, as you note the weather might not be conducive to a trip up to Jungfraujoch, especially with just two days. Really you don't need to make a reservation for this trip at all.

Unless you're a tour group, you can't make reservations on the train to Jungfrau, all seats are first come first serve.

Thanks Kari. Can you suggest some other things I can do in Lauterbrunnen in 2 days. I was thinking a trip to the Trummelbach falls and then a boat cruise on Lake Thun to visit Spiez.

Michael is correct that there are no reservations on the Jungfraubahn up to the Jungfraujoch unless you are in a large group. Which brings up our experience. We too were staying in Lauterbrunnen in very early June. We had no difficulty getting to Kleine Scheidegg where you change trains for the actual train to the Jungfraujoch. That train had "reserved" signs on it. A large Japenese group and reserved the entire train. We did get on but barely. The trip up takes 2hrs. It also takes 2hrs to come back down. You might jump off at Wengen on your way back down. It's a very nice town. Also, don't pass up your opportunity to go up to Gimmelwald, Murren and even the Piz Gloria at the top of the Schilthorn. For dinner in Lauterbrunnen, the Hotel Silberhorn has a great dining room. You can see their menu at www.silberhorn.com. We stayed there as well. To other great happenings in the area in May. 1) the farmers are walking their cows through the towns in the morning up to higher pastures. The musical cow bells are not to be missed. 2) If the weather has warmed and the snow has melted, there will be wildflowers in bloom in the alps. We did get to see both of these things.

Thanks for your detailed post Larry. I looked at Hotel Silberhorn's menu and everything looks very appetizing. I will definitely try it. Also thanks for your suggestions on other places to see.
Do you know how much the train ride to Jungfrau costs from Lauterbrunnen? Thanks

Both are first class attractions. Schiltorn is mostly a mountain top panorama experience...Jungfrau is mostly a glacier experience. If I had to choose one, it would be Jungfrau. It's more expensive, takes more time, but IMO you get more bang for your buck. In addition to the commanding views of the glacier valley from the observation deck, you can take the elevator down and walk on the glacier a bit, and then go down even further and enjoy the ice gallery inside the glacier. Hard to put into words but at the top of Jungfrau one gets more of a Mt. Everest "experience"...that you're truly at the top of the world; almost:)

Another amazing experience is Schilthorn/Piz Gloria, which is super easy to do from Lauterbrunnen. You take a thrilling cable car ride up, the alpine views become spectacular, and then, up top, the alpine views from the observation deck of the Piz Gloria restaurant are mezmerizing. Especially if you have a nice day, as we did, you won't be able to tear yourself away. The alpine vistas appear endless. We didn't bother eating at the revolving restaurant, but that, of course, is an option (for, say, bfast or lunch). Schilthorn may not be as high as the Jungfraujoch, but it's still nothing short of thrilling and was certainly 1 of the highlights of my time in the Bernese Oberland. And I agree w/ posts above re: reservations; we did not make them (I don't recall needing to), and we had no problem at all getting tix for the Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn. I would suggest doing both in the AM, and, time permitting, on the nicest day. You're in for a treat w/ both of these awesone alpine excursions. Enjoy!

Should have pointed out in my post above, we were there in May, too (and very end of month). In certain parts of Swizterland, I believe May could be rainy, but we had great weather in the Bernese Oberland. Just prepare youself w/ the proper clothes for being up in the alps. Up on the Jungfrau, at any time of year, much colder than on the ground, so be prepared w/ gloves, fleece, etc. I recall putting on more layers the higher we got. And DON'T forget the sunglasses and sun-block! I learned that the hard way. Got a pretty bad sun burn on the Jungfraujoch. The sun bounces off of the glacier and unlike my travel companions who HAD put on block, I, like an idiot, forgot to (I was wearing sunglasses but not a baseball hat, which would have helped), and paid the price later. Didn't take away from the experience; it's still 1 of my favorite European travel memories ever; but it would have saved me some discomfort and the expense of having to buy super expensive sun burn creams/lotions at a Swiss pharmacy!

I agree with Lawrence. The Schilthorn was fabulous. Instead of being on the Top of Europe, you are getting a fabulous view of it. We really enjoyed the breakfast buffet in the revolving restaurant. You can buy a package dealtickets plus breakfast and save a little money. In the building where you buy tickets for the Jungfrau, there is a monitor that shows you what the views are from the top. We chose not to buy the very expensive ticket (even with a Swiss Card) because they were totally socked in. While watching the monitor, it cleared away a bit for just a few minutes and clouded right back up. We waited a while but it never did clear up. We appreciated being able to know it would be a waste of so much money.

Cost: the trip up the Jungfraujoch is 165.80 CHF roundtrip from Lauterbrunnen. You can reduce that slightly by going in the early morning (first trip up is reduced fare) or with an appropriate Eurail or Swiss Pass. (Then it is 124.60 CHF). With a Half-Fare Card it is 82.90. The trip up the Schilthorn from Lauterbrunnen is 94.80 CHF; half that if you have a Swiss Pass or Half-Fare Card. The cost is the same if you do the loop trip (up to Grutschalp, then Mürren to Schilthorn, down via Gimmelwald and Stechelberg) which is highly recommended. If I were to choose just one it would be the Schilthorn over the Jungfraujoch. The price is better, the ride much more exciting and interesting (I don't care for the 45 minutes in the dark tunnel, with no views, on the way up to Jungfraujoch). The Schilthorn Bahn takes you to the top of a mountain. the Jungfraujoch train ends inside a building built in a Joch, or saddle, between peaks. You are in a world of ice and snow if you go outside, but it is not all that unique if you are a skier or mountaineer. The view down the Place de la Concorde to the mountains far away to the south is very nice, but from the Schilthorn you have 360 degree view of mountains and valleys all around. We do like the Ice Palace at the Jungfraujoch.

Thanks so much guys for the wonderful posts. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I tend to agree w/ Lola. My friends and I had a similar experience/reaction. When our trip to Switzerland was over, we all seemed to agree that Schilthorn was somehow more....thrilling. Don't get me wrong, the Jungfraujoch is truly 1 of Europe's great excursions, but I agree that once up top, after taking in the views down below, most of it is about being on the galcier. Fascinating and beautiful, for sure, but as someone posted above, from Schilthorn you are getting more of an alpine panorama vs. seeing a world of white up on the glacier. I was just mezmerized with the 360 degree views of the Alps on the Piz Gloria platform (and, confession, maybe it has something to do w/ fact that I've been a HUGE James Bond fan my entire life. I still remember seeing "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" as a kid on TV; 40 yrs old here; and being enthralled w/ Blofeld's mountain top hideaway. Seeing the spectacular setting as an adult just blew my mind!) And it was the most gorgeous, sunny day w/o a cloud in the sky; ALL contributed to an unforgettable experience!

Wow...seeing so many enthusiastic postrs about Schilthorn and Junfrau..I want to do both of them now along with a cruise on Lake Thun and an excursion to Trummelbach falls....donno how I will be able to fit all that in 2 days :(. Any idea about some cheap options for a Lake Thun cruise...I have a Eurail saver pass.
Thanks

My wife and I have done both the Jungfrau and the Schilthorn. Each has its own features. The Jungfrau takes longer to get to and come back and it costs almost double to get there vs the Schilthorn. But there is more to do up there. Check out the Ice Palace of the Jungfrau. There is also a sphinx up there but it isn't what you think. There is also a very nice restaurant. A great plus on the run down is the town of Wengen. Just get off at Wengen and walk around a bit and then get back on a later train for the remainder of the journey down. For the Piz Gloria, we did go up early and have breakfast in the moving circular restaurant. That was just great. Yes we did watch the James Bond movie. The trip up and back is much shorter and the fare is much less. Also, it's not a train that gets you there and back - it's a cable way. The great plus on the way down is getting off at Murren and walking around there. It's really a small town. If it's a really nice day, you can take the back road down to Gimmelwald. Lots of wildflowers in late May.

Thanks Larry. Did you also take a cruise on Lake Thun. I dont know if a cruise will be a good idea or a HOHO ferry.
Thanks