Jungfraujoch tour: how much time to visit towns?
Jen is planning a 5-day trip to Switzerland, focusing on Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen. She's also interested in visiting Gruyeres to experience chocolate and cheese but is unsure how to balance her time during the Top of Europe tour. Jen appreciates suggestions on fitting everything into her tight itinerary.
- Consider spending an extra day in Interlaken and the surrounding areas to fully enjoy the scenery and activities.
- The Swiss Travel Pass can reduce costs for your journey to Jungfraujoch, so check its benefits for your itinerary.
- When visiting Gruyeres, try to travel from Montreux for a more direct route.
- If time is tight, consider only two base locations to maximize your sightseeing opportunities.
AI-generated summary-
Hello!
We book the Top of Europe from Interlaken excursion. I have set aside an additional one of our 5 days in Switzerland to be able to spend more time in Interlaken, Grindlewald and Lauterbrunnen. However, I am finding we have time to fit in a trip to Gruyeres (we would really love to spend some time with chocolate and cheese (YUM). I’m wondering how much time we will have during the Top of Europe tour in these towns? We are taking in as much as possible in our 5 days (arriving from Zurich, departing Geneva), and realize we are not giving enough time to any of one place on our itinerary…..so much to see and do and never enough time! I appreciate your suggestions!
Thanks!
Jen
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Hi Jen,
if you want to go to Jungfraujoch from Interlaken, the route takes at least 1 h 36 mins (one way) via Grindelwald and the Eigergletscher cable car. That is the fastest route. At the Jungfraujoch you need at least 2 hours to visit the attractions and play a little in the snow.
I highly recommend coming back on a different route, so you see more from the Jungfrau region. It takes around 2 hours from getting to the Jungfraujoch to Interlaken. You can find the traveling times in the timetable.
At http://www.myswissalps.com/jungfraujoch/gettingthere you can find the different route options.
Gruyeres is also a famous destination, the chocolate factory – called Maison Cailler – is one of the best in Switzerland in my opinion. I also enjoyed the cheese factory. If you are there, make sure to try a cheese fondue. Here you can find everything, you should know about Gruyeres: http://www.myswissalps.com/gruyeres.
Are you going to have a rail pass? Do you already know which one?
Take care,
Ildiko
Hey there!
I do have the 6-day STP, and we booked the Top of Europe excursion. I will double check to see if we take a different route back.
Do you think I should spend an extra day in Interlaken, Grindlewald and Lauterbrunner or use that day to visit Gruyeres?
Thank you for the help! 🙂
Jen
That is a difficult question. It depends on you, what you prefer. Gastronomy vs mountains. Tough decision. Gruyeres old town is also worth the visit if you are there.
If you are going from Interlaken to Gruyeres, it takes around 2,5-3 hrs by train and bus (one way). From Gruyeres to Broc (chocolate factory) it’s 40 mins by bus. (For the exact travelling times see the timetable.)
I think I, personally would choose the Jungfrau region, that is more according to my taste.
I am struggling to understand what you have purchased and what your overall itinerary is and where you are staying. If you have a 6 day STP, there is really no need to book a ‘top of Europe excursion’ as you STP will give you the (reduced price not free) access to the Jungfrau railway.
You can see the villages of Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Wengen is a little as one day if necessary.
Hi 1960man,
I understand your confusion. I did purchase the Top of Europe (in addition to the STP) because, to be honest, I am doubting my abilities to make that many tranfers and successfully get us to Jungfraujoch. It all sounds amazing, and I wanted to make sure we do all it includes. That said, I like the idea of taking our time in the tranfer towns. My initial concern was that we wouldn’t have enough time in Grindlewald and Lauterbrunnen and therefore needed a 2nd day in the region.
Our evolving itinerary is attached. The *starred towns* are where we plan to stay. I would really like to do at least one Alpine coaster or toboggan, and Kandersteg seemed like the best and closest to our path. I’m struggling with how to fit most of it all in between June 16-18. Never enough time….
Honestly, I originally planned to fly in and out of Zurich, but as I began planning, making our way to Geneva and departing from there would be fun too. There are so many things we want to do and won’t have time, and I find myself changing my mind 5 million times daily in order to do all the things! Had to take Appenzell off the itinerary as it just didn’t seem to work.
Would love to:
coaster or toboggan, Jungfrau region (and Jungfraujoch), cheese, chocolate, Hammetschwand, Leukerbad (would be amazing but any thermal spa-currently planned for Montreux)
Would love to visit:
Zurich, Interlaken, Grindlewald, Lauterbrunnen, Gruyeres, Geneva (have had to bypass Baden, Bern, Appenzell, Gstaad, Burgenstoch, and Zermott)
We haven’t booked our departing flight from Geneva to Spain yet as I want to make sure we have time in Geneva, but can get to Spain and spend a little time there before the day’s end.
Any and all input will be more than helpful!
PS-Sorry, I’m sure this is a lot more of response that you anticipated…..!!!
Thank you!
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Perhaps I need to stay in one location and take day trips? Zurich? Interlaken perhaps?
Hi Jenla13,
It looks like you roughly have 4 full days in Switzerland, which I think is too short to cover all the places on your list. I would try to stick to just 2 bases and plan more local sightseeing and short day trips to maximise time spent at each destinations.
There is a summer coaster run on Pfingstegg in Grindelwald, so you don’t really have to go to Oeschinensee just for the toboggan. Maybe you could do this on the same day as the Top of Europe excursion, perhaps make a pit stop in Grindelwald on the way back to Interlaken from Jungfraujoch. Skipping Oeschinensee will give you more time to explore the Jungfrau region. Maybe you can even plan boat trips on Lake Brienz or Lake Thun. More sightseeing suggestions here during your stay in Interlaken: http://www.myswissalps.com/interlaken/activities
If you plan on visiting Gruyeres, I think might it faster and easier to get there from Montreux. More information about how to reach Gruyeres here: http://www.myswissalps.com/gruyeres/gettingthere
Let us know if you need more info.
regards,
Anna
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