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Jungfrau pass: all you need to know

Let’s talk about the Jungfrau Pass, which lets you explore the Jungfrau region without the need to buy separate tickets for individual trains, cable cars, or boats. In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Jungfrau travel pass, including what the pass covers, its price (as of August 2024), how to purchase it, and tips on getting the most out of it.

Jungfrau Pass overview

If you’re looking for an article about the Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe, I’ve written a guide about it here. Otherwise, for the information about the Jungfrau pass, keep reading.

The Swiss Alps, with their breathtaking landscapes, are a dream destination for travelers seeking stunning mountain vistas, alpine meadows, and serene lakes. For anyone visiting this picturesque region, the Jungfrau Travel Pass offers great convenience, flexibility, and value, allowing you to explore the beauty of the Jungfrau region without the hassle of purchasing individual tickets.

This all-in-one travel pass is your gateway to discovering great region and even offers a discount for the Jungfraujoch cogwheel railway which is not included in the regional pass. The biggest advantage in my experience is the fact that you don’t have to worry whether you have the right ticket as there are so many travel inspectors in the area and you can easily make a small error that will cost you lots – a no ticket fee can be up to CHF 90 plus the price of the ticket.

The Jungfrau Travel pass is especially beneficial if you’re staying for three days or more, as the minimum duration is three days (with a maximum of eight days). Given the relatively high prices (see below), it’s definitely worth using the full three days to explore the region. The Jungfrau Travel Pass provides you with access to an extensive network of trains, gondolas, cable cars, and cogwheel railways. But is it worth the cost? Let’s explore the details to help you decide.

TIP: Before heading anywhere in the Jungfrau region, check the webcam to see if the weather is good! It might be sunny down in Interlaken, but there’s a good chance it won’t be when you’re 2,000 meters up.

What Is the Jungfrau Pass?

The Jungfrau Travel Pass is a seasonal pass that grants travelers unlimited access to various modes of transportation across the Jungfrau region. Typically available between late spring and early fall (from early May to late October), it is designed for tourists who want to experience the beauty of the Swiss Alps without worrying about transportation logistics.

With this pass, visitors can hop on and off various trains and lifts, covering an expansive area that includes Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg, and more. The pass is an excellent option for adventurers who wish to enjoy hikes, nature walks, scenic train journeys, and other outdoor activities in the region.

Understanding the Jungfrau Pass Map

The Jungfrau Travel Pass covers a vast area, and understanding the map can help you plan your journey and maximize your experience. The pass provides unlimited travel on:

– The cogwheel railways from Interlaken to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen
– The Wengernalp Railway between Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, and Kleine Scheidegg
– The trains from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg
– The Mürren and Schilthorn cable cars and funiculars
– The Firstbahn gondola from Grindelwald to First
– The trains and cable cars between Wengen and Männlichen, as well as Grindelwald and Männlichen
– The boats on Lakes Thun and Brienz
– The bus services in the area

See the full map here – this is extremely helpful if you’re already in the area to plan trips, so save this to your browser or grab a similar map in a physical form from one of the stations. Always check the map or the website to ensure the information has not changed!

It’s important to note that the Jungfrau Travel Pass does not cover the final train ride from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe), although pass holders benefit from a significant discount on this journey (about 50%). We booked our journey to the Jungfraujoch after getting the Jungfrau Travel Pass which is something I would highly recommend doing.

Because of the pass being at least three days (depending on which one you buy), you can monitor the weather and decide on the best day to buy your ticket to the Jungfraujoch at. Moreover, the pass allows access to lesser-known yet stunning areas such as the Schynige Platte and Harder Kulm, where panoramic views of the Alps, including Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

Is the Jungfrau Pass Worth It?

Short answer is yes. If you’re planning to stay in the region for at least 3 days, it would be a shame not to get the pass. Plus if you visit at least half of the places on the map, it’s more than worth it from the financial point of view.

The individual tickets can be really pricey and the fact that you just keep scanning your one ticket and you’re all good to go is incredible. Plus, you can take the boat on either of the seas which is really nice and gives you another view at the beautiful alps. So from my experience, I’d say absolutely worth it!

For those whose primary goal is to visit Jungfraujoch, however, it’s important to remember that the pass doesn’t fully cover the cost of the final leg to the Top of Europe. Instead, it offers a discount, which is still valuable if you’re doing other activities, but might not be sufficient for travelers who only want to visit this specific destination.

What Does the Jungfrau Pass Include?

Jungfrau Railway 

  • Kleine Scheidegg – Eigergletscher – this takes about 10 min and is really beautiful and scenic.
  • Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe at a special price: Eigergletscher – Jungfraujoch return at the special price of just CHF 75 (prices accurate as of summer 2024).

Eiger Express

  • Gridelwald Terminal – Eigergletscher – this gondola or what I would call fancy cable car, taking you to the Eigergletscher is amazing, if you only have limited time to visit the region or if you’re only travelling to the Jungfraujoch, definitely pick this journey over the train one.

Bernese Oberland Railway

  • Interlaken Ost – Lauterbrunnen – definitely worth prioritising if you have limited time only, it’s absolutely amazing and you’ll be feeling the Swiss atmosphere on this one for sure. Takes about half hour. Chances are that you’ll have to go to Lauterbrunnen anyway as you can take another train to Muerren or Wengen from there.
  • Interlaken Ost – Grindelwald – Grindelwald is one of the most impressive areas, however, it was really cloudy and foggy when I was there. Check the web cam before going.

Harder funicular (HB)

  • Interlaken – Harder Kulm – don’t miss one out just because it’s not leaving from the Interlaken Ost. While the station is a ten minute walk, it’s soooo worth it! Takes less than ten minutes up and you get a view at both Thunersee and Brienzersee. Harder Kulm is also referred to as Top of Interlaken, you’ll understand why when you get there.

Schynige Platte Railway = 15.06.24 – 20.10.24

  • Wilderswil – Schynige Platte – I’m not going to lie, this one was a little miss for me. Top of Swiss tradition, the Schynige Platte is a beautiful place. However, getting there is quite problematic, as a more traditional train takes you up there. It takes over an hour to get up there. The timetable isn’t great and this place is just too popular, so chances are you’ll have to wait for an hour in a train to be able to get back down. The views are little different and it’s worth it if you have the patience for it.

Wengernalp Railway*

  • Lauterbrunnen – Kleine Scheidegg – Grindelwald 

*All year round except for maintenance work:
Wengen – Kleine Scheidegg: 04.11.24 – 29.11.24
Grindelwald – Kleine Scheidegg: 06.05.24 – 17.05.24 | 21.10.24 – 03.11.24

The Lauterbrunnen-Mürren Rail & Cableway*

  • Lauterbrunnen – Grütschalp*
  • Grütschalp – Winteregg – Mürren* is a great cable car ride and quite fast—about 20 minutes. However, just so you know, there’s not much to do in Mürren if you’re not planning to hike. There aren’t many restaurants up there, and while there is one nice view, if you see a sign for another cable car, note that it’s not included in your pass. Would I go again? Probably not. But if you’re already in Lauterbrunnen, it only takes about half an hour in total, so you can still make the most of your pass.

*All year round except for maintenance work: 21.10.24 – 08.11.24

First Aerial Cableway 

  • Grindelwald – First – Grindewald First is known for its walk around and great views as well as dedicated platform, also often referred to as Top of Adventure. Unfortunately we didn’t see much as it was really foggy up there but we walked down to Bort, a station below, which is only an half hour walk and it’s great for people who don’t necessarily want to do any hiking but would like to do a little bit of walking.

Grindelwald-Männlichen Gondola Cableway*

  • Grindelwald Terminal – Männlichen – I didn’t take this one so can’t provide any tips. When you look at the map, it’s kind of in the middle of it, so it’s hard to decide whether and when to take it.

*Open – 25.05.24 – 20.10.24

Aerial cableway Wengen Männlichen*

  • Wengen – Männlichen. This cable car was fun. You can pay CHF 5 to take the ‘royal ride’, meaning you’re up on the top of the cable car with unlimited views and fresh air – yes, it’s open air. Well worth it and great experience. Also would recommend little walk around Männlichen as you can see Jungfrau from here. You can also take a walk up the hill while entertaining your children or yourself along the way. There’s couple of stations with different tasks and it’s quite fun. More info here.

*All year round except for maintenance work: 11.04.23 – 26.05.23

Rail connections

  • Interlaken Ost – Interlaken West
  • Interlaken Ost – Brienz

Boats

  • Boat Thunersee – We took the boat on the Thunersee and it was great, it goes every hour or so and can be quite full. As always, make sure you have your ticket ready as there are lots of travel inspectors – included in your Jugfrau travel pass, and just make sure that if you want to go the first class – up the deck, you buy an additional ticket first.
  • Boat Brienzersee

Grindelwald Bus
The Grindelwald Bus local lines are included in the Jungfrau Travel Pass. (The Mountain lines Grindelwald – Bussalp/Waldspitz/Grosse Scheidegg are excl. and not valid.)

How Much Is the Jungfrau Pass?

The cost of the Jungfrau Travel Pass varies depending on the duration of the pass and the time of year. Passes are available for durations ranging from 3 to 8 days. Here is a general price range for adults:

– 3-day pass: CHF 210
– 4-day pass: CHF 235
– 5-day pass: CHF 270
– 6-day pass: CHF 290
– 7-day pass: CHF 310
– 8-day pass: CHF 330

Note that prices can vary depending on seasonal promotions or discounts for Swiss Travel Pass holders. Children up to 15 years old travel for reduced fair, please have a look at additional information and up-to-date prices here.

Where Can You Buy the Jungfrau Pass?

The Jungfrau Travel Pass can be purchased both online and in person. If you prefer to book your pass in advance, you can do so through the official Jungfrau Railways website or various travel platforms specializing in Swiss tourism. Personally, I would recommend buying it online on the official website:https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/jungfrau-travel-pass/. This will ensure that your ticket is legit. You can screenshot the code, print it out, or add it into your apple pay or google pay.

Alternatively, you can purchase the pass at any railway station in the Jungfrau region, such as Interlaken, Grindelwald, or Lauterbrunnen. But you may have to queue.

Final thoughts

I had a great time with the Jungfrau Travel Pass in the region. We bought the three day ticket and it was just about good enough for all you need to see. We didn’t take both boats and missed one cable car but I would say three days is okay for an average traveler to see everything there. If you like hiking or exploring more, then I would recommend at least four days or more, depending how much you want to do.

Don’t forget that getting to Jungfraujoch is a little different story – find out more in the guide here.