The Eiger Express Grindelwald – Everything you need to know

The Eiger Express Grindelwald. When we travelled to Jungfraujoch-top of Europe station and the ice palace in the Swiss Alps. We went up on the new Eiger Express Gondola to Eigergletscher. The new Eiger Express cable car, which uses tricable technology opened in December 2020. The journey into the mountains in Switzerland literally took our breath away. With views that go from lush green hills and alpine views sprinkled with traditional wooden Swiss chalets. From the beginning of the snow as the kid’s excitement grows, to the final stretch of white covered mountain tops and ski slopes as far as the eye can see. It really should be on everyone’s Switzerland bucket list. Read on to find out everything you need to know before visiting this year-round destination, including how to get your Eiger Express tickets.

What is the Eiger Express?

The Eiger Express is a large new gondola which can transport up to 26 passengers at a time. It is a pivotal part of the journey on the Jungfrau railway up to the highest railway station in Europe and into the mountains in Switzerland. Going via the Eigergletscher station. Allowing panoramic views of the mountain range and surrounding area. We travelled on the gondola out of season at beginning of April. Which meant we pretty much got one to ourselves. However, during peak times it can transport up to 2,200 people per hour. No matter where you sit you will be rewarded with beautiful views through the large glass windows. It runs from 8 am most days with the final ascent being between 4.15 pm and 5.45 pm depending on the time of year. Descents are around half an hour later. 

Where does Eiger Express go from?

The gondola takes you from the Grindelwald terminal up to Eigergletscher – the Eiger Glacier station which is a whopping 2,328 metres above sea level. Here you can continue your journey into the Jungfrau mountains via the cog train as we did. Or enjoy the views on the viewing platform, Jungfrau ski area or hiking routes and Eiger trail in the Summer months. The 6,483-metre cable car ride has a journey time of fifteen minutes. This new faster route is forty-seven minutes quicker than previously. When we descended from the Top of Europe we chose to take the train back down. However, it is possible also to take the Eiger Express which is much quicker. Top tip – if travelling out of season then when you board the gondola you have the opportunity to hang back from the crowd. We did this which meant we shared our gondola with only four other people, allowing us to move around and take pictures from all angles. 

How do you reach the Eiger Express?

You catch the Eiger Express from the Grindelwald Terminal. We did notice that there was a car park close by the terminal. Although we caught the train from Interlaken Ost as there is a rail connection straight into the terminal. This was included in our Swiss travel pass. The train takes around half an hour and allows you to relax and take in the views of the surrounding area. Taking in the view of the Switzerland mountains and Bernese alps from the bottom. There is a short walk from the platform into the terminal building but it is all undercover and there is a vertical conveyor, just like those you would find in an airport terminal.

The New Grindelwald Terminal 

There are many facilities at the newly added state of the art terminal. The modern terminal has become the hub for transport over the Jungfrau region. The Grindewald terminal offers a supermarket to pick up a picnic in, restaurants and shops selling top international brands. There is also a large ticket office and plenty of information to help you plan your visit. To enter onto the transport that leaves the Grindelwald terminal either the Eiger Express or various trains you scan your ticket in machines with turnstiles. 

Grindelwald station is different to the terminal. It is a short five to ten-minute walk away and is the station that the traditional cog railway runs into. Both are different from Grindelwald First, which is a tourist attraction within the mountain range. It sounds complicated but it isn’t. Pick up a map from the stand next to the ticket office and this will show you all of the routes and the different stations. 

How much do Eiger Express tickets cost?

This s a popular day-trip excursion from Interlaken. Cost depends on what else you are planning on doing and whether you are travelling during peak holiday periods. You can buy a ticket online, one way gondola rides to Eigergletscher costs 32 CHF (Swiss francs) for an adult or 16 CHF for a child. With a return costing 88.80 CHF or 20 CHF. Or If you are wanting to explore the whole region then you may want to consider a travel pass which will allow you to go on The Eiger express as many times as you would like. As well as use all the other cable cars and trains in the area and visit Jungfraujoch Top of Europe. You can find out more about day passes here.

We really enjoyed our trip on the modern tricable gondola across the steep alpine pastures. It was our favourite element of our travel time to the Jungfraujoch-top of Europe mountain station.

Related articles

If you are thinking of visiting Jungfraujoch Top of Europe and the mountains in Switzerland. Then these other posts may be of interest:

• Jungfraujoch Top of Europe

• Our visit to Grindlewald First – the best things to do

• Ballenburg Swiss Open Air Museum- a trip back in time

• Our visit to the Giessbach Falls near Interlaken Switzerland

• Lake Brienz Cruise – everything you need to know

• Visiting Harder Kulm Top of Interlaken

• Helimwehfuh Interlaken what to expect

• St Beatus Caves & Waterfalls Lake Thun Interlaken Switzerland

• Interlaken Switzerland – 7 Days with kids

Have you been on a gondola ride? Or on a day trips to Europe’s highest train station? I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.

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