Kleine Scheidegg is a train station in the mountains of the Bernese Oberland. It is a transfer station, the famous train to the Jungfraujoch leaves here. All passengers have to change trains here. You can reach the place high in the mountains only by train or on foot, there are no public roads and cars.
Kleine Scheidegg has a few restaurants and stores next to the train station. You can also spend the night here. This is mainly done by hikers and skiers. Kleine Scheidegg is a great base for hiking in the Bernese high mountains.
Kleine Scheidegg Railway
You can reach Kleine Scheidegg by train from Grindelwald and from Lauterbrunnen. respectively with the Wengernalpbahn (WAB). It runs from Lauterbrunnen via Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald and back. It is a rack railroad and it is even the longest rack railroad in the world.
The other train from Kleine Scheidegg is the world famous Jungfraujochbahn. It brings the many tourists from Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfraujoch. >>> Our article about the Jungfraujoch
You go from Interlaken to Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen by train. Then you take the Wengernalpbahn to Kleine Scheidegg. From here it’s on to the Jungfraujoch.
Most tourists stay in Kleine Scheidegg only a few minutes to change trains. This is a mistake from our point of view. When going up or down to the Jungfraujoch, you should stay a while in Kleine Scheidegg and continue with a later train.
Tickets to the Jungfraujoch
Demand is high for the limited capacity on the train, etc., we recommend booking online in advance.
Only tickets for trains and cable car to the Jungfraujoch and back are available on this link: More info and booking
There are complete tours from Interlaken with guide, which are hardly more expensive than the tickets with the trains: More info and booking
What to do in Kleine Scheidegg?
You should definitely enjoy the magnificent view. You are in Kleine Scheidegg 2061 meters above sea level. You can see the famous peaks of the Bernese Oberland. These include the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. These peaks are over 4000 meters high, so about twice as high above sea level as Kline Scheidegg. One has a magnificent view of the Eiger north face. You can’t see the Eiger better from anywhere than from Kleine Scheidegg.
Also Kleine Scheidegg is a good place for small and big hikes. You can also just walk for half an hour. The area is beautiful. But you have to expect snow at this altitude. We were up here in early May and there were still some snowfields.
There are cafes and restaurants in Kleine Scheidegg. The few houses are around the train station. The prices are not too high for Switzerland, the quality of the food is ok. Many praise the friendly service and the relaxed atmosphere in Kleine Scheidegg.
There is a restaurant right in the station building that is very popular. For example, there is bratwurst for 9 francs or pizza from about 17 francs. You can sit behind the train station of Kleine Scheidegg in a kind of beer garden and enjoy the magnificent view of Eiger and Co.
>>> Overview of tours to Jungfraujoch from Interlaken, Zurich and other cities
Day trips to Jungfraujoch from other cities in Switzerland
You can also take a trip to Jungfraujoch from other places in Switzerland like Zurich. We have picked out some offers with good reviews on the internet for you:
Day tour from Zurich: More info and booking
Day tour from Lucerne: More information and booking
Day tour from Geneva: More info and booking
2-day tour from Zurich: More info and booking
A good 100 meters away is the modern restaurant Eigernordwand. From the terrace you also have a great view of the Eiger north face.
Near the train station Kleine Scheidegg is a larger sports store, here you can also buy souvenirs and the like. There are lockers at the station. The Wengernalpbahn to and from Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald stops in front of the station, the Jungfraujochbahn behind it.
The famous hotel is Kleine Scheidegg is called Bellevue des Alpes, about 100 meters from the station.
The whole place is very small, less than 10 houses. There is no real supermarket up here. You should bring some things with you if you stay longer.
The world famous Lauberhorn race, a ski world cup race (downhill) starts up here and goes down to Wengen. You can reach the start from Kleine Scheidegg by chairlift.
Summary
Kleine Scheidegg is a train station high in the Bernese Oberland. The many thousands of tourists transfer here to the world famous cog railroad to the Jungfraujoch. But you should not only change trains, but also look at the small village of Kleine Scheidegg. Highlights are the view and small and large hikes.
The famous Eiger North Face
Tickets to the Jungfraujoch
Demand is high for the limited capacity on the train etc, we recommend booking online beforehand.
Only tickets for trains and cable car to the Jungfraujoch and back are available on this link: More info and booking
There are complete tours from Interlaken with guide, which are hardly more expensive than the tickets with the trains: More info and booking