Jungfraujoch Altitude Sickness: Symptoms, Kids, Seniors and What Helps

By Ramon Stüdeli, who lives in Grindelwald and LucerneLast updated: 1 November 2026

Quick answer: Jungfraujoch station sits at 3454 m, the Sphinx Terrace at 3571 m. According to University Hospital Zurich, symptoms of altitude sickness can start from about 2500 m, typically headache, nausea and dizziness. Many visitors mainly notice that they get out of breath faster when walking. Walk slowly, drink enough, skip alcohol and go back down if you feel worse. If you have a heart, lung or other medical condition, are pregnant or travel with a baby, check the trip with a doctor first. This page does not replace medical advice.

Key facts at a glance

Altitude: station 3454 m, Sphinx Terrace 3571 m (jungfrau.ch). Grindelwald is at 1034 m.
From what height: According to the NHS and University Hospital Zurich, altitude sickness can occur from about 2500 m. The CDC names sleeping at 2450 m or higher as a risk, sometimes lower.
When: According to the NHS, first symptoms usually start 6 to 10 hours after arriving at altitude, according to the CDC 2 to 12 hours.
Fitness does not protect you: According to the CDC and the University of Zurich Travel Clinic, the risk does not depend on physical fitness.
Kids: According to the CDC, children are as susceptible as adults. Children under 8 often cannot describe their symptoms.
Jungfrau Railways recommend: walk slowly, drink enough, wear warm clothes and sturdy shoes, use sun protection and keep an eye on your children.
Emergency: Shortness of breath at rest, confusion or balance problems are warning signs according to the NHS. Get help immediately, ambulance 144.

How high are the Jungfraujoch and other excursions?

Place	Altitude	Above 2500 m?
Grindelwald village	1034 m	no
Kleine Scheidegg	2061 m	no
Grindelwald-First	2166 m	no
Männlichen	2229 m	no
Eigergletscher (change to the Jungfrau Railway)	2320 m	no
Schilthorn	2970 m	yes
Titlis	3020 m	yes
Eismeer station (stop of the Jungfrau Railway)	about 3160 m	yes
Jungfraujoch station	3454 m	yes
Sphinx Terrace	3571 m	yes

Sources: jungfrau.ch, interlaken.swiss, schilthorn.ch, titlis.ch. The NHS and University Hospital Zurich give the 2500 m threshold.

What happens at altitude

The higher you go, the less oxygen your body gets with each breath. From Grindelwald Terminal, you ride up more than 2400 vertical meters to the Jungfraujoch in about 45 minutes. According to University Hospital Zurich, a fast ascent is a risk factor, and the NHS says the same.

Sign	What it can be	What you do
headache, nausea, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite	mild altitude sickness (NHS)	tell your companions, take a break, do not go higher, go down if it gets worse
short of breath even at rest, cough with frothy or bloody spit, blue lips	serious altitude sickness, warning signs according to the NHS	get help immediately and go down, ambulance 144
confusion, unsteady walking, very sleepy	serious altitude sickness, warning signs according to the NHS	get help immediately and go down, ambulance 144

Sources: NHS (Altitude sickness, last reviewed 31.07.2023), CDC Yellow Book 2026. According to the CDC, acute mountain sickness improves rapidly with a descent of 300 m or more.

Who should see a doctor first

Have the trip checked by a doctor first if one of these applies to you:

Heart: According to the CDC, stable angina, compensated heart failure or coronary artery disease need caution. A heart attack or stroke in the 90 days before the ascent is a reason not to go, according to the CDC.
Lungs: According to the CDC, moderate COPD needs caution, severe COPD is a reason not to go.
Blood: According to the CDC, sickle cell trait needs caution, sickle cell anemia is a reason not to go.
Unstable conditions and long-term medication: University Hospital Zurich advises caution with lung, heart or circulatory conditions that are not stable, and advice beforehand if you take long-term medication.
Pregnancy: According to the CDC, good maternal health and a low-risk pregnancy should be confirmed before the trip.
Previous altitude sickness: According to the NHS, talk to a GP or travel clinic if you have had altitude sickness before or travel to altitude quickly.

Preventive medication is only available after medical advice. According to the University of Zurich Travel Clinic, it can have side effects.

Kids and babies on the Jungfraujoch

Same risk: According to the CDC, children are as susceptible as adults.
Kids often cannot tell you: Pediatrician PD Dr. med. Susi Kriemler writes that children under 8 cannot describe typical symptoms. A child who does not behave normally above 2500 m should be treated as having altitude sickness until proven otherwise. Then go down right away.
Cable car and train: According to Kriemler, a fast passive ascent, for example by cable car, carries a higher risk for children. She says the ride itself is not a problem for babies, but the pressure in the ears can hurt.
Day trip, not an overnight stay: According to Kriemler, day trips are possible, but children should not sleep at such altitudes, especially not in their first year.
Study on the Jungfraujoch: In a study at about 3450 m, children got sick less often than adults, according to Kriemler. There were still severe cases, and two children aged 9 and 11 needed medication.

For babies and toddlers, talk to your pediatrician before the trip. More for families on Grindelwald with kids.

Seniors and travelers with reduced mobility

Age alone is not the issue: According to the CDC, people over 50 have a slightly lower risk of acute mountain sickness. Medical conditions matter more.
Barrier-free: According to jungfrau.ch, you can travel barrier-free to the Jungfraujoch and the excursion mountains. Some destinations may require advance notice by phone.
Pace: Walk slowly at the top and plan breaks. The paths on the plateau are on snow, and the Jungfrau Railways say sturdy shoes are a must.

What helps

Walk slowly. The Jungfrau Railways say: the high altitude matters.
Drink enough. The Jungfrau Railways and the NHS recommend it.
No alcohol. The NHS advises not to drink alcohol while traveling to altitude, the CDC advises against it in the first 48 hours.
Sleep low. Grindelwald is at 1034 m. If you stay in the valley and go up for the day, you sleep below the 2500 m threshold.
Do not go higher if you have symptoms. The Sphinx Terrace is 117 m above the station. If you feel unwell, skip it and ride down.
Go up rested. Our tip: do not plan the Jungfraujoch for your arrival day after a long-haul flight.
Dress warmly. According to the Jungfrau Railways, you need warm clothes even in summer. Details on What to wear in Grindelwald and on the Jungfraujoch.

Alternatives below 2500 m

If you are unsure, there are plenty of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau views below 2500 m:

Kleine Scheidegg (2061 m): right below the Eiger North Face, by Wengernalp Railway from Grindelwald. Tips on Kleine Scheidegg and Männlichen.
Grindelwald-First (2166 m): 25 minutes by First gondola. Prices on Grindelwald-First: tickets and prices.
Männlichen (2229 m): 19 minutes by gondola from Grindelwald Terminal.

We compare which summit suits you on Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Titlis, Pilatus or First. If you prefer a slow pace with a personal guide, the Private Alps Experience is a private half-day tour (coming soon).

Keep reading

FAQ

Can you get altitude sickness on the Jungfraujoch?

Yes. The Jungfraujoch is at 3454 m, and according to the NHS and University Hospital Zurich, altitude sickness can occur from about 2500 m. Many visitors mainly feel short of breath when walking. If you get a headache, nausea or dizziness, take a break, do not go higher and ride down if it gets worse.

At what altitude does altitude sickness start?

From about 2500 m according to the NHS and University Hospital Zurich. The CDC names sleeping at 2450 m or higher, sometimes lower.

Is the Jungfraujoch safe for babies and toddlers?

Check this with your pediatrician first. According to Kriemler, day trips are possible, but children should not sleep at this altitude, especially in their first year. If a child does not behave normally above 2500 m, go down right away.

Can I go to the Jungfraujoch with heart problems or high blood pressure?

Check this with your doctor first. According to the CDC, several heart conditions need caution, and a heart attack in the last 90 days is a reason not to go. University Hospital Zurich advises caution with heart and circulatory conditions that are not stable.

What should I do if I get a headache on the Jungfraujoch?

Tell your companions, sit down, drink something and do not go up to the higher Sphinx Terrace. If it does not improve, ride down. According to the CDC, acute mountain sickness improves rapidly with a descent of 300 m or more.

Does fitness protect against altitude sickness?

No. According to the CDC and the University of Zurich Travel Clinic, the risk does not depend on fitness.

Can you get altitude sickness in Grindelwald?

Grindelwald is at 1034 m, far below the threshold of about 2500 m named by the NHS and University Hospital Zurich.

Can I visit the Jungfraujoch while pregnant?

Check this with a doctor first. According to the CDC, good maternal health and a low-risk pregnancy should be confirmed before traveling to altitude.

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About the author

Ramon Stüdeli is the owner of Grindelwald Experiences. He lives in Grindelwald and Lucerne, brings broad experience from tourism and other industries and has traveled to more than 60 countries. He is not a doctor. The medical information on this page comes from the sources listed.