Jungfraujoch vs Schilthorn, Titlis, Pilatus or First: Which Summit Is Worth It? Prices, Time and Weather Rule 2026/27

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

Quick answer: The Jungfraujoch (3454 m) is the most spectacular summit, but also the most expensive: CHF 249.20 return from Grindelwald Terminal, from CHF 129.60 with the Half Fare Card. The Schilthorn (2970 m) gives you the view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau for CHF 115 from Stechelberg. Titlis (3020 m) is the snow mountain near Lucerne for CHF 102 from Engelberg. Pilatus (2132 m) is the trip right from Lucerne for CHF 84 in summer. First (2166 m) is the cheapest and starts right in Grindelwald, from CHF 38 with the Half Fare Card. Our weather rule: decide in the morning by webcam, not by plan. All prices for adults, as of October/November 2026.

Key facts at a glance

Highest summit: Jungfraujoch with its station at 3454 m and the Sphinx Terrace at 3571 m, snow and ice all year (jungfrau.ch).
Best value with a Swiss Travel Pass: Schilthorn. Free to Mürren, then 50% off, CHF 45.70 from Interlaken Ost (schilthorn.ch, until 12.12.2026).
Near Lucerne: Titlis from Engelberg (train from Lucerne 43 minutes) and Pilatus from Kriens or Alpnachstad.
Cheapest summit: First, from CHF 38 with the Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass, about twice that without a discount. Source: jungfrau.ch, as of October 2026.
Below 2500 m: only Pilatus and First. If you want to avoid altitude, read Jungfraujoch altitude sickness.
Combining two summits: Many tours from India combine Titlis and the Jungfraujoch on two different days, for example at MakeMyTrip and Flamingo Travels.

Prices and altitudes compared

Summit	Altitude	Start	Return, adults	With Half Fare Card	With Swiss Travel Pass	Valid
Jungfraujoch	3454 m	Grindelwald Terminal	CHF 249.20 incl. seat reservation	from CHF 129.60	25% off	31.10.–8.11. and 21.11.–12.12.2026
Schilthorn	2970 m	Stechelberg	CHF 115	CHF 57.50	CHF 45.70	until 12.12.2026
Schilthorn	2970 m	Interlaken Ost via Grütschalp	CHF 135.20	CHF 67.60	CHF 45.70	until 12.12.2026
Titlis	3020 m	Engelberg	CHF 102	50% off	50% off	published without a date
Pilatus	2132 m	Kriens, summer (May–November)	CHF 84	CHF 42	CHF 42	rates 2026
Pilatus	2132 m	Kriens, winter (December–April)	CHF 60	CHF 30	CHF 30	rates 2026
First	2166 m	Grindelwald	about twice the reduced price	from CHF 38	from CHF 38	starting price October 2026

Sources: jungfrau.ch, myswitzerland.com, swissrailways.com (Jungfraujoch), schilthorn.ch (timetable and tariff), titlis.ch (prices), pilatus.ch (ticket prices), retrieved 01.11.2026. Summer 2027 prices for the Jungfraujoch are not published yet, and the Schilthorn has new tariffs from 13.12.2026. Check the price with the operator before you buy.

Jungfraujoch ticketBuy your train ticket to the Jungfraujoch online

Time needed and getting there

Summit	Getting there	Ride up	Plan for
Jungfraujoch	about 1 hr 30 min from Interlaken Ost, about 45 min from Grindelwald Terminal	Eiger Express and Jungfrau Railway	a full day from Interlaken, about 2 hrs at the top for the main sights
Schilthorn	about 45 min by train and PostBus from Interlaken to Stechelberg	32 min in four sections from Stechelberg	half to a full day from Interlaken
Titlis	43 min by train from Lucerne to Engelberg	about 30 min from Engelberg	half to a full day from Lucerne
Pilatus	from Lucerne by bus to Kriens or by boat to Alpnachstad	cog railway from Alpnachstad 27 min	half a day from Lucerne, a full day for the Golden Round Trip
First	in Grindelwald village	First gondola 25 min	2 to 4 hours, longer with activities

Sources: jungfrau.ch, schilthorn.ch (fact sheet), zentralbahn.ch, engelberg.ch, pilatus.ch, luzern.com. The «Plan for» column is our assessment.

Which summit for whom?

Jungfraujoch: for the one big mountain day. The train runs through the Eiger and Mönch, and at the top you see the 22 km long Aletsch Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Details on Jungfraujoch: tickets and prices.
Schilthorn: for the view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau from across the valley, with the 360° restaurant and the Spy World exhibition about the James Bond film shot here in 1968/69 (schilthorn.ch). Tips on Things to do in Mürren and Gimmelwald.
Titlis: for snow near Lucerne. According to titlis.ch, the summit is accessible 365 days a year depending on the weather, with the Cliff Walk at 3041 m and a glacier cave. The Rotair gondola is closed for maintenance from 17.08. to 11.12.2026, and TITLIS Connect runs during that time.
Pilatus: for a trip from Lucerne by boat and cog railway. According to pilatus.ch, the cog railway has gradients of up to 48% and runs from May to November. In winter, you can only reach Pilatus from Kriens (luzern.com).
First: for adventure and views without high altitude. Cliff Walk, First Flyer, Glider, Mountain Cart and Trottibike, prices on Grindelwald-First: tickets and prices. We arrange the Flyer with the Cliff Walk as First Flyer & Cliff Walk.

Our weather rule

Check the forecast the evening before, the webcam in the morning. Fog in the valley says little about the view at the top.
Clear view at the top: go high. That is when the Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn or Titlis are worth it.
Clouds on the summit: stay lower or postpone. First, Männlichen or Kleine Scheidegg are lower and cheaper. Rainy day ideas on Grindelwald on a rainy day.
Stay flexible. Do not plan the most expensive summit for your last day, so you can swap if the weather is bad.

A seat reservation for the Jungfraujoch is mandatory from 1 May to 31 October (jungfrau.ch, as of 2026). So pick the day close to your travel date, based on the forecast.

Good combinations

Combination	Base	Why
Jungfraujoch and First	Grindelwald	two days, both lifts start in the village
Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn	Grindelwald or Interlaken	two angles on the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau
Titlis and Jungfraujoch	Lucerne and Interlaken	snow on two days, popular with tours from India
Pilatus and Lucerne	Lucerne	half a day on the mountain, half a day in town
Jungfraujoch and Kleine Scheidegg	Grindelwald	up by Eiger Express, down via Kleine Scheidegg

We do not recommend Titlis and the Jungfraujoch on the same day: the Luzern–Interlaken Express alone takes about 2 hours. How to split your days is in the Grindelwald itinerary.

Keep reading

FAQ

Jungfraujoch or Titlis, which is better?

The Jungfraujoch is higher (3454 m) and has the train ride through the mountain and the Aletsch Glacier. Titlis (3020 m) is cheaper (CHF 102 from Engelberg) and closer to Lucerne and Zurich. If you stay in Grindelwald or Interlaken, the Jungfraujoch is usually the better pick. Source: titlis.ch, as of November 2026.

Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn?

The Jungfraujoch takes you into ice and snow at 3454 m. The Schilthorn shows you the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau from across the valley and is much cheaper with a Swiss Travel Pass (CHF 45.70 instead of 25% off the Jungfraujoch). Source: schilthorn.ch, as of November 2026.

Which summit is the cheapest?

First, from CHF 38 with the Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass. Without a discount, Pilatus is good value in winter at CHF 60 return from Kriens (pilatus.ch, rates 2026).

Which summit is best with a Swiss Travel Pass?

The Schilthorn: free to Mürren, then 50% off, CHF 45.70 in total. Titlis and Pilatus give 50%, the Jungfraujoch from Grindelwald only 25%. More on Swiss Travel Pass, Jungfrau Travel Pass or Half Fare Card. Source: schilthorn.ch, as of November 2026.

Can you do Titlis and the Jungfraujoch in one day?

We advise against it. Engelberg and Grindelwald are far apart, and the train from Lucerne to Interlaken alone takes about 2 hours. Plan two days, for example with Lucerne and Interlaken as bases.

Is the Jungfraujoch worth it if I have already been to Titlis?

Yes, if the weather is right. The ride through the Eiger and Mönch and the Aletsch Glacier are only there. If the summit is in clouds, a lower excursion is the better choice.

Which summit is good for kids and seniors?

Pilatus (2132 m) and First (2166 m) are below the threshold of about 2500 m from which altitude sickness can occur according to the NHS. For families, see also Grindelwald with kids.

What do I do in bad weather?

Postpone if your ticket allows it, or stay lower. Check the operators' webcams in the morning.

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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.