SWITZERLAND - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 548

Bern (Berne)—Interlaken
There is hourly InterCity (IC) train service from Bern Hauptbahnhof to Interlaken
West and Interlaken Ost (East) Stations; departures are at 04 minutes after the
hour from 0704; journey time to Interlaken West is 47 minutes, and time to Inter-
laken Ost is 53 minutes.
Return hourly IC service departs Interlaken Ost on the hour and departs Interlaken
West at 05 minutes after the hour; journey time to Bern from Interlaken West is 48
minutes.
Distance: 37 miles (59 km)
Believe it or not, the Jungfrau can be scaled by train. Beginning in Interlaken
at the Ost (East) rail station, a private cog railroad terminates at the Jungfraujoch
Station, at 11,333 feet, the highest rail terminal in Europe. The round-trip takes
the better half of a day, and it should be made only in ideal weather. Furthermore,
the round-trip fare is just as steep as the ascent, CHF 320.00 per person first
class and CHF 298.40 for second class. Eurail passes do, however, provide
a 25 percent discount. Plan your “assault” on the Jungfrau for a separate day
after you have checked the weather—and your wallet. If both the weather—and
your wallet—permit, you are in for an unforgettable journey over one of Europe's
most remarkable routes: Interlaken Ost-Lauterbrunnen-Kleine Scheide-
gg-Jungfraujoch-Grindelwald-Interlaken Ost. Attractions on the Jungfraujoch in-
clude the Ice Palace and the Sphinx observation terrace, and you can dine at the
“Top of Europe” Glacier Restaurant.
If you are lacking in time (or funds) but you must scale a mountain while in Inter-
laken, take the funicular running up to Harderkulm, which overlooks Interlaken to
the south from 4,337 feet above sea level. On a clear day you can see both lakes