The 15 Best Funicular and Mountain Railway Rides in Zurich

1.Jungfraujoch: Top of Europe Day Trip from Zurich

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,647 reviews · 11 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $380Our pick

Travel from Zurich to Jungfraujoch with an English-speaking guide, riding the cogwheel railway, Ice Palace route, Sphinx Observatory, and Eiger Express. Guides such as Kid, Raymond, and Xavier are praised for keeping groups together and taking photos, though the 11.5-hour day can feel rushed.

“This was an exceptional tour. It is a bit rushed because you cover a lot on this day tour but completely worth it if one has limited time to spend in the mountains. Our guide Kid was so fun, organized and he took the best pics and videos which made the whole experience memorable. Our driver was also very good. Completely worth the money!”

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2.Jungfraujoch Day Trip from Zurich: Swiss Alps & Bernese Oberland

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,409 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $386

Travel from Zurich to Jungfraujoch with a multilingual guide, riding the Eiger Express gondola and cogwheel train to 11,332 feet. Explore the Sphinx Observatory, Ice Palace, and Alpine Sensation, with stops in Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen. Guides may include Lars, Olga, Monica, or Andrea.

“Wonderful. I strongly recommend. Bus was comfortable. The guide was awesome lady. Explain and show the places. Was a wonderful experience.”

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3.Zermatt & Mt. Gornergrat Small Group Day Trip from Zürich

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 72 reviews · 11 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $756

Travel by Swiss train from Zurich to car-free Zermatt, then ride the Gornergrat railway toward 10,000 feet for views of the Matterhorn, Gorner Glacier, and Monte Rosa. A local guide such as Enzo, Michael, or Ueli handles the many connections and adds village history.

“It was a great experience. Our tour guide was very quick and very expert. The tour is expensive but I had great time . I just wished we had more time in the village.”

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4.Jungfraujoch Guided Day Tour with Cogway Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 61 reviews · 11.5 hours · from $360

Travel from Zurich into the Bernese Alps with a multilingual guide such as Kid or Hans. Ride the cogwheel train via Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg, explore Jungfraujoch at 3,454 meters, then descend by cable car to Grindelwald.

“Absolutely fantastic day all round! Kid our tour guide was brilliant and kept the group morale high!”

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5.Daytrip to Jungfraujoch Top of Europe and Interlaken from Zurich

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 47 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $434

Travel from Zurich by coach to Interlaken, Grindelwald Terminal, Jungfraujoch, Wengen, and Lauterbrunnen. Prebooked gondola and train tickets simplify the day, while guides such as Olga, Sofia, Bruno, and Peter lead departures. Expect spectacular views, a large group, and limited free time.

“The tour guide was terrible. She didn’t speak loud enough to be heard. She told all of us to meet at a certain time so we could take a tram to the top of the mountain. We showed up at the time she told us. The entire group was gone. When we caught up she told me that she thought everyone was there so they went ahead. Really? The whole ride home she barely said anything even though it was a different route than the one we took there.”

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6.Funicular to Mt. Bürgenstock & Lake Lucerne

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 43 reviews · from $145Best value

Travel from Zurich to Lucerne by coach, enjoy free time in the city, then take a boat to Kehrsiten and the Bürgenstock funicular. Your guide leads the coach portions, while written instructions guide the unescorted mountain section. Expect big lake views, resort paths, and a full 9.5-hour day.

“The tour guides were informative.amd professional. It was a nice experience.”

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7.2-Day Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Tour from Zurich: Interlaken or Grindelwald

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 43 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $729

Travel from Zurich to the Bernese Oberland, spend a free afternoon and night in Interlaken or Grindelwald, then visit Jungfraujoch with reserved seats, the Eiger Express, Sphinx Observatory, Plateau, and Ice Palace. Guides such as Antje, Marcel, Karin, Dan, and Ding may lead different departures.

“On top of Jungfraujoch it was breathtaking and very well organised i high recommend this tour. The tour guide made sure everyone understood everything and took head count to check everyone was there”

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8.Zermatt & Mt. Gornergrat Small Group Day Trip from Zürich

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 23 reviews · 12 hours · from $764

Travel by train from Zürich to car-free Zermatt, walk its old wooden village, stop at Kirchbrücke for Matterhorn photos, then ride the Gornergrat Railway to glacier views. A guide such as Martin leads the small group of up to 10 in English, French, or German.

“It would have been better if transportation has been made private”

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9.From Zurich or Lucerne: 2-Day Jungfraujoch Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · 2 days · from $698

Spend two days in the Bernese Oberland, choose an overnight stay in Interlaken or Grindelwald, then ride the Eiger Express gondola and mountain railway to Jungfraujoch. You get at least two hours at the summit, the Sphinx Terrace, Ice Palace, breakfast, and a multilingual guide.

“I highly recommend staying overnight in interlaken, we got more time to explore. The organisation or the tour was a little confusing and I felt the your guides were unsure as well. We were the only ones on our tour group to stay overnight, everyone else did day trips. We arrived in interlaken, where we only had about 45mins, so we checked in and walked back to the bus which then took us into grindelwald. We walked through this town and had lunch and then caught the train back to interlaken to our accommodation. Everyone on the day trip got a train ticket from grindlewald to interlaken included, however us…”

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10.Jungfraujoch (Private Tour)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $996Top rated

You’ll leave Zurich in a private luxury Mercedes with a licensed driver-guide, cross Brünig Pass, pause in Interlaken, then ride the cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch. Your ticket includes the Sphinx Observatory elevator and Ice Palace. Guide Ivo has also added a waterfall stop when conditions allowed.

“This was an incredible excursion with Ivo as our guide and driver. Weather was prefect so we could see well at the Top of Europe. Also the Ice Palace was impressive where you walk under a glacier where there are several ice sculptures.”

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11.Private Tour from Zurich to Jungfraujoch – The Top of Europe

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 9 reviews · 10 hours

Leave Zurich in a private vehicle with an English or German-speaking driver-guide, stop in Grindelwald, ride the cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch, and return through Lauterbrunnen. The 10-hour tour suits groups of up to three, but train and cable car tickets cost extra.

“The ride and driver were would amazing- unfortunately because it is prime tourist season there were just too many people trying to see the same thing. If you are going to go during the holidays (Christmas) the. I would highly recommend getting there first thing in the morning, like when it opens Or go when it isn’t packed wall to wall with people.”

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12.Jungfraujoch Private Tour – Top of Europe & Lauterbrunnen Valley

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $990

Travel privately from Zurich to Jungfraujoch with an English-speaking guide, riding the Eiger Express and mountain train to 3,454 meters. See Eismeer, the Sphinx Observatory, and Ice Palace, then return through Lauterbrunnen. Guides including Carlos and Marcelo have helped make the day smooth and personal.

“We could not have experienced the mountain without Marcelo. He took our hands on the slippery mountain top and guided us to see the views over the edge. Breathtaking! We were blessed with a clear day. Our private tour was 2 people in their 80s and two people in their 70s. He knew where to go on the mountain top so the experience was organized and took us to places we wouldn't have found on our own. He took photos so we could remember our trip to the top of Europe. On the way back to Zurich the freeway was totally stopped. He never lost his cool and tried different…”

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13.Private trip from Zurich to Jungfraujoch (The Top of Europe)

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 9 reviews · 10 hours (approx.)

Travel privately from your Zurich hotel to Grindelwald, then ride the panoramic train to Jungfraujoch. Driver-guides such as Fabio and Alex handle the road journey, while you see Eismeer, the Ice Palace, Sphinx Observation Deck, and Lauterbrunnen. Train and cable car tickets cost extra.

“Our driver, while courteous, was just a driver. We expected some touring. There was no interaction. It was an expensive transfer to the mountain with nothing more. Noe what we expected and not consistent with tour description.”

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14.Alpine Majesty:From Zürich to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $1,021

Meet your private guide at 8:30 am and travel from Zürich to Jungfraujoch by intercity train, cableway, and cogwheel railway. Christopher may guide your party, handling each connection and leading you to the Sphinx terrace, Ice Palace, snow platform, Lindt shop, and Lauterbrunnen waterfall.

“Christopher was a very engaging and pleasant guide who coordinated the trip from Zurich to the Jungfraujoch seamlessly and provided a great day out to the top of Europe. I completely recommend him!”

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15.Jungfraujoch Day Trip with Cable Car and Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 8 hours

Join Jan for a private eight-hour trip from Zurich to Jungfraujoch in a leather-seat Mercedes V Class. Ride the Eiger Express and mountain train, explore the Glacier Cave, see the Great Aletsch Glacier, and stop at Lake Lungern.

“Jan was super friendly, easy to talk to and great with sharing information. Mountain experience was truly beautiful!!! Definitely recommend 😊”

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