From San Francisco to South Africa, we have all the amazing cable car rides from all over the world in one place!
When I thought of “cable cars”, growing up in Hiroshima and living my adult life in San Francisco, I automatically think of the trolleys on the streets with cables connected to them on a railroad. I only realized that to the rest of the world, and to many of these amazing travel bloggers, it also meant it’s those gondolas that went up and down, taking you to higher places.
I love riding both, and they are also fun for our kids! So we did a roundup of 50+ amazing cable cars around the world with the help of our 50+ travel blogger friends – separated into geographical regions, and a map! Do you know of any that are not listed here? Contact us to submit your experience!
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ca·ble car
noun
1. a transportation system, typically one traveling up and down a mountain, in which cabins are suspended on a continuous moving cable driven by a motor at one end of the route.
2. a car on a cable railroad.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Map of Amazing Cable Cars Around the World
Cable Cars in Africa
Cape Town, South Africa ~ Table Mountain
Photo and words by Clemens from Travellers Archive (for more on South Africa, check this post here) or give them a follow on Instagram.
A ride up the famous Table Mountain cable car, is possibly one of the very best ways to experience Cape Town in South Africa. While the ride is a gentle one, the state-of-the-art cable car is rotating, so that stunning views of the City Bowl are guaranteed. It takes only about 5 minutes from the lower station to the top. Atop the mountain one finds a self-service café. Even better: pack a picnic and enjoy what still is part of a national park. On top of the Table Mountain, you are 3,500ft above the ape Town and you will find lizards, rock hyrax, eagles, butterflies and many more species. The best time to come here is for sunset. Probably one you will never forget.
Cable Cars in Asia
Shandong, China ~ Mount Tai
Photo and words by Winnie MD from Million Dollar Winnie, give them a follow on Instagram.
The cable car rides at this UNESCO World Heritage Site will be something you won’t forget. There are three different cable car routes that start from different locations, but all take you to the South Heavenly Gate. A beautiful arch on top of a tower.
On your ride, you’ll see the surrounding landscape of Mount Tai and all the steep cliff faces that have made Mount Tai an object of worship for more than 3 millennia. The earliest signs of worship date back from Neolithic times. But the mountain is most famous for being one of the five Taoist mountains in China with over 2000 years of history.
Emperors from various dynasties have made the mountain a sacred worshipping place by building temples, and monuments throughout the mountain. Because of this importance, the mountain is hugely significant to Chinese culture, as many poems and famous paintings use Mount Tai as it’s muse. You’ll be able to find some of this ancient art in the temples on Mount Tai.
To get to Mount Tai from Qingdao, a six-hour train ride will take you to Taishan (Mount Tai) station. Or you can take the high-speed train which cuts the journey time by half, in 3 hours. Qingdao is the nearest big city, but Mount Tai actually spans across two cities, Tai an and Jinan.
If you take the high-speed train, then it will take you to Tai station, which is 30 minutes away from Mount Tai by taxi.
Hong Kong ~ Ngong Ping
Photo and words by Matilda from Travel Sisters, and check them out on Facebook.
One of the top cable car rides in the world is the Ngong Ping Cable Car in Hong Kong. This gondola cable car is a must on any Hong Kong itinerary and connects Tung Chung and Ngong Ping Village on Lantau Island, home to the large Tian Tan Buddha statue. The impressive 5.7 km long cable car journey lasts around 25 minutes during which you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the South China Sea, Lantau Island and the Big Buddha. For even better views, in addition to the regular cable cars, there are also glass bottom cars called Crystal Cabins.
Rajasthan, India ~ Udaipur
Photo and words by Oindrila from OINDRILA GOES FOOTLOOSE, and check them out on Instagram.
India’s ‘City of Lakes’ in Rajasthan has its own cable car ride that takes you up to Machla Magra Hills. From up here, you can see all of Udaipur and its numerous lakes. The ride on the gondola takes you along a tree-lined green hill in the Western Ghats. Once you reach the top, you can climb a couple of flights of stairs to an open-air deck that offers gorgeous panoramic scenes of this city. You can snack at the hilltop cafe before you take your cable car ride back down. Each gondola fits up to 8 people and you need to queue up for about an hour before it’s your turn to get in.
Kashmir, India ~ Gulmarg
Photo and words by Kathleen from Kat Pegi Mana: Where Is Kat Going, and check them out on Facebook.
Gulmarg is a ski resort in Kashmir, India and it’s becoming one of the world’s popular ski destinations for its deep powder of snow and off-piste trails in the backcountry. One of Gulmarg’s attractions is the cable car ride (gondola) which is touted as the highest gondola in the world! The gondola ride begins at almost 2,900 metres high, ascends to 3,350 metres where one changes station and hops on the next phase of the ride which continues to the top at 4,000 metres above sea level. I visited Gulmarg in late autumn when snow hasn’t fallen yet but imagine the vast snow slopes and panoramic views of the mountains in the middle of winter!
Hiroshima, Japan
Words by Emily from Henry and Andrew’s Guide, follow us on Instagram.
Growing up in Hiroshima, I always loved riding the cable cars (or the electric trams) that are similar to what is available in San Francisco. I was even told that they have imported trains from San Francisco and Europe (not sure if that’s true) and it’s one of the only places besides San Francisco that has this type of transportation. These trams take you through all over downtown Hiroshima, including the Peace Park and Museum. It’s a fun way of exploring the city!
Wakayama, Japan ~ Koya-San
Photo and words by Talek from Travels with Talek, and check them out on Facebook.
The Koya-san cable car takes you from the train station to the ancient city of Koya-san in Wakayama Prefecture to the south of Osaka. The trip in the little vertical car only takes about 5 minutes but the view going up into the temple town is breathtaking. People go to Koya-san to visit the Okunoin Cemetery, oldest and most well-known necropolis. The best time to tour the cemetery is at night with a tour provided by the local Buddhist monks. This burial site is the final resting place of anywhere from 200 to half a million souls. Nobody is quite sure as the cemetery dates back almost 1200 years. The night tour is conducted by English speaking monks that discuss the teachings of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism, the history of the cemetery and Koyo-san, legends and the daily life of the monks. They can also answer questions that visitors will inevitably have when strolling through this fascinating necropolis. The tour takes about 90 minutes at a cost of about 1800 yen if you buy online. This will be a highlight of anyone’s trip to Japan.
For a true Japan experiences in Koya-san, sleep in one of the 120 temples in the holy city. This mountain town is a UNESCO World Heritage site with over 120 temples, some of which allow overnight guests. Accommodations are comfortable in traditional Japanese style. The meals are vegetarian and served by monks. Guests are expected to attend morning prayer services at 6:30 AM which was pleasant and interesting. Now there’s a Japan experience you won’t forget!
Tateyama, Japan ~ The Alpine Route
Photo and words by Allan from Live Less Ordinary, check them out on Instagram.
Japan’s Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, also known as the “Roof of Japan”, is more of a seasonal attraction, or it is at least best visited in mid-April when the route first opens after a winter hidden under heavy snowfall. And while the Alpine Route is better known for its snow corridor, when a roadway cuts between towering walls of ice, this attraction is then followed by various well-connected transport covering the peaks of the Alpine Route. This includes trolley buses, which are like trams that bury through mountain tunnels, a cable car which is the Japanese term for a funicular train, and a ropeway, which is their term for what we call cable cars. So the ropeway (cable car) is easily one of the better attractions of the route as it lowers down from the highest peaks of the range towards the valleys beneath, passing a vast lake near the bottom, with fantastic views en route. There are also windows on all sides of the ‘cable car’, so if you find yourself near the back of the queue and stuck in the middle, it may be best to wait for the next run.
Sapporo, Japan ~ Mount Moiwa
Photo and words by James from Where You’re Between, check them out on Instagram.
The capital of Hokkaido, Japan’s northern island, Sapporo’s landscape is dominated by Mount Moiwa. An easy tram ride from the city centre followed by a short (and free) bus trip brings you to the base of the mountain. Though there are hiking trails to Mount Moiwa’s summit, thankfully there’s also a cable car that makes reaching the top much easier.
Mount Moiwa’s proximity to Sapporo means that the view from the summit overlooking the city and the surrounding area is spectacular. Be sure to pick a clear day when heading for Mount Moiwa, as cloud can often hide the view completely. Arguably the view is at its most impressive at night when the lights of Sapporo spread out for miles, and yet at the same time almost appear close enough to touch.
Nagasaki, Japan
Photo and words by Sylvia from Wapiti Travel (check out their 3 week Japan itinerary here).
The Nagasaki cable car takes you up Mount Inasayama, usually referred to as Mount Inasa. The mountain has a height of 333 meter and offers spectacular views on the city of Nagasaki. The view is already fantastic during the day but it’s best to plan your visit to Mt. Inasa to enjoy the sunset. The view was even voted 3rds world best Nocturnal view in 2012.
From the top of the mountain, you are able to see Nagasaki nestled in the lush mountain slopes and major areas of the port and ship wharf. A light and music show is played every hour after sunset. If you want to spend some more time up the mountain you could consider having dinner in the stations’ restaurant. Prices are reasonable and the quality is good.
The cable ride itself is quite expensive (currently 1230 yen both ways) and you will most probably spend the 5 minutes cramped in the car with 32 other people. The city view itself will, however, make up for this.
An absolute must do when in Nagasaki.
Skycab in Langkawi, Malaysia
Photo and words by Sally from Our 3 Kids v The World.
The Skycab Langkawi is the top tourist attraction on the island and is perched above the Machincang Cambrian Geoforest and the gondolas provide a 360 degree view, the VIP gondolas also have a glass bottom to view the canopy of the forest below. The gondolas don’t have air conditioning so keep that in mind if you have traveling in the hot afternoon as they do get pretty warm inside and the airflow isn’t great. Once you reach the top you will be 708 metres above sea level and the views are just amazing.
Also located at the peak is the Langkawi Sky Bridge, the bridge measures at 125m in length and is suspended by a single pylon and sits 100m above the ground. The Sky Bridge is a short walk down a few steps connected to the top of the SkyCab and you can walk across and take in the Avatar inspired views out to the ocean.
I recommend you head to Langkawi Skycab and Sky Bridge early in the day, this will ensure you are back down before it gets to hot as there’s a bit of walking around involved but the views across the island are definitely worth it.
Singapore to Sentosa
Photo and words by Marie from Our City Travels, check them out on Facebook.
While getting to Sentosa island from by other means is convenient, going there by cable car is a lot cooler. Unlike many cable cars where the landscape you can view are mostly mountains, greeneries, or snowy surroundings, the cable cars from Mount Faber to Sentosa will let you see a mixture of modern buildings and infrastructures embedded within tropical trees, boats and ships sailing about the blue, clean waters, groups of islands with white sand beaches, and the Merlion from an almost birds-eye view.
Singapore’s cable cars are like what the city represents – really clean and convenient, although not air-conditioned, the wind coming in through the window would be a welcome breeze. It’s a smooth and comfortable ride, so if you are going with kids, it will be a pleasant experience for them too.
The best time to take ride the cable car is when you’re coming back at night or dusk, what with the great views of the city night lights and the sun is setting, it’s a romantic and picturesque moment.
Busan Air Cruise, South Korea
Photo and words by Sandra from The Smarter Writer, check them out on Instagram.
‘Busan Air Cruise’ is Busan’s newly refurbished cable car ride that reopened in 2017 after an almost 30-year hiatus. It was worth the wait. We took this spectacular return cable car ride from Songdo Beach to Amnam Park. It was a brilliant way to see this fabulous city from a different angle – the 1.62km cable car ride stretches out over the water and up to the clifftops at Amnam Park. Departing from Songdo, you get views of the city skyline in one direction, islands and boats in another, and the clifftop peaks hugging the coast ahead at your destination. At Amnam Park, we enjoyed a short hike in the forest. We returned to Songdo Beach at sunset and the sky did not disappoint. Tickets are a very reasonable 15,000 won for a return adult, or 20,000 for a glass-floor gondola.
Maokong, Taipei
Photo and words by Jessica from Travel Solo Anyway, check them out on Instagram.
The Maokong Gondola in south Taipei is an easy and accessible half-day trip that takes you up into the city’s tranquil tea plantations. There are four stops and the journey to the top takes around half an hour.
You have two cabin options – a regular cabin or a ‘Crystal Cabin,’ which means that the floor is completely transparent, allowing you to look straight down at the mountain vegetation below!
The Crystal Cabin can actually be ridden at no additional cost to the regular cabin, so you can choose whichever you prefer, or you feel your heart can handle!
At the top, you can wander the tea plantations, visit the Tea Promotion Center, take various walking trails, and visit one of the many teahouses, where you can leisurely sip on locally produced teas while overlooking the city, including the iconic Taipei 101.
I highly recommend this experience to visitors to Taipei – especially tea, nature and epic view lovers!
Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan
Photo and words by Cerise from Enchanted Vegabond, check them out on Facebook.
Sparkling Sun Moon Lake is located in central Taiwan, surrounded by mountains and nearby tea fields. The Sun Moon Lake Ropeway is a 7-minute relaxing ride with panoramic and expansive views of the natural beauty of central Taiwan and Sun Moon Lake. Built in 2001, the gondola-style cable car uses solar and electric power to operate. The windows open so you can enjoy fresh air and a breeze as you make your way up! The 1044m long cable car takes you to the Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village at the top, a theme park, and museum combined into one, and a great way to learn about the aboriginal history of Taiwan. The cable car operates daily from 10:30 – 16:00 and is closed on the first Wednesday of the month. Tickets are approximately $10 USD per person ages 6 and older, $8 USD for children 3 – 6, and under 3 are free. Enjoy beautiful views of Sun Moon Lake and Taiwan’s scenic natural beauty!
Phu Quoc Cable Car, Vietnam
Video and words by Maire from Temples and Treehouses, check them out on Facebook.
The cable car on Phu Quoc is a tropical island just off the south coast of Vietnam. Its cable car ride, which only opened in 2018, is the longest in the world, as verified by the Guinness Book of World Records. The ride over the sea from Phu Quoc to Pineapple Island covers almost 8km, and takes around 15 minutes each way.
More impressive than the stats though are the views. You soar over a genuinely breathtaking turquoise ocean and bright green jungle-covered islands. The sea is so blue and clear that you can look down at the tiny boats below and see their shadows on the sea bed.
When you get to pineapple island, there’s a lovely beach and a couple of restaurants. The beach is gorgeous but no more stunning than some of the other beaches in the area (for what it’s worth, Bai Sao in Phu Quoc is easily the most beautiful beach I’ve ever been on). But the cable car ride in itself was an absolutely incredible experience, and one of the best things I did on my entire 6-week Vietnam trip.
Vinpearl Island in Nha Trang, Vietnam
Photo and words by Sandra Muller, check them out on Facebook.
The Vinpeal Cable Car is an epic 3.32km ride connecting Nha Trang on the mainland with Hon Tre Island where the Vinpeal amusement park and resort is. At first, I was a bit skeptical about catching the cable car to go to the amusement park, but my doubts were lifted as soon as the island came into clear view. As well as your standard amusement park rides, there was an aquarium, waterslide park, wave pool, kids pool and lovely beach area and we loved it. We bought an annual pass to Vinpearl, which included the cable car ride to the island. We must have visited the island at least 20 or more times when we were staying in Nha Trang for a few months. The views of the sea and the islands were magnificent and we didn’t tire of the 20-minute ride there or back.
Cable Cars in Europe
Innsbruck, Austria
Photo and words by Josie from Josie Wonders, check them out on Facebook.
The Innsbruck cable car is better known as the Nordkettenbahn. It leaves right in the centre of town and takes you up into the beautiful Austrian Alps. This is no ordinary cable car though. It has four stops along the way. The first two stops are serviced by a funicular rather than traditional cable car cabins. The first stop up the mountain is the Alpine Zoo, dedicated to animals found in this region of the Alps. Jump back on the Nordkettenbahn funicular and travel to the Hungerburg station. Here there is a little town, with cafe’s and local shops to have a browse through. There is a viewing platform with a view out over Innsbruck.
Many people will only go this far, but if you are feeling adventurous, you can transfer to a traditional cable far to continue the journey up the mountain. The third stop of Seegrube has even more spectacular views over the valley and also contains a restaurant for meals or refreshments. Many people hike between Hungerburg and Seegrube, so this is a good way to refuel before heading back down the mountain.
There is still one final leg up to Hafelekar. At 2256m, this stop is above the treeline and the mountain is exposed. We enjoyed watching the clouds roll over the mountain top, but, even in July, it was soon too cold to be outside. Views from here were stunning, but only possible when the clouds parted.
The Nordkettenbahn is one of the truly spectacular cable cars in the world and should be on everyone’s list when visiting Innsbruck.
Bregenz, Austria
Photo and words by Christina from Explore Now or Never.
The Pfänderbahn in Bregenz is a panoramic cable car that’s been running since 1927! Bregenz is situated at the most scenic juncture ever—right at the western edge of Austria next to Germany and Switzerland with France to the north and Italy just south. It’s also at the edge of the Bodensee—Lake Constance for English speakers—which makes the six-minute ride up the Pfänder incredibly scenic. In fact, from the top of the mountain, you can see 240 alpine peaks in three countries!
Once you’re up, you can relax with a cup of coffee or lunch at the self-service restaurant or check out the amazing wildlife park, which includes everything from dwarf nanny goats and ibex to wild boars and red deer. The return is up to you: If you’re feeling lazy, take the Pfänderbahn back down the mountain. Otherwise, hike it! You can read more here about our incredible day hiking the Pfänder in Bregenz and cycling Lake Constance.
Gibraltar
Photo and words by Tracey from Pack the PJs, check them out on Facebook.
When you visit Gibraltar, you quickly realise that this little country is divided into three parts: by the coast is a region of reclaimed land full of bustling marinas and apartment developments; above this is the lovely Old Town, and above this (taking up 40% of the land) is The Upper Rock Nature Reserve. ‘The Rock’ is the main tourist attraction in Gibraltar, due to the wild populations of Barbary Macaques that live there. The best way to visit the Nature Reserve is via the Cable Car. The lower station can be found at the end of Main Street, next to the Botanical Garden. This is a 6-minute ride that carries you 412 metres above sea level. When you step out, at the ‘Top of the Rock Café’ and observation area, the first thing you’ll see are a few cheeky monkeys. The views – all the way across to Africa on clear days – are phenomenal, and the apes are good thieves, so keep your backpacks on your front, and hold your glasses on your face!
We took the cable car on the day we explored the Upper Rock Nature Reserve. A cheaper option is to walk up – but there’s a lot of walking once you reach the top, so it’s well worth the treat. I have to tell you about a conversation me and my children overheard while riding the cable car. We were sharing the ride with a small group of British tourists, and halfway up the mountain, we all spotted our first barbary apes. They were chilling in a patch of flattened undergrowth beneath us. One of the tourists said, rather loudly, “oh look at those monkeys! They are on their nests. I wonder if they are sitting on their eggs.” Ouch! We all hoped that by the time their visit had ended, they’d understand why that comment made my daughter snigger!
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Photo and words by Constance from The Adventures of Panda Bear.
The Dubrovnik Cable Car provides one of the most picturesque views of the Old City of Dubrovnik, Lokrum Island, and other nearby islands. The orange cable car takes you up Srd Hill in 4 minutes, all while you’re gazing longingly at the magical city walls and amazing views. At the upper cable car station, you can even dine at a restaurant with sweeping, panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea. On a clear day, you can even see as far as 60km (37mi). We made this a must-do on our 3 day trip to Dubrovnik and it was one of the best experiences we had in Croatia. The ride isn’t cheap and will run you about 150 kuna ($23.52 US) round trip, but the view of Dubrovnik from the top makes it all worth it!
Emirates Airline in London, England
Photo and words by Jo of Where Jo Goes, check them out on Facebook.
Do you want to see London from a different perspective? Travel across the River Thames by cable car from the O2 Arena, Greenwich Peninsula to London Docklands with the Emirates Airline Experience. This is London’s only cable car and gives travellers a unique view of the city from the sky. Cars leave every 30 seconds and the journey takes ten minutes each way. An onboard video tour explains some of London’s most iconic landmarks. In the evening, London lights up and you can take a night flight or you can book a champagne flight for a special occasion.
At July 3rd 2018, an Adult single ticket is £3.50, return £7 and a child £1.70 single and £3.40 return. A family return ticket for 2 adults and 3 children is £27.50 (reduced from £40). Check the website for up to date pricing. Included in some ticket types is the Emirates Airline Experience, a small exhibition area where kids can play at flying on a plane or travelling on one and you can find out more about aviation. My children really enjoyed this immersive little exhibition.
You can see London from the ground, you can travel down the Thames on a boat but nothing beats the experience of seeing this amazing capital city from the sky.
Chiatura, Georgia
Photo and words by Kami from My Wanderlust.
Chiatura, Georgia is known as the city of cable cars. The area around the city is rich in the manganese and iron ores and cable cars were built as a main form of transportation to and from the mines as well as from the lover to upper parts of the town. There are over 15 cable cars in Chiatura, built mostly in the 1950s. Some of them are currently not operating but if you decide to visit Chiatura you still can ride couple of the cable cars. It will be a thrilling and adventurous experience as it’s obvious they need renovations really badly, but that’s part of the fun! I went to Chiatura for the cable cars mostly and I didn’t regret it for a single moment! I’m even thinking of going back there to take some more cable cars, especially those located outside of the center!
Zugspitze, Germany
Photo and words by Stacey from One Trip at a Time, check them out on Instagram.
At 2,962 m, Zugspitze is Germany’s highest peak and sits on the border with Austria south of the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. You can ascend the mountain from Garmisch-Partenkirchen on a cog railway followed by a cable car to the summit, or by cable car all the way from the town of Eibsee. We recommend going up by cog railway and down by cable car to experience both modes of transport and experience the different views that each offer.
Ascending by cog railway, the train stops just before it enters the tunnel to the summit to allow passengers a few minutes to admire the view of the beautiful Lake Eibsee before continuing. At the top it’s only a short walk to the cable cars that then take you to the summit. But before you do, we recommend you take a few minutes to visit Germany’s highest church.
After a short cable car ride, you reach the summit and it really is the summit – the actual peak is just a few metres away and clearly visible, though you need permission and suitable equipment to visit it.
Unbeknownst to us when we visited was that, at the summit, you can walk across the border to Austria (no passport required) and admire more spectacular mountain views. You can then have a bite to eat in the summit restaurant before your descent via cable car back down to Eibsee.
Bolzano, Italy
Photo and words by Kate from Our Escape Clause.
Snow-capped mountains, quaint villages nestled into hills, crumbling castles, and vineyards as far as the eye can see: these are the kinds of views you can expect when riding the cable cars in Bolzano, Italy.
Originally imagined as (and still used as) transportation between the larger city of Bolzano and the small mountain villages that surround it (this is especially necessary in winter when South Tyrol gets heaps of snow), there are three cable cars you can ride from Bolzano.
Each one will deposit you into an adorable town, perfect for grabbing lunch or a cup of coffee before setting off a nearby trailhead for an invigorating hike and some truly breathtaking views!
Porto, Portugal
Photo and words by Anisa from Two Traveling Texans, check them out on YouTube.
Porto has a cable car system where you can ride from the Ponte Luis I Bridge (upper station) to Cais de Gaia (lower station) where all the Porto port houses are located. It’s a little pricey – €6 for one way or €9 for round trip – but the views are worth it. The trip lasts about five minutes and you will cover about 600 meters. You are purchasing an experience rather than just a transportation method. As a bonus, we got coupons for one free port tasting at the Quevedo Port Wine House.
Before you go on the cable car, be sure to enjoy the view from in front of the station. It’s a great spot to photograph the Douro River and Porto Old Town. When we got on the cable car, it wasn’t crowded at all so we got the whole car to ourselves. The one issue we had was the sun was really strong so several of our photos had a lot of reflections. Next time, we will time it better.
Lisbon, Portugal
Photo and words by Jacky from NOMAD EPICUREANS, check them out on Facebook.
One of the most unique cable car rides in Europe is the Nations Park Gondola Lift in Lisbon. Rather than climbing a mountain, the cable car takes you along the Tagus river. It is located in the Parque das Nacoes, an area constructed entirely for the World Expo in 1998. Today it brims with cafes and restaurants. The cable cars depart several times an hour and the whole ride takes about 10 minutes one-way. Along the way, you will have a panorama view of modern Lisbon as well as the Tagus River and Vasco da Gama bridge. Considering the low price of less than 4€ one-way, and only a bit over 5€ return, the cable car ride at Parque das Nacoes in Lisbon is a welcome distraction from the busy city below!
Braşov, Romania
Photo and words by James from This Travel Guide, check them out on Instagram.
One of the top things to do in Braşov, Romania, is to head to the top of the Tâmpa Mountain and take in the breathtaking views of Braşov and the surrounding countryside.
As well as the cable car, which begins in Braşov and takes you to the top, there are also several hiking trails that go up the mountain as well. Both are deserving of your time, so it’s either worth going up the mountain on two separate occasions or splitting the legs of one journey between hiking and the cable car.
The cable car is inexpensive (a return costs 16 lei, or roughly $4), and you’ll not only find tourists at the top but plenty of locals as well. It’s a fantastic way to spend a few hours, and a great spot to photograph Braşov from as well.
Madrid, Spain
Photo and words by Perri from Seeking the Spanish Sun.
The Madrid cable car, known locally as Teleferico, runs from the edge of Spain’s busy capital city out to the magnificent park area Casa de Campo. Take a car from Paseo del Pintor Rosales, North West of Madrid city centre and ride for 10 minutes to enjoy the views. You will see the Royal Palace, Cathedral Almudena, Manzanares river and the vast stretch of green trees.
The cable car stops inside the park, which is over 6 times bigger than London’s Hyde Park and 5 times bigger than New York’s Central Park! Hike through the wild Casa de Campo to enjoy the shady, natural, city oasis or go in search of the many attractions hidden within. You will find a huge theme park, zoo and aquarium, a lake surrounded by restaurants and an outdoor public swimming pool. Or if you prefer, you can ride the cable car back to the city for a scenic round trip.
San Sebastián, Spain
Photo and words by Cathy and Danni from Cathy Travelling, check them out on Instagram.
I love cable cars and funiculars. The funicular at the end of La Concha Bay, San Sebastian takes you to the top of Mount Igeldo. The funicular was built in the 1920s and is made of wood. On the top of Mount Igeldo is an Amusement Park, high above San Sebastian, with the most wonderful views. It is a highlight of our time in San Sebastian with views of the Pyrenees located in Southern France; in beautiful shades of blue and grey. We view the stunning beaches of Ondaratta, Zurriolo and La Concha on the coast of the North Atlantic Ocean. The statue of Jesus on Mount Urgell stands twelve metres high, watching over La Concha Bay and all who live there. A walk south along La Concha Bay takes you to the funicular housed in a station just minutes from the beach.
Barcelona, Spain
Photo and words by Gábor from Surfing the Planet.
If you travel to Barcelona, and you already now the city somewhat, you will definitely look for activities out of town. The best excursion you can do is, without doubt, a day trip to Montserrat from Barcelona. The mountains of Montserrat are one of the most surprising rock formations you can get to see; situated at only 40 km from Barcelona, Montserrat is not only famous for its unique landscape, but it also represents a very important cultural heritage of the Catalan people. You can visit the Benedictine Santa Maria de Montserrat Monastery and many other beautiful shrines amongst the mountains.
The greatest way to visit Montserrat is taking the cable car up to the monastery. The views from the cable car are simply astonishing and this trip is not for those who have vertigo. The gradient is almost 50% and the journey takes around 5 minutes to get from Montserrat Aeri train station to the top. The frequency of the runs is every 15 minutes, so usually, you don’t have to wait too much even in high season.
Leukerbad, Switzerland
Photo and words by Sharon from Simpler and Smarter, check them out on Facebook.
Thanks to all those mountains, there are many cable car rides in Switzerland. We particularly enjoyed going on the cable car up Gemmi on our Christmas trip to Switzerland.
The Gemmi cable car is located in the town of Leukerbad. A fabulous town to visit if you want to ski and soak in hot springs!
The cable car itself goes from the town up Gemmi which is 2350 metres above sea level. From here you can ski and play in the snow. There is also a restaurant.
The views are fabulous both during the journey and from the top. We were able to see the Matterhorn as well as many other mountains.
I recommend this at any time of year but we did particularly enjoy it in the snow.
Grindelwald, Switzerland
Photo and words by Carolyn from Holidays to Europe, check them out on Facebook.
One of my favourite cable car rides is the one from the pretty Swiss alpine town of Grindelwald to First mountain. The summit (at 1924 metres) is reached by two cable cars – one from Grindelwald to Schreckfeld and then another on to First.
As the cable car ascends, the views over the Grindelwald valley are spectacular. Wooden chalets dot the landscape below and towering mountain peaks surround you on every side.
At the First Summit, there are plenty of things to do before you head back down to Grindelwald. As well as numerous hiking trails (and ski runs during winter), there’s the First Flyer, an 800-metre zip line that whooshes you down to Stechelberg at up to 80 kilometres per hour, and the First Cliff Walk, an elevated walkway built around the side of the mountain.
You can choose to descend the mountain the same way you arrived – by cable car – or ride mountain carts and Trottibikes (scooters) back to Grindelwald. Whichever way you choose, the views are superb.
Grindelwald is located 21 kilometres from the town of Interlaken. There are excellent public transport services between the two towns year-round.
Glattalp, Switzerland
Photo and words by Michael Gerber.
The Glattalp is a rather small and not well-known place in the canton of “Schwyz” in Switzerland, so basically in the middle of the Swiss Alps. The ride up there is quite special, as, in comparison to the modern cable cars in Switzerland, the “Sahli-Glattalp-Bahn” is so tiny and old school!
On a sunny day you will have to wait up to 30 minutes in line as the cable car can only bring a few people to the top at once. But believe me, it is absolutely worth it to take this ride. After enjoying the scenic views inside the cable car you will reach the beautiful Glattalpsee, which offers some of the most incredible reflections I’ve personally ever witnessed.
To me, the Glattalp is a hidden gem that is always worth a visit – especially if you’re looking for a more remote location to spend your time.
Mount Pilatus, Switzerland
Photo and words by Alison from Eternal Arrival, check them out on Instagram.
Switzerland is famous for its scenic mountains and its excellent public transit, so it should be no surprise that the cable cars in Switzerland are second-to-none! One of my favorite cable cars I took in Switzerland was from the top of Mount Pilatus, where you can see sweeping views of all of Lake Lucerne below and even over to Mount Rigi in the distance. There are multiple ways to get to Mount Pilatus; the most common is to take a combination of steamboat and rail up and then down with a cable car. However, you can also go both up and down with a cable car too, if you are a cable car fanatic! At the top of Mount Pilatus, there are a few trails you can walk, a sit-down restaurant, and a bratwurst stand selling delicious bratwurst and pretzels to snack on. The ride is all included if you have a Swiss Travel Pass, making it a super fun and convenient day trip from Lucerne and one of my favorite places to visit in Switzerland if you have a train pass!
Harder Kulm Interlaken, Switzerland
Photo and words by Rashmi & Chalukya from Go Beyond Bounds.
The Harderkulm is a viewpoint at an altitude of 4,334 ft in the town of Interlaken in Switzerland. The summit offers breathtaking views of the town of Interlaken, the mountains of Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau, the lakes of Thun and Brienz and some of the best scenic vistas of the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. The best views of the valley are from the Two-Lake footbridge on the summit. The funicular station to reach Harder Kulm is located some 5 minutes walk from the Interlaken Ost Station. The ascend which takes about 10 minutes offers wonderful views of the town of Interlaken. The other points of interest at the funicular station are the Interlaken-Harder Alpine Game Park where you can find the Alpine ibex enclosures and marmots. There is a restaurant on the summit where you can buy something to drink and try some Swiss special dishes. The funicular to the Harder Kulm operates only during the summer from April to November and runs every half an hour.
Isenfleu, Switzerland
Photo and words by Toccara from Forget Someday, check them out on Facebook.
The village of Isenfluh sits just over 1,300 ft (400 m) above the Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland. To get up to Sulwald at 5,000 ft (1,500 m), you can either hike or take the cable car. Of course, you always have the option to ride the cable car to the top and back down again, but we chose to take the cable car up and hiked down. Operated by two men, one at the top and one at the bottom, the 8-passenger cable car takes 5 minutes to go from Isenfluh up to Sulwald. At the top, visitors can take the short detour to the Sulwaldfluh overlook for incredible views. Once back at the cable car station in Sulwald, it takes about an hour to hike down to Isenfluh on the well-marked forested trail. The ride is pricey, as most attractions are in Switzerland, but the views are priceless!
Cable Cars in the Middle East
Harissa to Jounieh, Teleferique of Lebanon
Photo and words by Keri from Family Travel in the Middle East, check them out on Instagram.
For one of the most spectacular views in Lebanon, you need to get to climb Mount Lebanon and visit Our Lady of Lebanon who stands proudly over the country. There is a driving option but far more fun is the cable car ride from Maameltein by the coast up to Harissa in the mountains. Known as the Teleferique of Lebanon, you will take in spectacular rooftop views and everyday life from the Bay of Jounieh. Views stretch as far as Beirut to the south and Byblos to the north before you disappear into the forested hilltops of Mount Lebanon. All up you ascend 530 metres and 1570 metres in this breathtaking 9-minute journey.
Your cable car ride ends at the playpark and food court beneath Our Lady of Lebanon, but you can continue on the last hundred metres by funicular to visit the Virgin Mary statue as well as the beautiful Saint Pauls Basilica.
Cable Cars in North America
Squamish, BC, Canada
Photo and words by Hannah from Eat Sleep Breathe Travel.
The Sea to Sky Gondola located in Squamish, British Colombia is a must when visiting Canada’s west coast. The gondola ride is only about ten minutes long, but it’s 885m above sea level and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, forests, and the Howe Sound. Once at the top, you can hike along any of the various trails, walk across the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge, or just visit the various viewing platforms and take in the stunning scenery. The Sea to Sky Gondola operates year round with adult tickets costing about $40CAD (they are cheaper if you purchase in advance online). During the summer months, there are also sunset gondola discounts.
The Sea to Sky Gondola is only about an hour outside of Vancouver, making it a great option for a half day or a day trip.
Banff, Canada
Photo and words by Dhara from It’s Not About the Miles, check them out on Instagram.
The Lake Louise Gondola in Canada’s Banff National Park is a must-do activity when you’re in the region. The gondola takes you up the mountain to an amazing viewing area almost 7,000 feet high. Once you are at the top, you can take short walks to view the spectacular scenery from all angles and take a million photos. Or you can join a guided interpretive hike if you are in good shape and want a more immersive experience.
While the vistas of the Canadian Rockies region are stunning, the coolest part of this ride is that you are very likely to see grizzly bears roaming around below the gondolas and lifts. The terrain below the gondola line is known for its wildlife population and grizzly bear sightings occur almost every single day in the spring, summer and fall. We saw several grizzlies, including a mamma grizzly bear with two cubs. You can see other wildlife as well, including black bear, moose, elk, deer, mountain goat and bighorn sheep.
A truly awe-inspiring experience in an awe-inspiring part of the world!
Whistler-Blackcomb Peak 2 Peak, Canada
Photo and words by Nicholas from the Rambling Feet.
In the past, there was no direct connection between the tops of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains in Canada. Visitors had to take the chairlift back to Whistler to get from one to the other. That changed, though, when the Peak 2 Peak Gondola in Whistler, Canada opened in 2008. It whizzes riders 436 metres above the ground, higher than any other in the world and for a time, it also boasted the longest unsupported lift span (3.024 kilometres). Those superlatives were enough to convince me to give it a go.
For most of the 4.4-kilometre, 11-minute ride, you get an unobstructed view of skiers tackling the slopes below and the surrounding mountains – provided that the weather is good – though it was slightly unnerving to not see a support tower for ages! Besides ski slopes and trails, the Inukshuk on Blackcomb, the symbol of the 2010 Winter Olympics, is one of the sights near the terminal worth seeking. Even if the chairlift on that mountain is shut, the Peak 2 Peak ensures you still get to see the massive cairn perched on a cliff high above the valley.
Manhattan to Roosevelt Island, New York, U.S.
Photo and words by Dan Bagby from HoneymoonAlways.com.
If you are looking for a new perspective of the Manhattan skyline, you should take a ride in the Roosevelt Island Tram. The cable car connects Roosevelt Island to Manhattan. You can ride the tram every day from 6 am till 2 or 3 the next morning every 15 minutes or every 5 minutes during rush hour. The ride only lasts a few minutes and cost less than 3 dollars each way. I recommend going at night to see the skyline lit up at night and to avoid the Roosevelt Island residents on their daily commute. To take the tram, go to the station on 2nd Ave. between 59th and 60th street.
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Photo and words by Catherine from We Go with Kids, check them out on Facebook.
The Streetcar is a fun way to travel in New Orleans. The St. Charles Line began service in 1835 and is the oldest continuously operated street railway line in the world. The classic trolley is a hit with both adults and kids, especially those familiar with Mr. Rogers or Daniel Tiger. We took the St. Charles Line through the Garden District to the landmark diner, Camellia Grill. On the way back to the city center, we stopped at Magazine Street to check out the antique stores, art galleries, craft shops and boutiques and also grab some coffee. One way fares cost $1.25 and must be paid with exact change upon boarding. We opted for the one day, unlimited ride Jazzy Pass, which cost $3 each.
Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Photo and words by Susan from Solo Trips and Tips, check them out on Instagram.
Palm Springs aerial tram is the largest rotating tramway in the world. Palm Springs tram travels over 2.5 miles (over 4 km) along the Chino Canyon from desert to mountain in around 10 minutes while the tram car rotates to provide scenic views.
- Enjoy panoramic views from the observation decks
- Have a meal at one of the restaurants
- Explore the hiking trails of Mt San Jacinto State Park
In Winter months:
- Go cross-country skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Winter camping at 8,500 ft ($5 permit required)
Be sure to check the weather forecast before you go. The temperatures at the top can be as much as 30 degrees F cooler than in the desert.
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Photo and words by Emily from Henry and Andrew’s Guide, check them out on Facebook.
It’s like chicken and the egg. San Francisco or Cable Car, which came first? All joking aside, San Francisco’s iconic cable car is full of history and fun. Apparently, it is the world’s last manually operated cable car. It looks like such a workout operating that thing all day! It’s also fun riding it hanging off the side of the railing. You can visit much of San Francisco’s main attractions like Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach, Chinatown, and Union Square via the cable car. The line that goes on California Street is the least crowded, and used by commuters, so if you don’t like long lines and you just want to experience riding the cable car, that’s the way to go!
Cable Cars in Pacific & Australia
Cairns, Australia
Photo and words by Allison from Flights to Fancy, check them out on Facebook.
The Great Barrier Reef is often considered the jewel in Tropical North Queensland’s crown but there is so much more on offer. The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area maybe lesser known, but you would be remiss not to explore Australia’s oldest rainforest while you are in town. The region stretches from Townsville to Cape Tribulation and is littered with walking tracks but Skyrail Rainforest Cableway offers a different view as you soar above the canopy. Skyrail Cairns is the most environmentally sensitive cableway in the world. 7 years of feasibility studies were conducted to ensure that no rare, threatened or endangered species were impacted by construction. The location of each of the 32 towers and two mid stations were carefully selected to coincide with existing canopy gaps. When Skyrail was completed in 1995 the 7.5klm journey was the longest in the world. Skyrail’s 114 gondolas can move up to 700 people per hour and while they can reach a maximum speed of 18klms per hour, they travel much slower to ensure riders can truly enjoy the experience. For a special treat book one of Skyrail’s diamond cars which have glass bottoms to maximise your viewing experience.
Bob’s Peak, Queenstown, New Zealand
Photo and words by Erin and Ryan from Down Bubble, check them out on Instagram.
The Skyline Gondola takes visitors 450m up Bob’s Peak in the steepest cable car in the Southern Hemisphere for a 220 degree lookout over picturesque Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand. There’s a viewing platform for views down over the town and across Lake Wakatipu to the Remarkables (mountains). You don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to head up the peak, there’s a bar you can just sit and enjoy the views from over a beer. Of course if you are into thrills then you can choose from a range of activities that start at the top of this very steep peak including mountain biking, street luge, and bungee jumping.
Cable Cars in South America
La Paz, Bolivia
Photo and words by Nate from Travel Lemming, check them out on Instagram.
You’ll feel like you’re zipping through the clouds when you ride the cable car system in La Paz, Bolivia. And, in a sense, you really are: La Paz is the highest administrative capital city in the world, at over 3,500 meters above sea level.
The many cable car lines in La Paz are not really meant as a tourist attraction, but rather as a functional part of the city’s public transportation network. But they still make for one of the most exciting things to do in Bolivia. On the ride, you’ll be able to soak in the stunning city vista of La Paz set against the high Andes mountains in the background. Oh, and the best part is that the entire ride costs a mere 3 bolivianos (or about 40 US cents!). What a deal!
Sugar Loaf in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Photo and words by Jules from Part-Time Passport, check them out on Instagram.
Rio de Janeiro has one of the best city skylines in the world and there’s nowhere better to take it all in than from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain.
The cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain is divided into two stages – the first takes you up to Morro da Urca, in less than 2 minutes, where there are viewing platforms, a cafe and even marmoset monkeys to greet you. Alternatively, you can hike the 1km trail to this point from Praia Vermelha (Red Beach).
From here, there’s only one way up by cable car, which whizzes you to the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain in less than a minute. The journey itself is breathtaking, as more and more of this beautiful city comes into view. From the top you can see the whole of Rio with its iconic mountains, colourful favelas and picture-perfect coastline – not to mention one of the most iconic wonders of the world, Christ the Redeemer, standing tall in the distance.
Time your visit for sunset if possible, so that you can watch the city and Christ the Redeemer light up before your eyes.
Rio Historic District, Brazil
Photo and words by Noel from Travel Photo Discovery, check them out on Instagram.
The cable cars going through the historic district of Rio is fairly short in distance, but it covers the most historic areas of the city with fantastic views from different districts in the city.
The Santa Teresa tram is the oldest tram established in the city and connects the city center to the Santa Teresa neighborhood and is part of the heritage trams of Rio. One of the highlights to taking this cable car is that the cars go over the historic aqueduct of Rio and now used as a bridge for the tram to traverse into Santa Theresa which is a fun and colorful area to walk through in the historic district.
Santiago, Chile
Photo and words by Rachel from East to West, check them out on Instagram.
The Cable Car ride up San Cristóbal Hill is one of my favorite views ever during my travels to date. San Cristóbal Hill is centered in the middle of the bustling Santiago and as you make your way up during the cable car ride you benefit from stunning views all the way from the Andes Mountains to looking over the entire city. When you make your way to the absolute top you can get out and walk around the top of the hill to get the best views of the city. I suggest spending a full afternoon up there just taking in the views, eating lunch and just enjoying being on the top of all of Santiago overlooking the city and Andes Mountains.
Medellin, Columbia
Photo and words by Patrick from German Backpacker, check them out on Facebook.
Medellin in Colombia – once the most dangerous city in the world – went through an extreme change in the last years with the government trying to make the city a safe and modern place. One of the big changes was the set-up of a cable car system in order to connect the poor “Comunas” in the hills of Medellin with the rest of the city. These cable cars are part of the normal public transport system, and therefore easy and cheap to use for everyone. As a tourist, make sure to take some of these cable car rides. You’ll have fantastic views of Medellin and its surroundings from the cable car as well as from the stations of the hills. Take some time to get off and walk around the communities – it’s very safe now. Medellin quickly became an innovative and safe city for tourists from all over the world!
Quito, Ecuador
Photo and words by Stephanie from History Fangirl, check them out on Instagram.
Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site of Quito was thrilling for me. I love history travel, and this was my first big solo trip. Since Quito is situated in a valley, there are many great places to go for excellent city views, but my favorite is to take the Teleferico up into the Andes mountains and look on the town below. You also can walk into the mountains for a while and enjoy the beautiful paths surrounded by greenery and nature. Just be careful. Quito already sits at an extremely high altitude, and adding the climb up the teleferico made me a little lightheaded. I needed to sit down and adjust before walking further up into the mountains.
There you have it!
Doesn’t these cable cars look amazing!? Whether you want to stay grounded on a train connected to cables, or you love looking at new places reaching new heights :), there’s a cable car for everyone on this list. Happy travels!
Are you interested in global adventures and want to know more? Read more here:
- Our guides to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Our guides to Budapest, Hungary
- Our guides to Iceland
- Our guides for all around the world
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50+ Must-Ride Cable Cars Around the World #cablecars #trollys #gondolas
50+ Must-Ride Cable Cars Around the World #cablecars #trollys #gondolas
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What an amazing round up of some most awesome cable car rides around the world – definitely some in there for my bucket list! I recently rode the cable car up to the Great Wall of China (and the toboggan ride down too) which was a fantastic experience.
Loving all the tips on this blog – please keep it up!
Coralie
Great to hear! That cable car sounds amazing! The Great Wall of China is definitely on my list of places to visit!! Thank you for sharing.