One of the most recognised attractions at Table Mountain is the Cable Car.
Completed in 1929, this popular attraction has been providing visitors to Table Mountain with quite a unique experience for over 90 years.
Fun fact: In January 2019, it had its 28 millionth visitor.
What to expect
A typical ride up the cableway lasts roughly 5 minutes. During these 5 minutes you will get a 360 degree view of Cape Town as the floor of the cable car rotates. This has caught many people off guard, including myself! The ride itself is a gentle one as the cable car moves at a maximum speed of 10 meters per second. Each of the two cable cars can carry a maximum amount of 65 people, and each trip between them are between 10 – 15 minutes apart.
Once you reach the top of the cableway, you will be 3 563 feet above sea level.
When to visit
It is always a good idea to visit Table Mountain during the summer season, which is from October to March. Cape Town’s winter season is known for sporadic rain and chilly winds, which are not ideal conditions. Take note though, the south easter wind plays a big factor during the summer months. When it is blowing hard, the cableway might close down. It is therefor very important to check the weather for the day you are planning to go.
The time of the day is also very important. The cableway is very busy early in the morning, so it’s not a matter of the early bird catches the worm. The best time to go is after lunch when things start to quiet down.
Where to buy tickets
Ticket prices range from R100 to R380 depending on your ticket type. You have the option to buy a one-way ticket, which many hikers use after they have hiked to Table Mountain. A return ticket is also available if you are not up for a hike. The wonderful people at Table Mountain Aerial Cableway lists all the ticket prices on their website which can be seen here. I strongly advise that you check their website on a regular basis if you are planning a trip to the cableway. They will publish any important notices on their website, so head on over and see if the Table Mountain cable car is open today.
