Table Mountain Cable Car Tickets: Quick overview

  • Ways to experience: Choose self-guided cable car entry, skip-ticketing-line access, guided hikes, half-day city tours, or full-day combos with Cape Point and penguins.
  • Additional access: Some options add hotel pickup, route transport, city sightseeing, wine estates, or Cape Peninsula stops. Park fees vary by tour.
  • Unique experiences: Guided hikes offer route choice between Platteklip Gorge and India Venster. Longer tours can add city highlights, penguins, or Cape Point.
  • When to book: Book earlier for sunny summer dates, December to February, and tight itineraries. Same-week bookings are common, but queues rise on busy days.
  • Good to know: The weather can close the cableway. Standard online tickets are usually cheaper than on-site and may stay valid for 7 days.
  • Best upgrade: Choose skip-ticketing-line access for peak days or tight schedules. Boarding queues can remain.

Which Table Mountain Cable Car ticket is best for you?

Ticket typeWhat’s includedWhy choose thisPrice from

Round-Trip Ticket

Return cable car, self-guided summit visit

Lowest-cost way to reach the summit if you’re happy to manage timing yourself and queue on busy days.

US $61

Skip-the-Line Full-Day Ticket

Skip-ticketing-line or priority access, cable car entry, all day access

Pay more to reduce queue friction when time matters; boarding and weather-related delays can still affect your visit.

US $138

Guided Hike

Live hiking guide, India Venster or Platteklip route, transport on some variants

Choose this for the mountain on foot; it takes more effort and time, but adds route guidance and support.

US $65

Half-Day City Tour

City tour, cable car ticket, hotel pickup

Useful when you want Table Mountain plus city highlights in one booking without arranging transport separately.

US $203

Full-Day Peninsula Tour

Shared guided tour, Cape Point + penguins, park fees or Fast Track on select variants

Covers more of Cape Town in one day, but Table Mountain timing is less flexible than a standalone ticket.

US $140

Private Tour

Private vehicle, flexible stops, Table Mountain + city or peninsula highlights

Most control over timing, stops, and pace; pay more if you want a tailored day without shared-group constraints.

US $186

Galleries at Table Mountain Cable Car

Carousel image showing Lower Cable Station details
Carousel image showing Table Mountain Aerial Cableway details
Carousel image showing Upper Cable Station details
Carousel image showing Dassie Walk details
Carousel image showing Agama Walk details
Carousel image showing Klipspringer Walk details
Carousel image showing Maclear’s Beacon details
Carousel image showing Two Oceans Café details
Carousel image showing Platteklip Gorge details
Carousel image showing India Venster details
1/10

Lower Cable Station

Access Plaza – Ticketing and Boarding Hub
At the Tafelberg Road base, this lower station concentrates ticket checks, boarding queues, the shop, and nearby TAP Bar. It is the visit’s entry point before the rotating cabin ascent begins toward the summit plateau.

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway

Rotating Gondola Route – Lower to Upper Station
This aerial link carries visitors from the lower to upper station in under five minutes. Inside the circular cabin, a rotating floor opens changing views of Cape Town, Table Bay, Robben Island, and the Twelve Apostles.

Upper Cable Station

Summit Arrival Hub – Plateau Access
The upper station sits on the western summit edge, where paths fan out toward short walks, viewpoints, and the café. It works as the main orientation point before visitors continue to Maclear’s Beacon or longer loop trails.

Dassie Walk

Short Summit Nature Trail – Fynbos and Lookouts
Closest to the upper station, this short marked path gives an easy introduction to summit terrain. Boardwalks and rocky stretches pass fynbos and frequent dassie sightings before rejoining the main plateau route near the station.

Agama Walk

Mid-Length Summit Circuit – Plateau Flora Route
Set beyond the immediate station area, Agama Walk extends the summit experience into quieter sections of the tabletop. The marked circuit follows rocky ground and low vegetation, with wider Atlantic-facing views than the shortest loops.

Klipspringer Walk

Long Summit Circuit – Extended View Route
The longest of the named summit walks, Klipspringer circles farther from the cableway core across more exposed rock. It suits visitors who want a longer self-guided detour before returning toward the upper station and café.

Maclear’s Beacon

Eastern Summit Marker – High Point Detour
Reached along the eastern side of the plateau, Maclear’s Beacon marks Table Mountain’s surveyed high point. The detour shifts the view away from the cableway zone toward broader city, bay, and peninsula panoramas.

Two Oceans Café

Summit Dining Stop – Main Visitor Services Area
Near the upper station, Two Oceans Café anchors the summit’s main service area with seating, drinks, and meals. It is the natural midpoint between short walks, and a practical pause before the return ride.

Platteklip Gorge

Main Hiking Route – Direct Ascent Corridor
On the mountain’s city-facing side, Platteklip Gorge is the classic direct hiking line to the top. The route connects lower slopes to the summit plateau, where many walkers finish near the upper cableway area.

India Venster

Steeper Hiking Route – Cableway-Side Scramble Trail
Running close to the cableway line on the front face, India Venster is the more technical named ascent route. It climbs toward the upper station area and is usually treated as a guided or experienced-hiker option.

Things to know before booking your Table Mountain Cable Car tickets

Booking window

Standard Table Mountain tickets are date-based, not timed-entry. Book ahead for clear summer days; if your schedule is fixed, a skip-ticketing-line ticket cuts ticket-counter waiting. Webtickets stay valid for 7 days (As of 2026-06-03).

What’s included

Standard tickets cover the cable-car ride only. Food, transfers, and guided walking are included only on city-tour, peninsula-tour, or guided-hike variants. The ride takes under five minutes each way; most visits last 1–3 hours.

Entrances & flow

Cable-car visits start at the Lower Cable Station on Tafelberg Road. Tickets are scanned there. If you’re driving, use the Lower Tafelberg Road parking shuttle; parking near the station is limited and fills faster on clear days.

Ways to explore

Choose round-trip for the simplest visit. Pick one-way only if you’ll hike one direction. Guided hikes run on Platteklip Gorge or India Venster, and bundled tours add hotel pickup or combine the mountain with Cape Point and penguins.

Policies & rules

Operations depend on wind and visibility, so same-day closures can happen (As of 2026-06-03). Hiking variants need proper footwear, water, and route planning. Some summit paths are accessible, but not every area is step-free.

What to see on your Table Mountain cable car ride

Image gallery item showing cabin view

The city dropping away beneath the cabin

Inside the rotating cabin, the city slowly falls away as rock walls rise beside you. Glass on every side keeps the view open, so the ascent feels less like transport and more like a smooth reveal, with Cape Town, sea, and skyline widening by the second.

Image gallery item showing city and harbor view
Image gallery item showing Atlantic coast view
Image gallery item showing plateau landscape
Image gallery item showing summit dassies

Plan your Table Mountain Cable Car experience

Checked: June 2026

  • Operating hours: Cableway hours change by season, wind, and visibility; same-day checks matter.
  • Opening window: First cars usually run from morning; opening times are not fixed year-round.
  • Last departure: Final ascent stops before closing; last descent times shift by season.
  • Ride time: The cable car ride takes under five minutes each way.
  • Visit length: Most visits take 1 to 3 hours, including summit walks.
  • Best time to go: Morning often brings clearer views; late afternoon brings softer light.
  • Location: The Lower Cable Station sits on Tafelberg Road above central Cape Town.
  • Address: Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Lower Station, Tafelberg Road, Cape Town.

Find on maps

Getting there:

  • By rideshare or taxi: City Bowl trips usually take about 15 to 20 minutes.
  • By bus: MyCiTi services from Civic Centre reach Tafelberg Road; uphill walking remains.
  • By car: Parking near the station is limited; Lower Tafelberg Road shuttle helps.
  • Peak-day note: Sunny days fill roadside spaces early, especially in summer and holidays.
  • Physical effort: Cable-car visits need light effort; summit walking involves uneven rock paths.
  • Route choice: One-way tickets suit hikers; round-trip tickets suit low-effort visits better.
  • Weather dependency: Fast-changing wind and fog can pause operations or erase views quickly.
  • Queue reality: Online tickets reduce ticket-office friction, not boarding queues on busy days.
  • General suitability: Families and older travelers usually manage the core summit circuit comfortably.
  • Accessibility notes: Accessibility is partial; many paths work well, but steps remain.
  • Summit dining: Two Oceans Café serves drinks, snacks, and meals on the summit.
  • Base dining: TAP Bar at the lower station works well before or after rides.
  • Restrooms: Restrooms sit near the main summit visitor facilities.
  • Shopping: A summit gift shop sells souvenirs and small essentials.
  • Payments: Summit café and shop accept cash and cards; ATMs stay below.
  • Added activity: Free guided summit walks start daily at 10am and 12 noon.
  • Layering: A windproof layer matters year-round; summit conditions shift faster than city streets.
  • Footwear: Closed, grippy shoes help on rocky viewpoints and short plateau walks.
  • Sun protection: Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen matter, especially in clear summer weather.
  • Hydration: Water belongs in every small day bag, even on cable-only visits.
  • Devices: Cameras and phones stay useful; straps help in gusty conditions.
  • Bag size: Large bags add hassle in crowded cabins and on uneven paths.
  • Closure risk: Strong wind or thick fog can stop the cableway at short notice.
  • Best visibility: Morning often brings the clearest views before cloud builds on the plateau.
  • Cloud pattern: The “tablecloth” cloud can roll in around midday and hide views.
  • Summer season: December to February brings peak demand, heat, and fast-filling parking.
  • Winter season: June to August feels cooler and windier, with more disruption risk.
  • Shoulder months: March to May and September to November balance crowds and conditions.

Tips & guidelines

  • Wear closed, grippy shoes; summit paths are rocky and uneven, and you’ll enjoy viewpoints and short walks far more if you’re not worrying about slipping on smooth sandals.
  • Cape Town can feel hot while the summit is chilly and windy. Pack a light windproof layer year-round; in winter, add a beanie and gloves for cable car waits.
  • Sun exposure is strong on the plateau, even on cool or breezy days. Bring sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, and a brimmed hat; there’s very little natural shade during midday.
  • If you’re nervous about heights or motion, stand near the cabin’s central pole rather than the glass. The rotating floor feels gentler there and you can hold the rail.
  • You’ll likely see dassies around the rocks. They’re wild animals, so keep a little distance, avoid feeding them, and watch your snacks and bags so they’re not tempted.

Frequently asked questions about Table Mountain cable car tickets

Most Table Mountain cable car visits take 1–3 hours total. The ride itself is under five minutes each way, but many visitors spend 1–2 hours on the summit for viewpoints, short walks, and a café stop. (Source: Table Mountain Cableway research, accessed June 2026)