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A complete guide to getting to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway

Where is Table Mountain Cableway located

Location details

Table Mountain Cableway is on Tafelberg Road, on the slopes of Table Mountain above Cape Town’s City Bowl. It sits just outside the city center, so you’re close to Gardens, Kloof Nek, Camps Bay, and other major viewpoints.

Address: Tafelberg Road, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa | Find on maps

Closest landmark: Kloof Nek, about 1.5km (0.9 miles) away | Find on maps

Getting to the Table Mountain Cableway by public transport

  • Best for: Tourists, sightseeing convenience, and travelers holding a Cape Town City Pass.
  • Travel time: About 25–30 minutes from the V&A Waterfront or CBD.
  • Closest stop: Table Mountain Cableway (Stop 7) on the Red City Route.
  • Timings: Buses run daily, arriving roughly every 20–30 minutes between 8:30am and 4:30pm.

The iconic open-top, double-decker Red Bus is the most direct public option for travelers. The Red City Route takes you through the city center and straight up the mountain, dropping passengers off directly in front of the Lower Cableway Station main entry doors on Tafelberg Road. You don't have to worry about transfers, steep walking climbs, or finding parking.

  • Best for: Budget travelers, daily commuters, and independent city-center transfers.
  • Travel time: About 20–25 minutes from Cape Town Civic Centre.
  • Closest stop: Lower Cable Station (Stop ID: 10423) via the free transit link.
  • Timings: Buses operate daily every 15–20 minutes from 7:30am to 7pm.

To use the local rapid transit system, catch the MyCiTi Bus Route 107 (Camps Bay) from the Civic Centre or Adderley stations and step off at the Kloof Nek Stop. From the Kloof Nek roundabout, you do not need to walk up the grueling incline; step directly onto the free, dedicated MyCiTi Table Mountain Shuttle (Route 110). This shuttle runs back and forth continuously along Tafelberg Road, providing smooth, free passage directly to the cableway doors.

⚠️ Note: To ride the main Route 107 bus, every traveler requires their own physical myconnect transit card loaded with travel points. However, the Route 110 connecting shuttle up Tafelberg Road is completely free to all users.

Getting to the Table Mountain Cableway by car

Driving route

  • Best for: Comfort, flexible timing, and small groups
  • Travel time: About 15 minutes from Cape Town Civic Centre
  • Distance: About 6 km (3.7 miles)
  • Route: Drive south via Buitengracht Street (which becomes Kloof Nek Road/M62). Turn left onto Tafelberg Road at the top of the neck, and follow it for roughly 1.5 km to the lower station. Traffic can build up heavily during summer and around sunset, turning the two-way road into a tight single lane.

Parking facilities

  • Parking availability: There is no formal, dedicated parking lot. Parking consists of free, parallel parking along the shoulder of Tafelberg Road. It fills up incredibly fast on clear days, weekends, and holidays.
  • Accessible parking: There are 9 dedicated, clearly marked accessible parking bays located closest to the Lower Cableway Station main entrance for visitors holding valid disability parking permits.
  • Alternative options: If Tafelberg Road is entirely full, park at the free Kloof Nek parking lot at the base of the hill and catch the free MyCiTi shuttle bus up to the station.
  • Parking charges: Entirely free. There are no parking meters, but local, high-visibility car guards operate on the road; it is customary to give them a small cash tip (R10–R20) for watching your vehicle.

Accessibility

Accessibility

  • The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is fully accessible and stands as the easiest way to reach the summit for travelers with limited mobility.
  • The Lower Station features ramp access and a spacious elevator to the boarding platform, while the modern cable cars accommodate wheelchairs comfortably.
  • At the summit, the Dassie Walk loop is fully paved and wheelchair-friendly, providing level access to panoramic viewing terraces and accessible restrooms.
  • Some peripheral mountain trails remain rocky or uneven.

Walking to the Table Mountain Cableway

  • Best for: Active travelers who enjoy city views, steep uphill treks, and a physical challenge
  • Travel time: About 1 hour 30 minutes from Cape Town Civic Centre
  • Distance: About 5.5 km (3.4 miles)

If you prefer to reach the lower station entirely on foot, start from the Cape Town Civic Centre and head straight up through the City Bowl via Long Street or Kloof Street. Continue as the road transitions into the steep incline of Kloof Nek Road. At the Kloof Nek roundabout, turn left onto Tafelberg Road for the final, winding stretch to the station.

⚠️ Note: This is a demanding, continuous uphill climb with a vertical gain of over 350 meters. It is best tackled during cooler early mornings. Ensure you wear supportive footwear, carry plenty of water, and stay aware of your surroundings.

Compare your travel options

Mode of transportTravel timeEstimated costBest for

🚌 **Bus**

25–30 mins

$

Budget travel

🚗 **Car/Ride-hail**

15–20 mins

$$

Comfort and flexibility

🚶 **Walking**

1 hr 20 mins

Free

Scenic, active travel

Entering the Table Mountain Cableway

The arrival & boarding process

  • Best for: Streamlining entry, minimizing wait times, and navigating the lower plaza smoothly.
  • Average processing time: 15–45 minutes on regular days; 1–2 hours during peak holiday periods.
  • Entry checkpoint: Lower Cableway Station Access Plaza (Tafelberg Road).
  • Required documents: Physical or digital smartphone barcoded ticket (if pre-purchased) or valid identity documents for localized discount tickets.

When you arrive via rideshare, the hop-on hop-off bus, or the free transit shuttle, you will step out into the lower base plaza. To prevent delays and keep your arrival moving smoothly, navigate the entry process using these three distinct steps:

  • Step 1: The ticket verification split: As you walk into the entrance plaza, the crowd splits into two separate lines. If you did not buy your tickets online in advance, you must join the Onsite Ticket Office / Kiosk line first to pay. If you already hold an online ticket on your smartphone, entirely bypass this first infrastructure block and head directly up the ramps toward the boarding queues.
  • Step 2: Security & scanners: At the secondary ramp bottleneck, attendants will check your ticket barcode, verify that you are not transporting restricted items (such as drones or alcohol), and count passengers to manage strict cabin capacities.
  • Step 3: Boarding the rotating cabin: Once cleared, you will step into the final staging shelter to wait for the next arriving car. The cabins carry up to 65 passengers at a time and arrive roughly every 10 to 15 minutes. Once inside, move toward the center or the perimeter; the rotating floor ensures that every passenger gets a complete 360-degree view during the 5-minute trip to the summit.

💡 Boarding insider tip: If you find yourself trapped in a massive line on a busy day, you can walk straight into the Lower Station Ticket Office and purchase a Fast Track Upgrade. This premium ticket extension lets you completely jump both the ticket counter and the general boarding line, shifting your wait time down to under 15 minutes via an exclusive priority lane.

Frequently asked questions about getting to Table Mountain Cableway

Table Mountain Cableway is on Tafelberg Road above Cape Town’s City Bowl, on the lower slopes of Table Mountain. It’s easiest to reach from central Cape Town by bus, car, or ride-hail. You can start planning with Table Mountain Cable Car tickets.