The Flying Dutchman Funicular is a funicular railway located at Cape Point within the Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town. This visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in March 2026, featuring the latest ticket price schedules valid through to October 2026.
Quick facts
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | October–March: 09:00–17:30. April–September: 09:00–17:00 |
| Ticket prices | Return: Adults R115, Children (6-16) R60, Pensioners R60. One-Way: Adults R100, Children R52, Pensioners R52. Under 6s ride free. |
| Address | Cape Point, Cape Peninsula, Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town, 7995, South Africa |
| Nearest public transport or parking | On-site parking at the lower station; nearest train station is Simon’s Town |
| Typical time needed | 1 to 2 hours |
Flying Dutchman Funicular opening hours
The Flying Dutchman Funicular opening hours vary by season, operating from 09:00 to 17:30 between October and March. During the winter season from April to September, the funicular runs from 09:00 to 17:00 daily.
These operating hours are shorter than the broader Table Mountain National Park gate times, which run from sunrise to sunset, meaning visitors must align their funicular ride within its specific daily window.
5 great Cape Town experiences to book
- ⛰️ Combine the region’s natural highlights on a Table Mountain, Boulders Penguins and Cape Point day tour.
- 🚌 Take the genuinely useful hop-on, hop-off city tour, with an optional harbour cruise.
- 🏛️ Go on a hassle-free Robben Island tour, with pre-booked tickets and transfers.
- 🦁 See the Big Five at the Aquila Game Reserve on a day trip including lunch.
- 🧗 Go ziplining at the foot of Table Mountain.
Flying Dutchman Funicular ticket prices
Return tickets for the Flying Dutchman Funicular cost R115 for adults, R60 for children aged 6 to 16, and R60 for South African pensioners presenting valid identification.
One-way tickets are priced at R100 for adults, R52 for children, and R52 for pensioners, while children under the age of six ride for free. The funicular is included in the Go City Cape Town Pass, along with other local attractions such as the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and Groot Constantia.
However, you also need to pay for entry to the Cape Point section of Table Mountain National Park. For South African residents, that costs R110 for adults and R55 for children. For international visitors, it’s a steep R515 for adults and R250 for children.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
Why book the Cape Town City Pass?
- 🚠 Table Mountain Cableway: Enjoy included access to Cape Town’s most famous landmark, providing breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, the Atlantic, and the Twelve Apostles.
- 🚌 Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: Navigate the city effortlessly with a City Sightseeing bus ticket, connecting you to major sites like Camps Bay, the V&A Waterfront, and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
- 🍷 Wine & Wildlife Experiences: Choose from a variety of unique activities, including wine tastings at Groot Constantia, sunset harbor cruises, or visits to the Two Oceans Aquarium.
- 💰 Huge Savings: Save significantly on total admission costs compared to purchasing individual tickets at the gate for each attraction.
- 📱 100% Digital & Easy: Manage your entire trip from your smartphone—simply show your pass at any of the 80+ participating attractions for instant, paperless entry.
How to get to the Flying Dutchman Funicular
You can reach the Flying Dutchman Funicular by driving via the M4 or M65 routes from central Cape Town, or by booking a guided tour, as there is no direct public transport to the park entrance. Visitors relying on public transport can take the Southern Line train from Cape Town to Simon’s Town, but must hire a private taxi or ride-share vehicle for the remaining 30-minute transit to Cape Point.
Parking at the Flying Dutchman Funicular
Parking at the Flying Dutchman Funicular is located directly at the lower station within the Cape Point section of Table Mountain National Park. The parking area is included in your standard park entry fee and provides immediate access to the ticket office, lower station retail shops, and the funicular boarding gate.
How long to spend at the Flying Dutchman Funicular
Visitors typically spend between one and two hours riding the Flying Dutchman Funicular and viewing the upper lighthouse area. The funicular journey itself takes three minutes each way, but time is required to queue, observe the coastline from the viewing decks, and walk the remaining stairs to the lighthouse peak. There are still accessible sections leading to several excellent viewpoints, however.
Accessibility at the Flying Dutchman Funicular
Accessibility at the Flying Dutchman Funicular is supported at the lower levels with ramps, accessible payment facilities, and wheelchair-friendly carriages. However, once passengers disembark at the upper station, the final ascent to the old lighthouse requires navigating steep stairs, meaning wheelchair users cannot reach the absolute peak.
What to see at the Flying Dutchman Funicular
The Flying Dutchman Funicular departs from the lower station every three minutes and ascends an 87-metre incline along a 585-metre track. The carriages feature large windows that allow passengers to view the surrounding fynbos vegetation during the transit up the hillside.
At the upper station, passengers disembark onto a viewing deck situated 238 metres above sea level. This deck provides clear observation points over the Atlantic Ocean, False Bay, and the coastline of the Cape Peninsula.
From the upper station, visitors can walk up a final set of stairs to reach the old Cape Point lighthouse. This historic structure was built in 1859 and serves as the highest physical observation point on the peninsula.
The funicular vehicles operate using an electric magnetic drive system, replacing the original diesel buses that previously transported visitors up the mountain. Each carriage holds up to 40 passengers.
Practical visitor tips
| Category | Tip |
| Timing | Arrive before 10:00 to secure parking at the lower station and avoid midday ticket queues. |
| Crowds | Purchase a one-way ticket up and walk down the paved path to bypass return queues when the site is busy. |
| Layout | The ticket office is located at the lower station next to the main car park and retail shops. |
| Entry process | Keep your park entry receipt handy, as the funicular requires a separate ticket purchased on-site or online. |
| On-site logistics | The upper station is exposed to high winds, so bring a jacket even during the summer months. |
Frequently asked questions about the Flying Dutchman Funicular
| Query | Answer |
| Is the Flying Dutchman Funicular suitable for children? | Yes, the carriages safely accommodate children of all ages, and children under six ride for free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Flying Dutchman Funicular? | Advance booking is not strictly required, but online tickets are available and reduce waiting times at the ticket office. |
| Is the Flying Dutchman Funicular open on Sundays? | Yes, the funicular operates seven days a week, including Sundays and public holidays. |
| Are bags allowed on the Flying Dutchman Funicular? | Standard day bags and backpacks are permitted inside the funicular carriages. |
Things to do near the Flying Dutchman Funicular
- Cape of Good Hope sign: A wooden sign marking the south-westernmost point of the African continent.
- Two Oceans Restaurant: A dining venue located at the lower funicular station.
- Dias Beach: A beach accessible via a wooden staircase near Cape Point.
- Buffels Bay tidal pools: Ocean swimming spots and picnic areas located within the nature reserve.
- Boulders Beach: A protected penguin colony situated outside the park in nearby Simon’s Town.
More Cape Town travel
Other Cape Town travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- The story of the world’s first heart transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital.
- Exploring the natural side of Cape Town.
- How to see the Boulders Beach penguins and Cape of Good Hope in one day.
- A practical guide to visiting the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
- A guide to tackling Chapman’s Peak Drive in Cape Town.
- Plan your visit to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town.
- Plan your visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town.
