Updated in September 2026, this Table Mountain Aerial Cableway guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, transport, accessibility and what to see.
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is a rotating cable car in Cape Town, South Africa, carrying visitors to the summit of Table Mountain. As of September 2026, a return adult ticket bought online costs R475. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website in September 2026, when this guide was last updated.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily, weather permitting; hours change seasonally (see below) |
| Ticket prices | Adults R475 return online; children (4–17) R230 return online; under-4s free |
| Address | Lower Cable Station, Tafelberg Road, Cape Town, 8001 |
| Nearest transport/parking | Free Park & Ride shuttle from Lower Tafelberg Road; MyCiTi bus to Kloof Nek |
| Typical time needed | 2–3 hours |
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway opening hours
The cableway operates daily, weather permitting, with hours that shift through the year:
- 1 May – 31 August: first car up 8:30am, last up 5pm, last down 6pm
- 1 September – 31 October: first car up 8:30am, last up 6pm, last down 7pm
- 1 – 30 November: first car up 8am, last up 7pm, last down 8pm
- 1 December – 31 January: first car up 8am, last up 8pm, last down 9pm
Hours in February to April sit between the summer and winter schedules, so check the website close to your visit. The cableway usually closes for annual maintenance for around two weeks in late July; in 2026 this ran from 27 July to 9 August.
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.
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway ticket prices
A return adult ticket costs R475 online or R530 at the ticket office. Children aged 4 to 17 pay R230 return online, and under-4s travel free.
South African seniors pay R130 return with a valid ID, and students pay R320 return at the ticket office with a valid student card. Fast Track tickets, which skip the standard queue, cost R1,200 return.
The cableway is included in the Cape Town City Pass, alongside Zeitz MOCAA, the Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Point Nature Reserve and the Boulders Beach penguin colony.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026. Book online.
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 Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
The Lower Cable Station stands on Tafelberg Road, on the slopes above Cape Town’s City Bowl.
Visitors are encouraged to Park & Ride: park free at the bottom of Tafelberg Road and take the free shuttle bus to the Lower Station. The MyCiTi bus (routes 106 and 107) runs from the Civic Centre to the top of Kloof Nek Road, from where the same free shuttle continues to the cableway. The City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus also stops directly at the cableway.
Parking at the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
Free parking is available at the bottom of Tafelberg Road, from where the free shuttle bus runs to the Lower Station.
On-site parking at the Lower Station itself is limited, so Park & Ride is recommended, especially in peak season. Dedicated disabled parking bays are available at the Lower Station on request.
How long to spend at the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
Most visitors spend two to three hours at the cableway, including queuing, the ride and time at the summit.
A ticket covers a single ascent and descent, so visitors can stay at the top as long as they like. Those planning a meal or a longer walk at the summit should allow closer to four hours.
Accessibility at the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
The cableway is wheelchair accessible, with ramps and lifts at the Lower Station and paved pathways at the summit.
Wheelchairs are available on loan at the Lower Station, and mobility scooters can be borrowed at the Top Station after a short safety briefing. Wheelchair users and their helpers are given priority at the ticket office and pay half price. A dedicated wheelchair and mobility scooter route map is available on the official website.
Riding the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
The cable car itself has a rotating floor, giving 360-degree views during the five-minute ascent to the Upper Station, 1,067 metres above the city.
At the summit, several walking trails lead off from the Upper Station. The Agama Walk is the most popular, taking around 30 minutes and offering 360-degree views of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula. The Dassie Walk is a very easy 15-minute route, while the walk to Maclear’s Beacon takes about two hours across 5.5km.
The mountain forms part of Table Mountain National Park and the Cape Floristic Region, home to more than 1,460 plant species, along with dassies, lizards and birdlife.
For food and drink, the summit has the TEN67 Eatery, VIEWS by De Grendel wine bar and KLOUD Bar, while the TAP Bar sits at the Lower Station.
Free guided walks run hourly from 9am to 3pm from the Twelve Apostles Terrace, and free audio tours are available at both stations via the VoiceMap app.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit late afternoon for quieter queues and sunset views over the Atlantic. |
| Crowds | Weather delays can cause a backlog, so check live queue times on the website or app before setting out. |
| Layout | The ride up takes five minutes, so allow separate time for queuing at the ticket office and the cable car itself. |
| Entry process | Buy tickets online in advance, since only ticket holders are admitted on busy days. |
| On-site logistics | Bring warm clothing even in summer, as the summit is often several degrees cooler and windier than the city below. |
Frequently asked questions about the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway suitable for children? | Yes. Children aged 4 to 17 pay a reduced fare, and under-4s ride free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway? | Booking online is strongly recommended, as only ticket holders are admitted on busy days. |
| Is the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway open every day? | Yes, but it operates weather permitting and closes for around two weeks of annual maintenance each year, usually in late July. |
| Is the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway wheelchair accessible? | Yes. Ramps, lifts and paved pathways serve both stations, and mobility scooters are available at the top. |
| How long does the cable car ride take? | The ascent takes about five minutes, on a cable car with a rotating floor. |
Things to do near the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden — on the mountain’s eastern slopes, about 20 minutes’ drive around the mountain.
- Camps Bay Tidal Pool — a short drive down to the Atlantic seaboard, with safe sea swimming.
- Lion’s Head — a popular sunrise and sunset hiking peak just a few minutes from the Lower Station.
- Iziko South African Museum — in the historic Company’s Garden, about 10 minutes’ drive away.
- Signal Hill — a lower viewpoint reached by road, popular for sunset views over the harbour.
Alternative attractions
- Flying Dutchman Funicular, Cape Point — about an hour south, a similar funicular ride climbs to the Cape Point lighthouse.
- Chapman’s Peak Drive — about 40 minutes away, a dramatic coastal road with panoramic viewpoints.
- Boulders Beach and Cape of Good Hope — about an hour south, combining the penguin colony with Cape Point Nature Reserve.
- Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, Paarl — about an hour northeast, a granite dome with a lookout tower over the Cape Winelands.
- Sir Lowry’s Pass viewpoint, near Somerset West — about 45 minutes away, a mountain pass lookout over the Cape Flats and False Bay.
More Cape Town travel
Other Cape Town travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- A guide to tackling Chapman’s Peak Drive in Cape Town.
- Plan your visit to Cape Town’s museums, including the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, the Iziko South African Museum, the Iziko Slave Lodge and the Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum.
- Guides to Cape Town’s Waterfront attractions, including the Two Oceans Aquarium, Nobel Square and the Waterfront Duck.
- Guide to riding the Flying Dutchman Funicular and visiting Dias Beach at Cape Point.
- World of Birds visitor guide: Why this Hout Bay wildlife attraction is more than just an aviary.
