The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is one of Cape Town's most visited attractions — a rotating cable car that lifts you from the lower cable station at 363m to the summit plateau at 1,086m in under five minutes. On a clear day, the views are extraordinary. On a busy day in peak season, the queue can run to two hours.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the Table Mountain cable car — prices, hours, booking, what to expect, and how it compares to hiking.
Table Mountain Cable Car: Quick Facts
- Operator: Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC)
- Altitude gain: 363m → 1,086m
- Journey time: Approximately 4–5 minutes each way
- Car type: Rotating cabin, 65 passengers per car
- Dogs allowed: No
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes — both the cableway and the summit viewing area
Table Mountain Cable Car Prices (2024/2025)
Prices are set by the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and change periodically. As of 2024/2025, approximate pricing is:
- Adult (return): ~R420–R450
- Child (return): ~R215–R235
- Senior (South African residents, 60+): Reduced rate with valid ID
- One-way: Approximately 60% of return fare
Prices increase annually. Always check the official Table Mountain Cableway website for current prices before visiting.
Table Mountain Cable Car Hours
Operating hours vary by season and weather conditions:
- Summer (Dec–Feb): First car typically 08:00, last car up ~18:00
- Shoulder season (Mar–Nov): Hours reduced — typically 08:00–17:00 or 08:00–16:00
- Winter: Shorter hours, more frequent closures
The cableway closes in strong wind, heavy rain, mist, or lightning. Closures can happen with little notice. Always check the cableway's official website or social media on the day of your visit. If the cableway is closed, it usually means conditions on the mountain are poor — not a day to be up top.
Do I Need to Book in Advance?
In peak season (November–March), booking online in advance is strongly recommended. Walk-up queues can be 60–120 minutes in summer holidays, and there's no guarantee of getting on a car on the day. Online tickets are time-slotted and let you skip the standby queue.
In winter and shoulder season, walk-up queues are much shorter but the cableway closes more frequently for weather.
What's at the Top?
The Table Mountain summit plateau is large — roughly 3km long. Once up, you can:
- Walk the easy summit paths (30–90 minute loop options)
- Visit the restaurant and café at the upper cable station
- Take in the 360° views — Cape Town, the Atlantic, Robben Island, the Cape Peninsula
- See the fynbos plants and dassies (rock hyraxes) that live on the summit
Summit paths are well-marked and flat enough for most visitors. Allow 1.5–3 hours on top to make the most of it.
Cable Car vs Hiking: Which Is Better?
The cable car and hiking up Table Mountain are genuinely different experiences. Neither is objectively better — they suit different visitors.
The cable car makes sense if: you have limited mobility, young children, or limited time; you want to maximise time on the summit; or you're visiting on a day when hiking routes aren't appropriate for your fitness level.
Hiking makes more sense if: you're physically capable and want a more immersive experience; you want to understand the mountain rather than just see it from the top; you're interested in fynbos, geology, and wildlife along the route; or you're put off by the cable car queue and cost.
The hike up Platteklip Gorge takes 1.5–2.5 hours and is accessible to most adults with reasonable fitness. Many visitors hike up and cable car down. Our guided hike options cover Platteklip Gorge, Skeleton Gorge, India Venster, and Kloof Corner Ridge — all of which deliver a substantially richer experience than the cable car alone.
Is the Cable Car Worth It?
For visitors with limited time or mobility, yes — the cable car is absolutely worth it. Table Mountain's summit is one of the great natural views in the world, and the cable car makes it accessible in a way that hiking doesn't.
For hikers and active visitors, the cable car to the top misses most of what makes Table Mountain special. The fynbos, the wildlife, the physical engagement with the mountain, the sense of arrival earned — all of that comes from hiking, not from a five-minute ride. Consider using the cable car one-way (down) after hiking up.
Practical Tips
- Check conditions first: The cableway posts same-day operating status on its website and social media. Don't arrive without checking.
- Book online in peak season: Saves significant queuing time.
- Bring a layer: The summit is significantly cooler and windier than the city — 10–15°C cooler is common.
- Camera/phone: Charge it. You'll want it. The summit views are 360° and stunning.
- Don't rush the summit: The last car up may be 17:00 but the last car down is later. Check return times on the day.
If you're trying to decide whether to hike or cable car, read our detailed Table Mountain difficulty guide or get in touch with us — we're happy to help you plan.