Suspend in splendour at the world’s most beautiful cable car rides!
From the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps to the lush, tropical rainforests of South America, cable car rides offer a unique and breathtaking perspective on some of the world’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. Serving as a gateway to some of the hardest to reach places on earth, these marvels of modern engineering combine thrilling adventure with serene tranquility as passengers soar above valleys, traverse rugged terrain, and witness Mother Nature’s grandeur in all her glory with the chance to savour panoramic views that seem to stretch to infinity.
So sit back and relax as we showcase the world’s best cable car rides, unlocking some of the breathtaking vistas across the world. Whether you’re planning your next adventure, or feeling a little wanderlust, ascent to new heights with these incredible cable car rides!
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Banff Gondola, Banff National Park, Canada
Welcome to the Banff Gondola, one of the best ways to explore the Canadian Rockies. This nature safari on cables will have you soaring above the evergreen forests, giving a bird’s eye view of moose, bears and mountain goats that call the Banff National Park home. The ride itself will take you help you discover sweeping scenes of six mountain ranges, the Bow Valley and the charming town of Banff from the Sulphur Mountain summit. But the adventure doesn’t just end once you reach the top: there are plenty of activities, hikes, restaurants and bars that provide an unparallel adventure. You’ll be singing ‘O’Canada’ in no time with the Banff Condola!
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Dubrovnik Cable Car, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Get ready to travel back in time as you ascend the Dubrovnik Cable Car. As you rise above the ancient city walls, you’ll be greeted by gorgeous panoramic views of the terracotta rooftops, shimmering Adriatic Sea, and castle walls of this medieval city, Dubrovnik. Taking you to the top of the nearby mountain range, this four-minute cable car ride is one of the best attractions in Croatia, and one of the most picturesque cable car rides in the world.
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Gulmarg Gondola, Gulmarg, India
Add a dash of adventure on your next trip to India with the Gulmarg Gondola. The second highest cable car in the world, this mountain cable car ride will ferry you to the Kongdoori Mountain in Kashmir, transporting you to a world of lush meadows, towering peaks, and even a pitch white snowscape. So spice up your next globe-trotting adventure with a ride along the Gulmarg Gondola, a great cable car ride for all travellers to India.
Photographed by Patrick Foto. Image via Shutterstock.
Ngong Ping 360, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
A must-see attractions in Hong Kong, the Ngong Ping 360 is a world-renowned cable car experience on the serene Lantau Island off the coast of Hong Kong. This gondola ride offers you an eye-opening view of the surrounding Hong Kong city, the mountainous forests of Lantau Island, and even the vast South China Sea. And the crystal cabin itself has a clear bottom floor, meaning you have panoramic views from every direction in one of the best cable car rides in Asia.
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Scenic Skyway, Blue Mountains, Australia
Glide between cliff tops with panoramic views of Australia’s World Heritage landscapes with Scenic Skyway. One of the most beautiful cable car rides in Australia, this cable car ride in New South Wales will have you journeying 720-metres through the iconic Blue Mountain ranges, with great views of the Katoomba Falls, the Three Sisters, Mt Solitary and Jamison Valley. As you’re suspended 270-metres above ancient ravines, the electro-class cabin floor lets you gaze at the breathtaking rainforest canopy below in style. Continuously operated since the 1950s, Scenic Skyway should not be missed!
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Sugarloaf Mountain Gondola, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Brazil’s Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car promises to take you on a journey that’s sweeter than a carnival samba! This majestic cable car ride in Rio de Janeiro is a two-part journey that’ll have you feeling as though you’re flying over the city and the ocean of this tropical paradise. The first part goes from Red Beach to Urca Hill, with great views of Christ the Redeemer statue, while the second step on the journey continues from Urca Hill till you reach Sugarloaf Mountain, letting you catch your breath with views of the world-famous Copacabana Beach. One of the most stunning cable car rides in the world, you’ll be feeling like you’re straight out of a James Bond movie with the Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car.
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Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, Cape Town, South Africa
Hop aboard the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway in South Africa for a ride that’s as jaw-dropping as the jawfish it’s named after! This brisk four-minute cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain unfolds the scenery beneath like you’re carefully unwrapping a gift. Expect to be gob smacked by panoramic views of the city, the glittering South Atlantic Ocean and, if you’re lucky, a few playful dolphins frolicking in the waves below with one of the best cable car rides in Africa, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway!
Photographed by nat8246. Image via Shutterstock.
Titlis Rotair, Engelberg, Switzerland
Get ready to spin your way to Swiss heaven on the Titlis Rotair. This cable car takes “panorama” to a whole new level, as the entire carriage revolves to give you a complete 360-degree view of the snow-white Swiss Alps. This innovation is the perfect way to reach the Titlis mountain in particular, as this five-minute ride up to the top is replete with steep rock faces, deep crevasses, and distant snow-covered mountain peaks. You’ll feel on top of the world with the Titlis Rotair cable car.
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Ulriken Cable Car, Bergen, Norway
Prepare for a “Nordic Noir” adventure on the Ulriken Cable Car. As you ascend Norway’s highest mountain by cable car, you’ll feel like a character in a Scandinavian crime thriller – minus the mystery. The fjords stretch out like a mysterious puzzle, and you’ll be left wondering if you’ll spot a Viking ship on the horizon. A brisk five-minute cable car ride will have you basking in the stunning views of Bergen in no time at all!
Photographed by Anastasiia Kulyk. Image via Shutterstock.
Zugspitze Cable Car, Bavaria, Germany
You’ll be yodeling in delight on the Zugspitze Cable Car! This alpine adventure in Bavaria takes you to the tippy-top of Germany’s highest peak in style. As you ascend, the Bavarian Alps reveal themselves like a lederhosen-clad accordion player at Oktoberfest. Whether summer or winter, there is plenty to see along the relaxing and picturesque gondola ride. Just don’t forget your camera: you’ll want to capture these mountain melodies forever with the Zugspritze Cable Car.
After you’ve reached new heights, then go down in style with The World’s 10 Most Beautiful and Luxurious Ski Chalets and Lodges. And if you’re after something a little more landbound, then ride on The 12 Most Beautiful and Scenic Train Rides in the World.
