FAQs

Is the Cableway wheelchair friendly?

Yes, the Cableway is wheelchair accessible, and yes, some parts at the top are, too.

How do I book?

Because the cable car service closes during bad weather, tickets are not allocated for specific times. You can, however, buy and print your tickets online beforehand, which will reduce your wait should there be a queue (there is a fast lane for those who have bought their tickets online). The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company has a seven-day refund policy – we will gladly refund your unused tickets within seven days of purchase if you do not have a chance to use them within this time.

What will I be able to see and do when I get to the top?

You can see Lion's Head, Signal Hill, and the city centre, among other things, from the top of the mountain. Photo courtesy Tara Turkington aka flowcomm

The view from the top of Table Mountain includes the city of Cape Town, the Helderberg mountains, Bloubergstrand (literally “blue mountain beach”), Sunset Beach, Devil’s Peak, the 12 Apostles, Camps Bay, Robben Island, Signal Hill and Lion’s Head, and a bird’s eye view of the Cape Town Stadium in Greenpoint, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

There are three different short walks you could take at the top and there are also ample options for longer trails for more serious hikers, for example, along the top of the mountain and down to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, or even further along, to the Silvermine Nature Reserve.

If you are feeling adventurous, you could abseil down a cliff face with Abseil Africa.

There is a shop at the top of the mountain where you can buy anything from a jacket to keep you warm to a postcard to send to friends and family.

Children thoroughly enjoy the experience and will have plenty to take in. Several plaques on the mountain are of interest to visitors of all ages.

If you feel like a tasty meal with while looking out on gorgeous views, the restaurant at the top will cater for this.

There are few better places in the world to watch the sunset than at the top of Table Mountain, and you can even do so with a glass of good Cape wine or champagne in your hand.

Where do I park?

Free parking is available along Tafelberg Road leading to the Lower Cable Station.

Space has been allocated for visitors who wish to be picked up and dropped off outside the front entrance.

We have allocated dedicated parking bays for tour buses and taxis.

There is dedicated disabled parking.

How far will I have to walk?

One of the paths on top of Table Mountain. Photo courtesy Tara Turkington aka flowcomm

During busy times, when there is a greater demand for parking, you may have to walk quite a distance from where you park your car – up to a kilometre or even two. There is a designated drop off area, however, in front of the Lower Cable Station, so you could get a friend or taxi to leave you there if you don’t have your own car with you.

Once on top, it’s up to you how much you want to walk – you could choose just to do a short walk for anything from 10 to 30 minutes, or a much longer hike, for example, all the way along to the Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden (several hours’ walk), or even further, to the Silvermine Reserve.

You won’t have to walk much at all – if you’d prefer, you could simply enjoy the breathtaking views from the restaurant, or the paved area around it and the Upper Cable Station.

Is the water on top of the mountain safe to drink?

The tap water on top of Table Mountain is safe to drink. You are advised to take your own bottled water if you are going on any of the walks.

What happens if I get bitten by a snake or get injured while walking?

It is unlikely that you’d be bitten by a snake, as most snakes are more afraid of humans than the other way around, and it’s unusual to even see one. That said, it’s good to be aware that there are venomous species of snakes that occur on the mountain, including the Cape cobra, puff adder, boomslang, rinkhals and berg adder. Puffadders are probably most dangerous, as they are well camouflaged and sluggish to move out of the way of people, unlike other snakes.

In the event of an emergency, call Metro Rescue on 021 948 9900.

The team includes 16 grade three first-aiders and one grade five first-aider. They are trained and qualified to deal with medical emergencies until paramedics arrive.

Is the food in the restaurant at the top expensive?

Food prices at the Table Mountain Café compare very favourably with restaurants in and around Cape Town, and we endeavour to keep the prices reasonable. That said, the costs of getting anything to the top of the mountain are significant.

The Breakfast Buffet, for example, is available for between R48 and R58 per person, while a substantial gourmet beef burger, served with roasted potato wedges, costs just R52.50.

There are also regular meal specials at the café.

Would I miss the last cable car down if I was delayed in an emergency?

Every passenger who purchases a ticket for the cable car becomes the responsibility of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. In the event of a genuine emergency, the cable car would wait for an outstanding passenger.

What happens if I hike up and want to take the car down but it is closed?

Hikers are advised to arrive at the top of the mountain before 9.30 am to receive a discounted R45 one-way ticket to the bottom. This will also give you more time to hike back down in the event that the cable car is closed. If you arrive after this time, you will have to pay the full one-way fare of R80.

What happens if the cable car breaks?

Although this has never happened to date, there are well-trained staff on site and a very sophisticated back-up system is in place to take over the driving of the cable car should the need arise. In a worst-case scenario, a rescue car could be used to transport visitors back to base.

What happens if I lose my child or another member of my group?

There is an emergency number (021 948 9900), which connects direct to Metro Rescue, whose highly trained climbers will assess the situation and dispatch a search-and-rescue team if necessary.

What shoes and clothes should I wear and what should I take with me?

Comfortable walking shoes are essential if you are planning to explore any of the routes on Table Mountain. High heels and platform shoes are not the best choice of footwear for the trip. Rather wear sports shoes or hiking boots if you plan to walk far. Take a jacket or something warm, just in case, as the weather can change quickly.

It’s advisable to take water, a sunhat and sunscreen, and if you can, a camera with you, which you may want to carry in a light backpack.

What will the weather be like at the top?

Clouds can cover Table Mountain quickly, reducing the temperature significantly. Photo courtesy Tara Turkington aka flowcomm

It is advisable to check the weather forecast before arriving at Table Mountain. As a general rule, it is advisable to take warm clothing, as the temperature at the top can be up to five degrees centigrade colder than ground level, and even if the sun is shining, the cloud can roll in quickly and the temperature can drop fast.

In the event that you forget to take warm clothing, you will be able to purchase a jacket at the shop on top of the mountain.

On a summer’s day, it could be very hot on top of the mountain, so comfortable, light clothes would be most appropriate.

This website provides daily weather updates on the home page.

Monthly averages

Are there toilets at the top?

Yes, there are eco-friendly water-saving toilets at the top of the mountain. See our section on environmental responsibility for more information.

Is there mobile reception on the mountain?

Yes there is reception on the mountain. You may have to walk around to get the best reception, but you can make and receive cellphone calls.

Can I book tickets online?

As the Cableway is weather-dependent, you cannot book a specific time to travel on it. You can, however, buy tickets to use at a time convenient for you.

Click here to buy tickets online.

How old is Table Mountain?

Table Mountain is approximately 260-million years old. By comparison, the Andes are about 250-million years old, the Rockies are about 60-million, the Himalayas are 40-million and the Alps are 32-million years old.

How high is Table Mountain?

The highest point of Table Mountain is 1086m (3563ft), marked by Maclear’s Beacon. A large stone cairn – built by Sir Thomas Maclear in 1844 – marks the exact spot.

Is there public transport or taxis?

If you do not have your own transport, buses and taxis are available to transport you from the city to the Cableway.

Bus

The Camps Bay bus will drop you off at Kloof Nek. The bus departs from Adderley Street outside the Golden Acre in Cape Town’s city centre. You can catch a metered taxi or walk the 1.5 km uphill from Kloof Nek to the Lower Cable Station.

Bus timetable

Minibus taxis

Minibus taxis operate set routes across the city. You will need to catch one that can drop you at Kloof Nek. These depart from outside the Post Office on Plein Street next to the Grand Parade. Check with the driver to confirm that you are on the right route and ask for the fare upfront, before you get in.

Metered taxis

Metered taxis are available for hire across the city. Metered taxis have dedicated waiting points at Kloof Nek and on Tafelberg Road near the lower station. It is advisable to ask the driver to estimate the fare for where you want to go before you get into the taxi.

Rikki taxis

Rikki taxis (www.rikkis.co.za) operate a share-a-cab service with a set fare of R33.00 per person to the Lower Cable Station from the city centre, Camps Bay, V&A Waterfront and Sea Point areas. You share the ride and share the price. They also offer a City direct service from these areas to the Cableway for R75.00 per cab. A R5.00 surcharge is added after 7pm. Call a Rikki taxi on 0861 745 547. There is a free phone available to call a Rikki in the Cape Town Tourism visitor information centre at the Lower Cable Station.

City Sightseeing Bus

City Sightseeing Bus, Cape Town. Picture: Tara Turkington

You’ll see the distinctive red, open-top, “hop-on, hop-off” City Sightseeing buses all over Cape Town. You can purchase a one-day ticket and hop onto the Red City Tour, which will take you to Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, the V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay and around the city centre of Cape Town – there are a total of 17 stops on this tour. 

Adults pay R110 if purchased online (www.citysightseeing.co.za) or R120 if bought in person (tickets are valid only on the day of purchase). Kids (5 – 15) pay R60, and kids under five are free (two kids under 5 per adult).

You can also purchase a ticket for the longer Blue Mini Peninsula Tour.

Is there a chance of being mugged while on the mountain?

Be aware of your safety while walking on Table Mountain. Photo courtesy Tara Turkington aka Flowcomm

As Table Mountain is an urban park, please exercise the same common sense and security precautions that you would anywhere else in the world.

• Do not hike alone on the mountain. You should preferably walk in a small group.
• Do not attract unwanted attention by openly displaying cash, cameras or other valuables.
• If you are confronted by a criminal, don’t resist. Hand over your goods as resistance is more likely to lead to violence.
• Programme emergency numbers in your cellphone before your hike.

The park has more than 50 dedicated, trained staff who patrol the park with dogs, vehicles and radios, and who co-operate closely with the South African Police Service.

Visitor Information Centres have been established in the parking areas on Tafelberg Road and at Lion’s Head, and there is a security hut at the bottom of Platteklip Gorge.

There is always at least one police officer on motorbike patrol.

What can I buy at the top?

There is a souvenir shop where you can buy jackets, t-shirts, mugs, magnets, beaded crafts, books and postcards.

There is a restaurant at the top where you can have a value-for-money meal and a soft drink or a glass of wine.

For warmer days, ice cream is available too.