Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
The easiest way to reach the summit is by cable car, which affords fantastic views from start to finish; even its mechanics are thrilling to observe. Today’s high-tech rotating cars have a snazzy, round design and are capable of traveling at up to 10 meters (33 feet) per second and carrying up to 65 passengers (or 8,500 kg/18,740 pounds). The cars have been through multiple iterations—those installed for the cableway’s opening in 1929 carried only 25 people, and it was only in the 1960s that metal, rectangular capsules replaced the original wooden cars. Models of the different kinds of cars used are displayed near the lower cable station from where the two large, wheelchair-friendly revolving cars depart regularly; take an Uber or the MyCiTi bus to get to the station.
To avoid disappointment, check ahead for exact operating times, as they vary from month to month according to season, daylight hours, and weather. In the ever-expanding peak season (December–April), if you arrive at 10 am without tickets, you could wait for an hour, so book online beforehand; there is a queue-skipping ticket option for R995 round-trip, or R650 one way. Several tour operators also include a trip up the mountain in their schedules. Lines to purchase tickets for the cable car can be crazy in peak/high season, so book online to speed things up.
The cable car stops operating in strong wind conditions (common in summer), so be sure to factor in that possibility, especially if relying on it to get back down after a tiring hike up, and take note of the last one down's time (changes but can be as early as 4 pm).
