Cable cars take you on unique adventures to some of the world’s most breath taking places. Rather than trekking along remote paths for hours, enduring lengthy road trips or dealing with the hustle and bustle of city traffic, let yourself float through clouds and gain an bird’s-eye view of mountains, valleys, cities, forests and beaches all from a safe vantage point inside a cabin. Cable car rides are more than just transportation-they are adventures in themselves, and a number of these aerial rides are travel experiences renowned for taking riders over stunning mountain tops, exotic islands and gleaming city skylines. If you a travel buff who loves a good view or a photographer on the lookout for spectacular shots then the next set of cable car rides should definitely be in your travel diary.

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway – South Africa

Taking the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway journey to the top rewards you with fantastic sights of Cape Town as well as the coast. The gondola turns as it takes you to the summit, allowing for 360 degree changing sights.

From the peak on clear days you can witness the Atlantic Ocean; the high-rise buildings in the distance as well as local beaches, as well as dramatic mountains shapes. This sight is especially remarkable at sunrise or sunset

Ngong Ping 360 – Hong Kong

Ngong Ping 360 Ngong Ping 360 is one of Hong Kong’s truly amazing flying attractions. Operating between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping the cabin trundles you across mountains, forests and the South China Sea. If this isn’t excitement enough, travelers can select an option to ride with a clear bottomed cabin for an ultimate dizzying view, as well as seeing the isle of Lantau and the Tian Tan Buddha. When travelers arrive at Ngong Ping they can explore the cultural village and area.

Titlis Rotair – Switzerland

Titlis Rotair An unforgettable ride up in the Swiss Alps Rotair; an unforgettable climb An unprecedented way to start exploring Switzerland The revolving cable car offers a 360-degree ride up to Mount Titlis, as snow-capped mountains, glaciers, valleys of rock, and Alpine scenery pass below. At the top of mount Titlis there’s more of course; great mountain viewing platforms, and winter activities to get lost in. The cable car, which at clear moments shows a panorama across the vast Alpine range, alone, is an incredible ride.

Aiguille du Midi Cable Car – France

The cable car up to Aiguille du Midi whisks you from the town of Chamonix into an astonishing world high up in the French Alps.
The steep ascent takes visitors rapidly up to Aiguille du Midi where they reach a dizzying altitude of over 3800 meters from the top station where magnificent panoramic views of Mont Blanc and all the surrounding glaciers await. Adventure travelers will especially appreciate the unique combination of the high elevation, wild scenery and Alpine architecture which make the Aiguille du Midi one of Europe’s most incredible cable car journeys.

Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car – Brazil

Experience panoramic views of some of the globe’s most well-known cityscapes from Rio de Janeiro’s Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car. Beginning up the Morro da Urca in Brazil’s second-largest city, the cable car climbs up to Sugarloaf Mountain, which offers spectacular panoramas of Rio’s beaches, city and mountains, and even its bustling harbour. When, especially at twilight time, you can watch a cluster of city lights sparkle up beneath the bright glow of the evening.

Genting Skyway – Malaysia

Awana SkyWay lifts its passengers to just above the rich green tropical forests of Genting Highlands. The difference of this ride as compared with other mountainous cable car ride which passengers would have the option to overlook a scenario of snowy and icy peaks and glaciers is the choice to overlook the Malaysian green rainforest scene. From here, the ride offers a view of densely forested mountains and hazy mountainous landscape.

Peak Tram and Cable Car Experiences – Austria

There are a number of breath taking cable car routes traversing the Austrian Alps that link Alpine mountain villages to a high altitude vantage point. Many trips begin and end near Innsbruck which benefits from easy access to outstanding scenery without having to spend hours traveling. The Nordkette cable car system is awe-inspiring, allowing expansive views over Innsbruck and its surrounding peaks and would be an excellent option for anyone wanting a bit of mountain exploration to accompany the city sights.

Mi Teleférico – Bolivia

Mi Telefrico offers stunning aerial perspectives on La Paz. The teleferico doesn’t operate purely as a tourist site as it is in part a mode of transport throughout La Paz.
Each carriage whizzes above tightly built suburbs offering spectacular views towards the bordering Andean peaks and striking terrain. Travelers can combine the experience of using the transportation and a view simultaneously.

Ngong Ping Cable Car – Scenic Hong Kong Experience

Hong Kong cable car systems provide an example of how aerial transportation can be a part of the traveling experience. As you travel toward Ngong Ping, the vistas of mountains, sea and coasts, forests as well as the airport areas unfold before your eyes, filling your mind. The interplay of modernity of Hong Kong and its green backdrop, for travelers, especially those who appreciate photography, will no doubt be refreshing.

Skyline Queenstown – New Zealand

The Skyline Queenstown gondola journey is an exciting ride uphill and the views over Lake Wakatipu, the mountains behind and town of Queenstown become breath taking as you ascend. It only takes a short while to reach the top, but the surrounding vistas alone make this an absolute must-do whilst at Queenstown, and from the top visitors can then access viewpoints, walking trails, and activities surrounded by the natural New Zealand beauty.

Best Time to Enjoy a Cable Car Journey

Optimal times for taking the cable car vary depending on location and the weather. Clear mornings offer particularly good views and photographing at sunset produces wonderfully vivid and photographic shots.
Operating times for mountain cable cars may be affected by seasons. Wind, storms or maintenance works may occasionally cause delays and the suspension of operation of cable cars-it is always best to check if there are any known problems before traveling.

Tips for an Unforgettable Experience

Aim for a good day’s weather if you can, as fog and clouds may obscure visibility at times. Most attractive sights have a ‘peak season’ queue and so you should go in the morning if you want a less crowded view. Be ready to photograph the landscape with a camera, your own or a phone is fine if you can and ensure some time to just relax and look around. Pack warm clothes for a trip to the mountains, even during the summer months. Visitors must also abide by any safety instructions or guidelines given throughout your tour and stay within the stipulated visitor’s zone.

Conclusion

Take in views from a cable car The best way to see some of the planet’s most sensational scenery is from above in a scenic cable car. Whether you’re in the French or Swiss mountains, the tropical jungles, or navigating coastlines or the Andes Mountains, you’ll get a different take on the region you’re visiting. If your notion of mountain biking, or of taking a break, are experiences you’re also wishing to savour during your trips, or you see the act of reaching the next destination as an opportunity, why not sit back and let cable cars be the transportation to your journey of discovery.