Table Mountain and Cableway
Tafelberg Road, Gardens, Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001
Rising high above Cape Town, Table Mountain is a symbol of the city and arguably its most famous natural landmark. From the flat-topped summit—reached by cable car—visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the city and ocean. On clear days, you can see Robben Island, Camps Bay, and the Atlantic Seaboard. Hiking fans also love this area, as well as adrenaline seekers who come for rappelling.
The basics
Gazing down at Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain is an iconic South African experience. Most Cape Town city tours take visitors to the top of Table Mountain, with the aerial cableway included in the Cape Town City Pass. If you're short on time, choose a private tour that offers skip-the-line access to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. For those seeking adventure, tackle a guided hike up the mountain and enjoy a relaxing cable car ride back down.
Things to know before you go
Table Mountain is a must-see for all first-time visitors to Cape Town (South Africa).
Without skip-the-line access, be prepared to wait in line for as long as an hour for a cableway ticket in peak season (December to April) for a ride to the top of the mountain.
Note that the cableway doesn’t operate in strong wind.
Take something warm to wear, as it’s significantly chillier on the mountain than in Cape Town.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, especially if you plan to use the trail network at the top of the mountain.
The cableway is accessible to wheelchair users, as are some areas atop the mountain.
How to get there
The lower Table Mountain cable station, near the western edge of Cape Town, is best accessed by car, taxi, or rideshare. The MyCiTi bus and the hop-on hop-off bus stop here as well.
When to get there
Visibility from the top of Table Mountain tends to be best in the early morning or in the evening. However this can be dependent on the weather and season you are visiting. During winter it is often best to visit a day or two after a winter storm has passed.
During summer (December to April) early mornings are usually best if you want stunning views of the surrounding city. Visit in May through November to avoid lines and crowds. Planning your visit around these times ensures a more enjoyable and scenic experience.
Amenities at the top
Once you’re at the top of Table Mountain, you’ll find plenty of amenities to help you enjoy your time including a café and a gift shop. A Wi-Fi lounge offers free connectivity and charging ports to keep mobile devices juiced up. Speaking of mobile devices, you can also download two free audio tours with insights into the legends of Table Mountain.
Ways to explore
Seeing Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain is an essential experience when visiting the city. Many Cape Town city tours include a stop at Table Mountain, often with cable car tickets included, while time-pressed travelers who just want to see Table Mountain can prebook skip-the-line cable car tickets, which typically include hotel transfers. Adventurous visitors can opt for a guided hike up and ride the cable car back down, or combine Table Mountain with hop-on hop-off bus tours and island cruises to cover more city highlights efficiently.
Accessibility
The cableway is wheelchair accessible, and there is a wheelchair route map available on the Table Mountain website.
Age limits
None
What to pack
Bottled water, camera, sunscreen
What to wear
Comfortable footwear, layered clothing
Not allowed
Drones, littering, picking plants
Amenities
Eateries and shops at cable car stations, restrooms, viewing paths
Address
Table Mountain is located in Table Mountain National Park, overlooking Cape Town. Most visitors arrive at the Lower Cableway Station, accessible by car and public transportation, then take the cable car up the mountain.
Driving
From central Cape Town, follow Tafelberg Road to the Lower Cableway Station. Be aware that parking spaces can fill up quickly, so you may want to try the Park and Ride shuttle service from the Lower Tafelberg Road parking area.
Public transportation
It’s easy to get to the Lower Cableway Station by public transportation. You can catch MyCiTi bus routes 106 or 107 from Camps Bay to the top of Kloof Nek Road.
Best times to visit
During the summer (between December and April), early mornings are best to avoid the crowds.
Best days to visit
Weekdays usually tend to be a bit quieter than weekends, when the cable car can be particularly popular.
Best months to visit
If you want to avoid long lines and crowds, then plan a visit between May and November.
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