Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) is gearing up for one of its busiest periods of the year, as local and international visitors flock to Cape Town for the festive season. Based on tourist arrival stats released by the Department of Tourism in November, this will be a particularly busy season for all tourism operators.
“December in Cape Town is truly spectacular, and Table Mountain as one of the New7Wonders of Nature is deservedly at the top of every visitor’s itinerary,” says Wahida Parker, Managing Director of TMACC.
The Mother City is a hive of activity each December with holidaymakers from near and far arriving to enjoy the sun, the sea, the outdoors, and the warm hospitality that only Cape Town delivers. It does mean that roads are generally much busier than usual, and tourist sites are packed to capacity with visitors.
“We want people to have a wonderful experience filled with positive memories. My team and I hope that these tips and tricks we share here will help everyone have a visit that they will smile about for years to come.”
- Plan your visit – The Cableway is a very popular during the summer season, with thousands of eager visitors arriving every day. Keep this in mind and consider arriving very early for the first cable car up, or towards the afternoon when it could be quieter. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway app, available for download from the App store or Google Play, provides real time updates on waiting times.
- Park ‘n ride – Public parking along Tafelberg Road is very limited. Make use of the free Cableway shuttle that runs every 20 minutes between the Lower Tafelberg Road parking area and the Lower Station. If you use an e-hailing service, you can alleviate traffic congestion on Tafelberg Road by asking to be dropped off at the Lower Tafelberg Road parking area so you can use the free shuttle bus to the Lower Station.
- Online tickets – Buying your tickets online and save. Online tickets remain valid for seven days, so you can easily reschedule your visit if needed.
- Fast Track – If you have limited to spend at Table Mountain, then our Fast Track ticket is your best option to get to the front of the queue as soon as possible.
Capacity management: On days when the Cableway is at capacity, only ticket holders will be given access to the attraction as onsite ticket sales will be suspended.
- Dress warm and hydrate – The weather in Cape Town is unpredictable and fast changing, especially on the mountain. It might be warm and sunny in the City Bowl, while it is cold and windy at the top of the mountain, so make sure you have clothing that prepares you for any weather conditions. Please don’t forget drink enough water, so that you are properly hydrated at all times. Parker recommends suitable hiking and climbing shoes for the mountain, as slipslops and sandals can lead to accidental slips and falls when you climb over rocks and boulders.
Parker also offers five easy ways to make the visit even more memorable, especially if you are bringing your loved ones with you:
- Hike up and take the cable car down, or vice versa – There’s no nicer way to end a long and busy year than conquering an iconic trail leading up to Table Mountain. Test your endurance on Platteklip Gorge hiking route, then reward yourself with a leisurely cable car ride back down. If you are not a fan of the uphill slog, then start with the scenic ride up and meander your way down at your own pace. Our Cable Card, our frequent user card, provides one return per day for a year for regular Table Mountain hikers.
- Stroll the summit trails – Once at the top, don’t just stop at the panoramic views! Table Mountain’s summit is crisscrossed with easy walking paths. Take your time exploring the diverse flora and unique rock formations that make this natural wonder so special. Plus, there are plenty of picture-perfect spots for those Instagram-worthy shots, especially tagging the Maclear’s Beacon peak.
- Sunrise and sunset magic – Capture the magic of a new dawn or bid farewell to the day with Table Mountain as your stage. Early risers can catch the first cable car up at 8 AM and enjoy a peaceful summit stroll with a side of golden hues. For those chasing sunsets, plan your visit in time for the last cable car ride down at 9 PM, until the end of January 2026 (last cable car up is at 8PM).
- Bring the fam! – Table Mountain isn’t just for grown-ups but an adventure for the whole family. Plan a day outing and let the kids experience the thrill of the cable car while learning about the mountain’s incredible biodiversity. Free guided walks are on offer 7 days a week, weather permitting, on the hour, from 9h00 – 15h00. Additionally, there Is a range of food and beverage options as well as unique retail offerings (97% of our retail products are locally sourced) available for young and old.
- Give back to our New7Wonder of Nature – Now is also the perfect time to show some love to our natural treasure. TMACC encourages visitors to help keep the mountain pristine by picking up any litter they find during their visit. Not only will you leave the mountain better than you found it, but you’ll also feel great knowing you’ve done your part.
“Table Mountain is more than just a backdrop to our city; it’s part of who we are. This year, we’re encouraging everyone to make the mountain a bigger part of their lives, through adventure, conservation, and simply taking in the incredible views,” says Parker.
About the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company:
- TMACC operates within the Table Mountain National Park and is a New7Wonders of Nature site. It offers visitors a fun, safe, and enjoyable way to explore the mountain.
- More information about the many ticketing options and special packages (such as a free ticket in your birthday month) is available on https://www.tablemountain.net
- This website and our social media channels are updated regularly with operational information. You can also visit our website for information about our retail venues and food and beverage options at the Upper and Lower Stations.
- Peak operating times are as follows: 1 December – 31 January: the first cable car up is at 8:00 AM, the last cable car up is at 8:00 PM, and the last cable car down is at 9:00 PM.
- We urge visitors to make use of our free Park & Ride shuttle service that runs from the Lower Tafelberg Road parking lot to the Lower Station.
