Table Mountain in a nutshell
Table Mountain stands above the City Bowl in Cape Town, South Africa. It is the centre of Table Mountain National Park, which runs for about 70 km from Signal Hill and Table Mountain in the north to Cape Point in the south. The highest point of the flat summit is Maclear's Beacon at about 1,086 m, and some listings give 1,088 m. The cableway's upper station sits lower, at about 1,067 m.
You can reach the top by cableway or on foot. Most visitors take the cable car up and decide on the day whether to walk down. The cabins have a rotating floor and the ride takes under five minutes. Wind and cloud can stop the cableway at short notice, so the weather decides more than any timetable.
This guide covers the cableway, the three main hiking routes, the weather and the famous tablecloth cloud, the national park, Lion's Head, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach, Robben Island, the V&A Waterfront, Kirstenbosch, safety, the best time to visit and where to stay. It is an independent site. It is not run by the cableway company, the national parks authority, a museum or a tour company. Prices are in South African rand (R) and apply in 2026.
Our picks: Table Mountain tours
A cable car ticket, a guided summit hike and a day on the Cape Peninsula.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided summit hike up Table Mountain
A local guide, safety briefing, first-aid kit and a small group, on a route you choose with the guide. Cable car extra; pickup, food and drinks are not included.
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Table Mountain cable car ticket
A cable car ticket with Table Mountain entry. Hotel pickup, meals and drinks are not included.
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Cape Point and Boulders Beach by minibus
Hotel pickup in an air-conditioned minibus, tolls and fuel included. Park entry extra for Cape Point and Boulders Beach, as are the optional Seal Island boat, meals and tips.
Check availability →Table Mountain tours and Cape Town day trips
Cableway tickets, guided hikes and Cape Peninsula day trips, with live prices and availability.
On the mountain
Getting up, getting down and judging the day.
Cableway tickets and times
Online and ticket office prices, opening hours by season and how to get to the lower station.
Hiking Table Mountain
Platteklip Gorge, India Venster and Skeleton Gorge, with rules for a safe day.
Wind, tablecloth and closures
Why the cableway stops and how to plan for it.
Safety on Table Mountain
Group size, equipment, emergency numbers and advice for the trails.
Table Mountain National Park
Park sections, conservation fees and activity permits.
Lion's Head
The spiral route with ladders and chains.
Around the peninsula
Places that fit into a day with the mountain.
Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope
Gate times, the funicular and what the fees cover.
Boulders Beach
African penguins, boardwalks and the entrance fee.
Robben Island
Ferry times, prices and how long the visit takes.
V&A Waterfront
The Watershed market, Zeitz MOCAA and the ferry gateway.
Kirstenbosch
Garden fees, opening hours and the Boomslang canopy walk.
Planning a day on Table Mountain
A simple order that works with the weather.
Check the status first
The cableway status is posted daily by the operator. Look at it in the morning, and look again before you leave for the station. Wind and cloud can change within the hour.
Go up early
The first ascent is between 07:30 and 08:30 depending on the season. An early start gives you more daylight if you decide to walk down.
Keep a spare day
A standard cableway ticket is valid for 7 days. If the cableway is closed on your first try, you can use the same ticket on another day.
Pack for the summit
Bring a warm layer, water and sun protection. Conditions on top can differ completely from the city.
Good to know in 2026
A few things to know before you plan.
Two cableway prices
Online and ticket office prices differ. An adult return costs R475 online and R530 at the ticket office. The tariff changed on 1 July 2026. A standard ticket does not skip the queue; Fast Track costs R1,200 return.
Cableway guide →Park fees change on 1 November 2026
International adults pay R515 at Cape Point until 31 October 2026. From 1 November the Cape of Good Hope fee is R592. At Boulders the adult fee goes from R245 to R282. Do not mix the two tariffs.
Fees and sections →No indemnity form for day visitors
Since 10 February 2026 general day visitors to Cape Point and Boulders no longer need an indemnity form. Gate information may still mention one, so carry ID, which is scanned to apply the right rate, and follow the instructions at the gate.
Cape Point →Zeitz MOCAA costs more
General admission to the museum rose from R265 to R350 on 1 September 2026. Visitors under 18 enter free.
V&A Waterfront →More penguins at Boulders
The 2026 count shows 790 breeding pairs, up from 698 the year before. The African penguin is now listed as Critically Endangered, so stay on the boardwalks.
Boulders Beach →Fire season work
Fire break maintenance along the peninsula started in the week of 15 September 2026 and is expected to run to December 2026. Fire risk can be high, and rangers close trails when needed.
Hiking guide →Table Mountain: frequently asked questions
How do I get to the top of Table Mountain?
By cableway or on foot. The cableway ride takes under five minutes. The main hiking routes are Platteklip Gorge, India Venster and, from Kirstenbosch, Skeleton Gorge. Platteklip takes roughly 1 to 3 hours uphill depending on fitness.
How much does the Table Mountain cableway cost?
For 2026/27 an adult return ticket is R475 online and R530 at the ticket office. One-way tickets are R300 online and R330 at the ticket office. Children from 4 to 17 pay R230 return online, and children under 4 travel free.
Is the cableway open every day?
It runs daily in principle, but wind, cloud and maintenance can close it. In 2026 the annual maintenance closure ran from 27 July to 9 August. Check the operator's status on the morning of your visit.
When is the best time to go up?
Summer is warmer and drier, winter brings rain from fronts. Strong south-easterly winds are most frequent in December and February. Pick a clear, calm morning if you can, and keep a spare day.
Can I walk up and take the cableway down?
Yes, many visitors do. Plan the walk back as an option anyway, because the cableway can close for weather while you are on the summit.
Is this the official Table Mountain website?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not run by the cableway company, the national parks authority or the City of Cape Town. For tickets and live status, use the operator's own channels.