Looking for a unique way to create unforgettable family memories? Consider taking your kids on some of the world’s most spectacular cable car rides as one of your bucket lists! These aerial adventures offer more than just transportation – they’re experiences that combine breathtaking views with the kind of wide-eyed wonder that both kids and parents love. Here’s your guide to some of the most amazing cable car journeys around the globe.
Ba Na Hills Cable Car, Vietnam
What Makes It Unique: Guinness World Record holder for the longest cable car ride. Stunning mountain and forest views with a Golden Bridge attraction nearby.
Why Families Will Love It: Themed attractions at Ba Na Hills, including an amusement park and gardens.
Hold onto your hats – this one’s a record-breaker! The world’s longest cable car ride takes you on an incredible 5,801-meter journey through the mountains near Da Nang. Your kids will be amazed as you glide above the lush forests, and the famous Golden Bridge (you know, the one held up by giant stone hands?) awaits at the top. There’s even an amusement park up there, making the $30 adult/$25 child ticket price a great value for a full day of fun.
- Address: An Thoi, Da Nang, Vietnam
- Length: 5,801 meters
- Fees: Approx. $30/adult, $25/child
- Getting There: From Da Nang city, take a 45-minute taxi ride.
Genting Skyway, Malaysia
What Makes It Unique: A ride through tropical rainforest to the high-altitude Genting Highlands.
Why Families Will Love It: Access to Resorts World Genting with shopping, theme parks, and dining.
This tropical treasure takes you on a mesmerizing ride through Malaysia’s rainforest canopy to the exciting Resorts World Genting. At just $2 per ride, it’s incredibly budget-friendly, and your kids will love spotting wildlife in the forest below. The best part? At the top, you’ll find shopping, theme parks, and dining options that will keep the whole family entertained for hours.
- Address: Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia
- Length: 3.38 km
- Fees: Approx. $2 one-way
- Getting There: Accessible via bus or car from Kuala Lumpur (1-hour drive).
Masada Cableway, Israel
What Makes It Unique: Views of the Dead Sea and historical access to the ancient Masada fortress.
Why Families Will Love It: Educational and scenic experience for history enthusiasts.
History comes alive on this unique cable car journey to the ancient fortress of Masada. While shorter than some others at 900 meters, it packs a punch with stunning views of the Dead Sea and surrounding desert landscape. At $22 for adults and $11 for children, it’s a perfect way to combine education with adventure – your young history buffs will be thrilled!
- Address: Masada National Park, Israel
- Length: 900 meters
- Fees: $22/adult, $11/child
- Getting There: Drive or join a tour from Jerusalem (1.5 hours).
Mi Teleférico, La Paz, Bolivia
What Makes It Unique: The highest and longest urban gondola network in the world.
Why Families Will Love It: Great views of the Andes and cultural exploration of La Paz.
Imagine riding the world’s highest urban cable car network! At just 50 cents per ride, this unique transit system gives your family an incredible view of La Paz and the towering Andes Mountains. Your kids will get a kick out of literally floating above a city, and it’s a fantastic way to see Bolivia from a different perspective.
- Address: La Paz, Bolivia
- Length: Varies by line
- Fees: $0.50/ride
- Getting There: Public transport or taxi in La Paz.
Ngong Ping 360, Hong Kong
What Makes It Unique: Views of Lantau Island, South China Sea, and Big Buddha.
Why Families Will Love It: Access to the Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, and cultural village.
This 5.7-kilometer journey combines amazing views with cultural exploration. The ride to Lantau Island offers spectacular vistas of the South China Sea, but the real treat comes when your kids spot the massive Tian Tan Buddha emerging through the mist. The cultural village at the top is perfect for introducing your children to Chinese heritage, and at $25 for adults and $15 for kids, it’s a full day’s entertainment.
- Address: Tung Chung, Hong Kong
- Length: 5.7 km
- Fees: $25/adult, $15/child
- Getting There: Take the MTR to Tung Chung Station.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, California
What Makes It Unique: World’s largest rotating tram car with desert-to-mountain scenery.
Why Families Will Love It: Hiking, dining, and cool mountain temperatures.
Get ready for the world’s largest rotating tram car! This 4-kilometer ride takes you from desert floor to mountain wilderness in just minutes. Your kids will be amazed as they watch the landscape change dramatically, and the temperature drop can be a welcome relief in the hot summer months. At $29 for adults and $17 for children, you’ll get access to hiking trails and dining with spectacular views.
- Address: Palm Springs, California, USA
- Length: 4 km
- Fees: $29/adult, $17/child
- Getting There: Drive from downtown Palm Springs (15 minutes).
Peak 2 Peak Gondola, Whistler
What Makes It Unique: Record-breaking span between peaks with 360° alpine views.
Why Families Will Love It: Whistler Blackcomb’s outdoor activities.
If your family loves winter sports, this one’s a must-do. Connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains in British Columbia, this engineering marvel offers jaw-dropping 360-degree alpine views along its 4.4-kilometer span. Yes, the ticket price ($75 for adults, $38 for children) might make you catch your breath, but the year-round activities at both peaks make it worth every penny.
- Address: Whistler, BC, Canada
- Length: 4.4 km
- Fees: $75/adult, $38/child
- Getting There: Drive from Vancouver (2 hours).
Skyline Queenstown, New Zealand
What Makes It Unique: Steepest cable car in the Southern Hemisphere, with lake and mountain views.
Why Families Will Love It: Access to adventure activities like luge and ziplining.
Adrenaline-loving families, this one’s for you! Not only is this the steepest cable car in the Southern Hemisphere, but at the top, you’ll find the famous Queenstown Luge. At 730 meters, it’s a shorter ride, but those views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range are unforgettable. For $40 for adults and $25 for kids, you get access to both the gondola and adventure activities.
- Address: Queenstown, New Zealand
- Length: 730 meters
- Fees: $40/adult, $25/child
- Getting There: Short walk from Queenstown center.
Stanserhorn Cabrio, Switzerland
What Makes It Unique: First open-top double-decker cable car.
Why Families Will Love It: Incredible alpine views and family-friendly summit trails.
Ever wondered what it feels like to ride in a roofless cable car? The Stanserhorn Cabrio near Lucerne is the world’s first open-top double-decker cable car, and it’s absolutely worth the splurge ($74 for adults, $37 for children). Your kids will love feeling the fresh alpine air on the upper deck while taking in views of snow-capped peaks along the 2.3-kilometer journey.
- Address: Stans, Lucerne, Switzerland
- Length: 2.3 km
- Fees: $74/adult, $37/child
- Getting There: Train or car from Lucerne (30 minutes).
Sugarloaf Mountain Gondola, Rio de Janeiro
What Makes It Unique: Panoramic views of Rio, including Copacabana and Christ the Redeemer.
Why Families Will Love It: Iconic views and cultural significance.
This iconic 1,400-meter ride gives you the best views of Rio’s famous landmarks. Your kids will be thrilled to spot Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana Beach, and the city’s dramatic coastline. At $20 for adults and $10 for children, it’s an affordable way to see one of the world’s most beautiful cities from above.
- Address: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Length: 1,400 meters.
- Fees: $20/adult, $10/child.
- Getting There: Taxi or bus from central Rio.
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, Cape Town
What Makes It Unique: Rotating car with views of Cape Town and the coastline.
Why Families Will Love It: Easy summit access and family-friendly trails.
Want to start your morning with a 360-degree view of one of the world’s most beautiful cities? Cape Town’s Table Mountain cableway delivers just that! The rotating cable car gives you and your little ones a complete panoramic view during the 1,200-meter journey. At just $20 for adults and $10 for kids, it’s an affordable way to kick off your South African adventure.
- Address: Cape Town, South Africa
- Length: 1,200 meters
- Fees: $20/adult, $10/child
- Getting There: Taxi or car from Cape Town center.
Tianmen Mountain Cable Car, China
What Makes It Unique: One of the world’s longest cableways, with views of “Heaven’s Gate” and cliffs.
Why Families Will Love It: Access to glass skywalks and cultural sites.
At 7.5 kilometers, this is one of the world’s longest cable car rides, and it’s guaranteed to leave your family speechless. The journey up to the famous “Heaven’s Gate” natural arch is an adventure in itself, and the glass skywalk at the top will test everyone’s courage. For $20 adults and $10 children, it’s an incredible value for such a unique experience.
- Address: Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
- Length: 7.5 km
- Fees: $20/adult, $10/child
- Getting There: Train or bus to Zhangjiajie.
Vanoise Express, France
What Makes It Unique: Double-decker cable car connecting ski resorts with panoramic alpine views.
Why Families Will Love It: Winter sports and scenic rides.
This mighty double-decker cable car connects the ski areas of Les Arcs and La Plagne, creating one of the largest ski areas in the world. The 1.8-kilometer journey offers spectacular views of the French Alps, and since it’s included in your ski pass, it’s a great value if you’re already planning a ski vacation.
- Address: Les Arcs, France
- Length: 1.8 km
- Fees: Included in ski pass
- Getting There: Drive from Geneva Airport (3 hours).
Tips for Cable Car Rides with Kids
- Buy tickets online when possible to avoid queues
- Visit during off-peak hours (usually early morning or late afternoon)
- Pack layers – it’s often cooler at the top
- Bring snacks and water – altitude can make kids hungry!
- Have your camera ready, but keep a firm grip on it
- Consider weather conditions – many cable cars don’t operate in strong winds
Cable car rides offer more than just transportation – they’re memory-making machines that combine adventure, education, and stunning views. Whether you’re soaring above Rio’s beaches or floating through the Swiss Alps, these aerial adventures will give your family stories to share for years to come.
Remember, while ticket prices for cable car rides might sometimes seem steep, many of these locations offer family passes or include access to additional attractions at the top. Keep an eye out for early-bird specials and off-season rates to make these spectacular rides more budget-friendly.
So, next time you’re planning a family trip, consider adding one of these amazing cable car rides to your itinerary. After all, sometimes the journey really is as exciting as the destination!
