Cologne Cable Car Operations: Open Or Shut?

The Cologne Cable Car, or Kölner Seilbahn, has been a tourist attraction since 1957. It is a gondola lift that runs across the River Rhine, connecting the two banks at the height of the Zoo Bridge. The cable car offers a unique panoramic view of Cologne, the old town, the Rhine and its surroundings. It is open daily from April to October, between 10 am and 6 pm, with the last round trip starting at 5:45 pm. The one-way trip lasts about six minutes, covering a distance of 930 to 935 meters. The cable car ride offers a different perspective of the city and is a fun activity for all ages.

Cologne Cable Car's opening times

The Cologne Cable Car, or Kölner Seilbahn, is open daily from April to October, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The last round trip starts at 5:45 p.m.

The cable car offers a unique panoramic view of Cologne, the old town, the Rhine, and its beautiful surroundings. It is a very particular way of crossing the river Rhine, transporting you from the Zoo to the River Park. The ride is about 930 metres long and takes approximately 6 minutes to get from one river bank to the other. The cable car ride offers a relaxing view of Cologne as you cross from one bank to the other, at a leisurely speed of 10 km/h.

The Cologne Cable Car is a gondola lift that runs across the Rhine in Cologne, Germany. It connects the two banks of the river at the height of Cologne's Zoo Bridge (Zoobrücke). The cable car was first opened on 26 April 1957, in time for the biannual German horticultural show, the Bundesgartenschau. It connects the exhibition sites at Rheinpark with those on the other side of the river, close to Cologne Zoo and the Flora/Botanical Garden.

The cable car is considered Cologne's safest means of transport, having transported 13.7 million people without an accident between 1957 and 2004. It carries up to 2,000 people per hour in its 50 cabins.

Cologne Cable Car's history

The Cologne Cable Car, or Kölner Seilbahn in German, has been a tourist attraction since 1957. It is a gondola lift that runs across the River Rhine, connecting the two banks of the river at the height of the Cologne Zoo Bridge (Zoobrücke). The cable car offers a unique panoramic view of Cologne, the old town, the Rhine, and its beautiful surroundings from a bird's-eye view.

The cable car over the Rhine was opened on 26 April 1957, in time for the biannual German horticultural show, the Bundesgartenschau. It connects the exhibition sites at Rheinpark with those on the other riverside, close to the Cologne Zoo and Flora/Botanical Garden. The President of Germany, Theodor Heuss, and Federal Chancellor and former Mayor of Cologne, Konrad Adenauer, were among its first guests.

In 1963, the cable car was closed and dismantled due to the construction of the Zoo Bridge. It remained shut down for a few years, and its supports were slightly rotated to accommodate the new bridge. After protracted discussions, the cable car was reopened on 22 August 1966, with a slightly altered route. The suspension tower was moved to a new location in the Rhine Park, and the cable car no longer crossed over the bridge.

The Cologne Cable Car was built by the Julius Pohlig company, which became the world's biggest builder of cable cars after this project. They have constructed many other notable cable cars, including the world's first cabin cable car in Hong Kong in 1908 and a cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro in 1913.

The cable car has been in operation for more than 65 years and transports about 500,000 passengers per year. It operates daily from April to October, offering a relaxing six-minute journey across the Rhine. The cable cars are decorated with different motifs, and each four-seat cabin provides a bird's-eye view of the city as it gently sways 50 metres above the ground. The cable car has also become a romantic spot for couples to get legally married while enjoying the scenic ride.

Cologne Cable Car's safety record

The Cologne Cable Car has been in operation since 1957, transporting about 500,000 passengers per year. In its long history, the cable car has experienced a few incidents where cable cars stood still and passengers needed to be rescued. After such incidents, comprehensive technical changes were carried out and new safety measures were implemented.

The cable car was shut down for a few years starting in 1962 due to the construction of the Zoo Bridge. During this time, its supports were rotated slightly and it was reopened in 1966. In the 1970s, a new station was opened at the Zoo, and the cable car has been operating without any accidents for over 50 years, making it the safest means of transportation in Cologne.

The cable car offers panoramic views of the city, the old town, the Rhine River, and its surroundings. It operates daily from April to October, carrying up to 2,000 people per hour across a half-mile journey. The one-way trip lasts about six minutes at a speed of 10 km/h, giving passengers plenty of time to take in the sights.

The Cologne Cable Car is a unique mode of transportation, providing commuters and tourists with a different perspective of the city. It is a popular attraction, especially during major events in Cologne, and has become a romantic spot for couples to get married while enjoying the aerial views.

Cologne Cable Car's views

The Cologne Cable Car offers a unique panoramic view of the city. The cable car connects the two banks of the Rhine River, allowing you to admire the city's fascinating panorama as you cross. Here are some of the sights you can expect to see during your sky-high journey:

The Rhine River and Surrounding Parklands

The cable car takes you high above the mighty Rhine River, offering a different perspective of this major European waterway. You'll glide over the treetops of the leafy Rheinpark, taking in the pretty parklands on both sides of the riverbank.

Cologne Zoo and Botanical Garden

As you soar over the river, keep an eye out for the animal enclosures at the Cologne Zoo. With the biggest collection of animals in Germany, it's a fun attraction to combine with your cable car ride. Nearby is also Cologne's magnificent Flora und Botanischer Garten (Botanical Garden), featuring over 10,000 species of plants.

Claudius Therme

As you peer down from the cable car, you'll be able to spot the city's thermal baths, known as Claudius Therme.

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne's stunning cathedral is a prominent feature in the cityscape. You can enjoy views of the cathedral from the cable car and later take a stroll to the cathedral for a closer look.

Hohenzollern Bridge

For a romantic experience, head to the Hohenzollern Bridge after your cable car ride. This rail bridge offers views of the cathedral and is a popular spot for couples to take a walk.

The Cologne Cable Car provides a bird's-eye view of the city, allowing you to see Cologne from a whole new angle. Whether you're a photographer looking for that perfect shot or a couple seeking a romantic sunset, the cable car offers a unique and memorable experience.

Cologne Cable Car's ticket prices

The Cologne Cable Car offers a unique panoramic view of the city, including the old town, the Rhine, and the surrounding areas. The cable car ride is approximately 930 metres long and takes about 6 minutes to travel from one side of the river bank to the other. The cable car operates from April to October, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., with the last round trip starting at 5:45 p.m.

Ticket prices for the Cologne Cable Car vary depending on the type of ticket purchased. Here is a breakdown of the ticket options and their corresponding prices:

Single Trips:

One-way trip for adults and children (aged 4 to 12): Ticket prices are not specified on the official website but are mentioned as €3-€4.50 for one-way and €6 for return tickets in reviews.

Multiple Trips:

10 round trips for adults and children: Ticket prices are not specified on the official website.

Groups:

• Groups of four or more people: One-way and round-trip ticket prices are not specified on the official website.
• Groups of 17 or more people/school classes: One-way and round-trip ticket prices are not specified on the official website.

Special Tickets:

• Kölner Seilbahn-Zoo-Aquarium: This ticket includes a round trip on the cable car and admission to the Kölner Zoo/Aquarium. Ticket prices for adults and children are not specified on the official website.
• "Himmel un Äd" - WOLTERS ZOO-EXPRESS & KÖLNER SEILBAHN: This ticket includes a round trip on the cable car and a ride on the Wolters Zoo-Express, a narrow-gauge railway that departs from in front of the cathedral. Ticket prices for adults and children are not specified on the official website.

Discounts:

• KölnPass (Cologne Passport): By presenting a valid KölnPass, visitors receive a special discount on their cable car ticket. Ticket prices for adults and children are not specified on the official website.
• KölnCard (Cologne Card): By presenting a KölnCard, visitors receive a special discount on their cable car ticket. Ticket prices for adults and children are not specified on the official website.
• VRS-24H Ticket: By presenting this ticket, visitors receive a special discount on their cable car ticket. Ticket prices for adults and children are not specified on the official website.
• Claudius Therme (Thermal Spa): By presenting an admission ticket to the thermal spa, visitors receive a discount on their cable car ticket and vice versa. Ticket prices for adults and children are not specified on the official website.
• Kölner-CityTour Ticket: By presenting a ticket for the Kölner-CityTour buses, visitors receive a special discount on their cable car ticket. Ticket prices for adults and children are not specified on the official website.
• Wolters Zoo-Express (Narrow-Gauge Railway): By presenting a ticket to the Wolters Zoo-Express, visitors receive a special discount on their cable car ticket. Ticket prices for adults and children are not specified on the official website.

It is important to note that persons with disabilities pay the regular fare. However, if their identity card for the disabled indicates that an accompanying person is required, the accompanying person travels for free. Additionally, children under three years old travel for free, and the accompanying person pays the fare for the child.

Frequently asked questions