Table Mountain Cable Car Special: Ride for Free on Your Birthday
Experience Cape Town's most iconic landmark.
By Inside Guide • 17 February 2023
A ride up our famous cable car is one of the very best ways to experience Cape Town in all her majesty, and yet it’s still on the bucket list of so many Capetonians, who have yet to enjoy the thrill. Looking for an opportunity to do so? We have just the ticket!
Cable car Birthday Special
On the day – or month – of your birthday, South African ID holders are eligible for a free return ticket on the cable car. This special is applicable for South African residents only, so you’ll need your ID number when booking online, and your ID document when purchasing at the gate. A valid ID or birth certificate is required for children younger than 16 years.
Tickets should be collected from the ticket office at the Lower Station before 2.30pm.
Cable Card
Many locals complain of the steep fare charged to use the cableway. The good news is that Capetonians can purchase a Cable Card (R850, valid for one year) that entitles us to use the cableway every day for a year from the date of purchase. You can visit as often as you like, but are limited to one return trip per day. No refunds will be issued on cable cards.
Cost R950 (adults); R475 (children)
Ticket prices
Rates valid until 30 September 2023.
| Ticket Type | Time | Return | One Way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning: Adults | 8am – 1pm | R395 | R220 |
| Morning: Kids (4 – 17 years) | 8am – 1pm | R195 | R120 |
| Afternoon: Adults | 1pm – until close | R340 | R220 |
| Afternoon: Kids (4 – 17 years) | 1pm – until close | R170 | R120 |
| SA Senior citizens | Daily | R110 | R60 |
| Students | Daily | R230 | R130 |
Good to know
- Online tickets can be purchased and printed from any computer, or shown on-screen on a mobile device.
- SANParks Wild/ My Green Cardholders enjoy a 20% discount (only available from the ticket office).
- Online tickets are valid for seven days from the chosen date (except early-access tickets), and can be refunded during this period.
- If you buy your tickets online, you will still need to queue at the entrance.
- The Wifi Lounge at the top station is open for coffee, tea and water, while the kiosk at the Lower Station sells sandwiches, salads and an assortment of cakes.
- We recommend you visit the real-time weather update section on the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway website on the day you’d like to ride to make sure the weather is playing along.
Date Monday – Sunday
Times 8.30am – 4.30pm
Cost Birthday special: Free (SA residents only)
Normal rates: (rates valid until 30 September 2023)
From R220 (adults)
From R120 (kids 4 – 17 years)
From R60 (SA senior citizen)
From R130 (Student)
Free (kids 0 – 4 years)
Contact 021 424 8181
Address Tafelberg Road off Kloof Nek Road, Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town
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Vuyeka •
Hi I would like to know can I book free cable for my birthday month because my date is 5 Dec?
Inside Guide •
Hi Vujeka
Click on the booking link in our post. Or alternatively, go to the ticket office at the Cable station with a valid SA ID document.
Nokuzola Mafika •
Hi how do I book for the birthday free ticket and can I present my passport as my I D book was robbed? Passport has valid SA I D number and passport number because I am south African
Inside Guide •
Hi Nokuzola
Yes, you may use your passport. You can book online or at the booking office. All the information is contain in the post above.
jame •
good day how do l book for a free ride ticket my birthday is coming up in January
Inside Guide •
Hi James
All the info is included above. If still unclear, please contact the Cableway directly.
Daphne •
A group of High School tourism students from the Northern Suburbs in Cape Town would like to do the Cable Car as a practical day trip experience. Do you offer special rates for High School leaeners?
Tara Gaia •
Hi
My birthday is on 25 september, so can i go for free on any day until 25 october?
Geoff •
Hi
For a free birthday ride,do I have to book online ,or can I simply go there on the day?
Also,can I use my driver’s license as ID?
Ursula Geldenhuys •
Hi my birthday was on the 10th August but you were closed.
Can I use my free birthday ticket this Friday, 6th September?
Inside Guide •
Hi Ursula, yes you may.
Catherine •
Hi good afternoon, how does one apply for birthday free ride please
Portia •
Hello my birthday was on the 26th July and I only get a chance to go celebrate tomorrow.Can I pull through?
inside guide •
Hi Portia
Yes, certainly, you have a month to do so.
Savannah •
If I get a birthday ticket does it have to be used in that month?
Inside Guide •
Hi Savannah
Yes, the birthday ticket has to be used within your birthday month.
A M Macdonald •
Good morning
Can I put my 2x French visitors Pensioners Passport Nos into the ID no. allotted space?
Or a drivers No.?
Inside Guide •
Morning Anne.
You are through to inside guide, a travel publication.
You will need to check finer details with the Cableway.
Greg de Goede •
Hi,
I have a birthday on 12 March. I am a South African citizen with valid ID number. However, I have lost my green ID book and am in process of applying for a replacement. I have a cerified copy. Is this good enough for my free ride?
Thank you,
Greg de Goede
Inside Guide •
Hi Greg
I cannot speak for the Cableway but a certified copy is generally accepted at most places.
Good luck
Phakama Malafu •
Hai we are a group of friend and family 12 people we never been to table mountain,because of we come from disadvantage family where nothing is eassy for us. as on the 4th of December 2023 one of our family member will it will be her birthday and we would like to celebrate her day in table mountain,it Will be highly appreciated if i can get maybe a quote for this day mentioned above.12 adults return and 4 children. Thank you.
Inside Guide •
Hi Phakama
You are through to Inside Guide. You need to contact Table Mountain Cableway directly.
Good luck.
Liezl Pretorius •
To whom it may concern. I’m from Generation Schools Hermanus and would like to take my 15 students on an outing to Table Mountain during term 3, on Friday 21 July 2023. Is there any school group specials available?
Please advise if there is any academic student tours available.
I’m waiting for your response.
Thank you in advance.
Warm regards,
Liezl
Nikki Benatar •
Hi Liezl
As far as I know there is; you’d need to contact the cableway directly to arrange. Good luck.
Rudy •
Hey is the cable car birthday special a ticket to go up and return back down for free
The Inside Guide •
Hi Rudy
Yes, indeed.
Rudy •
Awesome thanks so much for the info
Daniel •
Hello, If I purchase a Sanparks wildcard. Do you still have to pay hop on the Cable Car? Thanks
Jessica Feldtman •
Hi Daniel,
You still have to pay for a cable card ride even if you own a SANParks wildcard.
Zelda van Deventer •
Good day
what is the prices for going up and going down? and prices seperately please.
Thank you
The Inside Guide •
Hi Zelda,
Here are the trip prices. Please note the following:
Return = up and down the mountain
One-way = only up the mountain
Cost:
Morning: Adults 8am – 1pm
R390 (return)
R210 (one-way)
Morning: Kids (4 – 17 years) 8am – 1pm
R190 (return)
R110 (one-way)
Afternoon: Adults 1pm – until close
R320 (return)
R210 (one-way)
Afternoon: Kids (4 – 17 years) 1pm – until close
R160 (return)
R110 (one-way)
SA Senior citizens Daily
R100 (return)
R50 (one-way)
Students Daily
R220 (return)
R110 (one-way)
Kwenele •
Hi, I’m Kwenele who is visiting Cape Town 2nd time, coming from Johannesburg on the 16-19 SEPTEMBER, we r coming to celebrate my birthday and my 2 sisters birthday but we will be there not on our birth date, I just want to ask if we do qualify for specials? If so I would like to book as we are a group of 8 ladies but only 3 are born in September.
Thank you in advance
The Inside Guide •
Hi Kwenele,
You only qualify for the free cable car ride in the month of your birthday. You need to bring a valid ID when visiting the cable car. You can make your booking at the entrance or make an online booking here: Book Now
Truia Cronje •
Hi, we are from Linden Johannesburg and we are planning to visit Cape Town between 8 to 11 Dec, I see your rates are only until Dec 2022, please advise how much would 6 Adult tickets be between those dates. And do you have wheel chair access, How is the parking working everything we need to know please.
The Inside Guide •
Hi Truia,
Table Mountain Cableway will only update its prices after September 2022. Watch this space to stay up to date with the latest prices. The cablecar does have wheelchair access and there is parking available. We recommend getting there early to guarantee that you find a parking spot close to the entrance!
MAndy •
how much is the cable car for adults return
The Inside Guide •
Hi Mandy,
The morning return ticket for adults is R360 and the afternoon ticket is R320.
JEROME LESCH •
Good afternoon
My name is Jerome Lesch and i teach at Range Primary school. We have a120 learners in the intermediate an senior phase classes That is grade 4 – 7
We are a very poor school. Non of our learners have been on table mountain and they live in Cape Town. Our school is situated in Elsie’s River.
It came to my attention that you have a cheaper price for primary school. Is their a price about R40 – R50 for scholars if possible. We would like to bring 100 kids
in October 2022 if possible .
You can contact me on 0826029974 just after 14h15 please
The Inside Guide •
Hi Jermone,
Cable Way offers an educational experience for young learners at the top of Table Mountain. The price is R45 per learner. You can contact Fiona Magobiane at 021 424 0015 or email cic@tablemountain.net for more information. Booking is essential.
Nomvo •
Hi there, is there a special rate for disabled SA citizens?
The Inside Guide •
Hi Nomvo,
There is no special rate for disabled SA citizens.
Ilaam •
Hi its my birthday Friday i will like to bring my kids along 11and 15 and husband 43 grandkids 1and 3
Glenda Franco •
Please let me know the age at which you consider a person a senior citizen.
The Inside Guide •
Hi Glenda,
South African senior citizens are from ages 60 and older.
Kirsten •
Hey there,
What are the prices for kids aged 3 years old?
The Inside Guide •
Hi Kirsten,
Children aged 0-4 are free!
Gary van der Berg •
Hi
What age is your SA senior citizen please
Thanks
The Inside Guide •
Hi Gary,
South African senior citizens are 60 years and older.
Malcolm Knight •
i am about to book my free Birthday month ticket, on line, using SA ID 3901185075088 (senior citizen). After getting my online ticket then do I still have to stand in the queue on the day of my ride ?
The Inside Guide •
Good day Malcolm,
You can only receive your free birthday ticket when presenting a valid South African identification document at the Ticket Office at Table mountain Aerial Cableway. If there is a queue, you can redeem your ticket from the Visitors Centre.
Dee •
If I select to book now, I do not see an option to book the free birthday ticket. How do I book the free birthday ticket online?
The Inside Guide •
Good day Dee,
You can only redeem your free birthday ticket from the Ticket Office at Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. Simply present a valid South African identification document to collect your ticket.
kathy •
if i am not a south African citizen can i still get it free on my birthday?
Inside Guide •
Unfortunately not, Kathy. The special is only applicable to South African residents.
Vincent Edward Abrahams •
if my bday is on the 27 December can i get my free ride anytime…..
Kind regards
Inside Guide •
You can claim your free ride any time during your birthday month, Vincent.
Rushana •
Hi my mommy birthday and my child birthday is in 1 month different dates can they come on 1 day
And how much isit for kids under 12 because I have 2 that 7 years old and 1 of 13 years old
The Inside Guide •
Hi Rushana,
Any South African citizen can qualify for their free ride anytime during their birthday month. Your mother and child can both receive their free birthday ride in the month of their birthday.
Your children will be charged according to the kids aged 4-17 rates:
Morning 8am – 1pm: R190 (return) or R100 (one way)
Afternoon 1pm – closing: R150 (return) or R100 (one way)
Nonkosi •
Good afternoon is the cable car still free on your birthday if yes would like to book for myself on the 19 of November and
The Inside Guide •
Hi Nonkosi,
You can still get a free cable car ride on your birthday.
You can present a valid South African identification document at the Ticket Office at Table Mountain Aerial Cableway to collect your ticket.
Ricardo Fitz •
Hi how much to go on the cable cars.. And is it wheelchair friendly
The Inside Guide •
Hi Ricardo,
The prices for the cable car rides are as follows:
Birthday special: Free (SA residents only)
From R200 (adults)
From R100 (kids 4 – 17 years)
From R50 (SA senior citizen)
Free (kids 0 – 4 years)
Prices depend on the trip you select (return or one way).
The cable car is also wheelchair friendly.
Serialong •
Would love to visit for my birthday how do I get the free special?
The Inside Guide •
Hi Serialong,
You can collect your free trip for your birthday by simply presenting a valid South African identification document at the Ticket Office at Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.
Nonkosi Mahashana •
Hi do i have to buy the ticket online or i can buy it there on the day i come.And if its my birthday is it free
Kamogelo •
Hi what specials do you have this weekend and what time do you close?
The Inside Guide •
Hi Kamogelo,
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway close at 4:30pm.
The current specials include the free ride in the month of your birthday. SA senior citizens and students also receive a discount rate.
You can book online: Book Now
For further information, contact Table Mountain Aerial Cableway: 021 424 8181
Brumilda •
Good day. The birthday specials how does it work…is is only for the day on your birthday or 7 days after your birthday?
The Inside Guide •
Hi Brumilda,
You can receive a free return cable car ticket during the month of your birthday.