Table Mountain is becoming more accessible to a wider range of visitors, with the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) introducing new ticketing options, improved operating information and mobility facilities as part of its Tourism Month focus.
Image: Supplied
The measures include WhatsApp ticketing, live updates on weather and Cableway operations, the Universal Access Walkway and discounted fares for children, students and senior citizens.
The changes come as South Africa continues to record growth in international tourism. Statistics South Africa recorded 991 696 international tourist arrivals in July 2026, a 12.5% increase compared with July 2025. International arrivals for the first seven months of 2026 reached 6.58 million, up 12.4% year on year.
While international tourism is growing, TMACC says access to Table Mountain also needs to cater to local and regional visitors.
“Table Mountain serves two audiences at once. It is often the first experience an international visitor has of Cape Town, and it is a mountain that Capetonians treat as their own,” says TMACC Managing Director Wahida Parker.
“For us, access means looking at the whole visitor journey. It is about making it easier to plan a visit, access tickets, understand operating conditions, reach more of the summit and, where possible, make the experience affordable and available to different groups.”
Visitors can now buy Cableway tickets via WhatsApp
TMACC has introduced WhatsApp as another way for visitors to purchase standard return and one-way Cableway tickets through Webtickets.
Visitors can select the ‘Buy via WhatsApp’ option on the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway ticketing page on Webtickets. The option can also be accessed by scanning a QR code at the Ticket Office or while waiting at the Lower Station.
WhatsApp tickets are valid for seven days, in line with tickets purchased online or at the Ticket Office. Unused WhatsApp tickets can be fully refunded through the platform during this validity period.
Concession and special-offer fares are not available through WhatsApp and must still be purchased through the relevant existing channels.
Live information helps visitors plan around mountain weather
TMACC has also highlighted the importance of providing visitors with up-to-date information before they travel to the mountain.
The Cableway’s website and mobile app provide live updates on its operating status, temperature, visibility and wind conditions. Visitors can also check the first and last car times, as well as estimated waiting times at both the Lower and Upper Cable Stations.
“Mountain weather can change quickly, and operating responsibly means that sometimes the Cableway has to stop,” says Parker.
“Providing people with accurate information in real time means they can plan around that rather than arriving without knowing what to expect.”
Universal Access Walkway expands mobility options
The Universal Access Walkway is another part of TMACC’s efforts to improve access to Table Mountain.
Opened in April 2026 in partnership with SANParks, the walkway provides visitors using wheelchairs, prams and other mobility aids with a dedicated route towards the edge of the summit plateau.
Additional facilities include dedicated parking bays at the Lower Station for visitors with disabled parking permits, priority access at the Ticket Office and lifts serving the Cableway.
Wheelchairs are available on request, while mobility scooters can be used at the Upper Station following a safety assessment and staff guidance.
At the summit, ramps provide access to the TEN67 Eatery, while a dedicated lift serves the VIEWS by De Grendel wine bar and restaurant.
TMACC also provides a route map showing which summit pathways are suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
“Table Mountain is a natural environment and there are physical limitations to what can be made accessible,” says Parker. “What matters is being transparent about those limitations while continuing to improve the parts of the experience that we can.”
Cableway concessions offer more affordable access
TMACC’s definition of accessibility also extends to the cost of visiting Table Mountain, with a range of fares and offers aimed at different age groups and visitors.
Children aged four to 17 qualify for child rates. From 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, an online return ticket costs R230, while the return rate at the Ticket Office is R270. Children under four travel free.
South African senior citizens aged 60 and older pay R130 for a return ticket seven days a week, either online or at the Ticket Office. A valid South African ID is required.
Students aged 18 and older, including local and international students, can purchase a return ticket for R320 or a one-way ticket for R200 with a valid student card. Student tickets are available from the Lower Station Ticket Office.
South Africans can also receive a free return Cableway ticket during their birthday month by presenting valid South African identification at the Ticket Office or Visitor Information Centre.
The Local is Lekker special is available until 31 October 2026. South African adults can purchase a return ticket for R265, while children pay R135. A valid South African ID is required.
Frequent visitors can also use the Virtual Cable Card, which is available in options for adults, children aged four to 17 and South African pensioners aged 60 and older.
Table Mountain also doubles as an outdoor classroom
Access to the mountain extends beyond tourism, with TMACC using the Cableway as a platform for environmental education.
Its Class in the Clouds programme gives Grade 1 to Grade 12 learners the opportunity to explore Table Mountain while learning about its flora, fauna, history and geography.
The programme has been running since 2001 and has reached more than 367 000 learners.
The 2026 programme runs until 30 October, from Monday to Friday, excluding school holidays and public holidays. More than 15 000 learners participate each year, with bookings accommodating between 10 and 100 learners per time slot.
Local visitors remain an important part of Table Mountain tourism
TMACC says domestic and regional visitors continue to form an important part of the Cableway’s audience, particularly outside the peak international tourism season.
The company is also highlighting its free Park & Ride shuttle, which operates between Lower Tafelberg Road and the Lower Station.
“Tourism growth brings opportunity, but it also raises the standard we need to meet,” says Parker.
“That applies as much to the Capetonian coming up for a sunset as to the visitor who has planned this trip for a year. Both should be able to check conditions before they leave, choose the ticket option that works for them and know what the mountain can and cannot offer them on the day.”
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