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By Dianne Apen-Sadler
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Unless you’re a big train buff, taking public transport while travelling is a means to an end, rather than an actual stop on your itinerary.
Subways, buses and trams are hardly exciting, but there is one form of transit that you might just go out of your way for: the cable car.
Soaring high into the mountains or above the cityscape, travelling by cable car lets you take the time to admire your surroundings from a different angle.
Here are just some of the most unique options across Europe worth travelling for – assuming you’re not afraid of heights, that is.
Europe’s longest urban cable car in Paris
First opened in December 2025, Câble C1 connects Pointe du Lac station in Créteil to Villa Nova in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges.
Paris opted to build a cable car instead of extending Métro Line 8 because of the hilly terrain in the suburbs it connects to.
At 4.5 kilometres, it is Europe’s longest urban cable car, and the journey takes around 18 minutes in total.
The world’s steepest cable car in Switzerland
James Bond fans will already recognise the rotating restaurant Piz Gloria in Switzerland’s Bernese Alps, made famous by On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969).
But even those who prefer their martinis stirred, not shaken, have good reason to brave the ascent as the trip is made via the world’s steepest cable car.
Connecting Stechelberg to Mürren, the first section of the Schilthorn Cableway climbs 775 metres in just under four minutes, a gradient of 159.4 per cent.
The cable car then continues up to the Schilthorn summit, with the entire journey taking around 30 minutes.
Klein Matterhorn, the highest point in Europe reachable by cable car
The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing takes you from the mountain village of Zermatt in Switzerland up to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, some 3,821 metres above sea level.
It is the highest point in Europe reachable by cable car, with views across the Swiss and Italian mountains.
Not just satisfied with just one superlative, you can also visit the highest mountain restaurant in Europe here.
From Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, you can take a cable car down to Breuil-Cervinia, a mountain village in Italy, passing through the highest border crossing by cableway in the Alps.
CabriO Stanserhorn, a cable car with an open upper deck
Switzerland has no shortage of unique cable car experiences, and the CabriO Stanserhorn is one for the very brave.
Those hopping aboard the cable car will be able to enjoy the climb from Kälti Valley up the mountain from the open-aired top deck. Unsurprisingly, the cable car only runs in the summer months.
The journey takes around seven minutes, and once you reach the top, you can dine on Älplermagronen, the Swiss version of mac and cheese, in the revolving restaurant, or chat to one of the mountain rangers who can tell you about the area’s wildlife.
A rotating cable car above Mount Titlis
There’s no need to get in line early to secure the best spot on Engelberg’s Titlis Rotair – because there isn’t one.
Over the course of the five minute journey, the Swiss cable car completes a full 360 degree rotation, so no matter where you find yourself sitting, you’ll have a fantastic view.
From the top, you can visit the highest suspension bridge in Europe and a glacier cave.
A coffin-like cable car in Italy
While most of the entries on this list should be avoided by those with a fear of heights, the Sassolungo cable cars should also be swerved by those suffering from claustrophobia.
The coffin lifts, so named because they are standing-only and can fit just two people inside, take travellers from the Passo Sella up to the Toni Demetz Hut.
Operating continuously, there’s no room for hesitation as you’ll need to run after the gondola to hop in, and jump out while it’s still moving on the other end.
Only open during the summer months, it’s ideal for reaching numerous hiking routes from the top.
A sauna gondola in Finland
Leaving the Swiss and Italian mountains behind, Ylläs Ski Resort in Finland offers a rather novel way to experience a traditional Finnish sauna.
The sauna gondola experience lasts around 20 minutes, with room for up to four people. Take a night ride and you might even be lucky enough to catch the Northern Lights along the way.
Once you reach your destination, you’ll be able to continue your session in a sauna at the top, or take a plunge in the outdoor jacuzzi.
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