Wellington Cable Car
Wellington Cable Car
4.3
7:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
About
The highlight to any visit to Wellington is a trip on Wellington Cable Car. In just 5 minutes you will reach the top of the Botanic Garden where panoramic views of the city and harbour are the reward. You can also visit the Space Place Observatory here. Before you head back down make sure to visit the Cable Car Museum (free entry), which provides a history of the city's symbolic mode of transport and see the original cars and winding machinery on display. There are walking tracks that start at the top of the Cable Car if you're keen on a stroll back to the city. The Cable Cars leave every 10 minutes and evry 15 minutes before 8pm.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.3
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PazA
39 contributions
Mar 2025 • Family
Located just off Lambton Quay (find the street sign with a red cable car on top and follow in the direction it is pointing) is the Wellington Cable Car.
The Cable Car is a must do experience for anyone in Wellington.
Tickets are really cheap with a return at $12.
Cash and card can be used at the kiosk and the kiosk offers souvenirs which aren’t available at the museum at the top of the hill.
The cable cars run every 10 mins and do stop along the way.
The journey takes about 5 mins with commentary and coloured lights along the way.
At the top are stunning views of the city, a couple of LoTR costumes and the Cable Car Museum, Cable Top Eatery, Botanic Gardens and the Zealandia Shuttle.
Be aware that there is no ticket office at the top of the Cable Car so when you come down you can either pay the driver cash for a ticket or buy one at the kiosk when you come back down.
For a fun ride, use the Wellington Cable Car.
The Cable Car is a must do experience for anyone in Wellington.
Tickets are really cheap with a return at $12.
Cash and card can be used at the kiosk and the kiosk offers souvenirs which aren’t available at the museum at the top of the hill.
The cable cars run every 10 mins and do stop along the way.
The journey takes about 5 mins with commentary and coloured lights along the way.
At the top are stunning views of the city, a couple of LoTR costumes and the Cable Car Museum, Cable Top Eatery, Botanic Gardens and the Zealandia Shuttle.
Be aware that there is no ticket office at the top of the Cable Car so when you come down you can either pay the driver cash for a ticket or buy one at the kiosk when you come back down.
For a fun ride, use the Wellington Cable Car.
Written 14 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trisstie
Adelaide, Australia869 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
Having only one day in Wellington for sight-seeing it was recommended we experience this historical cable car. For a $12 return ticket it takes you to the top of the hill where the views of the bay & city below is beautiful. The ticket office and departure point is centrally located in this small city centre. There are great viewing points, a free museum which highlights the interesting history of the cable car & beautiful botanical gardens just to name a few things to do. A cafe and toilets are near the stop at the top. Well worth a visit.
Written 3 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paula D
Perth, Australia35 contributions
Mar 2025 • Couples
We caught the cable car at Lambton Quay, buying $12 return tickets at the ticket booth. Cable car runs every 10 minutes and only takes 5 minutes to get to the top. Stops a few times and goes through two tunnels with coloured lights. Nice view over the city. We were too early for the Cable Car Museum so we walked through the Botanic Garden to the Treehouse visitor centre. Purchased some nice souvenirs then took the lift down to avoid the steep path. We chose not to walk back uphill to return on the cable car and instead walked down Bowen Street passed the Beehive/Parliament to the waterfront. Good value for tourist activity.
Written 11 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen P
Canberra, Australia406 contributions
Dec 2024 • Friends
As tourist attractions go, this is a relatively cheap way to enjoy a couple of hours in Wellington. The cable car takes you to the top of the summit where you can get some breath taking views of Wellington and the harbour. Plenty of spots to take those memory snaps, and a cafe awaits with some equally great views. The Cable Car Museum offers free entry and it is a short walk to the Space Place, and the Botanic Garden. The ride on the tram takes about 5 minutes to the top. Added bonus is a free souvenir from the gift shop at the bottom.
Written 12 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobSki-UK
Claygate, UK875 contributions
Feb 2025 • Solo
Lovely funicular that takes you out of the hustle and bustle of the Wellington commercial district up to a serene setting with museum (more of a gift shop!), botanical garden and cafe. Personally I thought $12 (return) was pretty expensive for a very short journey but I’m sure they’ll never cease to attract punters to the top. Great coffee in the cafe but no hot food available after 3:30pm. Lots of nice walkways and ‘off piste’ pathways to explore. On the way back down I got to appreciate the ‘light show’ it the tunnels - a nice addition.
Written 20 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msm1969
San Francisco, CA36 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
Decent experience, good views from the top and recommend to buy one way so can take the nice scenic walkway via botanical gardens that takes 20-30 min to come down. Passed through a rose garden that was beautiful. Overall not a 5 star since we’ve done many cable cars and while this experience/views were good but not great.
Written 22 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brendon P
Perth, Australia507 contributions
Nov 2024 • Friends
Great fun activity to do when visiting Wellington. The cable car takes you up to the top of the hill where there is a flower garden plus lots of walking trails. There is also an amazing view over the city where you can take photos.
Written 7 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter K
Lower Hutt, New Zealand294 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
The Cable Car, a Wellington icon, the work of hands and minds from the past millennium, commutes a distinct smell of coal tar between the magnificent lookout at the top of botanical garden and the world of suits and briefcases in the core of the city.
What mesmerizing lights it has.
The warm tungsten ones rest unobtrusively on the wooden interior of the historic carriage, very much unlike the illumination made a good deal later, those colder ones, overpowering and attracted to the reflective metallic surfaces seemingly capable of capturing their patterns along on each bounce they make. A few signals and neon lights in the background add a topping on this truffle of visual flavours.
Let’s get to the other end. Only five minutes on a wooden chair listening to the rhythm of a clickety-clack railway beat, and you will be rewarded with views you’ll remember until the world around you makes sense.
What mesmerizing lights it has.
The warm tungsten ones rest unobtrusively on the wooden interior of the historic carriage, very much unlike the illumination made a good deal later, those colder ones, overpowering and attracted to the reflective metallic surfaces seemingly capable of capturing their patterns along on each bounce they make. A few signals and neon lights in the background add a topping on this truffle of visual flavours.
Let’s get to the other end. Only five minutes on a wooden chair listening to the rhythm of a clickety-clack railway beat, and you will be rewarded with views you’ll remember until the world around you makes sense.
Written 9 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RuthyGlasgow
Glasgow904 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
Great to go up on the little cable car with its funky lights through the tunnel. At the top there is a good cafe, old fashioned perfumery shop which is very interesting, a small museum and the buses to take you to Zealandia Park. There was also a motorbike and sidecar trip you could go on for 30 minutes or 45 minutes to go around the sights of Wellington. It was such good fun and the driver very knowledgeable.
Written 19 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C M
Auckland Central, New Zealand858 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
This is a nice way to see Wellington gr above. And easy 5 minute ride up the hills to the Boyanic Gardens and the university so you can see Wellington from above.
Only $12 return and very popular with both locals and tourists. Transport every 10 minutes and people do scramble over the best seats.
You can book tickets at the ticketing office in Lambton Quay or online. We bought in person and it was super fast with only one person in front of us. We did see it was much busier though when we came back down, don't obviously comes in waves
Only $12 return and very popular with both locals and tourists. Transport every 10 minutes and people do scramble over the best seats.
You can book tickets at the ticketing office in Lambton Quay or online. We bought in person and it was super fast with only one person in front of us. We did see it was much busier though when we came back down, don't obviously comes in waves
Written 31 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are coming to Wellington on a very busy weekend and we are worried about parking, what are the best options?
Also what days and times is the observatory open?
Written 13 January 2019
There is street parking in the city - note this has a 2 hour time limit and charges in the weekend. There are longer term carparks at Te Papa and also under the Westpac stadium (providing there isn’t a game in that day). The Observatory is open till late -11pm
Written 15 January 2019
We are coming to Wellington on a very busy weekend and we are worried about parking, what are the best options?
Also what days and times is the observatory open?
Written 13 January 2019
Kia Ora! There is no public parking at the Cable Car. The nearest parking buildings are at:
Queens Wharf
The Terrace for Lambton Quay Terminal
The Skyline at 1 Upland Road, Kelburn (top of the Cable Car)
There are also paid public parkings around Lambton Quay.
The current opening hours for Space Place are:
Monday 10am–5:30pm
Tuesday 10am–11pm
Wednesday 10am–5:30pm
Thursday 10am–5:30pm
Friday 10am–11pm
Saturday 10am–11pm
Sunday 10am–5:30pm
See you soon and hope this is helpful. -April
Written 13 January 2019
Using Google Maps, the walking route seems rather long to get from top of the Cable Car to Space Place in the Botanic Garden. Is there a more direct route through the Botanic Garden?
Written 3 September 2018
Kia Ora, the route may seem long on the map but Space Place is only two minutes away from the Kelburn Terminal. Once you come out of the Cable Car at the Kelburn Terminal, walk towards Kelburn Lookout/Botanic Garden until you see a great round tree and follow the second pathway.
Please visit our website for maps and brochures of the surrounding attractions (more focused map).
Written 3 September 2018
Hi, you mentioned you walked down through the botanic garden after taking the cable car, then up again through the garden, is that because you can't get access to most of the garden on the route down (i.e. it is just one path down so you need to go up again so you could see more of it).
Thanks
Alison
Written 18 March 2018
Kia Ora Alison,
There are two ways to see the Botanic Garden. You can purchase a return ticket and return to the city centre at any time (suitable for people with time constraint). Or purchase one-way and walk down through the Botanic Garden which take about 30-40 minutes. If you're walking back to the city centre you'll also past by the Parliament Buildings. Please visit our website if you have further enquiries!
Thanks,
Written 19 March 2018
Just wondering if this is far from ,where the cruise ships dock in ? Is it walking distance?
Written 3 January 2018
Our ship, Holland's Noordam, docked at Atorea Quay near Westpac Arena, which is located in an industrial area and does not allow for pedestrian traffic. So we took the complimentary bus available, just as you depart the ship, from the industrial port into the city center. From there it is a short walk to the cable car station.
Written 4 January 2018
How long does it take to go to the top
And what is the cost in GB pounds
Thanks
Written 17 August 2017
Kia Ora, the quick historic trip takes about 5 minutes. The Cable Car runs every 10 minutes between Lambton Quay (city centre) and Kelburn (Top of Cable Car where other iconic attracions of Wellington are, such as: Kelburn Lookout, Cable Car Museum, Space Place, Botanic Garden and Zealandia).
The cost for an adult one way is about £2.27 ($4NZD) and return is about £ 4.26 ($7.50NZD).
Written 22 August 2017
Is its possible to by tickets in advance, How much it costs up and both sides? We are not NZ residents. Can We get Senior descount?
Written 14 October 2016
Hi Kushmanr, yes you can buy tickets online via our website: one way $NZ4 or return $NZ7.50 for an adult. Sorry, we do not currently have any senior discounts, standard fares apply.
Written 17 October 2016
I note from the reviews that a number of reviewers have elected to walk back down the hill rather than return via the cable car. Can you advise me of the walking distance?
Written 10 May 2016
Hi there, the walk back down through the Botanic Garden (following the Pohutukawa flower tiles) takes approximately 40 minutes and is mostly a downhill walk. You'll end up at the Reserve Bank which is opposite the Parliament Buildings, they also have free hourly tours too! There are maps at the Cable Car and entrance of the Garden as well.
Written 11 May 2016
How much does the cable car ride cost? Can you ride it back down or do you just walk down.
Written 6 December 2015
As a NZ resident I was able to use my seniors gold card. You can take the car back down or walk, or even catch a bus at the top back to the city. It's certainly very cheap and well worth the trip to the top.
Written 14 December 2015
Joanna W
South Coast, St. Thomas
Am visiting via cruise ship - when is the best time to avoid queues?
Written 4 December 2015
We had no queue travelling mid-morning on a week day. There was not cruise ship in town though, so perhaps this would change things.
Written 6 December 2015
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