The Cape Point funicular is back

Is the Flying Dutchman funicular at Cape Point open again?

Yes. It officially reopened on 1 October 2026 after a period of maintenance and an upgrade to a modern control system.

ATC News reported on 18 March 2026 that the funicular was out of operation for essential maintenance. No reopening date was given at the time. Cape Town ETC confirmed on 3 October that it "officially re-opened 1 October 2026".

There was one more short stop since then: Cape Point closed the funicular on Monday 26 October 2026 for a day of maintenance and ran a shuttle instead. That day has passed. Check the Cape Point visitor page the evening before you go for any new notice.

Why was the Cape Point funicular closed?

For essential maintenance and a major upgrade to a modern control system. The new magnetic drive reportedly halves energy use.

The ride has run since December 1996, when it opened as Africa's first commercial funicular. Two cars counterbalance each other on the track, each carrying 40 people. According to Cape Town ETC, the new magnetic drive runs quietly and reportedly cuts energy consumption by 50%. No detailed list of the works was published.

Closures are not new here. The funicular shut for upgrades from 7 to 20 August 2017 (Tourism Update), and in March 2023 storm winds damaged the docking station and closed the funicular and the footpath for a while (Tourism Update). Wind did the damage that time, and the tip of the peninsula gets plenty of it.

How much does the Cape Point funicular cost, and what are the hours?

Until 31 October 2026 a return was R115 per adult and R60 per child aged 6-16; under-6s ride free. Summer hours are 09:00 to 17:30.

Prices rise every 1 November, and the 2026-27 rate was not yet published when we wrote this. Expect a small increase from 1 November. Pensioner tickets are sold only at the Cape Point ticket office, with ID. Cape Point suggests booking online at capepoint.co.za.

The funicular is a separate ticket from the SANParks gate fee, which goes to R592 per foreign adult on 1 November. Our post on the new SANParks fees has the full table.

Is the funicular included in Cape Point tours?

No. None of the shared tours we cover puts the funicular in the price. You buy the ticket at the lower station.

The full-day tour lists the funicular under "not included" and gives you the choice of the ride or a 15-minute walk. The half-day tour allows 45 minutes at the lighthouse, enough for either. On the e-bike tour you reach the lighthouse on foot. The private tour names the funicular in its includes list with an old figure, while the itinerary says extra fee. Assume you pay.

The full day leaves time at the lighthouse for the ride up and the walk back, plus an hour with the penguins.

★ 4.8 · 10 hours · from $44

Check dates → Tour details

How long is the walk up to the Cape Point lighthouse instead?

About 15 minutes on a paved path from the car park to the upper station, then a 114-step climb to the highest point. Steep in places, never hard.

The walk follows the road the original Flying Dutchman bus used, as Cape Point points out. Our advice: take the funicular up, walk down. A one-way ticket is R100 against R115 return, so the saving is small; the real reason is the view, which opens up all the way down while your legs do the easy half.

Skip the ride entirely if the queue is long and you are on a tour clock. In strong wind the walk is the better plan anyway. The funicular and lighthouse guide covers the old and new lighthouses in detail.

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