How to visit the Table mountain in Cape Town

Table mountain is a flat-topped mountain with a gorgeous 360-degrees view of the whole Cape Peninsula and a must-visit place in Cape Town.

The highest point of the mountain is 1,086 meters above sea level. It is called “Table” because of its’ flat-topped looking like table form, thanks to which it is easily reachable and has become a popular tourist attraction.

The mountain is regularly covered in the cloud which is called ‘Table cloth’. But with a bright sky, the visitors can observe gorgeous 360-degrees views of the whole Cape peninsula.

I highly recommend you not miss this attraction if you are in Cape Town. If you need any other information you may check it on the official website.

How to get to Table Mountain?

You can either go there by car or buy a day-ticket at Cape Town Hop on Hop off bus. Buses run every 20 minutes and stop at many tourist attractions in the city. There is also a stop at Table Mountain. You can also get there by Uber. or by public bus MyCITI. It stops right outside the Lower Cable Station (BUS number 106 and 107).

How to get to the top of Table Mountain?

You know, there are two ways to get to the top of Table Mountain – by foot or by cable car. Before rejecting the first option I have to tell you, that hiking the Table Mountain is a real adventure full of spectacular views. But it will take time, so if you stay in Cape Town for a few days – do it. There are two main hiking tracks to the top: Platteklip Gorge route and Smuts Track.

Table Mountain Cable Car

If you have only 1-2 days to explore the best of the city than it’s better to save time and energy and take a cable car ride.

The round cable car trip costs 290 rands for adults and 140 rands for a child up to 17 years old. There are Friday discounts for all students (they pay 130 rands for a round trip) and RSA citizens (100 rands).

The cable car trip takes only 5 minutes to reach the top of the mountain. The first car goes up at 8:00 am. The last car up is at 7:00 pm. And the last car down is at 8:00 pm.

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Table Mountain visit experience

The main reason to climb the mountain is to see the views from the top. Despite, the views are already great when you arrive at the lower platform, where the visitor center is.

Then you get into the Cable Car and the views are becoming more and more incredible. A small note. The entrance to Table Mountain is free. The only thing you pay for is a Cable Car ride.

And at the very top, you get amazed by the 360-degree views of the entire Cape Peninsula and the city of Cape Town. Just by turning your head, you can observe the remarkable Table Mountain National Park, beaches around Clifton and Camps Bay, the City Bowl, the harbor, and Waterfront.

When you get to the top you enter the cable car building where there is a small cafe, souvenir shop, and the lounge where travelers can rest, charge their phones, etc. Don’t be afraid to lose the connection, as on Table Mountain there is a free WIFI.

When you get to the top, it’s better to start by turning left and follow the trail in a clockwise circular direction, so that you will get back to the cafe and shop at the end.

Plan to spend 2-3 hours exploring Table Mountain. After walking around I highly recommend you to relax in a mountain cafe and have a coffee with a view.

Tips before your visit to Table Mountain

Buy your tickets online. Usually, the queue to the Cable Car is quite big, if you buy tickets in advance you stand in a shorter queue. You can purchase the tickets on the official website. You don’t have to print tickets. Just save them on your phone.
Take a guided walk. There are free guided tours that start every hour. Ask mountain staff about the meeting point.
Arrive early. I was lucky to enter the mountain at noon without a queue but to skip it for sure you need to come at the opening.
Check the clouds. It’s better to come here when the sky is bright, otherwise, you won’t enjoy the best part – the view.
Take warm clothes and comfortable shoes. The weather on the top is quite changeable.