There are periodically discussions, whether the Cologne local transport is upgraded by cable car traffic over the river Rhine. However, there is a cable car in Cologne since 1957, introduced with the Bundesgardenschau (National Gardening exhibition) in the city. It connects the Cologne Zoo area with the Rheinpark in Cologne-Mülheim, which hosted the park-alike exhibition more than sixty years ago. The Kölner Seilbahn (“Cologne cable car”), how the transportation is officially called, is nowadays rather a tourist attraction.
Rhine Cable Car Cologne – Location & Admission
As said above, the Kölner Seilbahn connects the Zoo station with the Rheinpark one. The Zoo station does not only feature the animal park and the adjacent Flora, it is also connected to the local traffic (Underground line 18). The Rheinpark station is mainly offering to stroll through the park area. On top of that, there is one of Cologne’s most famous spas, the Claudius Therme. There is a bus stop close to the cable car station, which is serviced by three bus lines, 150, 250 and 260. The Zoo station is also offering car parks for cars and coaches.
The Rhine Cable Car is operating in the summer months only, typically from April to October. It is operating from 10:00 to 18:00 hrs. On special occasions, there are nighttime services, e.g. during the Cologne fireworks Kölner Lichter. A one-way trip is 4.80 Euro, a return ticket 7.50 Euro (adult ticket). There are some options for minor reductions, e.g. in combination with a zoo ticket or a spa admission. The cable car is not part of the public transport system.
Rhine Cable Car Cologne – The Cable Cars
The one-way trip is roughly 900 meters, which can be serviced by up to 44 wagons. In peak times, they can operate with an average distance of 51 meters while on track. Cable cars are surprisingly effective in their energy consumption. The two engines operate at 37kW each. Each cabin can be driven with four people up to a total weight of 320 kgs. They do not have air conditioning or similar amenities.
Rhine Cable Car Cologne – The Ride
After all the details – here is what you in fact want to see – the views of from the cabins. You have a lovely view over the river Rhine. Cologne Cathedral is likely your key attraction to watch during your trip. The ship traffic on the river as well as the traffic on the nearby Zoobrücke (“Zoo Bridge”), which the cable car is crossing, are nice views as well. A funny thing is that once you are approaching the Rheinpark station, you see the Claudius Therme including its nudity area from above. This regularly leads to confusion – and amazement – at the visitors.
Of course, the view is not that different on the way back. Even on a round trip, you have to leave the cabin and re-enter the station. Depending on how you are seated, you might have some different views on the way back.
Rhine Cable Car Cologne – My View
On a sunny day in Cologne, riding the Kölner Seilbahn is one of the most beautiful things you can do in the city. The view over the river Rhine is lovely. However, the location is rather remote – if you do not fancy a day at the lovely Cologne Zoo. I still recommend a relaxing trip twice over the Rhine.
Travel Postings about the Cologne Region
Here are all Flyctory.com travel postings of the region around Cologne:

SkyTrain Dusseldorf Airport


Bergischer HC (Handball) at Uni-Halle Wuppertal


Pullman Cologne


Mercure Hotel Severinshof Cologne City


Mercure Cologne City Friesenstrasse


Hilton Dusseldorf



Wuppertaler Schwebebahn (Wuppertal Suspension Railroad)


Open Sky Lounge Dusseldorf Airport (DUS)


H+ Hotel Köln Brühl


Five Years of Flyctory.com – My 20 Most Popular Travel Posts (so far…)


Hambach Surface Mining – The Largest Man-Made Hole in the World


Wasserturm Hotel Cologne (Curio Collection by Hilton)


Phantasialand Wintertraum on the Evening (Pictured Story)


Sea Life Oberhausen


Weird Al Yankovic is touring Europe 2023 – Tour Dates and Travel Hints


Road Stop Motel Mettmann (Presidential Suite)


Staying Overnight at the VIWA Private Spa Wuppertal


INNSIDE Dusseldorf Derendorf


German Röntgen Museum Remscheid


KölnTriangle Cologne View – a great View of Cologne


The Bergisch Coffee Table (Bergische Kaffeetafel) – A Sweet and Savory Tradition


European Airports Go Mad – a Morning at Dusseldorf Airport


Hampton by Hilton Aachen Tivoli


The Lounge Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN)


The Paradise of Calories – Chocolate and Candy Outlets in Aachen


House of German History (Haus der Geschichte) Bonn


Solingen Bird and Animal Park


Visiodrom Wuppertal


Premier Inn Cologne City South


Sea Life Königswinter


Hampton by Hilton Dusseldorf City Centre


VfL Gummersbach (Handball) at SCHWALBE arena


Walking Through Historic Remscheid-Lennep (Pictured Story)


My Top 15 Airports Flown – With Some Brief Thoughts


Charles Dickens Christmas Market Heimbach


Leonardo Hotel Düsseldorf Airport (Ratingen)


Hyatt Regency Cologne


The Twelve Best Flights Of My Life (… so far)


Fauna Animal Park Solingen


Moxy Cologne Bonn Airport


MyWellness Cologne – Renting a Private Spa Experience


Bergisches Museum for Mining, Craft & Trade Bensberg


A Walk Through Cologne / Bonn Airport Terminal at Covid-19 Times (Pictured Story)


Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum Dusseldorf


taku Dining Box in Cologne – Gourmet Food at Home


Deutsches Museum Bonn


Chocolate Museum Cologne (Schokoladenmuseum)


Maritim Hotel Cologne


The Fair Play Suite at the Kameha Grand Hotel Bonn


Bonn Marriott Hotel


Watching Cologne from Europa Rad Ferris Wheel


ibis Dusseldorf Main Station


Dusseldorf Rhine Tower (Rheinturm)


INNSIDE Hotel Dusseldorf Hafen


100 Years of Gold Bears and More – Haribo Shopping around Cologne


“Climbing” the Monte Troodelöh, Cologne’s Highest Point


Autokino Düsseldorf – Drive-Movies & Show


Car Watch – A new Pop-up Drive-in Cinema in Cologne


Cologne/Bonn Airport during Covid-19 Times (Pictured Story)


Cologne DRIVE IN Movies – More than the Covid-19 Alternative


German Fairy Forest (Deutscher Märchenwald) Altenberg


Arithmeum Bonn – A Museum about Calculations


Hilton Bonn


Historic Mustard Mill Cologne


Cologne Old Town Christmas Market


Cologne Stadtgarten Christmas Market


Cologne Cathedral / Roncalli Square Christmas Market


Stars Of The Galaxy – A Star Wars Shrine in Mönchengladbach


Cologne Harbor Christmas Market at Chocolate Museum


Dusseldorf Airport Photo Tour


Andernach Geyser


On Top of Leverkusen Water Tower


German Blade Museum Solingen


The Scherz-Tour – A Different RheinEnergieSTADION Cologne Tour



Bergisch Historic Trams Wuppertal


Museum Plagiarius Solingen – The Place for Copies


Lindlar Open Air Museum


Alte Dombach Paper Mill


Very Important Postings – July to December 2018


Ratingen-Cromford Textile Factory


The Eau de Cologne Giants – 4711 vs. Farina


Leverkusen Deer Park Reuschenberg (Review)


Dormagen Deer Park Tannenbusch


City Outlet Bad Münstereifel


LINA @ Kunst!Rasen Bonn


History of Gaming in Cologne’s City Museum


Six Intercontinental Flight Weekend – Day 5 (Trip Report)


Six Intercontinental Flight Weekend – Day 1 (Trip Report)


Six Intercontental Flights in 72 Hours (Overview)
Non-Aviation Transportation
The category Other Transportation covers all transportation but aviation:


Car Rental Review – Europcar Stuttgart Main Station – Fiat 500X



SkyTrain Dusseldorf Airport


Duisburg Harbor Cruise with Weisse Flotte


Riding the Heathrow Pod


Car Rental Review – Hertz London City Airport (LCY) – Citroen C4


Southern Florida Regional Train Rides with Tri-Rail


Great Western Railway First Class Lounge London Paddington


Whale Watching with North Sailing Husavik (Iceland)



Wuppertaler Schwebebahn (Wuppertal Suspension Railroad)


Car Rental Review – Hertz Newcastle Airport (NCL) – Ford Puma


Heathrow Express – The Fastest Rail to the City (Business First and Express Class)


My Traveler’s Thoughts About… Renting a Car and Driving in Iceland


Northern Trains Class 331/0 from Manchester Airport to Blackpool North


Travel all Germany for 49 EUR a Month? The New Deutschland Ticket


Riding the Heidelberg Funiculars


Car Rental Review – if Rent Andorra La Vella (Carlemany)


German Rail (Deutsche Bahn) Lounge Hamburg – Premium Area


Union Pearson Express Toronto – The Airport Express Rail


Thumb Up or Down? A Personal View on my Loyalty Program Portfolio


Car Rental Review – Sixt Goslar – Audi A6 Quattro


Riding the TransPennine Express Nova 2 / CAF Civity First Class


Icelands South Coast at Routes 33 and 34 (Road Trip)


German Rail (Deutsche Bahn) Premium Lounge Berlin Main Station


All German States (and the Eleven Biggest Cities) on one Rail Ticket – Part 2


All German States (and the eleven biggest Cities) on one Rail Ticket – Part 1


Riding the TECO Line Streetcar in Tampa


Car Rental Review – Hertz Kansas City Airport (MCI) – Ford Explorer


Brightline Premium Lounge West Palm Beach


ICE 3neo High-Speed Rail First Class (Pictured Story)


Riding Flixtrain trains in Germany


Car Rental Review – Astra Larnaca Airport (LCA) – Honda Fit


High-Speed Train Rides in Florida with Brightline


Brightline Premium Lounge Miami


Car Rental Review – Hertz / Bilutleie Hamar (Norway)


Riding the Kansas City Streetcar


Exploring Hamburg with the HADAG Public Ferries – Line 61


Exploring Hamburg with the HADAG Public Ferries – Line 73


Exploring Hamburg with the HADAG Public Ferries – Line 72


Exploring Hamburg with the HADAG Public Ferries – Lines 62 & 64 & Overview


Car Rental Review – Alamo Nashville Airport (BNA) – Toyota Camry


Traveling Avanti West Coast Railways Pendolino First and Standard Premium Class


Riding the WeGo Star – Nashville’s only Mass Transit


Rideau Canal Cruises in Ottawa


Car Rental Review – Avis Nashville Airport (BNA) – GMC Acadia


Helsinki Sightseeing Cruise with Royal Line


Avanti First Class Train Station Lounge London Euston Station


Helgoland Dune Ferry (“Dünenfähre” – Pictured Story)


Car Rental Review – Enterprise Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) – Nissan Rogue


From Heathrow Airport to London with the Elizabeth Line


Cruising on the Herjolfur Vestmannaeyjar Ferry


Car Rental Review – Hertz Malta Airport (MLA) – Hyundai i20


Car Rental / Sharing Review – Hertz 24/7 in London (Uxbridge) – Toyota Corolla Hybrid


Car Rental Review – Panek Krakow (Skoda Fabia)


Riding the Stadler FLIRT Train of Swiss Südostbahn (IR 26 Treno Gottardo)


Car Rental Review – Hertz Dubai Intl. T1 (DXB) – Toyota Camry


DB Lounge (German Rail Lounge) Stuttgart


Exploring Munich With Tram Line 19


Stuttgart Funicular (“Standseilbahn”)


Riding the Berlin-Warszawa Express Train (EC 40 to 48)


Riding The Malpensa Express


Schlossbergbahn Graz


Car Rental Review – Hertz Helsinki Airport (HEL)


Car Rental Review – Blue Car Keflavik Airport (KEF) – Dacia Duster 4WD


Car Rental Review – Procar Keflavik Airport (KEF) – Dacia Duster 4WD


Ehlers Harbor Cruise Hamburg


VIA Rail Business Class Train Ride from Ottawa to Toronto


Car Rental Review – Sixt London Heathrow (LHR) T5 / Sofitel – Audi Q2


Car Rental Review – Geysir Keflavik Airport (KEF) – Dacia Duster 4WD


Car Rental Review – Hertz Salzburg Airport (SZG) – Mercedes GLE 350d


Riding the Express InterCity Premium (EIP) in Poland


Car Rental Review – Hertz Graz Airport (GRZ) – Ford Focus SW


One Hour Spree Cruise in Berlin with BWSG


Car Rental Review – Sixt Milan Malpensa (MXP) T1 – VW Golf TSI Automatic


German Rail Lounge / DB Lounge Frankfurt Airport (FRA)


Car Rental Review – Sixt Hanover City Center – Ford Puma ST Line


Driving the Ferrari 488 with Pushstart in Maranello


FRS Halunder Jet Fast Ferry VIP Premium Class from Hamburg to Helgoland


The Venice / Mestre Tramway – The Alternative Connection to the Lagoon?


(Licence Free) Boat Rental at Seashore Boats (Santa Ponsa, Mallorca)


Car Rental Review – Record Go (Palma (PMI)) – Hyundai i30


My Full Tour With The Palm Monorail (Dubai)


Tranvia de Soller – The Very Special Tram on Mallorca


Car Rental Review – Sixt (Dubai Int. (DXB) T3) – GAC GS3


Transrapid Test Track Emsland – The Legendary Maglev


Rotterdam Harbor Cruise with Spido


Riding the Dubai Ferry


Chicago River & Lake Michigan with Mercury Cruises


Car Rental Review – Europcar Dubai Int. (DXB) T3 (December 2020) – Mazda 6


Car Rental Review – AutoReisen (Grand Canary Airport, 12/2020) – Renault Clio


Riding Italo Rail Club Executive Class


FRECCIALounge Milan


Venice City Sightseeing by Vaporetto


Frecciarossa 1000 Executive Class


Lovers Canal Cruises Amsterdam


ALPEN-SYLT Nachtexpress – A New Night Train Crossing Germany


ECE 451 – The Non-Stop Train from Frankfurt To Milan


A Boat Trip on the Königssee


Nightjet Night Train – Single Deluxe Class


The Constance – Meersburg Ferry at Lake Constance – Is It Worth It?


Abu Dhabi New Year’s Eve Dhow Cruise with Extreme Arabia


Pittsburgh Light Rail – It’s (partially) for free!


Mount Washington and the Pittsburgh Inclines


Riding the Arlanda Express


Lookout Mountain Incline Railway (Chattanooga, TN)


Platform 0 Chamberí – A Madrid Metro Ghost Station



Bergisch Historic Trams Wuppertal


Bus Transfer from Heathrow to Oxford: The Airline


The only Rail Track on Canary Islands


Riding the Hogwarts Express