One of Cape Town's most famous rides is back. The Flying Dutchman Funicular at Cape Point reopened on 1 October 2026 after a maintenance shutdown, returning visitors to the dramatic headland at the tip of the Cape Peninsula with far less huffing than the alternative climb.
The upgrade wasn't cosmetic. Engineers fitted a modern control system and a magnetic drive that cuts energy use by half — and makes the ride noticeably quiet. Since opening in December 1996, the funicular has held the title of the first commercial funicular in Africa, and it runs on tubular tracks designed by South African inventor Peter Küsel. The name, of course, nods to the legendary ghost ship said to haunt the waters off the Cape.
The mechanics are simple but impressive: two counterbalanced cars carry 40 passengers each on a 585-metre track that climbs 87 metres to a terraced viewing platform. At full tilt the system runs up to 240 trips a day, moving around 378,000 visitors a year. From the top platform you look down on the turquoise arc of Dias Beach, the old lighthouse and the vast South Atlantic — and if you want the true summit, there's a final 114-step staircase to climb.
The ride is only half the draw. The Cape Point reserve teems with wildlife: dassies sun themselves on the rocks, cormorants crowd the cliffs, peregrine falcons ride the wind, and between seasons humpback whales pass through the bay. On-site, the Two Oceans Restaurant sits near the trails, and there are takeaway and retail options for those making a full day of it.
If you're heading there soon, timing matters. Cape Point is running Tourism Month promotions from 7 September to 4 October 2026: kids 12 and under eat half-price at Two Oceans Restaurant with a paying adult, children get half-price hot chocolate at the takeaway store, and any retail purchase over R500 at the Lighthouse Shop, Logo Shop or Out of Africa comes with a free cap.
For anyone short on time or knee power, the funicular is the practical way to reach the best viewpoint at the Point — the alternative is a steep walk on an often windy headland. Operators recommend pre-booking tickets online at capepoint.co.za, especially over weekends and school holidays when the cars fill up fast. Pair it with a drive down the peninsula via Chapman's Peak or Boulders Beach for a full-day loop from Cape Town, and you've got one of the Cape's classic outings — now with a smoother, greener ride to the top.
