The World’s 100 Best Cable Cars & Mountain Railways · 2026
The Best Funiculars in the World
5 of the 100 lines in The World’s 100 Best Cable Cars & Mountain Railways 2026 are funiculars, in 4 countries. The highest placed is Gelmerbahn in Handeck, Switzerland, at number 22 in the world. Scenic World in Katoomba, Australia (number 27) and Stoosbahn in Schwyz, Switzerland (number 47) follow.
What they are
Two cars on rails are tied to one cable and balance each other, one going up while the other comes down. The Stoosbahn from Schwyz climbs a 110% gradient in cabins that stay level. The Gelmerbahn runs from Handeck up to Lake Gelmer.
In cities and on hills
The Funicular de Santiago climbs Cerro San Cristóbal from Bellavista. The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway takes about 10 minutes up Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga. At Scenic World in Katoomba, the incline railway runs down into the Jamison Valley.
Lines
Best by region
- The NordicsFlåm RailwayFlåm, NorwayN° 1
- EuropeFlåm RailwayFlåm, NorwayN° 1
- AsiaFansipan Legend Cable CarSa Pa, VietnamN° 9
- The Middle EastTéléphérique de JouniehJounieh, LebanonN° 20
- North AmericaPeak 2 Peak GondolaWhistler, CanadaN° 36
- Latin AmericaTeleférico de MéridaMérida, VenezuelaN° 4
- AfricaTable Mountain Aerial CablewayCape Town, South AfricaN° 17
- OceaniaScenic WorldKatoomba, AustraliaN° 27