Make Your Travel Easier — Ride A Funicular For That Great View

Lifestyle
6 May 2024
2 weeks ago
SilverStreak Editorial Team

Font Size:

With advancing age, climbing steep terraces and endless stairs become more challenging and could pose a danger, especially in unfamiliar places.

But, if you’ve made the trip and want that view, consider other ways of getting to the top.

One of the great ways of getting to the top for a view is the funicular. Invented in the 19th century there are a few of them scattered all around the world, and make for a neat experience that could save your legs some aches and pains.

These funiculars are not simply practical, the views they provide can be a charm of their own.

Bank this list for the next time you travel to these countries.

1. Hong Kong: Peak Tram

Rising up to 396m above sea level, the Peak Tram (adult: $26, seniors/children: $13, prices may differ depending on peak days) offers a rather panoramic view of Hong Kong.

The funicular takes you on a path so steep that the buildings of Hong Kong will appear tilted, in a phenomenon known as The Peak Tram Illusion.

At the end of the journey, be sure to visit Sky Terrace 428 (the highest viewing platform in Hong Kong) for the complete experience. Book your tickets online for greater deals.

The Peak
Location: 33 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong
Operational hours: Daily, 7:30am - 11pm
Tel: +852 2522 0922
Website: https://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/getting-to-the-peak

2. Norway: Fløibanen Funicular

The Fløibanen Funicular has been transporting people up the mountain for over 100 years.

Starting at the heart of Bergen, the funicular will bring you to the top of Mount Fløyen (320m above sea level) within six minutes for only $23 for adults and $17 for children or seniors.

Enjoy the view of Norway’s hill-enclosed port city along with the islands and Fjords near it.

Fløibanen Funicular
Location: Vetrlidsallmenningen 23A, 5014 Bergen, Norway
Operational hours: Weekday, 7:30am - 12nm; Weekend, 8am - 12nm
Tel: +47 55 33 68 00
Website: https://www.floyen.no/en/floibanen

3. Portugal: Gloria Funicular

Formerly utilised to connect two distinct districts — the city’s downtown main thoroughfare area with uphill residences — Gloria Funicular’s practicality now attracts tourists who wish to visit restaurants and bars downtown.

They can watch night fall over Lisbon whilst enjoying good company after a day of sightseeing at nearby Alfama and Lisbon Castle from the top of the hill.

Do not forget to visit the Church of Sao Roque whilst up there as well.

Gloria Funicular
Location: Calçada da Glória 51, 1250-096 Lisboa, Portugal
Operational hours: Weekday, 7:15am - 11:55pm; Sat, 8:45am - 11:55pm; Sun, 9:15am -11:55pm
Tel: +351 213 613 000
Website: https://www.carris.pt/en/travel/carreiras/gloria-funicular/

4. Switzerland: Stoosbahn Funicular

The steepest funicular railway in the world will take you 1,300m above sea level in 6-7 minutes to the car-free city, Stoos, nestled in the Alpines.

For $36, take in the view of lush mountains and rivers, or snow-covered ones if you go during the winter.

With their stand-out cylindrical cabinets coupled with 360° transparent panels, you can take in a panoramic view of the Alps.

Stoosbahn Funicular
Location: Grundstrasse 232, 6430 Schwyz, Switzerland
Operational hours: Daily, 7:10am-7:40pm, 8:40pm, 9:40pm, 10:40pm
Tel: +41 (0)41 818 08 80
Website: https://stoos-muotatal.ch/en/train/stoos-railways/

5. Switzerland: Reichenbachfall Funicular

Still within Switzerland, the Reichenbach Funicular — also known as The Sherlock Holmes Trail — will elevate you to the Reichenbach Falls where the iconic scene of Holmes challenging Moriarty to a fight in the movie Game of Shadows was filmed.

For $13 (for children and seniors) to $19 (for adults), the funicular will take you 843m above sea level to three viewing terraces; perfect for snapping a photo with the waterfall.

Do note that there will be little, if any, water during winter.

Reichenbachfall Funicular
Location: Reichenbach, 3860 Meiringen, Switzerland
Operational hours: Daily, 9am - 5:30pm
Tel: +41 (0)33 982 26 26
Website: https://www.grimselwelt.ch/en/railways/reichenbachfall-bahn/

6. Chile: Ascensor Reina Victoria

The city of Valparaiso, which became overpopulated a century ago, started allocating more residences uphill.

Thus, till today, locals still regularly flood the funicular for their daily transport.

With locals’ preference for bright-coloured architecture and funky street art, the view from the funicular can be refreshing (the elevators were also selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003).

Ascensor Reina Victoria
Location: P.º Dimalow, Valparaíso, Cerro Alegre, Chile
Operational hours: Daily, 7am - 10pm
Tel: -
Website: https://ascensoresvalparaiso.org/ascensores/concepcion

7. Stockholm: Nybohov Funicular

Nybohov Funicular, which is located underground, stands out in a different way unlike all the other scenic funicular routes introduced.

Around 2010, random children’s toys (bright plushies, mostly) started appearing along the funicular’s tunnel route, properly spaced for the two-minute journey. The locals protested once when these dolls were about to be removed by the local authorities for being a fire hazard.

Now, these fluffy friends have become a special attraction of their own.

Nybohov Funicular
Location: Liljeholmstorget, Between Liljeholmen and the Nybohov hill, 117 63, Stockholm, Sweden
Operational hours: -
Tel: -
Website: -

5 Day Trips From Munich To Enhance Your German Holiday

Munich may be known for producing BMW cars, but beyond that, there are several pleasant and thought-provoking sites that could keep you occupied in the capital of Bavaria.

February 26, 2024

Lifestyle

Many Winners in this World Cup

While Lionel Messi finally won the trophy that has eluded him, there were other winners in a tournament that was decided by an amazing game that saw plenty of goals, dramas and heart ache in the desert.

December 19, 2022

SilverStreak Editorial Team

Tags: travel

Share This Article

Explore More

Earbuds, Headsets & Bone Conduction Headphones: Ear Gear For Any Type Of Travel

February 27, 2024

Lifestyle

3-generation Family Fun On The High Seas

December 22, 2022

Upcoming Events

Singapore International Festival of Arts

Fri, 17 May 2024 - Sun, 02 Jun 2024

Multiple Timeslots

15% off for seniors

Festival

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.