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Cairngorm Mountain Railway
Please note the Cairngorm mountain railway is temporarily out of service. We apologise for any inconvenience. Find out more >
Enjoy a breath-taking trip on Scotland’s only funicular railway, the highest in the UK reaching the Ptarmigan building at over 1,097m above sea level.
The 2km funicular railway runs a regular service taking customers to the top of the slopes in around 5 – 8 minutes.
Once at the Top Station you can enjoy a unique visitor experience:
- Ptarmigan Restaurant with panoramic views
- Cairngorm Gin Bar
- Viewing terrace
- 270 degrees immersive exhibition
- Cairngorm Learning Zone with interactive sandboxes
- The Shop at the Top serving a wide range of gifts, clothing and local products
In order to protect the unique plateau all funicular passengers are not permitted to exit the Top Station to go out onto the mountain
Buy your Mountain Railway tickets online or from our ticket office. Scroll down for our prices.
The train runs regularly with the first train departing from The Base Station at 10:00am* and last train departing from The Base Station at 3:30pm. The last train departing from the Top Station is at 4:30pm, weather dependent.
| Return Day Ticket | Standard Price | Off-Peak Price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+ Yrs) | £22.00 | £17.00 |
| Junior (6 - 17 Yrs) | £12.50 | £9.50 |
| Young Child (5 Yrs & Under) | FREE | FREE |
| Senior (65+ Yrs) | £18.50 | £14.00 |
| Student (18+ Yrs)* | £18.50 | £14.00 |
| Family 3 (1 Adult & 2 Juniors | £38.00 | £27.00 |
| Family 4 (2 Adults & 2 Juniors) | £55.00 | £40.00 |
*Must be in full time education. ID required.
Off-peak prices are valid for the 10:00am, 10:30am and 3:30pm trains Monday – Friday.
| Friends of Cairngorm Mountain | 2023 Season |
|---|---|
| Adult (18+ Yrs) | £45.00 |
| Junior (6-17 Yrs) | £25.00 |
Enjoy unlimited trips on the Mountain Railway from May to October 2024 with our Friends of Cairngorm Mountain offer.
Mountain Railway Photo Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does the journey take?
Outside of the snowsports season, the funicular journey takes 8 minutes each way.
- Can I bring my dog?
In order to protect the plateau and comply with our Visitor Management Plan only assistance dogs (on production of certification) can travel up on the mountain railway (since there are no facilities to walk your dog at the Top Station). However, you can walk up to the top station with your dog and take the railway back down since you are travelling to the Base Station with facilities for dogs. Please note that dogs must be kept on a leash however you can bring them into the Ptarmigan Restaurant. Purchase your down ticket from The Shop at The Top. Please note dogs are also welcome in our cafes in the Day Lodge.
- What facilities are there at the top?
The Top Station at Cairngorm Mountain is a great day out for all ages and includes:
- The Ptarmigan Restaurant (the UK’s highest restaurant at over 1,065 metres above sea level)
- The Cairngorm Gin bar serving a range of local drinks, hot drinks and soft drinks
- An extensive viewing terrace where you can take in the panoramic views down to Loch Morlich and beyond*
- 270 degree immersive exhibition with breath-taking views of the area around us
- Cairngorm Learning Zone featuring interactive sandboxes great for all ages to be creative
- The Shop at the Top, selling a wide range of quality gifts, toys, clothing and other treats.
- Guided Walks departure point (from spring to autumn)
*Open subject to weather conditions
- Can I go for a walk at the top?
During the snowsports season, railway passengers are allowed to go outside but must stay within the ski boundary area. If you are a walker/climber and wish to go outside of the ski boundary area, you cannot travel up on the railway, however you can purchase a down ticket from the Top Station.
In order to protect the plateau, when we are not open for snow-sports funicular passengers are not permitted to exit the top station building to go onto the mountain unless they are booked onto a guided walk. Access to our Ptarmigan Restaurant, exhibition, learning zone, shop and viewing terrace are available all year round (weather permitting for the terrace).
- Do we need to book in advance?
Funicular Railway tickets can be purchased from our Ticket Office at Cairngorm Mountain. Online ticketing will be coming soon for spring 2023.
- Do you offer a season pass for multiple visits?
If you would like to enjoy repeat visits on the Mountain Railway (outside of the ski season) we have a season pass valid from May – October 2024.
- Adult Pass (18+ yrs) – £45
- Junior Pass (6-17 yrs) – £25
- Children 5 & under go free