Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Breathtaking Mountaintop Escape
On a hot summer's day, one of the best things to do in Palm Springs is to take a ride from the dry desert floor with the Aerial Tramway, 5,873 feet up into the cool climate of the San Jacinto Mountains. Come and ascend into a pristine wilderness aboard the world's largest rotating tramcars! Truly one of the greatest experiences in Southern California!
Reviews
Reviews and Rating (Tripadvisor)
5 stars
4 stars
Reviews by Tripadvisor travelers
Ranjani_R, 9/25/2025 1:52:14 AM
The tramway ride is fun and the stop at the top is fun too. Long long wait lines for your turn, reaching early is a plus. But probably the nicest way to see San Jacinto mountains!
Bill B, 9/21/2025 12:38:19 AM
We went in August when it is good and hot in Palm Springs, refreshingly cool on top. Be sure to pay the extra few dollars to eat at the top. Food was better than expected and cheap. A bargain!
Jenny_M, 9/12/2025 4:29:21 AM
Take a jacket! It’s chilly but gorgeous! It’s not a full day event but completely worth finding a spot on your itinerary.
Kathy_L, 9/9/2025 10:17:24 AM
I took a friend who has never been.. the driver in the way up was so funny, the staff at the top was over the top kind. Chris in the bar was a 10 star. My friend loved it. The driver on the way back played fun music and we danced :)
April0011, 9/9/2025 8:07:50 AM
My family and friends had a great time walking through nature, viewing the mountains from 8k feet in the air and taking a ton of pictures.
Holly B, 9/7/2025 2:01:13 PM
Great experience! The location is immaculate and well-organized. The tram ride is such an iconic experience in Palm Springs. Must-do!
Farai_M, 9/5/2025 10:43:37 PM
A calming experience. Great ride and super safe. The food is excellent and the customer service very good.
924janetl, 8/29/2025 1:17:09 PM
This is a great tram experience. The food at the restaurant at the top is great. We had the experience of being at the top during a rare hail storm with thunder and lightening : IN AUGUST !!! It wasn't crowded due to it being August.
Kimberlie S, 8/27/2025 11:16:11 AM
I was with a group of botanists on a field trip and this one was of our excursions. The ride on the tram was fabulous! Absolutely gorgeous. The guest center was clean and had plenty of room to eat a bite or just enjoy the vista. Temps were about 25 degrees cooler than in Palm Springs. The walk was easy going UNTIL YOU HAVE TO HIKE THE QUARTER MILE STRAIGHT UP to get back to the guest center. That damn near killed me bc I was already tired. Luckily I didn't roll back down hill any or I'd still be living there at the bottom.
Norman_S, 8/23/2025 12:11:43 PM
You cannot bring your dog. Get to the bottom station to buy your ticket or get your loading pass early. It is first come and first serve. In summer. Wry hot at the bottom, but pleasant at the top.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please present voucher to the ticket office. Tickets will be timed for the next available tram car as a first come first serve basis.
- The Tramway is subject to delays and periodic shutdowns due to unforeseen circumstances and is not responsible for ticket refunds or the inability to redeem a voucher
- Tramway cars hold 80 people each and there are no seats. Passengers remain standing throughout the journey up the mountain
- Distance is approximately 12,800 feet, with a vertical ascent of 5,873 feet - 15 minutes travel time one way
- The tramway is known as a double reversible type of aerial tramway. Each car remains on one pair of track cables moving up and down without turning around. Each car serves as a counter balance to the other, the descending car is helping pull the ascending car up the mountain
- Strollers are permitted on this tour
- During holiday periods, you may experience long lines. We recommend you travel outside of these peak times to fully enjoy everything the tramway and mountain have to offer.
- There is parking in 13 paved lots near Valley Station. There is free shuttle service from parking lots to Valley Station entrance available weekends and holiday periods
No departure point available
Redemption
• Please present this voucher at the Tramway ticket booth to redeem your Tram ticket • Please note there is no cell reception at the check-in area. If presenting an e-voucher, you should have this ready on your phone prior to parking your car. Tickets will be timed for the next available tram car as a first come first serve basis.24 hours before travel date - 100% refund
Less than 24 hours before travel date - 0% refund