Scotland’s only Funicular Railway takes you from the Base Station (635 metres) up to the Ptarmigan Top Station (1097 metres) in under 10 minutes.
The Cairngorm Funicular is the only Mountain Railway in Scotland, and the highest in the United Kingdom. It is open year-round and offers a unique and fully accessible experience suitable for all ages and abilities.
Read on to learn more about the journey or, if you are ready to book, hit the green button below.
The 2km Funicular Railway runs a regular service taking visitors to the Ptarmigan Top Station in around 5 – 8 minutes. As you travel up the mountainside, you’ll get the chance to capture spectacular views of the Grampian Mountains, ancient Caledonian pine forests of Rothiemurchus Estate, and glistening Loch Morlich in the heart of Glenmore Forest Park.
At the Ptarmigan Top Station you will find the UK’s highest restaurant and Cairngorm Gin Bar, with panoramic views across Strathspey. The outdoor viewing terrace allows visitors to experience the mountain environment first hand. On the lower levels you will find the Shop at the Top, offering a wide range of gifts, clothing, and local products as well as the Cairngorm Learning Zone and immersive 270° “Cairngorm Story” exhibition.
“We visited the Cairngorm Mountain Railway and were thoroughly impressed with the whole experience, from the accessibility to the awe-inspiring scenery.
The Cairngorms are mountains with very special flora, fauna and geology that can be damaged easily. Due to the large numbers of people visiting the Ptarmigan Top Station, we operate a conservation plan to protect the fragile habitats, within and surrounding the ski area. This means Mountain Railway passengers are not permitted to leave the Ptarmigan building to go out on the mountain.
Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd are dedicated to running the mountain sustainably and have signed up to a legal agreement not to permit users of the Mountain Railway access onto the sensitive mountain areas nearby. Please help us to protect our natural heritage by co-operating with our Visitor Management Plan and behaving responsibly.
We offer a range of pricing options for the Mountain Railway, including concessions for students and senior citizens as well as family discount packages. Children ages 0-5 years and carers supporting a disabled passenger travel free of charge.
| Mountain Railway Day Pass | Advance Booking Price | On The Day Price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18-64 yrs) | £17.00 | £19.00 |
| Junior (6-17 yrs) | £9.50 | £11.50 |
| Student (18 yrs+& in FT education) | £14.00 | £16.00 |
| Senior (65 yrs+) | £14.00 | £16.00 |
| Child (0-5) | FREE | FREE |
| Carer (Supporting Disabled Passenger) | FREE | FREE |
| Family 1 Adult & 2 Juniors | £28.00 | £33.00 |
| Family 2 Adults & 1 Junior | £35.00 | £39.00 |
| Family 2 Adults & 2 Juniors | £42.00 | £48.00 |
If you have walked up to the Ptarmigan building and would like to take the Mountain Railway back down to the Base Station you can purchase a downward trip ticket from the Shop at the Top.
| Mountain Railway Downward Trip | Standard Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (18-64 yrs) | £11.00 |
| Junior (6-17 yrs) | £6.25 |
| Student (18 yrs+& in FT education) | £9.25 |
| Senior (65 yrs+) | £9.25 |
| Child (0-5) | FREE |
| Dog | £2.00 |
Regular visitor to Cairngorm Mountain? We have relaunched our popular Mountain Railway Summer Season Pass, entitling you to unlimited travel on the Mountain Railway right through to Sunday 2 November 2025. You can purchase passes online, or at the Ticket Office.
| Mountain Railway Summer Season Pass | Price (Valid Until 02/11/2025) |
|---|---|
| Adult (18+ Yrs) | £45.00 |
| Junior (6-17 Yrs) | £25.00 |
The Mountain Railway is open daily (weather permitting), please refer to our Mountain Report for further details.
Trains run approximately every 20 minutes. The first public train will depart at 10AM, they will then run at 10 past, half past, and 10 to the hour. The last train up will depart at 3:30PM, with the last train down departing at 4:30PM.
Due to the conditions of our Visitor Management Plan there is no access onto the mountain to go hillwalking from the Ptarmigan Top Station.
Mountain Railway passengers must not have large rucksacks or hiking equipment with them. Dogs are not permitted to travel from the Base Station to the Top Station on the Mountain Railway, with the exception of assistance dogs. Pet dogs can travel down on our railway if visitors have walked up the mountain to the Top Station.
Please ensure you have read our terms and conditions before booking.
During the snowsports season we run at a faster speed to allow for skiers and snowboarders to get up and out onto the slopes quickly, the journey takes approximately 5 minutes each way.
Outside of the snowsports season, we slow the train down so visitors can enjoy the views on the way up. During this time the journey takes around 8 minutes each way.
In order to protect the plateau, and comply with our Visitor Management Plan, dogs are not permitted to travel from the Base Station to the Top Station on the Mountain Railway, with the exception of assistance dogs. This is due to there being no outdoor access from the Top Station when the closed system is in place outside of the snowsports season.
If you have walked up the the Top Station with your dog you are welcome to come in and use the facilities however, we ask that all dogs are kept on a lead and under close control especially when in the Ptarmigan Restaurant.
The Top Station at Cairngorm Mountain is a great day out for all ages and includes:
*Open subject to weather conditions
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).
Advance booking isn’t essential however, you can save money on your Mountain Railway tickets by ordering them online in advance of your visit. Please visit our webshop to book.
The Mountain Railway is fully accessible for all abilities including wheelchair access. You’ll find lift access on the lower floor of the Base Station to take you to the railway platform. Once at the Top Station you’ll also find lift access to reach each level of the building effortlessly.
If you require any further assistance, just speak with our Ticket Office Team when you arrive or give us a call ahead of your arrival to discuss on 01479 861261.
No! If you have booked online, you can head straight to the Mountain Railway queuing area. Please ensure you have your QR code tickets ready for scanning at the entrance turnstile, these can either be printed or scanned via your mobile device. Each member of your party will have to scan through the turnstile individually so we can manage capacity in the carriages.
© Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Limited | Registered in Scotland No.SC614703
