Whilst on a short break on the banks of Lake Maggiore staying at the lovely Golfo Gabella resort with Bookings for You we visited the Lake Maggiore Cable Cars in Laveno Mombello. Here’s what we thought and what you need to know.
The Lake Maggiore Cable Cars in Laveno Mombello are one of the most picturesque and most visited attractions on Lake Maggiore with consistently excellent reviews on Tripadvisor including one of mine!
There is a choice of bucket car that you can board for the 16/18 minute journey up the mountain, the traditional open metal bucket or an enclosed bucket, we went in an open bucket, and whilst it was terrifying we had incredible clear views back across Lake Maggiore from 1000 metres up.
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I would highly recommend the Lake Maggiore Cable Cars in Laveno-Mombello for anyone who wants an amazing view of the Lake but if you suffer from any anxiety about heights this is possibly not one for you!
Where are the Lake Maggiore Cable Cars?
Not to be confused with the Mottarone Cable Cars which are on the other side of Lake Maggiore in Stressa, the Lake Maggiore Cable Cars are in Laveno Mombello, seemingly shortened in the area to Laveno.
The Funivia Laveno – Sasso del Ferro – Lago Maggiore
Can you park at the Lake Maggiore Cable Cars in Laveno-Mombello?
The cable cars are a very short walk from the Lake and whilst there is a tiny car park right outside the cable car station, this was very full when we visited on a Thursday morning in low season so I can’t imagine getting a parking space in High Season is very easy at all.
You can arrive in Laveno-Mobello by train or by ferry too so these might be easier to manage.
How long does it take to get to the top by cable car?
The official website suggests that the journey to the top takes 10 minutes. I would say that it’s closer to 20 minutes up and another 20 minutes down. We had planned to stay on the cable car and go straight back down (as we were short on time and heading to the airport) but you actually have to get off. We obviously then took some photos at the top and the round trip took about 1 hour.
How much does it cost to take the Lake Maggiore Cable Cars in Laveno?
Adult return 10.00 €, Adult one way 7.00 €, Reduced return 7.00 €, Reduced one way 5.00 €, Family – 2 adults (per adult) 9.50 €, Family (per child**) 3.00 €, Students and residents return 4.50 €, Students and residents one way 3.50.
Is it safe for children to ride the Lake Maggiore Cable Cars in Laveno?
Yes perfectly safe if you are with them in the bucket. I asked whether 2 children could be in one car with one adult and they said yes although it would be a squeeze. I wouldn’t want my children to go in one of the cable cars on their own at 7 and 8 but I couldn’t find an official age of when that was allowable. Sarah who was with me said she wouldn’t have wanted her 13 year old to be in the car without her either.
Are the Lake Maggiore Cable Cars child friendly?
Yes and No!
One thing to consider is that the bucket lifts are waist height on adults, so a small child will not be able to see out of the cable car without you picking them up. If you have this situation then I would choose a closed bucket to travel up in as I would not have wanted to hold a small child on the ride so close to an open bucket.
You can see Lisa’s 15 Things to do with Kids in Lake Maggiore here and she rates it number one, her older son (6 at the time) absolutely loved it!
Why not PIN this post Lake Maggiore Cable Cars in Laveno Mombello – Review of Funivie del Lago Maggiore
Karen Beddow founded Mini Travellers in 2014 while doing what she loves most...going on holiday!
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I think I’d just have to grit my teeth and do this. Even though I’m afraid of heights, the views look too spectacular to miss!