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- Highest ride
- Lomnický štít, 2,634 m
- Famous funicular
- Starý Smokovec to Hrebienok
- Main lift bases
- Tatranská Lomnica, Starý Smokovec, Štrbské Pleso
- Tickets
- Online via the operator
The best-known cable car ride in the High Tatras is the route from Tatranská Lomnica via Skalnaté pleso to the summit of Lomnický štít, and Taply's top pick for reaching the lower station without hassle is a pre-booked Kiwitaxi transfer. The other classic rides are the funicular from Starý Smokovec to Hrebienok and the lifts from Štrbské Pleso toward Solisko.
Lifts are the easiest way to gain height in the Tatras, but they run to seasonal schedules, close for maintenance in autumn and can stop in strong wind. This guide explains which ride suits which visit and how to plan around the weather.
Top picks at a glance
Key takeaways
- Three resorts have the main lifts: Tatranská Lomnica, Starý Smokovec (Hrebienok) and Štrbské Pleso.
- The Lomnický štít ride is the highest and the most weather-dependent.
- The Hrebienok funicular is the easiest option for families and mixed groups.
- The Tatra Electric Railway links all three lift bases.
- Operators close lifts for technical maintenance in autumn, so check dates before you plan.
Best ways to reach the High Tatras cable cars, ranked
-
Our top pick1
Private transfer with Kiwitaxi
Best overallBest for: Families and short stays
Kiwitaxi offers private transfers between cities and airports. Book a car from Poprad-Tatry airport or Košice to Tatranská Lomnica or Starý Smokovec and start your lift day without a train change.
Book a transfer on Kiwitaxi Read our Kiwitaxi review- Door to door
- Fixed price agreed ahead
- Easy with children and bags
- Costs more than the train
- Book in advance
-
2
Tatra Electric Railway
CheapestBest for: Budget travellers
The metre-gauge railway links Poprad, Starý Smokovec, Tatranská Lomnica and Štrbské Pleso, so you can reach every lift base by rail. It is operated by ZSSK.
Official website- Low cost
- Stations near lift bases
- Scenic
- Fixed timetable
- Can be busy in season
-
3
Rental car with QEEQ
Best for flexibilityBest for: Groups changing plans
QEEQ is a car rental comparison site. A car lets you switch between Lomnica, Smokovec and Štrbské Pleso on a day when wind closes one lift.
Compare cars on QEEQ Read our QEEQ review- Flexible plan B
- Good with luggage
- Parking at lift bases fills up
- Paid parking
-
4
Transfer quotes on GetTransfer
Best for long routesBest for: Long transfers
GetTransfer lets drivers offer prices for your route, useful if you arrive from Kraków, Vienna or Bratislava.
Get offers on GetTransfer Read our GetTransfer review- Several offers
- Works for long distances
- Quality varies by driver
-
5
Hiking and ski insurance with EKTA
Best add-onBest for: Hikers and skiers
If you walk down from a lift or ski on arrival, check the altitude and activity terms. EKTA is one provider to compare.
Get a quote from EKTA Read our EKTA review- Covers mountain activities on some plans
- Online purchase
- Read the exclusions
- Not a way to get there
The three main lift areas
Tatranská Lomnica has the cable car to Skalnaté pleso and on to Lomnický štít. Starý Smokovec has the funicular to Hrebienok, at about 1,285 metres. Štrbské Pleso has lifts toward the Solisko ridge, used for hiking in summer and skiing in winter. Read more about the resort in our Štrbské Pleso guide.
All three bases sit on the same railway, so you can ride one lift in the morning and another the next day without a car.
Which ride for which visit
| Ride | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lomnický štít | Highest view, clear days | Most weather-dependent, limited time at the top |
| Skalnaté pleso | Families, lake walks, observatory area | Mid station at around 1,750 m |
| Hrebienok funicular | Easy access, waterfalls, short walks | Works well in poor visibility |
| Solisko area | Hiking and skiing from Štrbské Pleso | Seasonal operation |
With small children, the Skalnaté pleso and Hrebienok rides are the gentlest; see High Tatras with kids.
Tickets, timetables and closures
Prices and timetables change by season and year, so Taply does not list them. The main operator of the resort lifts, Tatry mountain resorts, sells tickets online at its website, and queues at the Lomnický štít station can be long in July and August. Buying ahead is sensible, and a timed ticket can matter more than the price.
Lifts usually stop for a technical maintenance break in autumn, and strong wind can close the upper sections on any day. Check the operator website on the morning you travel and keep a plan B, for example the Hrebienok funicular.
Walking down, and what to wear
Some visitors ride up and walk down. Trails around Skalnaté pleso and Hrebienok are manageable, but higher routes are different. Many high mountain trails are closed from 1 November to 15 June. See best hikes in the High Tatras before you decide.
It is much colder at the top than in the valley, even in summer. Bring a jacket, a hat and sunglasses, and sturdy shoes if you will leave the paved area.
In winter
In winter the same lifts serve ski runs and winter walkers. Conditions vary by year; read High Tatras in winter and skiing in Slovakia for planning notes.
Common mistakes
- Going up on a cloudy morning without checking the live view or forecast.
- Leaving Lomnický štít for the last day of the trip, with no weather margin.
- Forgetting that the final cabin has limited space at peak times.
- Not budgeting for the lift when planning a cheap day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest cable car in the High Tatras?
The cable car to Lomnický štít, which reaches 2,634 metres, is the highest ride.
Can you ride the Hrebienok funicular all year?
It operates seasonally with a maintenance break in autumn. Check the operator website for current dates.
Do I need to book cable car tickets in advance?
Not always, but in peak summer and holidays an advance ticket for Lomnický štít can save a long wait.
How do I get to the cable car stations without a car?
Take the Tatra Electric Railway from Poprad to Tatranská Lomnica, Starý Smokovec or Štrbské Pleso.
What happens if the cable car is closed because of wind?
Check the operator site, and switch to a lower lift or a valley walk. Tickets rules for refunds vary, so read the terms.
Photo: Lomnický štít · Petr Vilgus · CC BY 3.0
