Cologne Cable Car

A cable car over the Rhine since 1957 – floating between the Zoo/Flora and the Rheinpark with a grand view of river and skyline.

Viewpoint Family-friendly Rhine

The Cologne Cable Car (formerly Rheinseilbahn) crosses the Rhine over 935 metres, linking the banks at Riehl and Deutz near the Zoobrücke. It was built in 1957 for the Federal Garden Show.

Source: Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-06-24

At a glance

Opened: 1957 (for the Federal Garden Show)
Length: 935 metres across the Rhine
Connects: Zoo/Flora (Riehl) ↔ Rheinpark (Deutz)
Operation: mainly tourist, run by the KVB transport authority

Floating over the Rhine

As the first cable car in Europe to cross a major river, the Cologne Cable Car offers a unique view over the river, the cathedral and the skyline. It is a popular outing for families and links two lovely destinations: Cologne Zoo and the Flora botanical garden on one side, and the spacious Rheinpark on the other.