Is the Gibraltar cable car worth it on a cruise stop?
Short answer
The cable car is not an option for cruise passengers at present. It closed on Tuesday 18 November 2025 for a full rebuild and is expected to reopen in 2027, so the quickest way up the Rock on a port day is a licensed taxi Rock tour.
Detailed answer
Current position The Gibraltar Cable Car made its final run on Tuesday 18 November 2025. The operator, MH Bland, is demolishing the old stations and building a new system in a project expected to take around two years, with reopening expected in 2027. No firm reopening date has been published. What to do instead on a cruise stop Taxi Rock tour: licensed taxis and minibuses wait at the rank outside the cruise terminal and run tours of the Upper Rock, usually covering St Michael's Cave, the Apes' Den and the Skywalk. This is the most practical option for a short port call. On foot: you can walk up from town and enter the Nature Reserve at the Moorish Castle, Devil's Gap or Jews' Gate entry points. The climb is steep, so allow plenty of time and carry water. Ship excursion: if you prefer certainty about getting back on board, the cruise line's own Rock tour is the safest choice. Nature Reserve tickets Entry to the Upper Rock costs £30 for adults and £22 for children aged 5 to 11, with under-5s free. The ticket is valid for the whole day and covers the main attractions. Taxi tours usually include entry in the price. Opening hours From October to April the Nature Reserve opens from 09:00 to 18:15, with last entry at 17:45. From May to September it opens from 09:30 to 19:15, with last entry at 18:45. When the cable car reopens The rebuilt system is planned to carry up to 80 passengers per cabin, up from 30, cut the journey from six minutes to about four, and cope better with wind. Once it reopens it should again be a fast option for cruise passengers, though queues on multi-ship days are likely.