Is there a shuttle bus from town up to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve?

Short answer

Yes. A Nature Reserve shuttle bus runs daily from Marketplace to Queen's Balcony every 30 minutes between 09:30 and 16:00, and the £40 ticket includes entry to the Gibraltar Nature Reserve and all its sites.

Detailed answer

The shuttle service was introduced to make it easier to reach the Upper Rock without arranging a taxi tour or relying on the cable car. Private vehicles are not permitted in the Nature Reserve without authorisation, so the shuttle is one of the few ways to ride up independently.

Route. The shuttle runs from Marketplace to a drop-off at Queen's Balcony, with a pick-up at Princess Caroline's Battery before returning to Marketplace. An optional return pick-up is available from the Queens Road Picnic Area, near Charles V Wall.

Times. The service operates every day from 09:30 to 16:00, with departures from Marketplace every 30 minutes.

Tickets. Tickets cost £40 per person, with the same price for adults, children and seniors. The price includes the Gibraltar Nature Reserve ticket, which covers all sites within the Reserve, such as St Michael's Cave, the Apes' Den, the Skywalk, the Windsor Suspension Bridge, the Great Siege Tunnels and the Moorish Castle. Tickets are bought at the Marketplace ticket office.

Once inside the Reserve, you can explore the attractions, viewpoints and walking routes at your own pace before taking the shuttle back down or walking down through the Reserve into town.

The shuttle is a useful alternative when the cable car is closed, which can happen at short notice in high winds.