The Hanging Railways Of Wuppertaler Schwebebahn Are Perfect For Those Who Love Travel Oddities

Traveling through public local transportation is one of the best ways to experience a city or locale. If you find yourself in Wuppertal, Germany, you should not miss riding the Wuppertaler Schwebebahn, the oldest elected elevated railway in the world. It is known for its hanging cars and elevated stations—definitely unique from the average train ride!

History Of The Hanging Railways

The Wuppertaler Schwebebahn began operating in 1901 and has attracted the attention of tourists and transport enthusiasts from all over the world. Prior to construction, it was declined by cities like Berlin and Munich. The route spans 13 kilometers throughout Wuppertal and carries over 80,000 passengers on a weekly basis. Although it looks exciting, this might not be for those with a severe fear of heights!

Much has happened since it first opened. It has gone through 15 generations of cars—a necessary upgrade to ensure the safe travel of residents and tourists. The most notable incident took place in 1950, in which people attempted to load a 3-year-old elephant into a train car, along with some journalists who were documenting this “stunt”. The elephant panicked and tried to escape. The elephant fell into the Wupper River, got injured, as well as a few other people on the train. Few other incidents have taken place since then. The city strictly monitors the Schwebebahn’s operations to ensure the safety of all passengers.

Trains Of The Future

When the Wuppertaler Schwebebahn started operating, it was considered to be an important historical event—a landmark achievement in urban planning. It was the first of its kind, and it’s not every day that you see a hanging monorail. It is a tourist attraction as much as it is a useful mode of transportation for residents.

People usually only latch on to the novelty of its unique design. The fact that it has a low carbon footprint, less noise, and helps less traffic on the ground make it a good model for cities looking to develop their local transport system.

Route

Like any German city or town, there is no shortage of open spaces for the public, historical and cultural landmarks. There is something to see at almost every stop. If you know what to look for, you might be able to catch an aerial view of these landmarks from inside the Schwebebahn.

Tourists can download the guide on the Wuppertaler Schwebebahn website. Below is a list of the stops, along with some notable attractions.

Vohwinkel – Schloss Burg (Burg Castle)
Bruch
Hammerstein
Sonnborner Strasse – SV Bayer Wuppertal Park
Zoo and Sadion – Arboretum Burgholz Hiking Trail, Wuppertal Zoo, Mungstener
Bridge
Varresbecker Strasse
Westende
Pestalozzistrasse
Robert-Daum Platz – Basilica of St. Lawrence
Ohligsmuhle – Von Der Heydt Museum, Historiche Stadthalle, Begegnungsstatte Alte Synagoge Museum
Wuppertal Hbf – Elisenturm, Rathaus Elberfeld, Historischer Manuel Skotten
Kluse – Rex Theater
Landgericht – Botanischer Garten (Botanical Garden), Hardtanlage Park,
Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden (Sculpture Museum)
Volklinger Strasse
Loher Brucke – Bahnhof Loh Museum
Adler Brucke – Engelsgarten Park, Tanstheater Wuppertal
Alter Markt – Wuppertaller Brauhaus, Rathaus Barmen, Pastoralburo St. Antonius Catholic Church
Werther Brucke – Haus der Jugent Barmen Youth Center
Wupperfeld – Barmer Anlagen Park, FarbereiCultural Center
Wuppertal Oberbarmen BF - Beyenburg

Tickets

Riding the Wuppertaler Schwebebahn is an efficient way to become familiar with this unique transportation system while exploring various landmarks in the city. It takes less than 40 minutes to go through the entire route. In between stops, tourists can listen to the downloadable guide on the Wuppertaler Schwebebahn.

Tourists have the option to buy 24 and 48-hour tickets. This will allow them to take unlimited rides throughout the given period.

Prices:

7.10 euros ($7.10) (24-hours)
13.70 euros ($15.82) (48 hours)

Experience The City Of Wuppertal

Do not miss these landmarks on your visit to Wuppertal:

Schloss Burg (Burg Castle) – a medieval castle at Solingen, Germany.

Schedule: Closed on Mondays | April to November (Summer): Tuesday to Friday: 11 am to 6 pm | Saturday and Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm
November to April (Winter): Tuesday to Friday: 11 am to 4 pm | Saturday and Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm
Fees: Adults: 6.00 euros, Children (3-17): 3 euros

Check the website for special schedules and arrangements.

The Von der Heydt Museum has a collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings, Impressionist artworks by Degas, Van Gogh, Cezanne, and Gauguin, and modern art by Munch, Salvador Dali, and Max Ernst.

Fees: Adults: 12 euros | Children (7-17): 2 euros

The Wuppertal Zoo is home to 4,200 animals including elephants, reptiles, and big cats.

Fees: Adults: 14.50 euros | Children (7-17): 7 euros

Engels-Haus Museum is the former residence of Friedrich Engles, a co-author of the Communist Manifesto. This is not the place he was born, but it is where he grew up. It was destroyed during World War II but has been restored.

Schedule: Closed on Mondays | Tuesday to Sunday – 10 am to 6 pm
Fees: Adults: 4 euros, Children (7-17): 2 euros

Botanischer Garten Wuppertal is a botanical garden in the city, which opened in 1890. It is located within the Ellerschen Villa and has hundreds of species of peonies, iris, and other wildflowers. Admission is free.

Neumarkt is the central market in Wuppertal. This is one of the places where people shop for their food and other local goods.