8 fantastic funiculars from across the globe

From Hong Kong to Haifa, hitch a ride on one of the world’s most remarkable incline railways.

by Mandy Hegarty  |  Thursday, September 29, 2016

by Mandy Hegarty
Thursday, September 29, 2016

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The Peak Tram in Hong Kong takes passengers to Victoria Peak. It is one of the most popular attractions in the city. The Peak Tram in Hong Kong takes passengers to Victoria Peak. It is one of the most popular attractions in the city. (Photo: Pisaphotography / Shutterstock)

The Peak Tram in Hong Kong takes passengers to Victoria Peak. It is one of the most popular attractions in the city.
An evening view of Pittsburgh from the top of the Duquesne Incline on Mount Washington.
The Carmelit train in Haifa, Israel.
The funicular railway service connects Como with the town of Brunate in Italy.
The Niesen in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps. On this picture also the rails of the Niesenbahn are visible.
The Peak Tram rises above the Hong Kong city skyline.
The tunnel between Karakoy and Beyoglu in Turkey.
The Kurama Cable funicular car in Japan.
The Montmartre Funicular in France.
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Up, up and away

Funiculars offer unique and innovative engineering that captivates, and a distinctive, retro aesthetic that charms. Everyone can find something to love with funiculars, whether it is the vertigo-inducing thrills associated with the steep ride or simply the fact that they save us the slog up some seriously steep hills. Though transport developments have seen men sent to the moon, this simple yet effective mode of transport – a cable-pulled train used to ascend and descend steep terrain – is as relevant and impressive as ever. We’ve rounded up the finest hillside locomotives we could find.

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