The Etna cable car at a glance
The Funivia dell'Etna (Italian for cable car) starts at Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza in Nicolosi, on the south side of the volcano. The valley station is at 1,923 m and the top station at 2,500 m. The operator describes the cable car as open all year. Snow vehicles replace the off-road buses when there is snow.
This is not the cable car of the town of Taormina, which has its own guide at Taormina cable car. The Etna cable car sells two main products: a ticket for the cable car alone and a package with a guide that goes higher. Both are priced for 2026 below.
Etna cable car prices 2026
As published by the operator. Check the booking page for the final amount.
| Product | Price 2026 | What it includes | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2500 cable car | €54 | Cable car return, online fast track | Top station at 2,500 m |
| Tour 3000, adult (from 11 years) | €82 | Cable car return, off-road bus or snow vehicle return, alpine or volcanological guide, about 2.5 hours | Height set by the authorities |
| Tour 3000, child (5 to 10 years) | €51 | As above | As above |
Ask about the child fare for the cable car alone and about discounts for seniors or people with disabilities when you book. Rental of a windbreaker, shoes and poles is available at the top station. Ask for the price on site.
Our picks: cable car tours
Three ways to reach the higher zones, with different amounts included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Etna cable car and 4x4 bus with a mountain guide
The round-trip cable car, the 4x4 bus, a mountain guide on the volcano and equipment are included. Tips are not.
Check availability →
Etna trek to 3,000 m with cable car and 4x4
A guide, hiking boots, thick socks, helmet, rain jacket and rucksack. The cable car and 4x4 bus cost €45 per person on site.
Check availability →
Guided summit hike on Etna, up to 3,400 m
A volcano guide, helmet and insurance. The cable car for the 3,000 m option costs €54 per adult and cable car plus 4x4 for 3,400 m costs €82, paid on site.
Check availability →Cable car tours and packages
Packages with the cable car, an off-road bus and a guide, as well as full-day trips that include a ride to the mountain.
Opening times and the return trip
Weather and technical conditions decide whether the cable car runs.
Cable car hours
The cable car runs daily from 08:30 to 16:45. The last descent is at 17:15. If it is windy or stormy, service can stop or change.
Tour 3000 window
The Tour 3000 package is sold for a window of 08:30 to 15:15. Do not mix this with the cable car closing time.
Fast track
An online ticket lets you skip the queue at the ticket office. The online ticket is the quicker route.
Back to Catania by bus
The cable car closes later than the AST bus leaves. A September 2026 check reports the bus back to Catania at 16:30 from Rifugio Sapienza, so take an earlier descent and check the current timetable. There is no guarantee of a connection.
Getting there →Before you ride
Four practical points.
Clothing
The operator recommends hiking boots and a windbreaker. The top station is 577 m higher than the valley station, and the weather up there can differ strongly from the car park.
Health
The operator does not recommend the experience for people with heart or respiratory conditions, high blood pressure or pregnancy.
Parking
Municipal car parks near the south side station are paid. Check the rate on the day and take change or a card.
Going higher
The 2500 ticket ends at the top station. To go further you need a guided package such as Tour 3000, and the height you reach depends on the rules of the day. See the hiking rules.
At the valley station
What you find at Rifugio Sapienza.
Rifugio Sapienza
The Rifugio Sapienza is a hotel and restaurant business on Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza, which its operator places at 1,910 m. It runs a hotel, restaurant, bar and pizzeria. It is a separate business from the cable car.
The bus stop
The regional bus company AST names the mountain stop Etna Rifugio Sapienza. The stop is at the south side station, not at the north side.
Winter roads
On 22 January 2026 the municipality banned traffic for a time on parts of the SP 92 road to the Silvestri craters and on the Mareneve because of snow and ice. This shows that roads can close in winter. Check road conditions on the day.
What to combine with the ride
The cable car sits next to other things to do on the south side.
Silvestri craters
A loop of about 30 minutes close to the car park.
Etna tours compared
Packages with off-road bus and guide, side by side.
Best time to visit
Weather and snow, and how they affect the ride.
If you land in Sicily and want to reach the volcano the same day, see the pages on Catania Airport and the route to Etna.
Etna cable car: frequently asked questions
How much is the Etna cable car in 2026?
The 2500 cable car ticket is listed at €54. The Tour 3000 package, with off-road bus and guide, is listed at €82 for adults from 11 years and €51 for children aged 5 to 10.
What are the opening hours?
The cable car runs daily from 08:30 to 16:45, with the last descent at 17:15. Operation depends on weather and technical conditions.
How high does the cable car go?
From 1,923 m at Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza to 2,500 m. The Tour 3000 package goes higher, up to the limit set by the authorities that day.
Is the cable car open in winter?
The operator calls it open all year. Snow vehicles replace the buses when there is snow. This is not a guarantee of daily service, so check on the day.
Can I skip the queue?
Yes, the online ticket includes a fast track that avoids the ticket office queue.
Is the cable car the only way up?
No. You can join a guided tour or, within the rules, walk. See the hiking page and the tours page.