Schauinslandbahn | Prices & Tickets

The Schauinslandbahn is much more than just a practical means of transportation to Freiburg's local mountain: it is a destination with history, panorama, and clear orientation for visitors who want to keep an eye on prices, opening hours, access, restaurant, and webcam. From the valley station in Horben, the ride takes about 20 minutes up to the Schauinsland, where nature experiences, views, and various activities are immediately connected. The official website consolidates the most important service points: rates, operating hours, webcam, weather, access, gastronomy, and current activities. This combination makes the Schauinslandbahn so attractive for day visitors, families, hikers, and pleasure seekers, as it combines reliable information with a destination that is very versatile in content. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/aktivitaeten))

Technically and historically, the Schauinslandbahn holds an extraordinary significance: it was opened in 1930 as the first large cabin gondola lift in the world and was later modernized several times, including in 1988 and 2012/2013. Today, it operates with 37 driverless cabins, each offering 7 seats, over a distance of 3,600 meters, overcoming 764 meters in elevation. These key figures explain why the railway is considered not only for pure transport but also as a technical monument and a comfortable entry into the mountain. Qualified professionals and numerous maintenance checks throughout the year ensure daily safety. So, anyone planning an excursion will find tradition, technology, and good organization in one place. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/ueber-uns/geschichte))

Schauinslandbahn Prices, Tickets, and Germany Ticket

The prices of the Schauinslandbahn are pleasantly transparent. The basic fare for adults is currently €15.00 for the round trip and €12.00 for a one-way trip. Children aged 6 to 14 pay €10.00 or €8.00. There are also specific rates for families, groups, school classes, bicycles, dogs, annual passes, and other special cases. Those traveling with a stroller or wheelchair can use the railway at no extra charge, and there are specific regulations for the technical tour or audio tour. This pricing system is not only clear but also practical, as it covers various types of visits: a short panoramic excursion, a hike with a simple ascent, a family day, a group visit, or a combined pleasure trip with breakfast or coffee gossip. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/informationen/tarife))

Particularly interesting for many guests are the discounted rates. Holders of an RVF regional ticket, a semester ticket, a Germany ticket, Black Forest or KONUS guest cards, a volunteer card, or the Freiburg Pass receive the regional rate. Currently, this is €13.00 for the round trip and €11.00 for a one-way trip. According to the official FAQ, the discount for the Germany ticket only applies if the subscription was concluded through the VAG AboCenter. Additional discounts include free entry for SchwarzwaldCard holders within the valid usage period or the Welcome Card with free travel. Therefore, those who use the Schauinslandbahn more frequently or travel with regional tickets should definitely plan for the special rates before their arrival. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/informationen/tarife))

The combination tickets are also particularly important for the search intent around tickets and breakfast. The breakfast combination ticket costs €38.50 for adults and €27.00 for children and already includes the round trip. The coffee gossip combination ticket is priced at €21.00 for adults and €17.00 for children. The cheese fondue combination ticket is offered in the winter months and also costs €38.50 for adults and €27.00 for children. The tickets are valid for three years from the end of the year of issue; older combination tickets are subject to special exchange and surcharge rules. Tickets can be purchased in the online shop, at the valley station, and at the VAG customer center in Freiburg. This is important for visitors as it allows for both spontaneous excursions and carefully planned pleasure visits to be well organized. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/gastronomie/cafe-restaurant-die-bergstation))

Schauinslandbahn Opening Hours, Schedule, and Webcam

The Schauinslandbahn has clear operating hours that are very helpful for planning an excursion. According to official information, it operates daily from January to December from 09:00 to 17:00, and during the summer holidays in Baden-Württemberg from 09:00 to 18:00. The cabins run continuously as needed, so they do not operate in fixed intervals but in a continuous loop. It is also important to note the last possible ride: the last round trip is possible 30 minutes before closing time. There are also specific rules for holidays: on Christmas Eve, the railway is closed, and on Christmas and New Year's Eve, it operates from 9 am to 5 pm. Those who want to plan their visit reliably should always check these times before departure. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/informationen/betriebszeiten))

Additionally, the railway is heavily dependent on the weather. In case of strong winds or thunderstorms, operations may be suspended, and the official FAQ states that a shutdown occurs at wind speeds of 60 km/h, often even earlier for safety reasons. Therefore, the webcam at the mountain station is so useful: the images are updated every 10 minutes and help to realistically assess the weather on the mountain. The website also refers to the weather page, where current weather data and forecasts are consolidated. So, anyone arriving by car or public transport should definitely check the operating status and the webcam shortly before starting. Especially with changeable Black Forest weather, this saves time and prevents unnecessary trips to the valley station. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/informationen/hinweise-faq))

Access to the Schauinslandbahn Valley Station and Parking in Horben

The valley station is located in Horben near Freiburg, specifically at Bohrerstraße 11, 79289 Horben. The website provides GPS data of 47° 56′ 10.00″, 7° 51′ 54.00″. Those arriving by public transport take tram line 2 from Freiburg to Günterstal and then transfer to bus line 21, which goes directly to the valley station. According to the website, the journey from Bertoldsbrunnen takes only about 20 minutes. For visitors who want to make their arrival comfortable and stress-free, this is a strong option as it allows them to avoid parking searches and traffic jams. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/service/anfahrt))

Arriving by car is also well described, but not free. There are paid parking spaces at the valley station; the first 30 minutes are free, after which a daily flat rate of €2.00 applies for up to 10 hours, and an overnight flat rate of €10.00. Payment can be made on-site at the machine or via app, and payment is also possible up to 24 hours after departure. There are four disabled parking spaces available, which can be used free of charge with a parking permit if the permit is presented at the cable car ticket office. For electric vehicles, there are four parking spaces with charging stations, and parking for buses and motorhomes is designated at P3. The height limit of the Günterstäler Tor is 3.60 m; for buses with a higher height, the railway recommends early contact. This information is particularly valuable as it makes planning the arrival clear depending on the type of vehicle. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/service/anfahrt))

Mountain Station, Restaurant, and Breakfast with a View

At the mountain station, the Café & Restaurant Die Bergstation awaits with a location officially described as the showcase of the Black Forest. Located directly at the historic Schauinslandbahn, the restaurant offers a sun terrace with views into the Vosges, over Freiburg to the Alps. The opening hours are clearly defined: there is no breakfast and only self-service on Mondays and Tuesdays, while the restaurant operates from Wednesday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. Breakfast is only available with prior reservation and is served from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, with lunch from 11:30 am to 5:00 pm. This combination of views, gastronomy, and reliability makes the mountain station a central part of the entire excursion. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/gastronomie/cafe-restaurant-die-bergstation))

Breakfast is not just a minor aspect but one of the most sought-after topics around the Schauinslandbahn. The offer includes hearty and sweet options, fresh baked goods, regional cheese, meat, and sausage specialties, as well as fruit, yogurt, milk, juices, coffee, and tea. According to the official restaurant page, breakfast is often fully booked well in advance on weekends and holidays; during the week, there are usually still free spots. From 9:30 am, additional seats are available on the terrace, which cannot be reserved, but no alternative indoor seating is guaranteed in bad weather. Therefore, those who wish to have breakfast should reserve online in good time. This is particularly interesting for couples, families, and small groups who want to combine their mountain visit with enjoyment and views. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/gastronomie/cafe-restaurant-die-bergstation))

In addition to breakfast, the Schauinslandbahn also offers other culinary and organizational connections. The gastronomy page lists several houses and farms around the Schauinsland, including Die Bergstation, Holzschlägermatte, Die Halde, Buckhof, Dorfchalet Horben, Rappenecker Hütte, and Restaurant BergWiese. This shows that the mountain station is not isolated but part of a larger landscape of enjoyment. For guests, this means: those who take the cable car up in the morning can later continue hiking, stop for a meal, or connect the round with another culinary stop. The combination tickets for breakfast, coffee gossip, and cheese fondue are designed so that the mountain ride and the meal are closely linked. This makes the Schauinslandbahn a destination that unites arrival, food, and views in a clear visit model. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/gastronomie))

History and Technology of the Schauinslandbahn

The history of the Schauinslandbahn begins long before its opening. As early as 1893, there was the idea in Freiburg to make the Schauinsland accessible to the public. In 1925, the Schauinslandbahn Studies Society was founded, in 1928 the construction was approved, and on May 8, 1929, the groundbreaking ceremony began a project that was one of the major technical undertakings in the region at that time. The railway was ceremoniously opened on July 17, 1930. The official history emphasizes that it was the first large cabin gondola lift in the world and operated with an innovative circulating technique at the time, which later became a model for modern gondola systems. This early pioneering role explains why the railway is perceived not only as a means of transport but also as a symbol of technical history. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/ueber-uns/geschichte))

In the following decades, the facility was repeatedly adapted to technical and operational requirements. In 1987, a fundamental change occurred because the old facility no longer received a new operating permit; in 1988, the new, driverless railway was inaugurated. Later, from late 2012 to May 2013, further modernization took place, during which the electrical systems, drive, and brakes were brought up to date. Two carrying cables were replaced with cables that have integrated optical fibers, which also improved data transmission between the mountain and valley stations. Today, 13 qualified professionals are responsible for operations, and over 230 maintenance checks are carried out annually. These include visual and technical cable inspections, track maintenance, mechanical checks at the mountain and valley stations, work on the rollers, drive, and electronics. This is the technical foundation for the daily, reliable guest operation. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/ueber-uns/geschichte))

A technical feature also includes the current cabin structure. Since the renovation in 1988, the railway has operated with 37 smaller, driverless cabins that are designed to resemble the original cabins. The railway overcomes a height difference of 764 meters over a length of 3,600 meters and is thus the longest cable car designed according to the circulating principle in Germany. The website also emphasizes that cabin accessibility and longer boarding and alighting times have been improved for guests with mobility impairments. The FAQ also explains that ramps make the most important rooms and cabins accessible without barriers. For visitors with strollers or wheelchairs, this is a significant advantage, as it keeps the railway not only historically significant but also practically usable in everyday life. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/ueber-uns/technik))

Activities at Schauinsland after the Mountain Ride

The Schauinslandbahn is the fastest way to a variety of activities on the mountain. The official site describes the Schauinsland as a destination for families, hikers, and anyone looking for a relaxed break with views up to the Alps. Directly from the mountain station, one can start various offers, including hiking, culinary experiences, leisure, and family activities. There are also numerous guided and thematic formats such as night rides, yoga on the mountain, listening tours, technical tours, conductor tours, biosphere ranger tours, museum mines, flower and herb tours, weather book tours, Erzkasten round trips, and several panorama and circular tours. This variety makes the railway not only a means of transport but a starting point for an entire mountain day. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/aktivitaeten))

Especially for visitors searching for "route", "Freiburg", "Horben", or "mountain station", this is important: the railway connects the valley station in Horben directly with the experience area on the Schauinsland. Whether one wants to enjoy the view, participate in a tour, stop for a meal, or simply take a walk on the mountain, the railway takes you up in a short time and opens up very different possibilities on site. The official presentation focuses on nature-related experiences, moments of enjoyment, and the convenient accessibility of the summit. Those coming with family benefit from clear travel options; those who are sporty use the railway as an entry point for hikes; and those who travel for the panorama can combine their visit with the webcam, restaurant, and viewing terrace. This connection of logistical simplicity and content diversity is the reason why the Schauinslandbahn appears in so many search queries. ([schauinslandbahn.de](https://www.schauinslandbahn.de/de/aktivitaeten))

Sources:

• Schauinslandbahn - Official Website
• Schauinslandbahn - Rates
• Schauinslandbahn - Operating Hours
• Schauinslandbahn - Access
• Schauinslandbahn - Webcam
• Schauinslandbahn - Café & Restaurant Die Bergstation
• Schauinslandbahn - History
• Schauinslandbahn - Technology
• Schauinslandbahn - Notes & FAQ
• Schauinslandbahn - Activities