Do you know that Wuppertal is famous for its Schwebebahn? We’ve been to Wuppertal twice. The first time was in 2016 and the last time was in early 2024. The main purpose of our visit was to ride the Schwebebahn, a means of transport in the form of a monorail. What’s so special about the Schwebebahn that it’s worth repeating the holiday?
Hello traveller,
Are there any of you readers who are transport lovers?
Do any of you enjoy riding the cable car or perhaps have any experience riding a monorail?
If you are a transport lover or someone who enjoys riding cable cars or monorail, I recommend coming to Wuppertal!
This does not mean that if you are not one of those mentioned above, you should not try the Schwebebahn. On the other hand, I would recommend readers like this to try riding the only public transport of this kind in Germany.
Wuppertal located in the state of North Rhine Westphalia (Nord Rhine Westfalen-NRW) has a unique means of public transport. The name of this means of transport is Schwebebahn.
I would say that Schwebebahn is a combination between a cable car and a monorail. In Germany, the Schwebebahn can only be found in the city of Wuppertal.
About Schwebebahn Wuppertal
Before I tell you about our holiday in Wuppertal and in particular our experience with Schwebebahn, I want to tell you about the history of why this train only exists in Wuppertal.
Schwebebahn in English is called a suspension monorail. A hanging train that consists of only one carriage. It runs on a suspended track.
Today the existence of this train in the city of Wuppertal is very useful for connecting the area in Wuppertal. In the past, the city of Wuppertal did not exist. The Wupper River flows through several cities or regions. Industrial towns developed around the Wupper River.
A Prussian businessman and politician who was aware of the idea of a cable car felt that this means of transport was useful for the transport links of these growing industrial cities. The Schwebebahn could provide transport services and connect cities and regions along the Wupper River faster than road transport.
The idea of building a cable car was eventually agreed upon by the city governments of Barmen and Elberfeld. The initial route was from Zoo to Oberbarmen. Later, the route was extended from Zoo to Vohwinkel after the Vohwinkel government agreed to join the project.
The Schwebebahn in Wuppertal is unique in that it runs on two different surfaces. From Oberbarmen station to Zoo station, the Schwebebahn runs over the Wupper River. Next, it runs directly over the motorway from Zoo station to Vohwinkel station.
Construction of Schwebebahn officially began in the summer of 1898. In the same year, low-speed train tests began. Can you imagine in that year the people were already capable of building transport with advanced technology?
How cool is that?
Travelling: Border Triangle Aachen.
How We Know About the Schwebebahn
I learnt about the Schwebebahn from my good friends in Hannover. Knowing that my eldest son is a train enthusiast, they told me that there is a unique cable car in Wuppertal. This means of transport is used as a regular public transport. Out of curiosity, my family and I visited the city in 2016.
After seven years passed, we decided to visit Wuppertal again. The decision to go on holiday to Wuppertal was made with the consideration of finding unique and interesting tourist attractions for our eldest son. However, my husband and I wanted a holiday location that was not far from Hannover.
Then, we asked him if he still remembered about the Schwebebahn. He said, he knew but could not remember what it was like to ride it.
It was understandable that he did not remember. He was less than five years old when we went to Wuppertal for the first time. Because of his answer, we decided to take our family to Wuppertal.
Travelling: Railway Museum Utrecht.
Our Holiday
Finally, after travelling from Hannover for about four hours we arrived in Wuppertal. Since our hotel was in the Oberbarmen area, after checking in we immediately went to the western depot stop of the Schwebebahn, the Oberbarmen Bahnhof station.
We travelled to Wuppertal by car. Before riding the Schwebebahn, my husband had to park the car near the Oberbarmen Bahnhof station. My advice is not to park your car carelessly because if you park in the wrong place, especially if you don’t pay the parking ticket, you could get a ticket. If it’s still a ticket, it’s not bad. If it’s towed, it could be a problem.
The parking option is at the station car park. Unfortunately, at that time the car park was full. Another alternative that is even more convenient is next to the train depot.
So, after passing the red light intersection at the station depot, you should walk slowly. Before passing the bridge there is a small road on the left side. Follow this small road by the river until you find a large car park. Car parking here is free. We checked a few cars and there were no tickets on the car’s window. There’s also no ticket machine, so you can be sure it’s a free car park.
We took the train from Oberbarmen station to Vohwinkel station. From end to end, the journey took about 30 minutes. We enjoyed the train journey and the view outside.
Culinary: Belchicken Wuppertal.
The Schwebebahn
Through the glass windows, we could see the train travelling on the fast-flowing Wupper River. Approaching Zoo station, the train turns right and leaves the Wupper River. From this station to the final destination, Vohwinkel, the train travelled on a busy motorway.
The train was brand new. The interior is different from when we travelled on this train in 2016. The train is also clean.
Culinary: My Chicken Hannover.
Ticket Schwebebahn Wuppertal
Because my husband and I have a Deutschland ticket, we did not need to buy tickets. My mum and my eldest son, who is over the age of six years old, bought tickets. Our little baby, although in a pram, was free of charge.
The Wuppertal transport ticket price for adults is 8.30 Euro for 24 hours. If more than one person is travelling together, each person should add 4.20 Euro. The maximum number of people travelling in a group using this ticket is five person.
Another ticket alternative is to purchase a one-way ticket. This ticket can only be used for one journey until you reach your destination. You can change to any means of transport as long as you are travelling in one direction. This means that this ticket cannot be used to return to the direction of departure.
This one-way ticket is valid for 90 minutes. The price for adults is around 3.30 Euro. For children, the ticket price is 1.90 Euro.
Transportation: Deutschland Ticket.
I give you one tip!
Try to sit at the very back of the train if you want to enjoy the thrill of the Schwebebahn. At the back, the seats are on the edge so you can look into the glass. From the glass, you can see the flow of the Wupper River as it passes over the river. You can also see the flow of traffic on the road as you travel along the highway and motorway.
Photographs are also more fun from the back of the train.
Don’t miss Schwebebahn Wuppertal if you want to experience the excitement of crossing the river by monorail!
Have a great holiday in Wuppertal!
Happy travelling,
Amelia
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