The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway connects Palm Springs’ desert floor with Mountain Station in the mountains above the Coachella Valley. You can plan around the roughly 10-minute ride, buy a round-trip ticket and check the operator’s current schedule before setting out.
- Valley Station: One Tram Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
- Ride: 2.5 miles between stations, with a roughly 10-minute one-way trip
- Mountain Station elevation: 8,516 feet
- Adult round trip: $36.95, including the online processing fee
Where the Valley Station is
The Valley Station is at One Tram Way in Palm Springs, at an elevation of 2,643 feet. It is the lower end of the tramway, where you board for the ride to Mountain Station.
If you’re driving from westbound Interstate 10, exit at North Indian Canyon, turn left, then turn right at San Raphael at the fourth stoplight; the station is 6.5 miles farther on.
From eastbound Interstate 10, exit at Highway 111 Palm Springs, continue 8 miles, turn right at Tram Way at the third stoplight, then continue 3.5 miles to Valley Station.
The tram ride and Mountain Station
The tramway climbs 2.5 miles from Valley Station to Mountain Station, rising from 2,643 feet to 8,516 feet. The one-way trip takes about 10 minutes, and the tramway has operated since 1963.
At the upper station, the mountain setting offers a different landscape from the desert below. The tramcars began carrying passengers in September 2000. The tramway operator describes the tramcars and both stations as handicap accessible.
The ride can be part of a wider local outing; planning a day trip from Palm Springs can help you think through routes and timing.
Tickets, schedules and operating updates
Adult round-trip tickets cost $36.95, child tickets for ages 3–10 cost $20.95, and senior tickets for ages 65 and older cost $33.95. Each price includes a $2 online processing fee. Children under 2 ride free but need a boarding pass, which you can get at the Valley Station ticket booth on the day of your visit.
Opening hours
- Monday to Friday: 10 AM–8 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 8 AM–8 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
If online tickets are sold out, you can still try to buy tickets at the Valley Station ticket booth on the day. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older, and pets are not allowed.
Operating hours vary by schedule, and there is an annual maintenance closure. Before you go, check the official site for current tram hours, ticket availability and operating updates.
Weather and what to bring
Mountain Station sits at 8,516 feet, well above the desert-floor Valley Station. Keep that change in elevation in mind when planning what to wear and bring for time at the upper station.
Getting to the tram from Palm Springs
Driving directions depend on whether you approach on westbound or eastbound Interstate 10; follow the route for your direction of travel to reach One Tram Way.
Delos Reyes Palm Springs is a motel in Palm Springs. The tramway can be included in an outing from the motel.
FAQs
Is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway accessible?
The tramcars and both stations are described as handicap accessible.
Can children ride without an adult?
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.
Are pets allowed on the tramway?
No. Pets are not allowed.
When does the tramway close for maintenance?
There is an annual maintenance closure, but its timing can vary. Check the official site before planning around a particular date.