Difference between a cable car and a gondola?
Udayaditya is curious about the difference between cable cars and gondolas while planning a trip. They are looking for specific signs to identify each and how they operate in the Swiss Alps. This thread provides clarity on these transportation options.
- Gondolas typically seat 4 to 6 people and are labeled 'GB' in timetables, while cable cars are larger cabins indicated as 'LB' or 'LSB'.
- Cable cars require you to stand and have a driver, while gondolas allow you to sit and board while moving slowly.
- Gondolas have multiple cabins running continuously, while cable cars follow a strict timetable with set departure times.
AI-generated summary-
Hello
what is the difference between a cable car and a gondola?…..what are the specific signs for each of them?
Regards
Udayaditya
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Hi Udayatitya,
Gondalas generelly refer to smaller cabins that carry 4 to 6 persons. They’re indicated by GB (“Gondelbahn” in German) in the timetable: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable. Cable cars usually refer to larger cabins and are called LB (“Luftseilbahn”) in the timetable.
Hi udayaditya –
<<“are called LB (“Luftseilbahn”) in the timetable. “>>
Sometimes also “LSB.”
Slowpoke
Another, perhaps important difference is that you sit in a Gondala, such as the Männlichen and First Gondalas at Grindelwald, while most Cable Cars only allow you to stand, for example the Rothorn Cable Car at Zermatt.
Alan
Thanks everyone for these information
udayaditya
Hi
Can anyone explain me the meaning of chairlift?
Udayaditya
Hi udayaditya –
A chairlift is “eine Sesselbahn” in German.
See attached.
Slowpoke
Thank you so much Slowpoke
And here are some photos of the inside and outside of a cable car and a gondola.
One other difference between cable cars and gondolas is that cable cars usually have a driver and run to a timetable, e.g. every 15 minutes. They “park” at the cable car station until the next scheduled departure. Usually you have to queue, and aren’t allowed to board until about 5 minutes before departure. Then you go through a turnstile, which counts the number of people boarding. When the cable car has reached maximum capacity, anyone who hasn’t yet boarded will have to wait for the next one. I think there is usually only one cable car at a time in each direction, so you will only pass one cable car travelling in the opposite direction during your ride, and there will not be any other cable cars ahead of you or behind you.
Gondolas move constantly, and you actually board and alight while they are moving very slowly. The doors close automatically when the gondola has moved beyond the boarding area, but before it “takes off”. The “take-off” can be quite a thrill, as the increase in speed is very noticeable – you sort of get launched into the air! As you approach a station where you can get out, the gondola slows right down, the doors open automatically when your gondola reaches the alighting area, and you step out while it is moving. There are lots of gondolas spaced out along the aerial cable, so you will pass other gondolas travelling in the opposite direction quite regularly, and you will also see other gondolas in front of you and behind you.
Alpenrose
Thank you.Alpenrose
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