Ten minutes. That's how long the ride takes. You get in at the Valley Station at 2,643 feet, the car rotates slowly as it climbs, and by the time you step out at the Mountain Station you're at 8,516 feet and the temperature has dropped 30 to 40 degrees.

In summer, that temperature drop is the whole point. In winter, there's actual snow up there while it's 70 degrees below. The Palm Springs Aerial Tram is genuinely one of the more disorienting and spectacular things you can do in Southern California.

Here's everything you need to know before you go.

What Is the Palm Springs Aerial Tram?

It's the world's largest rotating tramway. The cars spin slowly during the ascent so every passenger gets a full 360-degree view of the Coachella Valley on the way up. The tram runs along the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon on the northeast shoulder of Mount San Jacinto.

It opened in 1963 and the cars were replaced in 2000. The current cars hold about 80 people and the ride takes roughly 10 minutes each way. There's no middle section or stop: you go up, you spend time at the top, you come back down.

Palm Springs Aerial Tram car ascending the cliffs of Chino Canyon with Coachella Valley in the background

The tram car on its way up. The valley floor is already far below by the time the canyon walls start closing in.

Tickets and Prices

Current ticket prices as of 2026:

Buy tickets online at pstramway.vivaticket.com. The website lets you select a timed departure, which eliminates the wait at the Valley Station ticket counter. On busy weekends, that wait can be significant. The $2 processing fee is worth it every time.

There are also dining packages if you want to eat at one of the two restaurants at the top. Packages run $27.50 to $43 per person and include a tram ticket plus a meal credit. Worth it if you're planning to eat up there anyway — the prices at the top are what you'd expect for a captive audience at 8,500 feet.

Discounted tickets are available through AAA, military programs, and occasionally through Fun Express and Costco. If you have any of those, check before buying full price.

Hours

The schedule varies by day and season:

The tram closes for maintenance periods, usually in late summer. Check the official hours page at pstramway.com for the current schedule before you drive out there.

What's at the Top

Mountain Station at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tram at 8516 feet with pine trees and distant desert views

The Mountain Station at 8,516 feet. Pine trees, observation decks, and air that actually feels like air.

The Mountain Station is larger than most people expect. When you step off the tram, you're inside a building with observation decks, two restaurants (Peaks Restaurant for sit-down dining, Top of the Tram for quick service), a natural history museum, two documentary theaters, and a gift shop.

Outside the station, you're at the edge of Mount San Jacinto State Park with over 50 miles of hiking trails. The most popular short walk is the Desert View Trail, a two-mile loop that takes about an hour and gives you overlook views of the valley below. It's relatively flat and accessible.

For more serious hikers, the trail to San Jacinto Peak (10,834 feet) is a full-day undertaking from the station. Check with the rangers at the State Park Visitors Center inside the station before heading out on anything longer than the Desert View loop. Permits are required for overnight camping.

In winter, the area around the station often has enough snow for snowshoeing. The tram rents equipment at the station. It's a surreal experience: drive up through the desert in shorts, rent snowshoes, stomp around in two feet of snow, ride back down into 70-degree heat.

When to Go

Sunrise view from the Palm Springs Aerial Tram mountain station with golden light over San Jacinto peaks

The mountain at sunrise. If you can get on an early tram on a weekend, the light is worth it.

Summer (June through September): The best time for the temperature contrast experience. The valley is 105 degrees and the top is 70. Crowds are lighter on weekdays. The extended Friday and Saturday hours mean you can ride up at sunset and watch the valley light up below you.

Fall and spring: The most popular seasons. Weather is comfortable at both elevations, wildflowers appear in spring, and the foliage changes in fall. Weekends fill up. Go early or go on a weekday.

Winter: Snow at the top, desert warmth below. The contrast is more dramatic and the crowds are thinner than spring. Check conditions before you go — if there's been significant snowfall, the trails outside the station may be closed.

When to avoid: Saturday mornings in March and April during Coachella weekends. The tram parking lot is not immune to valley-wide congestion. Midday on any peak weekend means long waits even with online tickets.

How Much Time Do You Need?

Budget two to three hours minimum. The tram ride is 10 minutes each way, but you'll wait for departures even with timed tickets. Allow 30 minutes of buffer. Once you're up, the Desert View Trail alone takes an hour. Add time for the observation decks, a drink or snack, and you're at two hours comfortably.

If you're hiking to the peak or doing a longer trail, that's a full day. Bring layers regardless of when you go: even in summer, the wind at 8,500 feet is cold and it changes fast.

Practical Notes

Getting there: The Valley Station is at the top of Tramway Road, off Highway 111 north of Palm Springs. From downtown Palm Springs, it's about 15 minutes by car. There's no public transit to the base station, so you need a car or a rideshare.

What to bring: A layer or jacket (even in summer), water, and snacks if you're hiking. The restaurants at the top are fine but not cheap. Cell service is limited at the summit.

Accessibility: The tram cars and the Mountain Station are ADA accessible. The outdoor trails vary: Desert View Trail has some uneven terrain but is manageable for most. Ask at the ranger station about current conditions.

Dogs: Allowed in the tram cars and on the trails within the State Park. Keep them leashed.

Is It Worth It?

Yes. It's the most dramatic 10 minutes you'll spend in the Coachella Valley. I've taken guests up there who've been to Palm Springs a dozen times and never done it, and they all said some version of "why did I wait so long."

The view from the top changes what you understand about the geography. You can see the whole valley spread out below, the Salton Sea to the south, the San Gorgonio Pass to the west. It puts everything in context in a way that a map doesn't.

At $37 per adult it's not cheap, but it's not a tourist trap either. The scenery is real, the elevation change is real, and the trails are genuinely good.

For the full picture of what else is worth your time in the valley, the Coachella Valley insider guide covers Indio, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, and the Salton Sea. And if you're still figuring out where to base yourself, the Palm Springs vs Indio breakdown covers the trade-offs in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Palm Springs Aerial Tram tickets cost?

As of 2026: adults $36.95, seniors (65+) $33.95, children (3-10) $20.95. Parking is $5 at the Valley Station. Dining packages that include a meal credit run $27.50-$43 per person. Buy online to skip the ticket counter line.

What are the Palm Springs Aerial Tram hours?

Monday through Friday, first tram up at 10:00am, last tram up at 8:00pm. Weekends and holidays, first tram up at 8:00am, last tram up at 8:00pm. Summer extended hours add late Friday and Saturday departures. Check the official hours page for current schedule and any closures.

How long does the ride take?

About 10 minutes each way. Budget 2-3 hours total for the experience including wait time and exploring the Mountain Station.

What is the elevation at the top?

The Mountain Station is at 8,516 feet. The Valley Station at the base is at 2,643 feet. Expect the temperature to be 30-40 degrees cooler at the top than at the desert floor.

Is the Palm Springs Aerial Tram worth it?

Yes. The elevation change, the views, and the access to real hiking trails at Mount San Jacinto State Park make it worth the price. It's one of the few things in the Coachella Valley that genuinely surprises people who think they've seen it all.