Masada Cable Car 2027: Hours, Price, Waiting Times and Cable Car vs Snake Path, from Local Guides

The Masada cable car takes you from the visitor center at the foot of the mountain to just below the top of Herod's desert fortress in a few minutes, so you skip the steep climb on the Snake Path. It is the easiest way up for most travelers, including families, older guests and anyone visiting in the heat. Below, our team explains the hours, the price, the queues, accessibility, and when walking is the better choice.

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This guide is part of our Dead Sea and Masada series. For a full day plan, start with our hour-by-hour Dead Sea and Masada day trip plan. For the history and a walk around the ruins, see our complete Masada visitor guide.

Masada cable car at a glance

Masada snake path or cable car: how to choose

This is the question we hear most. Should you take the Masada snake path or cable car? The honest answer depends on the season, your fitness and how much time you have.

The cable car

The ride is short and smooth, with big windows and a view over the desert and the Dead Sea. At the upper station, you still walk a short stretch of stairs and paths to reach the summit. Most people manage this without trouble, but take it slowly if you have knee problems.

The Masada cable car is the right choice if you are on a day tour with a fixed schedule, if you visit between May and October, or if you travel with kids or older relatives. It saves your energy for the summit, which is large and takes real walking to explore.

The Snake Path

The Snake Path is a steep, winding trail up the eastern face. It is a real hike with many steps, little shade and no easy way to turn back halfway. Plan roughly an hour up at a steady pace, and longer if you stop often or the day is warm.

The Snake Path usually opens earlier than the cable car so hikers can reach the top for sunrise. That sunrise climb is one of the best experiences in Israel. On very hot days the park may close the trails, so always check before you set out.

The best of both

Many of our guests ride up and walk down. Going down the Snake Path is easier on your lungs, though harder on your knees, and you get the view in front of you the whole way. Another option is to hike up at sunrise and ride the Masada cable car down when the heat arrives. Buy the right ticket for your plan at the visitor center.

One note on the other side of the mountain. The Roman Ramp trail climbs from the western side, which you reach by road from Arad. There is no cable car on that side, and it is a long drive around from the Dead Sea entrance, so do not mix them up in your GPS.

Masada cable car hours: first and last cars

Masada cable car hours follow the national park opening times. In general, the first car goes up in the morning soon after the park opens, and the last car down leaves in the late afternoon. Winter hours are usually shorter than summer hours.

Fridays and the eves of Jewish holidays often have shorter hours. On a few holidays the schedule may change completely. The cable car can also stop for maintenance or strong winds, which happens a few days a year.

We will not print exact times here, because they change by season and by year. Check the current schedule on the official Masada National Park page from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority before you go. If you are on one of our tours, your guide handles the timing for you.

A practical tip from our guides: the last car down matters more than the first car up. If you reach the summit late, you need time to walk the site and still catch the last car. If you miss it, the only way down is the Snake Path on foot.

Masada cable car price and what our tours include

The Masada cable car price is set by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. You can buy a ticket for the national park only, or a combined ticket that adds the cable car one way or both ways. Prices change from time to time, so check the official parks site for the current fees.

Children, students and seniors may get reduced rates, and Israeli residents have their own pricing. Bring your passport if you want to ask about a discount. Tickets are sold at the visitor center at the base, and you may also be able to book online through the parks site.

On our tours, Masada entrance and the cable car are treated as an extra of about 32 USD per person, unless the tour page says they are included. You pay this on the day, and your guide will tell you exactly how it works when you board. Always read the inclusions on the tour page before you book.

What you see at the top

The cable car only gets you to the start. The real reward is the summit, a flat plateau where King Herod built palaces, storerooms and bathhouses more than 2,000 years ago. Later, Jewish rebels held out here against a Roman siege, and the story of that siege is why Masada matters so much in Israel today.

Here is what most visitors should not miss:

• The Northern Palace: Herod's palace built on three terraces down the cliff edge, with views north along the Dead Sea.
• The storerooms: long stone rooms that held food and supplies for a long stay in the desert.
• The bathhouse: a Roman style bath complex with original floors and wall plaster.
• The synagogue: one of the oldest known synagogues in the world.
• The Roman camps: look down to see the outlines of the Roman siege camps and the ramp they built on the western side.

Masada is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it deserves the time. With a guide, plan 1.5 to 2 hours on top. Without one, grab a map at the visitor center and follow the signed route.

Waiting times, crowds and accessibility

Queues for the Masada cable car build up from mid-morning, when tour buses from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem arrive. On busy days, especially during holidays and in spring and autumn, you may wait a while at the bottom station. The cars run back and forth all day, so the line keeps moving.

Here is how to keep waiting short:

1. Arrive at opening time if you are driving yourself.
2. Avoid Jewish holidays and school vacation weeks if you can.
3. Go up first, then visit the museum and shop at the base afterward.
4. If you are on a group tour, stay close to your guide in the line, since groups often board together.

Accessibility

Masada is one of the more accessible national parks in Israel. The cable car can take wheelchairs, and some paths on the summit are suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Other parts of the site are uneven, with steps and gravel.

If you or someone in your group uses a wheelchair, contact the park before your visit to confirm current access details. Tell us when you book a tour too, so we can plan the day around your needs. Our private tours give you the most flexibility here.

Practical tips from our guides

We bring travelers to Masada every week, and the same mistakes come up again and again. These tips will make your visit easier.

• Bring water. There are usually drinking water points on top, but carry your own bottle, at least 1.5 liters per person in warm months.
• Cover up from the sun. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen matter even in winter. There is very little shade on the summit.
• Wear real shoes. Closed walking shoes or sneakers are best. Flip flops are a bad idea on the stone paths.
• Dress code: there is no strict religious dress code at Masada, but light, loose clothes that cover your shoulders help with the sun.
• Eat at the base. The visitor center has food and a shop. There is nothing to buy on top.
• Windy days: if the wind is strong, the cable car may pause. Have a backup plan, like visiting the Ein Gedi oasis nature reserve nearby first.

Most visitors pair Masada with a float. After the summit, it is a short drive to the beaches. Our guide to Dead Sea beaches, fees and facilities helps you pick one, and our guide to using Dead Sea mud explains the famous mud.

Planning your visit in 2027

If you are planning a Masada cable car 2027 trip, start with the season. Winter and early spring bring mild days and clear views, which is ideal for walking the summit. Summer is very hot, so go early and use the cable car.

Check the official parks site a few weeks before your trip for current hours and fees. What we describe here is current at the time of writing, in November 2026, and it can change. Holiday dates also move each year, so look up the Jewish holiday calendar for your travel dates.

Safety and travel advisories

Masada and the Dead Sea road have been regular stops for visitors for many years. Still, the regional situation can change. As of November 2026, we advise every traveler to check their own government's official advice, such as the U.S. State Department travel advisories, before booking and again before departure.

On our tours, guides follow local guidance and will adjust or reschedule if needed. Day tours have free cancellation up to 36 hours before the start time, which gives you flexibility if plans change.

Masada tours that include the cable car, compared

If you do not want to drive, a guided tour is the simplest way to see Masada. These are the options our guests book most. Remember that Masada entrance and the cable car are an extra of about 32 USD per person unless the tour page says included.

Masada and Dead Sea day tour: this is our most popular way to ride the Masada cable car. You go up to Herod's fortress with a guide, then float at the Dead Sea in the afternoon. Pickup is from Herzliya, Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.

Private Masada and Dead Sea tour: your own guide and car, with hotel pickup from Herzliya, Jerusalem or Netanya. You set the pace, which is great if you want to hike the Snake Path at your own speed or need extra time for accessibility.

Jerusalem, Masada and Dead Sea 2 day tour: this package includes Yad Vashem, the Masada cable car and a float, with one hotel night. Note that tours including hotels are non-refundable, so book when your dates are firm.

Dead Sea relaxation tour: if heat or mobility makes Masada too much, this full day at the Dead Sea is a calmer choice. For more ways to plan the day, read our comparison of Masada tours from Jerusalem, including sunrise hikes and multi-day options.

Tours that include Masada Cable Car

Live prices and dates, hotel pickup on most tours, and a local team in Eilat that answers on WhatsApp.

Masada Dead Sea TourFull day · From Herzliya, Jerusalem, Tel AvivFrom $115View tourPrivate Jerusalem and Dead Sea TourFull day · From Herzliya, Jerusalem, NetanyaFrom $986 per groupView tourPrivate Masada and Dead Sea TourFull day · From Herzliya, Jerusalem, NetanyaFrom $1,059 per groupView tourBethlehem, Jericho and Masada 2 Day Tour2 days · From Jerusalem, Tel AvivFrom $347View tourJerusalem, Masada and Bethlehem 3 Day Tour3 days · From Jerusalem, Tel AvivFrom $575View tourJerusalem and Dead Sea Spa 2 Day Tour2 days · From Jerusalem, Tel AvivFrom $296View tour

See all tours in this area →

Frequently asked questions about the Masada Cable Car

How long does the Masada cable car ride take?

The ride itself takes only a few minutes each way. Add time for waiting in line, which can be longer from mid-morning on busy days. Plan 2 to 3 hours in total for the ride, the summit and the visitor center.

How much does the Masada cable car cost?

The Masada cable car price is set by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and changes from time to time, so check the official parks site for current fees. On our tours, entrance and cable car are an extra of about 32 USD per person unless the tour says included. Discounts may apply for children, students and seniors.

What time does the first cable car go up?

The first car usually runs soon after the park opens in the morning, and the last car down leaves in the late afternoon. Hours vary by season and are often shorter on Fridays and holiday eves. Always confirm on the official Masada National Park page before your visit.

Can you take the cable car up and walk down the Snake Path?

Yes, and many visitors do. Buy a one way cable car ticket at the visitor center, ride up, then walk down the Snake Path. Make sure the trail is open that day, since it may close in extreme heat.

Can you visit Masada from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem in one day?

Yes. Masada is a common day trip from both cities, usually combined with a Dead Sea float. Our guided day tours pick you up from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem or Herzliya and handle the timing for the cable car.

Is the Masada cable car wheelchair accessible?

The cable car can carry wheelchairs, and some summit paths are accessible. Other areas have steps and rough ground. Contact the park ahead of your visit to confirm current access, and tell us when you book.

Is there a dress code at Masada?

There is no strict dress code. Wear light clothes, a hat and closed walking shoes, and bring sunscreen and plenty of water. Covering your shoulders helps protect you from the strong desert sun.

Is the Masada cable car worth it?

For most travelers, yes. It saves your energy for the summit, which is large and needs real walking to enjoy. Only fit hikers visiting early on a cool day should consider walking up instead.

Keep planning

More travel guides for this trip

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Plan your trip

Masada is one of the places our guides love most, and the cable car makes it possible for almost anyone to stand on top of Herod's fortress. If you want the easy version, our guided Masada and Dead Sea day tour covers the cable car, the summit and a float in one day. For more ideas in the region, browse our South of Israel travel hub or the full Booking-Tours travel guide.

Not sure which option fits your group? Message us on WhatsApp at 08-6338361 (international +972 8-633-8361) or email [email protected]. Tell us your dates, where you are staying and who is traveling, and a member of our Eilat team will help you plan the right Masada day.

Cover photo: Berthold Werner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons