Phu Quoc Cable Car: World's Longest — Tickets, Times & Views (2026)

Phu Quoc Cable Car: World's Longest — Tickets, Times & Views (2026)

The Phu Quoc cable car holds the Guinness World Record as the longest three-rope cable car on Earth at 7,899.9 meters, and riding it is one of those rare tourist attractions that actually lives up to the hype. I ride this cable car multiple times a year — bringing friends, family members, and sometimes just going for the sunset views. It never gets old.

The 15-minute ride takes you from An Thoi town on Phu Quoc's southern tip across open sea to Hon Thom (Pineapple Island), suspended up to 174 meters above turquoise water. On a clear day, you can see the entire An Thoi archipelago — dozens of islands scattered across the Gulf of Thailand.

This guide covers everything practical: current ticket prices, the best time for views and photography, what to actually do on Hon Thom once you arrive, combo deals that save real money, and mistakes to avoid.

The World Record Cable Car

Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park operates the cable car, which opened in February 2018. The system was designed and built by Doppelmayr, the same Austrian company behind cable cars at ski resorts across the Alps and the Emirates Air Line in London.

Key stats that actually matter:

• Total length: 7,899.9 meters (almost 8 kilometers over open sea)
• Maximum height: 174 meters above sea level
• Ride time: Approximately 15 minutes one way
• Cabin capacity: 30 passengers per cabin
• System: Three-rope (tricable) for maximum stability in wind
• Cabins in operation: 69 cabins running simultaneously

The three-rope system is what makes this cable car feel different from cheaper single-rope gondolas. Even in moderate wind, the cabins barely sway. I've ridden in conditions where boats to the islands were cancelled due to rough seas, and the cable car was still running smoothly.

Guinness recognition: The cable car received its Guinness World Record for the longest non-stop three-rope cable car in the world. There are longer single-rope gondolas elsewhere, but no tricable system matches this distance.

Ticket Prices 2026 — All Options

Pricing is straightforward, but the real value is in the combo tickets.

<PriceTable items={[ { name: "Adult round-trip (over 1.4m)", gate: "500,000 VND (~$20)", online: "420,000 VND (~$17)" }, { name: "Child round-trip (1m - 1.4m)", gate: "350,000 VND (~$14)", online: "300,000 VND (~$12)" }, { name: "Under 1 meter", gate: "Free", online: "Free" }, { name: "Cable Car + Aquatopia combo", gate: "900,000 VND (~$36)", online: "750,000 VND (~$30)" }, { name: "Cable Car + VinWonders combo", gate: "1,050,000 VND (~$42)", online: "880,000 VND (~$35)" }, { name: "3-in-1 (Cable Car + VinWonders + Safari)", gate: "1,650,000 VND (~$66)", online: "1,350,000 VND (~$54)" } ]} />

My take: The standalone cable car ticket at 420,000 VND online is decent value for the experience — a 15-minute scenic ride over the sea that you won't find anywhere else in Southeast Asia. But the combo with Aquatopia is where the math really works, because you get a full day of activities for roughly $30.

Best Time to Ride the Cable Car

Timing matters more here than at most attractions because the views change dramatically throughout the day.

Late afternoon (3:30-4:30 PM) — Best for photography. The sun drops toward the western horizon, bathing the islands in golden light. The water below turns from turquoise to deep blue with patches of brilliant green. This is when you get the Instagram shots. The ride back around 5-5:30 PM can be even more dramatic if the sunset cooperates.

Early morning (8:30-9:30 AM) — Best for crowd avoidance. The station opens at 8:30 AM and the first hour sees the fewest passengers. Morning light is clean and sharp, visibility tends to be best, and you can see the individual islands clearly. Not as dramatic as golden hour, but the clearest views.

Midday (11 AM-2 PM) — Avoid if possible. The sun is directly overhead, creating harsh shadows and hazy conditions. The cabins get warm (despite air conditioning), and this is peak time for tour groups. If you're combining with Aquatopia, ride the cable car in the morning and use midday for the water park.

Overcast days — Surprisingly good. Cloud cover creates even, soft lighting that's actually flattering for photography. As long as it's not actively raining or foggy, overcast skies give you excellent visibility and almost no crowds.

What the Ride Is Actually Like

Here's what to expect from boarding to arrival, based on riding this thing more times than I can count.

At An Thoi station: The boarding area is a large modern terminal with ticketing, a small food court, souvenir shops, and restrooms. Arrive 15-20 minutes before you want to ride to handle ticketing and queuing. On busy days, the queue can reach 20-30 minutes. Weekdays rarely exceed 10 minutes.

Boarding: Cabins slow but don't stop as you board, similar to ski gondolas. Staff help you on and the doors close automatically. Each cabin holds up to 30 people, though they rarely fill completely outside of holidays.

The first section (0-3 km): You ascend quickly over An Thoi town. Below you see rooftops, the harbor, fishing boats, and the road network. The first pylons are close together and this is the steepest climb.

Mid-section (3-6 km): This is where the magic happens. The cabin is now 100+ meters above open sea with nothing below but turquoise water. On clear days, you can see coral reefs through the water and fishing boats that look like toys. The An Thoi archipelago spreads out in every direction — Hon Dam, Hon Roi, Hon Vong, and dozens of smaller rocky islets.

Final approach (6-8 km): Hon Thom island grows larger ahead of you. The descent begins and you can see the Aquatopia water park, the beaches, and the dense tropical forest covering the island's hills. The landing is smooth and the doors open onto Hon Thom station.

The return ride: Many people find the return ride even more scenic, especially in late afternoon when the sun is lower. You get a completely different perspective facing back toward Phu Quoc's southern coast.

What to Do on Hon Thom Island

Hon Thom is more than just the cable car terminus. Here's what's actually worth your time once you arrive.

Aquatopia Water Park

The main attraction on Hon Thom. This is Southeast Asia's largest water park, with over 20 rides and slides built into the hillside terrain. Highlights include the massive lazy river that winds through the park, a multi-lane racing slide, and a wave pool overlooking the sea. Budget 3-5 hours if you have the combo ticket.

Hon Thom Beach

A free public beach accessible to all cable car ticket holders. The sand is fine and white, the water is calm and swimmable in dry season, and there are sun loungers available (some free, some for rent). It's not Phu Quoc's most dramatic beach, but the convenience factor is unbeatable — you step off the cable car and you're 200 meters from the sand.

Beachfront Restaurants

Several restaurants line the beach area, offering Vietnamese seafood, BBQ, and international dishes. Prices are higher than Phu Quoc mainland (expect 20-40% markup), but the setting — eating grilled fish overlooking the sea where you just flew over in a cable car — makes it worthwhile for a treat meal.

Walking Trails and Viewpoints

Short walking paths lead to elevated viewpoints on the hillside behind the station. The 15-minute trail to the main viewpoint gives you a panoramic shot of the cable car lines stretching back to Phu Quoc. Most tourists skip these paths, which means they're quiet and uncrowded.

Snorkeling

The waters around Hon Thom have decent coral coverage and marine life. You can rent basic snorkel gear near the beach for 50,000-100,000 VND. The best spots are along the rocky edges on either side of the main beach. Not world-class snorkeling, but a pleasant addition to a beach day.

Combo Deals & Money-Saving Tips

1. Always book online. Gate prices are 15-20% higher for every ticket type. Klook, Traveloka, and the official Sun World website all offer online pricing. Book at least one day in advance.

2. The Cable Car + Aquatopia combo is the sweet spot. At 750,000 VND online, you get the cable car ride plus a full day at the water park. Buying separately costs nearly 40% more.

3. Go on a weekday. Beyond shorter queues, some online platforms offer weekday-only discounts of an extra 5-10%.

4. Bring your own water and snacks. Water bottles are allowed through security. Save 50,000+ VND per person by not buying overpriced drinks at the stations.

5. Don't buy photos inside the cabin. They take automated photos during the ride and try to sell them at the station. Your phone photos through the cabin windows will be better.

6. Check hotel front desks. Many hotels in the An Thoi and south Phu Quoc area sell discounted cable car tickets. Some include free shuttle transfers to the station.

Photography Tips

The Phu Quoc cable car is one of the most photogenic experiences in Vietnam. Here's how to get the best shots.

Seat position matters. Sit on the right side of the cabin (facing the direction of travel to Hon Thom) for the best island views. The left side faces more open ocean with fewer islands as foreground interest.

Clean the windows before the ride starts. The cabin windows accumulate salt spray and fingerprints. A quick wipe with a cloth or tissue before departure dramatically improves photo quality. The staff don't mind.

Shoot through open ventilation panels. Each cabin has small ventilation openings near the top. If you can safely hold your phone or camera up to these gaps, you avoid window reflections entirely. A small mirrorless camera or phone works best for this.

Golden hour timing. For the most dramatic shots, ride out to Hon Thom around 3:30 PM and return at 5:00-5:30 PM. The return ride during golden hour with the sun setting behind Phu Quoc island is spectacular.

Video is better than you expect. The smooth movement of the cabin makes for excellent video footage. A 30-second clip looking down at the turquoise sea is more impressive to people than any still photo. Shoot in 4K if your phone supports it.

Drone restriction. Drones are prohibited in the cable car operating zone. Don't try it — they enforce this strictly.

Practical Information

Operating hours: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM daily (last departure from An Thoi at 5:00 PM, last return from Hon Thom at 5:30 PM). Hours may extend to 6:00 PM on weekends and holidays.

Getting to An Thoi station: The station is at the southern tip of Phu Quoc, about 25-30 minutes by car from Duong Dong town. Grab rides cost 150,000-200,000 VND one way. Many hotels offer shuttle services. If you're renting a motorbike, there's free parking at the station.

What to bring: Sunscreen, a hat, water bottles, a light towel if doing the water park, and a waterproof phone case. The cable car cabins are air-conditioned, but Hon Thom island is hot and exposed.

What not to bring: Large bags (lockers available at the station for 50,000 VND), drones, or glass bottles.

Accessibility: The cable car is wheelchair accessible at both stations. Cabins slow during boarding to allow wheelchair entry. The beach area on Hon Thom has paved paths, though some walking trails are not accessible.

Duration for the full experience: Plan 4-6 hours total. That includes travel to the station, the cable car rides (30 minutes round trip), time on Hon Thom island, and transit back. If adding Aquatopia, budget a full day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

The Phu Quoc cable car is one of the few attractions on the island that genuinely delivers a unique experience you can't get elsewhere. An 8-kilometer ride over open ocean in an air-conditioned cabin with views of scattered tropical islands — that's not something you'll find in Bali, Phuket, or anywhere else in Southeast Asia.

Worth it for: Everyone visiting Phu Quoc's south side. The cable car ride alone justifies the ticket. Adding Aquatopia makes it a full-day activity.

Best value: The combo ticket with Aquatopia, booked online, is the clear winner at around $30 per person.

Skip if: You have severe fear of heights (the cabins are 174 meters up with a glass floor section) or only have one day on Phu Quoc (spend it on the beaches instead).

Pair it with a morning visit to VinWonders or Vinpearl Safari, and you have one of the best full-day itineraries on the south island.

Related Guides

• VinWonders Phu Quoc Guide — Theme park on the south island, perfect combo day
• South Island Tour Guide — Full south Phu Quoc day trip including cable car
• Best Things to Do in Phu Quoc — Complete island activity guide
• Phu Quoc Family Itinerary — Week-long plan with kids