Elka Cableway

The Elka Cable Car (Kolej Linowa "Elka") in Chorzów is a gondola-and-chairlift line gliding over Silesian Park, one of Europe's largest urban parks, in the heart of the Katowice metropolitan area. It links Silesian Stadium, the Legendia amusement park and the Silesian Planetarium, and on the way you float over the animal enclosures of the Silesian Zoo and its dinosaur valley. It is both a scenic ride and a handy way to hop between the park's big attractions – kids love it.

Where it is

Chorzów borders Katowice, the capital of Poland's Silesia region; Katowice Airport is about 30 km (19 miles) away and Kraków roughly an hour by car. Trams 0, 6, 11, 19, 23 and 33 from Katowice, Chorzów and Bytom stop at "Park Śląski Wejście Główne" (main entrance).

A ride with history

The original Elka opened on September 7, 1967, with three sections forming a triangle more than 5.5 km (3.4 miles) long; it was billed as Europe's longest lowland cable car. Worn-out pylons forced its closure after 2006, and it was dismantled in 2012. The modern Elka reopened between Silesian Stadium and the amusement park on September 8, 2013, and a second section to the Planetarium followed on December 8, 2023.

Routes

• Silesian Stadium – Amusement Park: about 2.2 km (1.4 miles), a ride of a few minutes.
• Amusement Park – Planetarium: 1,840 m, about 15 minutes each way, over the zoo and the dinosaur valley.

On the second line, open four-seat chairs alternate with enclosed eight-person gondolas, so you can choose. The cable car is accessible for visitors with disabilities.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026 (prices in Polish złoty, PLN):

• One direction: 29 PLN (reduced 22 PLN); two directions: 37 PLN (27 PLN); four directions (the whole line there and back): 45 PLN (35 PLN).
• Family tickets (ticket office only): from 110 PLN for two adults and two children.
• Dogs: 10 PLN – on a leash, muzzled, with proof of rabies vaccination.
• October 2026 hours: Wednesday–Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday. Last rides leave 15 minutes before closing; ticket machines shut 20 minutes before.

Individual tickets can be bought online, at ticket offices or machines. The schedule changes monthly, so check the official site before you go.

Combined tickets and nearby sights

The Elka is one of seven attractions in Silesian Park covered by a joint ticket (270 PLN per person, sold only at the Elka and Fala ticket offices), which also includes Silesian Stadium, the Upper Silesian Ethnographic Park open-air museum, the Silesian Zoo, the Planetarium and Legendia. A cheaper Elka + Fala water park combo costs 70 PLN for adults. Even without combo tickets, the stations put you right next to the zoo, the dinosaur valley and the Planetarium – a good base for a full family day.

Is it worth it?

Yes, especially with children or if you plan to visit the zoo, Planetarium or Legendia anyway. Allow 1.5–2 hours for the full line and a short walk, or make it part of a full day in Silesian Park. Strong winds can pause service.