Wuppertal Day Trip: Ride the World’s First Suspension Monorail
How to Explore Wuppertal, Germany
Wuppertal is a city nestled in a river valley in western Germany. In fact, its name says it all: Wupper is the river that runs through the city, and Tal means valley in German.
More than a century ago, someone came up with a revolutionary idea: instead of building a tram on the ground, why not construct tracks above the river and let a suspended railway glide over the water, connecting the whole city? This bold vision became reality, and in 1901 the world’s first suspension monorail officially opened.
Fast forward to today, the Wuppertal Schwebebahn (suspension railway) is still a vital part of daily life for locals—and a must-try experience for visitors from around the world. Riding this historic railway is like stepping into living history, with over 100 years of stories carried along its tracks.
In this guide, I’ll take you through:
🚟 What it’s like to ride the suspension railway
🗺️ A suggested one-day itinerary
📍 Must-see attractions in the city
🏨 Where to stay in Wuppertal
Wuppertal: Best Day Trip Destination Near Cologne and Düsseldorf
Wuppertal is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia (often shortened to NRW), not far from Cologne and Düsseldorf. If you’re already planning to visit this area, I really recommend setting aside at least half a day to explore Wuppertal—and of course, to ride its famous suspension railway that has been running for over 100 years.
💡 Travel tip: It’s super easy to combine Cologne (Köln in German), Düsseldorf, and Wuppertal into one trip. That way you get the best mix of big-city highlights plus a very unique local experience!
🔗 Düsseldorf in a Day: Best Sights, Little Tokyo & Ramen Finds
🔗 Exploring Cologne: World Heritage Cathedral and Perfume City
| Departure City / Duration | 🚗 By Car | 🚆 By Public Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Düsseldorf | About 30 minutes | S8 train: about 30 minutes |
| Cologne (Köln) | About 50 minutes | Depending on train, about 30–40 minutes |
| Bonn | About 70 minutes | Depending on train, about 70–90 minutes |
| Essen | About 40 minutes | S9 train: about 48 minutes |
| Dortmund | About 50 minutes | RE4 train: about 47 minutes |
| Frankfurt am Main | About 2 hour 50 minutes | High-speed train (ICE): fastest option about 90 minutes |
If you’re taking public transport, you can simply check the Deutsche Bahn website for a schedule that fits you. I’ve already filled in the destination for you—just enter your starting point and you’ll get the options right away 🙂
A One-Day Itinerary in Wuppertal
Here’s the route we took—feel free to use it as inspiration for your own trip:
Breakfast + hotel check-out →
Wuppertal City Hall (Rathaus Elberfeld) & Neptune Fountain →
Ride the century-old suspension railway (Schwebebahn) →
Waldfrieden Sculpture Park (Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden) →
Back to Düsseldorf for authentic Japanese ramen
Since we had already spent the whole of yesterday exploring Düsseldorf (and our feet were sore from all that walking!), today’s plan in Wuppertal was a bit more relaxed and slow-paced.
🗺️ Wuppertal Attractions Map
I’ve put together a Wuppertal attractions map for you. Just tap the ★ star to save it directly to your own Google Maps—it makes planning your trip so much easier!
Recommended Sights in Wuppertal
Wuppertal City Hall (Rathaus Elberfeld) & Neptune Fountain
The Wuppertal City Hall was built by the Berlin architecture firm Reinhardt & Süßenguth, starting in 1895. It was officially opened on October 24, 1900, in a grand ceremony attended by Kaiser Wilhelm II and his wife, replacing the city’s old town hall.
Thanks to its eclectic style—a mix of Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance—you can spot details from different periods all in one building.
Right in front stands the Neptune Fountain, created by German sculptor Leo Müsch. It’s actually a replica of the fountain on the Cathedral Square in Trento, Italy.
To be honest, most people don’t come to Wuppertal just to see the City Hall or this fountain. The real reason visitors travel here is to ride the century-old suspension railway. But since we were already here, why not stop for a group photo in front of the City Hall? It’s actually a pretty nice backdrop!
More photos below 👇
Riding the Wuppertal Suspension Monorail (Schwebebahn)
When we arrived at Wuppertal Hauptbahnhof (the main train station), the first thing we did was buy a 24-hour ticket so we could hop on and off as much as we wanted. With tickets in hand, we simply picked a random direction and started our journey.
The scenery along the ride is beautiful. The tracks run parallel to the Wupper River, and since the railway hangs directly above the water, the whole journey feels special. You’re literally gliding over a river!
We stayed on board until the last stop, Vohwinkel, where we hopped off to stretch our legs. By chance, we spotted a children’s playground on Google Maps just nearby, which was perfect for letting the little one burn off some energy.
Tips for Buying Tickets for the Wuppertal Suspension Railway
According to the official website, if you already have a Deutschland Ticket, you don’t need to buy anything extra—it’s included. But since we didn’t have one, we had to get separate tickets.
Here’s a quick translation from the official info:
- Prices for the Wuppertal Suspension Railway depend on the route and distance.
- A single ride usually costs between €1.60 and €2.20.
- A return ticket starts at about €4.
- If you want to ride more freely, you can buy a 24-hour ticket, starting from €8.80.
- Holders of the Deutschland Ticket or eezy.nrw ticket can also use them for the suspension railway.
When we stood in front of the ticket machine, we studied it for quite a while but still weren’t sure which option to pick. In the end, we decided to go for the 24-hour ticket—definitely the easier choice. Plus, there’s a special two-person ticket, so together we paid only €13.20 for unlimited rides within 24 hours. Not bad at all!
History of the Wuppertal Suspension Railway
The Wuppertal Suspension Railway officially opened in 1901, which means it has been running for more than a century. Over the years it has carried countless generations of commuters and visitors, and it still feels just as unique today as it must have back then.
A Curious Story About the Schwebebahn
This picture was taken in the lobby of the Premier Inn Hotel—a playful artwork showing a circus elephant falling from the sky.
One of the most famous (and a bit unbelievable!) stories about the Wuppertal Suspension Railway happened back in 1950. A circus elephant, Tuffi, was invited to ride the Schwebebahn.
Journalists squeezed into the carriage to capture the moment, but poor Tuffi must have felt stressed and scared in such a small space. Suddenly, she panicked, broke through the side of the carriage and jumped out!
Luckily, the train was running over the river at that time, so Tuffi fell into the water and survived without any serious injuries. Everyone on board was so shocked that no one managed to take a photo. That’s why the postcards you see today are all photo montages. (If you’re curious, you can check out this old newspaper report, it shows the black-and-white photos and video clips from that time.)
More photos below 👇
Wuppertal Sculpture Park (Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden)
We spent the afternoon at the sculpture park and wandered for about two hours. It felt so relaxing to stroll through the woods, breathe in fresh air, and admire these giant outdoor sculptures at our own pace.
Works by sculptor Tony Cragg
The park showcases many pieces by the sculptor Tony Cragg. It’s beautifully curated, and the setting really lets each artwork shine.
Wuppertal Sculpture Park – Ticket Prices (2025)
| Ticket Prices | |
|---|---|
| Adults | 13 € |
| Reduced (students or visitors with disabilities) | 9 € |
📍Location of Wuppertal Sculpture Park
Address: Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden (Hirschstr. 12, 42285 Wuppertal)
How to Get to Wuppertal Sculpture Park
🚟 By Public Transport
You can take the suspension railway (Schwebebahn) and get off at Landgericht station. From there, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the museum.
For the latest directions and opening hours, you can also check the official museum website.
🚗 By Car
It was a road trip so we went there by car. The museum provides free parking, and we found a spot in P3, which is quite close to the entrance. Very convenient!
Where to Stay in Wuppertal – Accomodation review and suggestions
The hotels I’m sharing below contain affiliate links. If you book through the Booking.com links, it’s a nice way to support my writing. I’ll receive a small commission, but you won’t pay anything extra.
Family-Friendly Value Stay: Premier Inn Wuppertal City Centre
For this trip, we stayed at Premier Inn Wuppertal City Centre.
When traveling with kids, Premier Inn is honestly such a good deal. A double room can come with extra beds for up to two children at no additional cost, and kids also eat breakfast for free!
The room was spacious and clean. Nothing fancy, but perfectly comfortable for a simple bed & breakfast stay. Since we were driving, we also paid extra for parking. Staff were polite and helpful, which made the stay even nicer.
The location was convenient too—just about an 8-minute walk to Wuppertal Hauptbahnhof (the main train station). One little note though: Wuppertal as a city can feel a bit old and shabby in places. The walk from the hotel to the station felt safe since it was a straight road along a main street. However, we did pass by a shop selling adult products with huge posters in the window, which felt a little awkward with kids in tow.
I’ve also collected a few more hotel options for you to compare:
Comfort and Great Location: Spark by Hilton Wuppertal City Centre
If you prefer staying with a well-known international brand, you can check out Spark by Hilton. It’s right next to Wuppertal main train station (Wuppertal Hauptbahnhof), which makes the location super convenient. Rooms are modern and clean, and guests mentioned that the breakfast buffet has a wide selection.
Rooms with a View of the Suspension Railway:：Holiday Inn Express – Wuppertal – Hauptbahnhof by IHG
Another option near the Wuppertal main train station is Holiday Inn Express. When I looked through reviews, several travelers mentioned that from some rooms you can actually see the suspension railway passing by! On the booking page I noticed certain rooms are listed as having river views, which are most likely the ones with the railway in sight.
The downside is that rooms here are on the smaller side. And if you’re driving, take note: many reviews mentioned that parking spaces are limited.
Final Thoughts
For me, riding the Wuppertal Suspension Monorail (Schwebebahn) was absolutely worth it. It’s such a unique experience. We all felt excited just standing on the street, waiting for the train to glide right above our heads. And the ride itself was so much fun, especially with the beautiful views along the way.
As for the city itself, Wuppertal does feel a bit old and not the cleanest, and there aren’t that many sights to see. If you’re into art, the Wuppertal Sculpture Park (Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden) is definitely worth a visit. Otherwise, planning just half a day in Wuppertal is more than enough.
📌 Did you find this article helpful?
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Looking for more places near Wuppertal?
🚄 Cologne (Köln) – Famous for its UNESCO World Heritage, Cologne Cathedral , one of Germany’s most iconic landmarks. Perfect for a day trip.
🚄 Düsseldorf – A city of music and architecture, and home to “Little Tokyo,” where a large Japanese community lives. You’ll find some of the most authentic Japanese food in Germany here!
📌 Don’t miss my guide: First Time Traveling to Germany? 10 Essential Tips You Need! – full of practical advice to help you plan smoothly.
Wishing you a wonderful trip to Germany! 🇩🇪✨
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