How much does the Gateway Arch tram cost?

Tram tickets to the top of Gateway Arch cost $15 per person. Of that, $3 counts as your park entry fee, so if you hold an Annual National Parks Pass, your ticket is $12.

Do you need a reservation for the Gateway Arch tram?

Reservations are not required, but they are strongly recommended for popular holidays and summer weekends. You can reserve in advance on the official Arch website, and walk-up tickets are available when there is open capacity. You can adjust your reservation time at the front desk when you check in.

How long does the Gateway Arch tram ride take?

Once you reach the top, you get about 10 minutes to look out the windows and view the city while the other side loads. Then staff direct you back into the capsules for the ride down.

Is the Gateway Arch tram claustrophobic?

Each capsule fits a maximum of 5 people seated knee to knee in a semicircle. The ride is low intensity and suitable for almost anyone, but the small capsule may feel overwhelming if you are claustrophobic.

Can kids ride the Gateway Arch tram?

Yes. The tram ride is low intensity and anyone can do it, including children. The main consideration is comfort inside the small capsule.

Is there security to get into the Gateway Arch?

Yes. You go through a standard metal detector to enter the Arch museum, so leave any weapons or knives behind. You can bring personal items with you into the capsule.

Gateway Arch Tram Ride: Tickets, Tips, and What to Expect

Jun 11
2 min read

Tram Ride Touring Gateway National Park

The tram to the top of Gateway Arch is one of the most iconic parts about visiting Gateway Arch National Park. The Tram was originally built inside the arch for the purpose of taking visitors to the top, and still serves that purpose to this day.

Tickets

Tram Tickets to the top of Gateway Arch can be reserved in advance at the Official Arch Website. Tickets cost $15/person, however $3 of that is considered your Entry Fee for the park, so if you have an Annual National Parks Pass, it's only $12.

If you're planning on going on a popular holiday or summer weekend, I'd highly suggest making a reservation in advance. Once there, you can alter your reservation time when you check in at the front desk if needed. Everyone must check into the front desk to verify and pickup your attraction tickets before continuing into the Arch.

Getting To The Tram

To get inside the arch museum, you need to go through security so be sure not to bring any weapons or knives. You'll go through a standard metal detctor.

Once inside the museum, you continue towards the back to your assigned 'side'. You can bring your personal items with you.

Pod Assignments

Staff will assign you North or South, and you will queue up on that side about 5 minutes in advance. They will then ask you your group size, and assign you a number based on your group size. Your number will correspond to a dot on the floor. Once everyone is standing on their dots, you now know who your capsule group is. The capsules each fit a miximum of 5 people, with knees touching, facing each other in a semic-circle.

Heading Up the Arch

Each side of the Arch has a set amount of capsules, about 7, that go up and down opposite of each other. When one group is headed up, the other side is headed down. Once youre at the top you get about 10-minutes while the other side is loading to view the Arch, which is more than enough time to look out the tiny windows.

Then, when time is up they will instruct you to get back into your pods to head back down. This is crazy but i ended up being in a pod with two dude who were on a roadtrip to New York, and when I went to exchange instagrams with one of them we had a mutual friend in common! Turns out, he went to high school in Maine with someone I was adult friends with when I lived in Breckenridge, Colorado. Small World.

What the Experience Is Actually Like

This is low intensity, and anyone can do it, even a child. The big obstacle to overcome is if your are claustrophobic, the capsule may be overwhelming to you.

What to Know Before You Go

Parking can be difficult, but there is a public train that drops you off right at the park
Reservations in advance are a must, but not required. You can walk up as well if there's availability