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Mount Stanserhorn, Switzerland - The CabriO aerial tramway operating on the Stanserhorn is the world's first open-top double-decker cable car. It features an indoor cabin and a rooftop observation deck.

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Sapa, Vietnam - The Sun World Fansipan Legend is the longest three-rope system cable car in the world. It used to take up to three days to hike the summit of Fansipan Mountain, the highest peak in the Indochinese Peninsula, but now it takes just 15 minutes.

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Lantau Island, Hong Kong - The Ngong Ping 360 cableway affords outstanding views of verdant Lantau Island, emerald-hued Tung Chung Bay, and the shimmering South China Sea. Opt for a glass-bottom crystal cabin for an even better perspective.

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Grenoble, France - Many a city postcard features the characteristic bubbles—the cableway cabins that crisscross the Isère River and a collection of historic Grenoble landmarks. In fact, the Grenoble-Bastille Téléphérique is one of the world's oldest urban cable cars.

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Royal Gorge, USA - One of Colorado's great natural wonders, the 670-m-wide (2,200-ft) Royal Gorge is a canyon of the Arkansas River. The most rewarding way to admire its beauty is from one of the aerial gondolas that glide effortlessly from one side of the gorge to the other.

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Tianmen Mountain, China - The 30-minute ride to the top of the mountain covers a distance of 7,455 m (24,458 ft), and affords visitors some truly jaw-dropping views.

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New York City, USA -

What would many a New Yorker do without the Roosevelt Island Tramway? Opened in 1976, it spans the East River and connects Roosevelt Island to the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Cheap and easy to use, it's a sightseeing option as much as a convenient way to get to work.

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Whistler, Canada - Whistler Blackcomb Resort's PEAK 2 PEAK gondola currently holds two outstanding accolades—that of the world's longest unsupported cable car span (3,024 m or 9, 921 ft), and the world's highest lift of its kind (436 m or 1,430 ft). The winning valley views are a wonderful bonus.

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Queenstown, New Zealand - The Skyline's cable cars angle their way up to the summit of Bob's Peak in suitable dramatic fashion: this is the steepest cable car incline in the Southern Hemisphere. Needless to say, the views are simply breathtaking.

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Bà Nà Hills, Vietnam - The Bà Nà Hills resort is reached via one of the most exhilarating tramway rides in the world. And at 5,801 m (19,032 ft) in length, this is also the world's longest non-stop single track cable car.

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Madeira, Portugal - The Teleférico do Funchal hovers slowly over the archipelago's capital city (yes, Funchal), then climbs steeply into a dramatic mountain landscape to connect with the pretty town of Monte. Visitors can also access the famous Madeira Botanical Gardens using the aerial tramway.

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Gulmarg, India - The world's second-highest cableway serves this popular skiing destination in India. Gulmarg itself sits at an altitude of 2,699 m (8,850 ft). The more ambitious can continue on to Apharwat, at 3,979 m (13,000 ft).

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Cairns, Australia -

The super scenic Skyrail Rainforest Cableway runs above Barron Gorge National Park—the world's oldest continually surviving rain forest on earth! Make sure to grab a seat in the Diamond View glass floor gondola (pictured) for a journey of a lifetime.

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Genting Highlands, Malaysia - The flight over a lush tropical rain forest is one reason to hop aboard the Genting Skyway. Another is to reach the high-altitude Resorts World Genting entertainment complex.

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Niagara Falls, Canada - Spanish engineer Leonardo Torres y Quevedo designed the Whirlpool Aero Car cable system, the original of which began service in 1916. The car takes visitors across the Niagara River and over the turbulent Niagara Whirlpool.

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Porto, Portugal - Portugal's "second city" can be admired from a bird's-eye view by traveling the Teleférico de Gaia. Furthermore, the aerial tramway is set above the wine lodges Porto is famous for—a great excuse to take an after flight drink!

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Rosh Hanikra, Israel -

It's a bit of a squeeze, but taking the narrow Rosh Hanikra cable trail is the only way to meet the Mediterranean Sea on this stretch of the coast. The car descends 65 m (213 ft) at a 60% gradient—the world's steepest!

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - A must-see, must-do for any visitor to this vibrant South American city. The bondinhos to and fro their way to the top of landmark Sugarloaf Mountain while Rio unveils itself in spectacular fashion below.

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Cape Town, South Africa - This cable car rotates 360 degrees as it slowly rises up the side of Table Mountain. As the summit looms into view, distant Cape Town takes on a delightful appearance.

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La Paz and El Alto, Bolivia - Join the local commute for a lofty ride over La Paz and upwards towards the clifftop city of El Alto. The Mi Teleférico is currently the longest aerial cable car system in the world.

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Mount Aso, Japan -

Fancy a ride across an active volcano? The Mt. Aso Ropeway takes visitors frighteningly near the fuming crater, though travel always depends on what mood the mountain is in.

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Palm Springs, USA -

A 10-minute journey on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway—the world’s largest rotating tram car—affords picturesque and spectacular views of California's Chino Canyon, and offers a gateway into the wilderness that is Mount San Jacinto State Park.

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London, England -

The Emirates Air Line crosses the River Thames near the iconic O2 arena near Greenwich. The 10-minute flight offers scenic views high above the UK capital.

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Vancouver, Canada - The beautiful ride up to the summit of Squamish with the Sea to Sky gondola takes in the sparkling blue expanse of Howe Sound and a majestic coastal forest.

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Dubrovnik, Croatia - An astonishing vista over the medieval walled city of Dubrovnik and the Adriatic Sea is provided by the cable car that takes visitors high above this jewel of a destination. The upper station has two panoramic terraces.

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Barcelona, Spain - Sightseeing Barcelona from the Montjuïc Cable Car allows visitors to put this historic city in perspective. Every major landmark is visible from the cabin, and there's no traffic to worry about!

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Medellín, Colombia -

The Medellín metrocable is a gondola lift system that's as convenient for visitors as it is for residents. This is one of the best ways for sightseers to get the lay of the land of this South American city before exploring by foot.

See also: 30 reasons why traveling is good for you

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