German state is funding two projects at the Heidelberg lifts with 1.1 million euros.

Heidelberg will receive nearly €1.1 million for two key construction projects at the Heidelberg Mountain Railways as part of the Baden-Württemberg state tourism infrastructure program (TIP) 2026. The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism announced the funding approvals at the end of February. In 2026, 38 projects across the state will receive a total of approximately €14.9 million in funding.

“We are delighted with the state's support. The Heidelberg mountain railways are a cornerstone of our tourism offerings, transporting around two million people every year – a large proportion of the more than one million visitors to the castle and many day-trippers who want to enjoy the fairytale paradise or the hiking trails on the Königstuhl mountain. The tourism infrastructure – from the mountain railway to cultural and sporting facilities, bus parking lots, and boat landings – is a key driver of economic activity, trade, gastronomy, and the hotel industry in our city. This leads to success, as demonstrated by the recent record numbers of overnight stays in Heidelberg. The state's funding helps us to further develop the tourism infrastructure sustainably and with a view to the future – a benefit for the entire city,” says Mayor Eckart Würzner.

The Heidelberg funicular railways rank amongst the most popular tourist attractions in the town. Every year around two million passengers use the traditional funicular railways, enjoying the spectacular views of Heidelberg and the Neckar valley as they travel, and from each of the stations. You can even see far across the Rhine lowlands as far as the Palatinate wine route from the vantage point of the Königstuhl.

The lower railway, one of Germany's most modern funicular railways, starts at Kornmarkt in the old town and runs via the Castle (Schloss) station as far as Molkenkur. From there you can continue with one of the oldest electric funicular railways to the Königstuhl, the town's highest point at more than 550 metres.

The city of Heidelberg will receive up to €147,000 for the modernization of the ticketing and access system for the Heidelberg mountain railways. The total cost of the project is €493,000. The upgrade will improve user-friendliness, increase operational reliability, and create a modern, digital access system for visitors from around the world.

The state is providing approximately €926,000 for the comprehensive renovation of the two bridges on the upper, historic section of the mountain railway. The total cost is nearly €3.25 million. This work will ensure the long-term stability and functionality of the historic infrastructure and contribute to the preservation of a significant technical monument.

The Heidelberg Mountain Railway has been running to Molkenkur since 1890 and was extended to Königstuhl in 1907. Heidelberger Straßen- und Bergbahn GmbH operates the Heidelberg Mountain Railway on behalf of the Heidelberg municipal utilities. The total route is approximately 1.5 kilometers long. The railway consists of a modern lower section and a historic upper section, whose over one-hundred-year-old carriages are still in operation today.

At the time of its inaugural journey to Molkenkur in 1890, the Heidelberg funicular railway employed a combination of cable and rack-and-pinion technology. In 1907, the line was extended to Königstuhl. With a total length of 1.5 km, the Heidelberg funicular railway is the longest of its kind in Germany.

The railway has been modernized many times over the years. Following the most recent modifications, which took place between 2002 and 2005, the lower section is in fact now considered one of Germany's most up-to-date funicular railways. The historic upper section to Königstuhl was also completely overhauled. The rolling stock on this section however still dates back over a hundred years to the railway's infancy, making the upper section one of Germany's oldest funicular railways. The state authority responsible for historical monuments in Baden-Württemberg has recognized the railway's particular cultural significance, honouring it in 2004 with an entry in the regional register of monuments.