Imperial funicular, Funicular in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

The Imperial funicular is a ground-level cable railway running entirely in a tunnel from Divadelní náměstí to Helenin dvůr near the Imperial Hotel in Karlovy Vary. Its single track, 1,000 mm gauge, is 127 m long and climbs 54 m at a maximum gradient of 495‰, with a passing loop midway. Two cars, each holding 50 seated passengers, complete the ride in 58 seconds.

Lord Westbury's company built the line in 1905–1907; it opened on 18 May 1907 together with the Helenin dvůr restaurant at the upper station. Until 1912 it also carried materials for the construction of the Hotel Imperial. After the Second World War the city took it over, and a full reconstruction in 1955–1957 introduced year-round operation.

The funicular is nicknamed the Karlovy Vary metro because it runs entirely in a tunnel. Its lower station sits in the ground floor of a residential building on Divadelní náměstí, sold in 2003 with an easement for the railway. Since 1961 it has been part of the city transit system, with the same tickets as buses.

The ride is easily accessible and the cable cars can accommodate about 50 passengers per journey. Regular departures run throughout the day, and you can use a standard city transit pass for entry.

The line is single-track with a passing loop in the middle, and its cars have doors only on the left side when viewed from the lower station. Because it runs entirely in a tunnel, it is sometimes called the Karlovy Vary metro.