In the pursuit of spreading the joy of exhilarating and unforgettable adventures, roller coasters represent the pinnacle of heart-pounding experiences, taking thrill-seekers on a ride where they are on a quest to feel the fastest speeds and witness the tallest heights. If you are someone who longs for this gravity-challenging experience, then the idea of riding the tallest roller coasters in the world is definitely going to pique your interest!
Prepare yourself for an adrenaline-pumping journey as we guide you through the world’s tallest thrill rides, according to Statista. You will be dropped from jaw-dropping heights and whisked through twists and turns at top speeds.
Discover the world’s tallest roller coasters
Proudly holding the title of the tallest roller in the world, the Kingda Ka is not for the faint-hearted. This ride features an upside-down U-shaped track that ascends 45 stories in the sky, reaching a staggering height of 456 feet. It is the heart of the Six Flags Great Adventure theme park in New Jersey. Accelerating from 0 to 128 m/h in just three and a half seconds (approximately 205 km/h), Kingda Ka is also the fastest roller coaster in the United States.
Height restrictions: You need to be at least 4 feet 5 inches tall to enjoy the thrills of this mind-blowing roller coaster.
Ticket price of the theme park: Starting from USD 50 per person.
Timings: The park is open from 5 pm to 10 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and from 11 am to 7 pm on weekends. (Timings are subject to change according to the park’s discretion).
How to reach: Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, is the nearest international airport, approximately 91 km away.
The Six Flags franchise in Los Angeles is home to the world’s second-tallest roller coaster — Superman: Escape from Krypton. This superhero-themed ride goes from 0 to 100 m/h in just seven seconds (approximately 160 km/h). It climbs to a height of 415 feet before dropping, giving the ultimate adrenaline kick. What sets this ride apart is that it runs in both forward and backward directions, allowing you to face the sky or the ground while riding this roller coaster, adding an extra kick to your experience.
Height restrictions: You need to be at least 4 feet tall to enjoy the thrills of this mind-blowing roller coaster.
Ticket price of the theme park: Starting from USD 65 per person.
Timings: The park operates from 5 pm to 11 pm on Thursdays, 10:30 am to 12 am on Fridays, 10:30 am to 1 am on Saturdays, and from 10:30 am to 11 pm on Sundays. (These timings are subject to change to accommodate festivals and weather.)
How to reach: Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, is the nearest international airport, approximately 62 km away.
Ferrari, a brand synonymous with speed, has ventured into the world of theme parks, creating exhilarating rides that promise spine-tingling thrills. Among their creations is the world’s fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa, and the third-tallest roller coaster in the world, Red Force. Spain’s Ferrari Land is home to the latter, offering a hair-raising ride that takes you 367.5 feet high before dropping you down at breakneck speed. The Red Force accelerates to 180 km/h in just five seconds, offering a full-throttle F1 racing experience throughout.
Height restrictions: You must be between 4 feet 5 inches and 6 feet 3 inches to enjoy this speedy ride.
Ticket price of the theme park: Starting from EUR 19 (approximately USD 20) per person.
Timings: 10:30 am to 6 pm on weekdays and 10:30 am to 11:30 pm on weekends (Weekend timings are subject to change according to the park’s discretion).
How to reach: Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport in Barcelona is the nearest international airport, approximately 98 km away.
Carowinds has one heart-pounding roller coaster that is also the fourth tallest in the world! The Fury 325 is categorised as a giga coaster, a complete-circuit roller coaster that stands between 300 and 399 feet tall. It is also renowned as the tallest, fastest and longest giga coaster in North America. You will reach a peak height of 325 feet while speeding through the turns at the pace of 95 m/h (approximately 152 km/h), hence the name Fury 325!
Height restrictions: You need to be at least 4 feet and 5 inches tall to be eligible to ride.
Ticket price of the theme park: Starting from USD 39.99 per person.
Timings: The park is usually open from 11 am to 6 pm only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. (Timings are subject to change according to the park’s discretion.)
How to reach: Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the nearest international airport, approximately 24 km away.
As the longest steel-made roller coaster in the world and the fifth tallest, Japan’s Steel Dragon 2000 is just one of the few giga coasters in the world, making it an exclusive ride that must be on the list of every thrill-seeker. Running a top speed of 153 km/h, this three-minute and 12-second ride will take you on a fast-paced journey filled with twists and turns.
Height restrictions: Your height needs to be between 4 feet 5 inches and 6 feet to enjoy this speedy ride.
Ticket price of the theme park: Starting from JPY 1,600 (approximately USD 10) per person. The park charges JPY 2,000 (approximately USD 13.36) separately for the ride.
Timings: 9:30 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 9:30 am to 6 pm on weekends. (Weekend timings are subject to change according to the park’s discretion.)
How to reach: Chubu Centrair International Airport in Ise Bay, Aichi Prefecture, is the nearest international airport, approximately 50 km away.
Cedar Point, the second-oldest operating amusement park in the US, houses a record-breaking coaster, the Millenium Force. This roller coaster pioneered the giga coaster category and held the Guinness World Record for this distinction. Notably, it was the first roller coaster to scale a peak of 300 feet. Now, it stands as the sixth tallest roller coaster in the world, running at the adrenaline-pumping speed of 93 m/h (approximately 150 km/h). A ride on the Millennium Force lasts about two minutes.
Height restrictions: Your height needs to be between 4 feet and 6 feet 5 inches to enjoy this speedy ride.
Ticket price of the theme park: Starting from USD 49.99 per person.
Timings: During summers, the park is open seven days a week; from 10 am to 10 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 11 pm on weekends. In September and October, the park operates from 6 pm to 12 am on Thursdays, 11 am to 12 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 11 am to 8 pm on Sundays. The park remains closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and shuts down in November.
How to reach: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland, Ohio, is the nearest international airport, approximately 85 km away.
Standing as the tallest and the fastest roller coaster in Canada, the Leviathan is also the seventh-tallest in the world! This giga coaster in Canada’s Wonderland runs quite fast, reaching a top speed of 148 km/h, making it faster than some trains in Canada. Embodying the spirit of the mythical sea creature Leviathan, the giant roller coaster goes 306 feet high before dropping down to catch thrilling speeds that are sure to give the riders goosebumps.
Height restrictions: Your height needs to be between 4 feet 5 inches and 6 feet 6 inches to enjoy this speedy ride.
Ticket price of the theme park: Starting from USD 49.99 per person.
Timings: The park operates seven days a week from 10 am to 10 pm in summer. During winter, the park operates from 5 pm to 11 pm on Thursdays, 10:30 am to 12 am on Fridays, 10:30 am to 1 am on Saturdays and from 10:30 am to 11 pm on Sundays. (These timings are subject to change to accommodate festivals and weather).
How to reach: Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, is the nearest international airport, approximately 27 km away.
Though it ranks as the eighth tallest on this list, the Intimidator 305® might just intimidate you with its twists, turns, climbs and incredible speed. Inspired by legendary NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, this roller coaster promises the hair-raising experience of a typical NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) race. Riders can experience a heart-pounding drop from 305 feet while on the Intimidator 305®.
Height restrictions: Your height needs to be between 4 feet 5 inches and 6 feet 5 inches to enjoy this speedy ride.
Ticket price of the theme park: Starting from USD 39.99 per person.
Timings: The park is open all seven days in summer, typically from 11 am, but the closing time may vary each month. During winter, however, the park operates only on weekends, and the timing for this varies each month. (These timings are subject to change to accommodate festivals and weather.)
How to reach: Richmond International Airport, a joint civil-military airport in Sandston, Virginia, is the nearest international airport, approximately 50 km away.
The King’s Island in Ohio houses the Orion, an exhilarating roller coaster that offers an electrifying experience with multiple drops from a great height. This giga coaster journeys over eight hills at a thrilling speed of 91 m/h (approximately 146 km/h), with the highest drop from a peak height of 300 feet. This is the ninth-tallest roller coaster in the world!
Height restrictions: You need to be at least 4 feet 5 inches tall to be able to enjoy the thrills of this mind-blowing roller coaster.
Ticket price of the theme park: Starting from USD 44.99 per person.
Timings: During the summer, the park is open seven days a week from 10 am to 10 pm. In winter, it operates only on weekends, with hours from 6 pm to 12 am on Fridays, 11 am to 12 am on Saturdays, and 11 am to 11 pm on Sundays.(These timings are subject to change to accommodate festivals and the weather.)
How to reach: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Boone County, Kentucky, is the nearest international airport, approximately 60 km away.
Last but not least is Thunder Dolphin at Tokyo Dome City, ranking as the world’s tenth-tallest roller coaster. Setting itself apart from its counterparts, this roller coaster promises an unforgettable ride, reaching a top speed of 130 km/h as it zooms through other rides, even soaring through buildings.
Height restrictions: You need to be at least 4 feet 3 inches tall to be able to enjoy the thrills of this mind-blowing roller coaster.
Ticket price of the theme park: Starting from JPY 4,200 (approximately USD 28) per person.
Timings: 10 am to 9 pm, seven days a week (These timings are subject to change to accommodate festivals and the weather.)
How to reach: Haneda International Airport in Ota City, Tokyo, is the nearest international airport, approximately 21 km away.
Six Flags Qiddiya is a forthcoming theme park in Saudi Arabia, yet it has already garnered a reputation among daredevils. The park is set to house the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, known as Falcon’s Flight, capable of reaching speeds of up to 155 m/h (approximately 250 km/h). This remarkable roller coaster will feature the world’s tallest free-standing coaster structure, including vertical cliff dives of about 525 feet into a valley, making you feel like you are free-falling from the sky.
Image credit: https://qiddiya.com/en/discover/parks-a
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(All currency conversions were done at the time of writing.)
(Hero and feature image credit: Shutterstock)
Related: Head To These New Theme Parks Around The World For That Much-Needed Thrill
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– How fast does the tallest roller coaster go?
The tallest roller coaster, Kingda Ka at the Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, USA, can go as fast as 205 km/h.
– What is the main thrill of riding the tallest roller coaster?
The main thrill of riding the Kingda Ka, the world’s tallest roller coaster, is the 456 feet drop.
– Is it safe to ride the tallest roller coasters?
Yes, it is safe to ride the Kingda Ka at the Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, USA.
– Are there age or height restrictions for riding the tallest roller coasters?
Yes, there is a height restriction for riding the tallest roller coaster in the world. Riders need to be at least 4 feet 5 inches tall to ride Kingda Ka.
– How can I find out the height and speed of a specific roller coaster?
The website of every theme park shares the height and speed of their rides.
– Can I take my belongings with me on a roller coaster ride?
You cannot take your belongings on a roller coaster ride as you are very likely to drop them while on the ride.
– Are there any height or weight limits for riding the tallest roller coasters?
There are height restrictions for riding the tallest roller coaster in the world, but no weight limits have been disclosed.
– Do roller coasters operate during inclement weather, such as rain or strong winds?
The operation of roller coasters is determined by the theme park, and they typically stop operating in case of a weather warning.
Written By
Priyaja Bakshi
Priyaja took her love for reading to the next level by majoring in English and minoring in Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College For Women (DU). She is extremely curious about the world and wishes to visit all the countries once in her life. She identifies as a foodie and loves to spend her free time exploring different cuisine and curating new dishes. ..Read More
