Top 10 Traveling Roller Coasters

Most roller coasters are permanent installations at amusement parks. But others travel the fair circuit. These rides have been assembled and disassembled countless times during their lifetime. While the ones in the United States aren't too exciting, there are some genuinely great rides overseas. Find out which ones are the best in this countdown!
Video Credits
Bullet (CoasterDash)- • Going to Mexico and At...
Drifting Coaster (Coaster Toaster)- • Drifting Coaster (Ahre...
Eurostar (www.ukrides.info)- • Eurostar at Oktoberfes...
King (The Red Coaster Channel)- • Soquet Le King (Vancra...
Laser Off-Ride (Looping Lee Theme parks, Roller coasters and more)- • Laser Roller Coaster, ...
Olympia Looping (coastercrutchfield)- • Munchen (Olympia) Loop...
Quimera (Savage Coasters)- • Quimera - La Feria de ...
Spuk (Dylans Coaster Universe)- • Spuk Der Geistercoaste...
Super Railway (Brian Andrelczyk)- • Super Railway, Traveli...
Thriller (psyclonesteve)- • Thriller Roller Coaste...
Background Music
Sport Racing Workout by Infraction [No Copyright Music] / Rock And Roll Room- • Sport Racing Workout b...

[@HHPYEPIC42]

It really is amazing how a coaster as massive as Olympia looping can just be taken apart and put back up so quickly!

[@Fox_on_a_Rollercoaster]

Well, it is harder than any other coaster. It is incredibly expensive to move it. According to a german article, it takes 50 train cars with 20 large containers each. 10 people are building it up and it takes about a week. Wich is a lot for a traveling ride.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's remarkable.

[@Rickmarine1]

I've actually been on the Hi-Miler at my local California State Fair years ago when it was still traveling. I rode it when I was still elementary school age, so it was a long time ago. I do remember the ride being fairly smooth and not too rough. The hair pin turns where super fun, it felt like a wild mouse at times. And there was great airtime going down the drops. I was sad to hear it got scrapped, it was easily my most favorite traveling coaster.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@flashback0978]

Hi Miler was amazing

[@TheOfficialSmudgy]

I will cry if olympia looping does not get number one!

[@TheOfficialSmudgy]

Time to cry ig?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Number one seems acceptable over it. I will admit I am much higher on Wilde Maus XXL than most.

[@BoyRoy18]

i am crying and exploded

[@Arma070]

@@BoyRoy18 hi crying and exploded, I'm Arma

[@blazingaqua9127]

Just to let you know, Euro star isn't actually defunct. It was reconstructed in Anapa Park Jungle in Russia and has been operating since 2019

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks! I just updated the video.

[@michaeltaylor1603]

Have bitterSweet memories of Thriller & Hi Miler, as they both spent time in Houston, TX. AstroWorld was the only park to have 3 Schwarzkopf coasters that were relatively close in proximity to each other. ZI remember the Hi Miler incident that had nothing to do with the ride itself. Anton was the BEST! Some very great coasters on this list! They do them so much better in Europe.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Awesome!

[@jonathansima7591]

Wasn’t Euro-Star relocated? Also, for traveling coasters like Euro-Star and Olympia Looping, could you imagine how many trucks would be needed to transport them from one place to the next? As always, solid video, man!

[@quinnroberts8448]

Euro star needed atleast 47 trucks I think

[@frederikhein4195]

i think euro-star sits sbno somewhere in russia

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks! I just updated the video.

[@thrillshaveabeard]

This makes me that much more excited for IB to get Triple Loop open!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Hope it opens!

[@remembercitadel-videogamemusic]

Good list. I would also place Feuer + Eis somewhere at the bottom of this list, awesome powered Mack coaster

[@CanobieCoaster]

I still need to get on that one.

[@maxhagenauer24]

I'm not sure I have ridden a traveling coaster but from what you are saying, these all look really good. Olympia Looping especially, I know lots of fair rides are better than flat rides at amusement parks but I know the same doesn't apply for coasters. As long as there is a junky feeling one with airtime or positives or laterals then I'm in.

[@CanobieCoaster]

The ones in Europe are amazing.

[@ThemeParkLuke]

I think the coaster credits I'm luckiest to have are The Bullet, and the coaster in your number 1 spot, but when they were both at my home park of Flamingo Land! It's amazing how far they have travelled since they first operated!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@pilroberts6185]

I think it counts as a coaster... my absolute favorite was The Toboggan, it would come with the traveling fair which came to our Kroger Parking lot every summer as a kid. My first roller coaster, maybe I was in 4th grade. Rode with my mom, she was so scared she pinned her nails into my palm, great times!!.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Was it a coaster with a big spiral around a pole?

[@pilroberts6185]

@@CanobieCoaster yes, you go up through the 'pole' silo (90 degrees straight up) then do about 5 loops around and down the outside of the silo into 3 small bunny hills along an oval as it tracks back to the 'station'. All fitted on a trailer bed so it can be taken to the next local fair. Totally sketchy but totally fun.

[@Fox_on_a_Rollercoaster]

I experience the oktoberfest every year, so I have a lot of experience with a lot of them on the list. - Heidi ist just awesome. I was surprised, how smooth it was. Let's see how it holds up after a few years of operation. - Höllenblitz is just mad fun. Especially in the last car. You get whipped incredibly hard into the first drop since the train is so long. Glad it stayed here. - Drifting coaster. I didn't experience too much airtime, but mostly hip-bashing. It hurt. Still fun. - Alpina Bahn is probably the best one for many. Family friendly and super smooth. - With the Olympia Looping I kinda have to agree. The Inversions are amazing with over 5gs (only at the Oktoberfest and Winter Wonderland thanks to longer trains) and some turns deliver nice forces, but other than that it is really tame and slow. The second tire drive boost is awkward, too. I have a big problem with the restrains. I really hate headbanging. Especially since these restrains are really hard. They get tighter down and press on my shoulders really hard. - Wilde Mouse XXL. I mean, I grew up with trimless Wild Mouse coastes at almost every fair, so this one isn't that exciting to me tbh. I still like to ride them though. My personal hero (not fav) is prob Feuer + Eis. It is a traveling Mack powered coaster built in 1976. Blauer Enzian Layout. The trains look amazing and the operator slows down the train at times to hype up guests and going full steam ahead again. Don't know if you know about this one. Another mention has to go to a coaster called High Explosive, traveling in germany. It's a Flitzer model by Zierer (refurb by Gerstlauer) with no restrains in your minecart. Fun little thing. Nothing intense and only 14 meters high, but good old classic family fun.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm not a big fan of the flitzer coasters I've ridden. There was a traveling one that used to come to a fair near me annually.

[@Fox_on_a_Rollercoaster]

@@CanobieCoaster I only rode the high explosive one, wich is very well maintained by thr showman mr vorlop. Same thing with every ride. Vekhomas Boomerangs are really rough, but the ones who got love and care are still smooth.

[@rct800]

Yeah, putting Wilde Maus XXL on #2 is a pretty hot take. For me Olympia Looping easily tops the list. Yes, the turns don't do too much but having 5 Schwarzkopf Loops alone makes it amazing. Also the smoothness after all these years and movements blows my mind! Also, I'm not sure if Dreier Looping should count here. There were clearly a lot of things wrong with the rides operation in Mexiko, running that thing trimless and in a structually unsafe state was not good... even though the ride is insane because of it

[@DruonGrawal]

Pretty sure "Dreier Looping" still holds up. If you want a better 'guestimate' about how it might run while being properly maintained you may look at it's quasi-mirror image "Mindbender" at Edmonton's Galaxyland (though the changes made to the trains and restraints certainly affect the experience). The thing I am more sad about is that Canobie Coaster didn't get to experience "Thriller" to compare it to coasters like "Dreier Lopping" and "Olympia Looping". "Thriller" was a beast back on the German Fair Circuit. Sadly it never worked at it's potential after being relocated to the theme parks in the USA, partly because of trouble with the local weather/climate.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Those who rode it as Magnum Force at Flamingo Land said it ran nearly unbraked too. The issue wasn't exclusively lack of braking. It was the lack of upkeep.

[@ndelli23]

If you're still making rankings of manufacturers, I'd really really like to see your updated rankings of CCIs. They're probably my fav manufacturer.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I plan to make updated ones for them and GCI.

[@diskyboy1990]

Thriller looked to be Schwarzkopf's crown jewel, and honestly with the recent collaboration between Weiland Schwarzkopf and Premier Rides, I think it has a good chance of coming back, especially since Premier Rides modified the coaster for Six Flags back in the day. I'm thinking it probably wouldn't go back in the fair circuit though. I know Skyline Park wanted to buy the coaster from Mexico, but due to safety standards weren't allowed, so maybe they'll bring it back, or maybe Six Flags will. They could remove Kong from Discovery Kingdom and revive the coaster as Zonga. Whatever the case is, I'm hopeful the coaster will someday make a comeback

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wish I could have gotten on Thriller.

[@SnowghostFilms]

I’ve got a 7 looping design that they can use if they like. The 7 inversions are a Zonga Spiral, Double Vertical Loop, Norwegian Loop and Barrel Roll. Also, it’s launched and features a top hat and plenty of airtime

[@tomclemens5345]

i used to ride a super railway a lot as a kid, every year at our local fair, and that thing was wild! there were no lapbars, no restraints, nothing, you had to hold on for dear life. there was a hoppity thing low to the ground that sent u flying off the bench. it was amazing!

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope to get on it one day!

[@tomclemens5345]

@@CanobieCoaster it was scary but fun! unfortunately in 2000 a drunk Swedish tourist fell to his death on it. The coaster returned a couple more years after that, but people were weary of it I think, ever since we only had Wild Mice and a very shaky suspended coaster a couple of times but in 2021, because there was no Oktoberfest that year, we had Olympialooping AND Alpinabahn, so that was great!(Schueberfouer Fair, Luxembourg)

[@Arma070]

Dangit Canobie! the ONE time I did not know a coaster's manufacturer, you didn't mention it. (that or I missed it) Höllenblitz is made by Gerstlauer btw. In all seriousness, I love these ranking videos you've been putting out lately. Hope I'll get to experience them too soon.

[@Fox_on_a_Rollercoaster]

Gerstlauer refurbished the ride. Stein built it.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I always heard it was Stein.

[@seanmccaul9192]

I swear that my first looping coaster was at the CNE when I was 8. It was called Doppel Looping and it was the most intimidating ride at the midway. It didn't disappoint. Every year we went to the CNE it was there for most of my childhood.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@czechmatebro]

these coasters look nice

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's amazing how they get relocated.

[@mosheschmelczer5266]

Great video! what's a good way to find out about more European fairs? I know about rheinkirmes, Oktoberfest and Hyde park but are there any other major ones?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I use coaster-count to find local fairs when I'm traveling.

[@haunter_1845]

A few hours ago Indiana Beach released a cinematic video of All American Triple Loop in operation!

[@CanobieCoaster]

I saw! Glad it's cycling.

[@SkeledroMan]

Euro Star is not defunct. It is still operating at Anapa Park in Krasnodar, Russia. Very inaccessible, but still operating i think.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks! I updated the video.

[@Coyotek4]

Way back in the day, I experienced 'Lazer' at DP. Good times!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Cool!

[@jeffreysmith5671]

Some thoughts on the top 10: There needs to be one in the United States, there are a few Reverchon Crazy Mice around the states so it could work for a conversion. A Reverchon Drifting Coaster would also work in the states as well and would be pretty re-rideable. Some of these I would have to make the trip to the states mentioned that still have Schwarzkorf coasters that are based on portable models and the insane transportable coasters in Europe. I cant wait to see Dreier Looping reopen at Indiana Beach. You should also try the SDC Windstorm coaster that travels around the states, that ride has some incredible forces during the dive loop and feels like a mini Alpina Bahn!

[@Fox_on_a_Rollercoaster]

The drifting coaster is not really popular. Don't know if you really want one. It's rough.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wish the US got a big traveling coaster that could make the list.

[@RADZADproductions]

Not sure if they count, but Star Jet and Hurricane from E&F. They seem to have the structure of a portable coaster

[@CanobieCoaster]

They do have portable structures. But I only counted rides that showed up on fair circuits.

[@Cashmoneypodcast]

I wish some of these rides would come to the US.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Me too.

[@mikaoleander]

my home fair used to regularly have grottenblitz, olympia looping, and wilde maus xxl, but i unfortunately only ever rode the latter and now that i'm more into roller coasters, we only got a wildcat and a regular mack wild mouse

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's cool your home park got them!

[@mitchellries256]

I am going to Indiana Beach this summer so that triple looping roller coaster better be open by the time I arrive.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Fingers crossed.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

I've done only one of those haunted house kind of rides that had a live actor in it, and I had no idea it was coming, so it had me laughing uncontrollably. Not much experience for me with traveling coasters. I'm still so bummed that Texas Tornado was SBNO for me at Astroworld in 2002. I didn't even think of Silver Bullet as a traveling coaster, since it's been at Frontier City for so long, but if it counts, that would top my list.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Silver Bullet was previously at the State Fair of Texas.

[@TheTannerChanner]

God I would love the chance to ride any of these. The only thing I've been on is the dragon wagon. As far as portable

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a start at least.

[@BoyRoy18]

Does somebody knew that there was a coaster war between 2 showman in germany? This is a awesome story!!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Makes sense since they all compete!

[@micoasters]

Probly the best no longer exists, thriller/Texas tornado/zonga/tsunami. It looked insane, especially the 4th loop

[@CanobieCoaster]

That one looked sweet.

[@RL-sf3pb]

You have riden more of the top traveling coasters in Germany than me living here for 35 jears. 😅 but my overall count is also only around 170. Greetings from cologne 👋

[@CanobieCoaster]

Oh my!

[@arturobianco848]

haven't done youre top 2 and yes youre number 3 is also my favorite, for the others they are about the same place if i take into account the ones i haven't ridden.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Definitely try to get on the top 2.

[@sdc5914]

Better to catch #2 and #3 in the winter wonderland or German fair?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I have only been on them in Germany. I think Olympia Looping is better in Germany since it runs with a longer train on busier days.

[@Wolf_Tycoons]

The fact that there was an Intamin inverted coaster that could be relocated is insane!

[@CanobieCoaster]

That ride was a monster.

[@keithstransitexperiences9749]

Yesterday, Intamin filed a patent for a figure 8 loop on their swing launch coaster layout. I told you on your coaster review of Pitts Special at Powerland that is the closest to a figure 8 loop and I'm sure Intamin found a way to make the figure 8 loop work. I've heard if it is tall enough and the twists aren't too severe, it would work. Would it still require more restrictive restraints like vests due to presumably high laterals?

[@CanobieCoaster]

It depends how it's profiled and how much speed you have, but I'm intrigued.

[@samuelbrewster97]

I actually thought wacky worms would be 10. I didn’t know there were ANY good traveling coasters

[@CanobieCoaster]

The best ones are overseas.

[@ScottyMania313]

I wonder what changes will be made when Dreier Looping moves to Indiana Beach. The tragic event in Mexico still gives me the chills. I know that the new version will definitely run slower, maybe some break runs or different trains? Olympic Looping is a beautiful-looking ride btw. I always play the National Anthem in my head whenever I see it

[@CanobieCoaster]

More inspections for sure.

[@DruonGrawal]

Actually they don't need to change much, just restore the coaster to what it was before it went to Mexico. If operated under the conditions specified in the coaster's manual and while having regular maintenance and inspections, Schwarzkopf coasters actually are pretty durable rides.

[@chazgames3690]

I’m confused about the g-force statistics because apparently Dreier looping pulls 6.1g which should actually be the highest g force currently operating because tower of terror was remodified to pull less gs, yet you can’t see it on any list. Do traveling coasters not count for g force statistics on official lists

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think the G Force data comes from the middle rows. It is possibly higher on the end of the train.

[@jackfeldman3916]

Is there more than one portable shuttle loop that was built?? Where?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Bullet is the one I know remains. I think I lumped the Katapult model with those when I said it even though that does make a full circuit.

[@jackfeldman3916]

@@CanobieCoaster oh that makes sense :)

[@mateoalvira3514]

Did you get to ride King?

[@CanobieCoaster]

No

[@mateoalvira3514]

and what would you rate Olympia Looping?

[@CanobieCoaster]

6ish

[@mateoalvira3514]

Did you get to ride King? Did you like it?

[@CanobieCoaster]

No

[@flashback0978]

Eurostar wouldn't have made the list, it suffered from the same tracking issues as Flashback but with a far more intense aggressive layout

[@CanobieCoaster]

Ouch! The layout looked cool though.

[@cg_plays]

I prefer Olimpia looping to wilde mouse

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's fair.

[@cg_plays]

Steel dragon 2000

[@CanobieCoaster]

That would be a bear to relocate.

[@mikemett1038]

Spoiler Alert: Now that's a head chopper 🪓

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes!

[@oof3397]

Best travelling coaster I have rode was a spinning wild mouse, yeah nothing special.

[@CanobieCoaster]

In the US I'm guessing?

[@oof3397]

@@CanobieCoaster nah in the UK

[@micoasters]

I haven’t ridden any notable traveling coasters. The best are in Florida, wade shows rc48 and wildcat. Both are for sale. I would say the best would be thriller although is gone

[@CanobieCoaster]

RC-48 is trash.

[@billcook4768]

I have to ask myself just how much I trust a coaster that has recently been disassembled and reassembled by carneys. And the answer is… not that much. Give me a himalaya and then I’m off for the latest deep fried crap and 4H animal shows.

[@CanobieCoaster]

One argument is that it's inspected more.

[@BoyRoy18]

NOOO NOOO NOOO NOOO sorry this list is wrong!! Hollenblitz number 4, Alphina bahn 3, Wildemouse XXL 2 and Olympia Looping number 1 EuroStar is not scraped, it is opperating in rusia as we speak. We lost Test Tracke to the dessert. Olympia Looping has no haedbanging! are you crazy! There is also somthing like respect and onner for the 3 biggist coasters of the world. Hollenblitz, Alpina Bahn and Olympia Looping are the Biggest stil around despite all the removels and financial crisses. Spuk is not a coaster that disurfs a spot above Heidi. And Olympia looping a bad passing..... come on man!!! 1250 meter of track with 5 train, 3000 rides per hour.... AND TRAVELING!!! Its a beast. No the last turns aren't that crazy but man that ride deservs a lot more respect then you gave it. Our traveling coasters are lagends among the european fairs Fun facked: First Year that Olympia Looping came to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland It was running with 5 car trains and not all 5 of them. There where to many people that wanted to ride it, that the owner whent home to munich to get the rest of the trains (including a brant new one), all the cars to make all the trains 7 cars long, and had to barrow 4 more paybox's to manage the crowd. They had 7 paybox's.... now they had 11. And still they had a queu of 2 hours.... 3000 rides a hour of capasaty and still not enough. That is the best Coaster you will ever experians

[@BoyRoy18]

@Cabobie Coaster I am not mad at you. Im am just very very very very very very dissapointed

[@CanobieCoaster]

I don't have an issue with headbanging on Olympia Looping by sitting up straight and jamming the shoulder pads as low as they'll go. My biggest issues with the ride are pacing and elements around the inversions.

[@StamfordBridge]

From everything I’ve heard about King, the only list of yours it would have been in danger of making is your list of worst coasters ever.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yikes!

[@CoasterCrafter662]

King is only strong enough for the list of the most painful ride. This thing is pure garbage...

[@CanobieCoaster]

I've heard it's awful since making this.