A guide device for an elevator car has a guide shoe that is displaceable by a linear guide that is arranged on the elevator car. Should the elevator car in an extreme situation travel beyond the uppermost floor, the guide shoe is arrested by a projecting console, and the elevator car travels past the console. The linear guide permits the guide shoe to execute a movement relative to the elevator car. Thus, the elevator car, or parts thereof, utilizes the hoistway headroom that is provided for the drive unit or other hoistway equipment. The counterweight can be provided with the displaceable guide shoe for utilizing the hoistway pit in a similar manner.