We’ve read mixed reviews about the Emirates Air Line London, AKA London cable car, but to be honest, we enjoyed it. The views are good, the landscape is interesting and it’s away from the crowds of central London. Read on to find out all you need to know to plan your trip across the Thames on the London cable car.
We pretty much stumbled upon the Emirates Air Line London while we were on our way to start the walk along the Thames Path London. We discussed taking a trip over the river on it one day. So, we did…two days later, after planning to go to photograph the Lyle’s Golden Syrup® factory. I (Joel) have a sweet tooth and love the golden stuff! Anyway, I digress! Back to the Emirates Air Line London…
Stacey said I don’t like “things like that”. By “things like that”, she means anything exhilarating or nerve-wracking, like roller coasters and log flumes. And she wouldn’t be wrong. I don’t. But this isn’t that, thankfully! It’s a leisurely mosey over a river…at height, and I’m very used to heights, I’ll have you know. But the joke’s on Stacey – it turns out she didn’t like me shaking the cable at 90 metres above the Thames.
And who knew the Emirates Air Line London would be so interesting to photograph?
What Is the Emirates Air Line?
The Emirates Air Line is a cable car route over the River Thames in east London between the Greenwich Peninsula, on the south bank of the River Thames, and the Royal Docks on the north bank. It opened in June 2012 for £60 million and according to the internet it’s nicknamed ‘The Dangleway’. Spanning over 1000 metres across the River Thames, North Greenwich and Royal Docks, the Emirates Air Line London cable car is the highest observation point over the Thames, reaching an altitude of 90 metres (295 ft).
A one-way journey takes around 10 minutes with the cable cars coming around every 30 seconds to pick you up. And don’t worry, the cars slow down so you can board safely and easily and are accessible for disabled people, carers, wheelchair users and buggies. For more information on accessibility click here. If you’re making a return journey, simply stay in your car and head back to the terminal where you boarded.
How to get to the Emirates Air Line
If you’re heading to the Greenwich Peninsula to catch the London cable car, you have a few options which are all listed below.
Tube: Jubilee line to North Greenwich station
River: North Greenwich Pier
Bus: North Greenwich Bus Station
Car: Parking is available at North Greenwich Tube station and the O2.
Address: Emirates Cable Car Terminal, Edmund Halley Way, London, SE10 0FR
If you’re heading to the north bank to catch the Emirates Air Line from Emirates Royal Docks, use the DLR.
DLR: Royal Victoria station.
Address: Royal Docks, 27 Western Gateway, London, E16 1FA
If you have the time, we recommend you catch the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Royal Victoria station, take the Emirates Air Line one way and pick up the Thames Path National Trail westbound and head to Greenwich. You won’t have to pay for a return ticket that way and you can enjoy a walk along the Thames Path into Greenwich.
Emirates Air Line London Cable Car Route & Map
Below is the Emirates Air Line London Route between North Greenwich and Emirates Royal Docks on Google Maps.
Emirates Air Line London Opening Times & Timetable
The London cable car opening times are below. The cable cars arrive every 30 seconds and the journey takes around 10 minutes (12 to 13 minutes after 7 pm).
0700 – 2200 – Monday to Thursday
0700 – 2300 – Friday
0800 – 2300 – Saturday
0900 – 2200 – Sunday
FAQs
What Can You See From the London Cable Car?
At 90 metres above the River Thames, the view is pretty sweet. You’ll see the Royal Docks, the Thames Barrier, Lyle’s Golden Syrup factory (who knew it was there?!), The O2, Canary Wharf and up the Thames inland towards Greenwich. You’ll probably see a few building sites too but even they can be interesting!
What’s the London Cable Car Price?
You can get on and off the Emirates cable car in the same way you do any other public transport in London – just tap your bank card or Oyster card. You can also just turn up and buy tickets at the terminals via the ticket office if you don’t have a suitable card to tap in and out.
Alternatively, if you’d like to book your Emirates cable car tickets in advance, you can do so by clicking here. There are also a few other options to book online such as Emirates Air Line and Clipper combo tickets or VIP Fast Track Experience. But to be honest, it probably never gets busy enough that you need to worry about skipping the queue and paying for the privilege! Note it’s cheaper to pay any other way than at the ticket office.
London cable car prices are below:
Online and pay as you go:
Adult – £5 (one-way), £10 (return)
Child (5-15) – £2.50 (one-way), £5 (return)
Child (under 5 with fare-paying adult) – free
Cash at the ticket office:
Adult – £6 (one-way), £12 (return)
Child (5-15) – £3 (one-way), £6 (return)
Child (under 5 with fare-paying adult) – free
How Long Is the London Cable Car?
The cable car takes around 10 minutes one-way to get over the 1,100 metres (3,600 ft) line but after 7 pm the ride is extended to around 12 to 13 minutes each way for you to enjoy the views at a slower pace, especially during those darker evenings.
Do Railcards Work on the London Cable Car?
The short answer to this is no, Emirates Air Line London does not accept Railcards. We have Railcards associated with our Oyster cards and we can confirm the price we paid was the price stated above.
-Emirates Air Line London Cable Car-
