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Thames Cable Car (Emirates)
The Thames Cable Car, otherwise known as The Emirates Air Line, is a cable car service across the River Thames running from Western Gateway beside Royal Victoria Dock to the Greenwich Peninsula near to the O2 arena (formerly the Millennium Dome). It was designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Expedition Engineering and Buro Happol, and built by Doppelmayr with sponsorship from the Dubai-based airline, "Emirates".
The service, which is operated by Transport for London (TfL) opened on 28 June 2012. It extends for 1275yds (1.1km) between its termini and the crossing takes about 10 minutes. The maximum travel speed is 6m/s (13½ mph). The maximum height achieved is about 90m (300'). Cabins arrive at the stations approximately every 30 seconds. There are three major pylons supporting the running mechanisms and lifting the cables over the Thames, with further minor pylons immediately adjacent to each terminus.
As the gondolas climb to their maximum elevation there are excellent views in all directions, and the crossing is advertised as much for these views as being a means of crossing the river. In truth, it has proved to be more successful as an attraction than as a useful method of crossing the Thames - mainly due to the somewhat out-of-the-way siting of its northern terminus.
One-way ticket price (Sep 2014) is £4.40 redued by 25% to £3.30 if you have a TfL travel card.
[Update 2025] A standard one-way ticket is now £7, with a return costing £13 - see Link
for all their fares.
TfL website for the service Link
The service, which is operated by Transport for London (TfL) opened on 28 June 2012. It extends for 1275yds (1.1km) between its termini and the crossing takes about 10 minutes. The maximum travel speed is 6m/s (13½ mph). The maximum height achieved is about 90m (300'). Cabins arrive at the stations approximately every 30 seconds. There are three major pylons supporting the running mechanisms and lifting the cables over the Thames, with further minor pylons immediately adjacent to each terminus.
As the gondolas climb to their maximum elevation there are excellent views in all directions, and the crossing is advertised as much for these views as being a means of crossing the river. In truth, it has proved to be more successful as an attraction than as a useful method of crossing the Thames - mainly due to the somewhat out-of-the-way siting of its northern terminus.
One-way ticket price (Sep 2014) is £4.40 redued by 25% to £3.30 if you have a TfL travel card.
[Update 2025] A standard one-way ticket is now £7, with a return costing £13 - see Link
for all their fares.TfL website for the service Link
by Rob Farrow
Created: Wed, 3 Sep 2014, Updated: Tue, 9 Dec 2025
13 images use this description: (all images taken in 2014)
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