The London cable car, now called the London Cable Car, previously known as the Emirates Air Line, lets you glide over the Thames and East London in just a few minutes. It links North Greenwich, near the O2 Arena, to the Royal Docks, next to the ExCeL London conference center and Royal Victoria station. Operated by Transport for London (TfL), it doubles as public transportation and a panoramic attraction, offering an unusual view of the Canary Wharf skyline, the docks, and the curves of the Thames.
In this article, I explain how the London cable car works, how to get there, how much the crossing costs, the best times to ride it, and whether the experience is really worth including in a trip to London.
- The London cable car links North Greenwich (Jubilee Line) to Royal Victoria (DLR) and offers a panoramic view of the Thames, Canary Wharf and the Royal Docks.
- Operated by Transport for London, it accepts Oyster cards and contactless bank cards.
- Allow around 10 minutes for the crossing, with a cabin departing every 30 seconds and step-free access.
- Late afternoon and nighttime are often the best times to ride it and enjoy the views of the O2 Arena and the illuminated Canary Wharf skyscrapers.
- The cable car is easy to add to your itinerary if you plan to visit Greenwich, the O2 Arena or the Royal Docks.
- The London Cable Car over the Thames
- The London cable car on the North Greenwich side and the O2 Arena
- What you see from the cable car: between industrial docks and a modern skyline
- How to get to the London Cable Car and where to board
- London cable car fares and payment methods
- Cabin frequency, journey duration, and comfort on board
- Opening hours of the London cable car
- What to do around the London cable car?
- Traveler's memo for the London cable car over the Thames
The London Cable Car over the Thames
The London cable car, now called the London Cable Car, links North Greenwich to the Royal Docks as it glides over the Thames. This roughly ten-minute crossing offers unusual views of East London, including the O2 Arena, Canary Wharf, the docks, and the port facilities that shaped the city's history.
Inaugurated in 2012 for the London Olympic Games, it was long known as the Emirates Air Line because of its main sponsor. You will still find this old name in some travel guides, but the experience itself has changed little: the cable cars run between North Greenwich Underground station (Jubilee Line) and Royal Victoria (DLR), close to ExCeL London.
Unlike mountain cable cars, this one is not used to reach ski slopes but to discover London from a different angle. From the cabins, you can see both the Canary Wharf skyscrapers and the old docks, the dock basins, repurposed warehouses, and London City Airport. I found this crossing interesting precisely because it shows a less familiar side of the capital, far from the monuments of the historic center.
The cabins can hold up to 10 people. As the cable car is located in an area quite far from the usual tourist trail, it is usually fairly quiet. During my visits, I often traveled in half-empty cabins, or even alone, which makes the experience particularly pleasant.
The London cable car on the North Greenwich side and the O2 Arena
North Greenwich station is located at the foot of the O2 Arena, one of the largest leisure complexes in London. When you come out of the Underground (Jubilee Line), it only takes a few minutes on foot to reach the cable car boarding area as you walk along the famous white dome.
From the cabin, the O2 Arena is one of the most prominent landmarks. Its immense white roof supported by yellow masts contrasts with the towers of Canary Wharf rising on the horizon. It's one of the most photogenic views along the route.
The O2 hosts concerts, sporting events, restaurants, and several leisure activities. If you are already planning to visit Greenwich or attend a show in the area, the cable car is easy to add to your itinerary.
Part of London's public transport network
The cable car is operated by Transport for London (TfL), just like the Underground, buses, or the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). You can use your Oyster card or a contactless bank card to pay for the journey directly at the gates, without having to buy a separate ticket.
At night, the crossing takes on a different feel. The towers of Canary Wharf light up, the lights reflect off the Thames, and the O2 Arena becomes one of the highlights of the view.
What you see from the cable car: between industrial docks and a modern skyline
The London cable car offers a distinctive mix of industrial landscapes, redeveloped docks, a city airport, and business districts.
A glimpse of dockland and industrial London
With the exception of the O2 Arena and the Canary Wharf towers, most of the views are of London's docklands and industrial landscape. That is what sets it apart from the more classic views you get from the London Eye or the City skyscrapers: here, you see the old docks, the dock basins, repurposed warehouses, and the infrastructure that reflects the historic role of the Thames in London's economy.
From the cable car, you can clearly make out, in the distance on the right, the runway of London City Airport, set directly beside the docks, with planes taking off and landing over the water. Closer to the cable car, the large building edged with "pyramids of white tubes" on the roof is ExCeL London, a vast exhibition and convention center that hosts trade shows, conferences, and sometimes public events.
It shows a lesser-known side of London, with its cranes, docks still in use, warehouses converted into offices or housing, and its large rectangular dock basins that contrast with the curves of the Thames.
Best time to ride the cable car
To make the most of the view, I would recommend aiming for late afternoon or early evening, especially when the sky is clear. During the day, visibility is better and you'll see the details of the dockland infrastructure and London City Airport very clearly. In the evening, it's more about the city lights and their reflections on the water.
If you are staying several days in London, you could, for example, plan a visit to Greenwich or the Docklands during the day, then finish with a round trip on the cable car and dinner at The O2. It's a pleasant way to round off a day devoted to East London, without adding too much extra travel.
How to get to the London Cable Car and where to board
The London cable car is accessible by Underground, DLR, bus, or Thames Clippers boats, with stations located just a few minutes' walk away.
Main stations and connections
On the Royal Docks side, the most convenient station is Royal Victoria on the DLR (Docklands Light Railway). It's less than a five-minute walk from the DLR platform to the cable car terminal, along the dock basins.
On the North Greenwich side, access is via North Greenwich Underground station, on the Jubilee Line, at the boundary between zones 2 and 3. Again, it's only about a five-minute walk across the forecourt of The O2. The "Cable Car" signs are easy to see.
Bus, boat and bike: other ways to get to the cable car
If you do not want to take the Tube or the DLR, other options are available. You can reach the cable car by bus via route 188, which links central London to North Greenwich. You just need to get off at the North Greenwich stop, then follow the signs for The O2 and the cable car.
You can also arrive by boat by taking the Thames Clippers, the river buses on the Thames. Routes RB1, RB2 and RB6 serve North Greenwich Pier, located at the foot of the O2 Arena. It is a pleasant option if you enjoy traveling by boat and want to combine a boat trip and the cable car.
Finally, bikes are allowed on board the cabins, which means you can include the cable car in a cycling itinerary along the Thames or in the Docklands. This is useful if you are exploring London by bike and want to avoid a longer detour when crossing the river.
Where to board the cable car?
To help you choose the most convenient starting point, here's how the two starting points compare:
| Starting point | Best if... | What you will find nearby |
|---|---|---|
| North Greenwich | You are arriving from central London or want to visit the O2 Arena. | O2 Arena, restaurants, Up at The O2, Jubilee Line Tube. |
| Royal Victoria | You are exploring the Royal Docks or attending an event at ExCeL London. | ExCeL London, Royal Docks, DLR, waterfront walks. |
London cable car fares and payment methods
Although the cable car is operated by Transport for London (TfL), its fares are separate from Tube and DLR fares. Here are the main accepted payment methods as well as the fares you can expect to pay for crossing the Thames between North Greenwich and the Royal Docks.
How much does the London cable car cost?
Standard tickets are available as one-way or round-trip.
| Type of ticket | Fare |
|---|---|
| Adult (Oyster / contactless) | £7 one-way, £13.50 round-trip |
| Child | £3.50 one-way, £6.75 round-trip |
Note:
- The cable car does not count toward the daily fare caps for the London Underground.
- The same fares apply in both directions.
Payment methods accepted by the London Cable Car
You can pay for your trip with an Oyster card, a contactless bank card or a compatible smartphone (Apple Pay, Google Pay), directly at the station gates.
| Payment method | Accepted? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Oyster card | Yes | Discounted fare. |
| Contactless bank card | Yes | Works like on the Tube. |
| Apple Pay / Google Pay | Yes | Tap at the gates. |
| Ticket bought on site | Yes | More expensive than paying by contactless. |
Private cabins, champagne, and other experiences
The cable car also offers several premium options to turn the crossing into a sightseeing experience. Depending on the time of year, you can book a private cabin, a package with a glass of champagne, or even special-event experiences.
To see the offers currently available and their prices, check the official booking platform: see available experiences.
Cabin frequency, journey duration, and comfort on board
The London cable car operates with a cabin departing roughly every 30 seconds and journey times ranging from about 5 to 13 minutes depending on the time of day.
Cabin frequency and crossing duration
During the day, a cabin departs about every 30 seconds, which keeps wait times to a minimum. Even if there are several visitors in line ahead of you, the line usually moves quickly and boarding is straightforward.
The crossing typically takes around ten minutes one way. During the morning rush, between 7 am and 9 am, the journey is shortened to about 5 minutes to increase capacity. Conversely, after 7 pm, the crossing is generally extended to 12 or 13 minutes, which lets you enjoy the view for longer.
I actually liked this setup: during the day, the cable car mainly functions as an efficient mode of transportation, while in the evening it feels more like a scenic attraction. Some crossings are even accompanied by soft background music that adds to the atmosphere.
Accessibility, safety, and comfort on board
The London cable car is accessible for passengers with limited mobility, with wheelchair-accessible cabins. Staff can slow the cabin on arrival to make boarding and disembarking easier if needed, which makes the experience more comfortable for people who need a bit more time.
On board, you will find benches along the sides of the cabin. The windows offer an unobstructed view over the Thames, Canary Wharf, and the Royal Docks, although some reflections can sometimes make photos a little tricky depending on the light. As the cabins are fully enclosed, you are largely sheltered from the wind, even if you will sometimes notice a slight movement when passing the pylons.
If you are prone to vertigo, be aware that the height is still impressive (90 meters above the Thames, about 295 ft) but that the stability of the cabins and the short duration of the journey generally make the experience fairly manageable. Many visitors who are nervous about cable cars eventually discover that they spend more time enjoying the scenery than focusing on how high up they are.
The cable car is generally well suited to children. The journey is short, the cabins are enclosed, and there is plenty to look at during the crossing: planes taking off or landing at London City Airport, boats on the Thames, the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, and the striking dome of the O2 Arena.
Opening hours of the London cable car
The London cable car is open every day (except Christmas Day and rare technical closures), with extended evening hours on certain days.
It can also be temporarily suspended in the event of extreme weather conditions, particularly during strong winds or severe thunderstorms.
The operating hours are as follows:
- From Monday to Thursday, the cable car generally runs from 8 am to 9 pm.
- On Friday, hours shift to 9 am to 10 pm.
- On Saturday, it operates from 9 am to 11 pm.
- On Sunday, it is open from 9 am to 9 pm.
On UK public holidays, hours usually follow the Sunday schedule. To make the most of your visit, it can be useful to check the latest opening hours on the Transport for London website if you are planning a ride very early in the morning or late in the evening, especially in winter.
What to do around the London cable car?
The cable car ride itself only lasts about ten minutes. It is probably not worth traveling across London for on its own, but it fits very easily into a day of exploring East London.
You can, for example, spend half a day in Greenwich before heading to the cable car. It is one of my favorite neighborhoods in London: the atmosphere is much more relaxed than in the center, with its cobbled streets, historic pubs, covered market, and views over the Thames. You can visit the National Maritime Museum, tour the famous Cutty Sark, one of the last great merchant sailing ships in the world, or climb up to the Royal Observatory to stand on the Greenwich meridian. From the Observatory, you will also see part of the Docklands and the neighborhoods you will later fly over by cable car.
From Greenwich, you can then reach North Greenwich by boat or public transport before crossing the Thames by cable car at sunset. In my view, it is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore East London.
If you enjoy scenic experiences, I would especially recommend Up at The O2, an experience that lets you climb onto the roof of the O2 Arena. Accompanied by a guide and equipped with a harness, you follow a suspended walkway up to a viewpoint 52 meters (about 171 ft) above ground, with a 360° view over Canary Wharf, Greenwich, the Olympic Park, and a large stretch of London. The experience lasts about 90 minutes and is available during the day, at sunset, or at night.
Traveler's memo for the London cable car over the Thames
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions to help you easily plan your cable car ride over the Thames.
It's a short, off‑the‑beaten‑path experience in London, and it fits easily into a sightseeing itinerary if you're already planning to spend some time in East London. Feel free to check out all the articles on the London travel blog to plan your London trip, with plenty of advice.
