The Dangleway

My latest trip was my second trip on the IFS Cloud Cable Car (previously the Emirates Air Line). I was just as excited as the first time. Plus, my friend and I had the cable car to ourselves, which felt wonderful. We could freely move around and take pictures. 

Did you know that it’s the UK’s first and only urban cable car system, and it will give you a unique way to cross the River Thames? It was initially created as a transport link connecting the Greenwich Peninsula in south-east London with the Royal Docks in east London. It is also the only mode that offers scenic and panoramic views of the capital. 

History and Background

The cable car opened to the public on 28 June 2012, just before the London Olympics, to connect east London with the rest of the capital. Since then, it's been a great tourist attraction.

Built by Doppelmayr, the project cost around £60 million, with £45 million for construction. It was initially budgeted at £25 million. However, like many projects in the capital, the costs rose due to additional expenses like legal advice and land acquisition. Funding included £36 million from Emirates for a 10-year sponsorship deal (2012–2022) and €9.7 million from the European Regional Development Fund.

Originally branded as the Emirates Air Line, it was rebranded as the IFS Cloud Cable Car in October 2022 after sponsorship by technology firm IFS. It’s also nicknamed “The Dangleway” due to its suspended design.

Route and Operation

 The 0.62-mile (1 km) gondola line spans the Thames from Greenwich Peninsula (near The O2 Arena) to Royal Victoria Dock (near ExCeL London). It reaches a height of up to 90 metres, making it the highest observation point over the Thames. Our car dangled for a short while, which was very nice. I wouldn't recommend it if you're scared of heights. 

At 90 metres above the Thames, passengers enjoy 360-degree views of landmarks, including The O2, Canary Wharf, the Thames Barrier, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Maritime Greenwich (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and, on clear days, distant sights like St Paul’s Cathedral and The Gherkin.

Journey Details

A one-way trip takes about 10 minutes but can take longer, depending on the time of day. It can be as quick as 5 minutes during early weekday hours (7–9 am).

Cabins arrive every 30 seconds, each carrying up to 10 passengers, with space for wheelchairs, pushchairs, and bicycles. The system can carry 2,500 passengers per hour in each direction, equivalent to about 50 busloads.

Operators: Managed by Transport for London (TfL), FirstGroup took over operations on 28 June 2024.

Fares and Tickets

Pricing:

Single fare: £7 for adults, £4 for children aged 5–15 (children under five travel free).

Return fare: £13 for adults, £7 for children.

Discounts: ExCeL visitors can get a £3.50 single fare with an event badge or ticket. The O2 offers 50% off one-way and return tickets for visitors.

Oyster/Contactless: Pay-as-you-go with an Oyster card or contactless payment saves up to 26% compared to cash fares.

Combo Deals: Packages with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers offer a round-trip cable car ride plus river travel (e.g., one-day Uber Boat access).

Booking: Tickets can be bought online, at terminals, or via Oyster/contactless. Fast-track tickets (£10.50) are available to skip queues during busy periods like summer afternoons.

Accessibility and Features

Accessibility: The cable car is fully accessible for wheelchairs (max 300 kg, 700 mm x 1300 mm) and mobility scooters, with step-free access and the ability to slow cabins for boarding. Due to space constraints, passengers may need to reverse to enter/exit.

Bicycles: Cyclists can bring bikes for free before 9:30 am on weekdays (excluding bank holidays). E-scooters, e-bikes, and e-unicycles are prohibited.

There's even a London Cable Car Experience. This free-to-enter hub offers interactive activities like a Selfie Factory, Teddy Workshop, Virtual Reality experiences, and a café at the Greenwich Peninsula terminal. It’s particularly family-friendly, with historical displays and children’s activities.

Opening Hours

Standard Hours:

Monday–Thursday: 7 am–9 pm

Friday: 7 am–11 pm

Saturday: 8 am–11 pm

Sunday and bank holidays: 9 am–10 pm

Peak/Off-Peak

Peak (school holidays, weekends, bank holidays): 10 am–7 pm

Off-peak (other times): 10 am–5 pm

Hours may extend for major events at nearby venues like The O2 or ExCeL.

Closures: The cable car may close for private events, maintenance (e.g., 17–27 March 2025), or adverse weather like high winds or lightning. TfL advises checking status updates.

Possible Reduced Service 

Understandably, recent reports suggest operating hours could be reduced due to low commuter usage. TfL cites a need to match services to demand and allow maintenance windows.

While it can carry 2,500 people per hour, the cable car has struggled to attract regular commuters, with only four daily commuters reported in 2013. However, tourist usage has surged, partly due to viral TikTok videos, with TfL noting a “record surge” in recent years.

Financial Performance: In a 2023 Freedom of Information request, TfL reported a £2.6 million operating surplus (before capital renewals), indicating it covers operating costs.

Fun Facts

Design: Created by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Expedition Engineering, and Buro Happold, the cable car’s sculpted towers, formed from steel ribbons in a tapering spiral, are a striking feature.

Cultural Moments: In 2022, the cable cars were decorated with Pokémon World Championship art, delighting fans.

Social Media: Since the IFS sponsorship, its photogenic views have made it “the most social media-friendly way to cross the Thames,” with purple branding.

Tips for Visitors

Best Time to Ride: Early mornings or after 7 pm for night views; avoid summer afternoons to skip queues.

Weather Check: Confirm the service is running, as it’s vulnerable to wind and lightning. Call TfL’s 24-hour line (0343 222 1234) or check online.

Parting Comments 

The journey was oh-so-smooth. It's affordable compared to some of London's other events. It won a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award in 2022 and 2023. For more details or to book tickets, visit TfL’s website or www.londoncablecar.co.uk.[](https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/london-cable-car/the-ifs-cloud-cable-car-experience)[](https://www.londoncablecar.co.uk/) (http://www.londoncablecar.co.uk.[](https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/london-cable-car/the-ifs-cloud-cable-car-experience)[](https://www.londoncablecar.co.uk/))

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