This post will cover how to ride the IFS Cloud Cable Car, London's only cable car.
You’ll also learn about tickets, discounts, how to get there, where the London cable car will take you, and other significant details you might want to consider.
Things to Know About the London Cable Car
The Emirates Air Line (the IFS Cloud Cable Car) is the first urban cable car in the United Kingdom and flies above the River Thames.
The aerial views of the capital from the Emirates cable car are amazing, offering riders a fascinating glimpse of the London skyline along with the Thames Barrier, Canary Wharf, Cutty Sark, View from the Shard, St Paul's Cathedral, and even as distant as the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The London Cable Car is the only cable car offered in London that boasts “360 views of the city, 90 meters high.”
Where does the London Cable Car take you?
You can expect to travel between the Royal Docks in the docklands area of East London and the O2 Arena in Greenwich.
How long does it take to ride the IFS Cloud Cable Car?
IFS Cloud Cable Car spans over 1 km across the Thames and takes up to 10 minutes to ride.
How high does the London Cable Car get?
Fascinating you with a magnificent overview of the city’s skyline, London Cable Car gets up to 90 metres high.
Do you need to purchase tickets for the London cable car in advance?
You don’t necessarily have to purchase advance tickets. You can purchase tickets online or simply pay with an Oyster Card.
The queue times are relatively longer in summer, especially on summer afternoons. To skip the queues, you can buy a fast-track ticket for £10.50.
How many people are allowed in each cable car cabin?
A London Cable Car's maximum capacity holds 6 to 8 people. If there is less queue time, sometimes it might just be you in a cabin alone, and it's pretty great.
Is the London Cable Car used for transportation or leisure?
The London Cable Car is typically a leisure activity, but not as a rule of thumb. You can use London Cable Car for both transportation and a fun activity.
Commuting between Greenwich Penisula and Royal Victoria Dock takes comparatively less time.
What time does the London Cable Car stop running?
Here are the hours for the IFS Cloud Cable Car:
- Mon - Thur: 7:00 - 22:00 (10 pm)
- Friday: 7:00 - 23:00 (11 pm)
- Saturday: 8:00 - 23:00 (11 pm)
- Sunday & Bank Holidays: 9:00 - 22:00 (10 pm)
London Cable Car Tickets
To fly over the Thames in the London Cable Car, buy one of the three available tickets. Here are the current fares:
- One Way: £6/Adults | £3/Children
- Return Ticket: £12/Adults | £6/Children
- Family Return Tickets: £30/2 Adults + 3 Children
You can purchase the tickets online or pay via Oyster Card right before your trip.
IFS Cloud Cable Car Discounts
This section will cover some viable savings options while making merry at the London Cable Car. You could save up to 26% off admission or more, depending on your chosen option!
Oyster Card Discount
Oyster Card is a travel card used to pay fair while traveling across London on the tube and buses.
You can also pay via Oyster Card for the IFS Cloud Cable Car Tour at the terminal. Paying this way will save you up to 26% off the typical ticket prices.
Skip-the-line tickets are not available with this discount.
Combo Deals
A combo deal or a combination package allows you to reap the benefits of two services or products for the price of one, or at least a lesser price than the combination of two.
We have two combo deals here to offer you for your next London Cable Car & Uber Boat.
Uber Boat Single Trip & London Cable Car
In this combo deal, you will enjoy a round trip of IFS Cloud Cable Car & a one-way tour on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. You can take advantage of this offer between 10 am & 6 pm.
- £18.70/Adults | £9.35/Children
- Purchase this combo package.
Uber Boat Hop-on Hop-off + London Cable Car
Release your day-to-day stress with this Get Around the London combo deal.
This offer is available from 7 am to 11 pm and includes 1 whole day access to the Uber Boat & 1 return trip on IFS Cloud Cable Car (from Royal Docks to Greenwich Penisula).
- £31.20/Adults | £15.60/Children
- Purchase this combo package.
Discount Sites
Looking for an extra discount on your London Cable Car tickets?
Check on these two discount sites, Groupon and Discount London, specifically designed to give their readers extra discount coupons and passes.
You will often receive coupon codes for an extra 10 - 20% discount or more.
How to Get to the London Cable Car
Various routes are available to catch the London Cable Car from Royal Docks and Greenwich terminals. You can get there by bus, tube, train, or DLR. Here are some nearest stations available:
Nearest Underground Station:
- South Terminal - North Greenwich Station on Jubilee line
- North Terminal - Royal Victoria Station on the DLR
Nearest Train Station:
- South Terminal - Westcombo Park or Charlton
- North Terminal - House for ExCel
Nearest Bus Stop:
- South Terminal - North Greenwich Stop A
- North Terminal - Royal Victoria Stop E
Nearest Riverboat Pier:
- South Terminal - North Greenwich Pier
- North Terminal - Royal Wharf Pier
- Serviced often by Uber Boat from Thames Clippers
If you plan to drive, you'll find car parking options at North Greenwich Tube Station and the O2.
If you spend £35 at the Icon Outlet, parking at the O2 is free for 4 hours. Otherwise it's £6 for 2 hours and £12 for 4 hours.
Which is Better: IFS Cloud Cable Car or London Eye?
Comparing IFS Cloud Cable Car with London Eye will give different results as it depends more on an individual’s choice than the subject being discussed.
The London Cable Car will take you from Royal Docks to Greenwich Penisula or otherwise, and it will take 10 minutes or less to make this one-way tour with a cost of £6 per adult.
While on London Eye, you will have a 30-minute tour of London from every angle and height for £30.50 online & £40 at the booth.
Ultimately, determining which one is better is a matter of interest and purpose of the trip.
We suggest you travel to London Eye to witness London’s view from all ups and downs and ride the London Cable Car when you want a shorter, more affordable, and swoon-worthy 360-degree view of London city from 90 meters high.
Nearby Attractions
There are a lot of great tourist attraction options within a 10-15 minute walk of the Emirates Air Line Cable Car. Here are a few of the best sites and activities:
- City Hall
- The Jetty
- Icon Outlet
- Up at the O2
- NOW Gallery
- ExCeL London
- Greenwich Peninsula Golf Range
