It isn’t often you get the chance to wing your way over the city, unless you are circling for 45 minutes waiting for a free runway at Heathrow.
I had this on my list of things to do and places to go when I was researching my trip earlier this year. It's amazing how conveniently this particular experience worked out, just by chance the day before this trip I spotted a poster at a stop on the Tube for a Star Wars exhibition in the O2, and ta da! Two things to do on the same day and in the same location.
(The Star Wars Exhibition blog post is for another time) Patience!
And if you're wondering why it's called Emirates AirLine - see here - Emirates sponsors Thames cable car. In October 2011 it was announced that the Dubai-based airline Emirates would provide £36 million in a 10-year sponsorship deal which included branding of the cable car service with the airline's name.
Timeout says "If you find yourself way out east near the Excel Centre on the north side of the river or the O2 Arena on the south, take advantage of the opportunity to ride the UK’s first urban cable car. With the ability to carry up to 2,500 people per hour in each direction (the equivalent of 30 buses) over the 1.1km street of river, the Emirates Air Line offers passengers fantastic views of the City, Canary Wharf, the Thames Barrier and the Olympic Park.
'Night Flights' are available during summer, which offer a longer journey time, audio/visual entertainment and some rather impressive views of London after-dark.
Oyster and contactless cards can be used on a pay-as-you-go basis – and are cheaper than the single fare cash tickets – although are not included in the Oyster daily capping."
The cable car is based on monocable detachable gondola (MDG) technology, a system which uses a single cable for both propulsion and support, used also on the metrocable in Medellín, Colombia. The MDG system is reportedly cheaper and quicker to install than a more complex three-cable system which would allow larger-capacity cars.
Address: 27 Western Gateway, London, E16 4FA
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-8pm; Sat 8am-8pm; Sun 9am-8pm. Winter closing 9pm daily.
Transport: Tube: North Greenwich/Royal Victoria DLR
Price: Single cash fare: £4.50, £2.30 children. Oyster/contactless card: £3.50, £1.70 children. Under-fives free with a paying adult.
I can’t see this catching on as a key commuting route, even though it can carry up to 2,500 passengers every hour. It will, however, most probably make a great tourist attraction and a new way for Londoners to see the city.
As part of the Star Wars Exhibition in the O2, we got other discounted deals 20% off Pizza Express which was a great lunch and the Emirates Airline Discovery Experience. This experience is simply a return journey all in one go. And from start to finish the entire thing lasts about 30 minutes, this includes time for a) queuing to buy the ticket and b) queuing to get onto the cable car. The actual journey is 10 minutes return, I think, I was too excited with just the feeling of being on a Cable car to even recognize how long it actually was. There is not actually that much to talk about to be honest, but it is a fabulous way to see London. Much better experience than the London Eye. Have a peek at the pictures below as seeing is believing sometimes.
Here's a link to more information from their website on attractions in the vicinity of the Airline. - http://www.emiratesairline.co.uk/local-attractions/
A wonderful video experience from Transport for London's YouTube Channel.
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| Yes, these are trainlines! I got so excited when I saw these :) :) :) :) :) |
I just put this on my bucket list for London! Thanks! :)
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