We picked a typically chilly, charcoal grey skied, winters day to head down to Greenwich to ride the London cable car, The Emirates Air Line. It has been one of those London “things that I want to do but haven’t got around to it yet” and it was time to tick it well and truly off the list.
The Emirates Air Line Cable Car is the UK’s first urban cable car and spans the River Thames from the North Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks, the journey takes around 5 minutes at peak times and 10 minutes at a more leisurely tourist friendly time (non rush hour).
The Emirates Aviation Experience
Before we boarded the cable car we spent a fair bit of time wandering around the Emirates Aviation Experience, which is quite a small space but has plenty to keep you distracted. There are interactive games, screens and artifacts as well as a Lego model aeroplane engine on display.
The nose of a model A380 dominates the centre of the experience and underneath is an interesting animation of Emirates baggage journey, complete with a moving floor. If you ever wondered where your prized piece of luggage went after the airport bag drop then this gives you and entertaining insight. Unfortunately it doesn’t show me what happened to my luggage on that fateful journey when it went missing! Now that would be special.
Those looking to get a deeper experience can opt for the A380/B777 fixed-base simulator
Flight Simulator
For all those budding pilots there’s a model cockpit where you can get your photo taken then shared on social media whilst you look out of the cockpit window. Those looking to get a deeper experience can opt for the A380/B777 fixed-base simulator (at extra cost of ~ £45 each). The session takes 30 minutes and you can select which airport, the time of day and the weather conditions.
It’s a good addition to the cable car ride but be warned it’s not worth visiting simply for the Aviation Experience itself.
Prices
You can get a combined Emirates Air Line and Aviation Experience ticket for £10.70 for adults and £6.20 for children.
If you just want a ticket for the Aviation Experience, adult tickets are £3.00, under 12’s £1.50 and under 6’s go in for free.
The Emirates Air Line Cable Car
After being distracted for a while we made it out of the Aviation Experience and on to the cable car.
The ten seater (and a possible two bicycles) cabin ascends the first steep section of the cable car route with views over the Royal Docks and behind to London’s financial district and the O2, passing cars returning in the opposite direction full with tourists pointing out London landmarks along the way.
The route is made up cable spanning 1100 metres which is supported by three giant helix towers that cause each car the vibrate as they pass under
The route is made up of cable spanning 1100 metres which is supported by three giant helix towers that cause each car the vibrate as they pass under. The journey to the Royal Docks was smooth and the view out towards the Thames Barrier was sparse but at the same time fascinating to watch planes taking off from London City Airport. I found myself turning around to admire the view of the city and O2 at varying heights of the journey.
Cable Car To The Royal Docks
Once back on the ground we went for a coffee at The Crystal where you could watch planes taking off over the cable car from London City Airport.
The Royal Docks is an area that I haven’t explored before but is well known for the Excel exhibition centre (home of the World Travel Market). It seems like a place that has plenty of potential, especially in the summer time but had a sense of being a little too empty and void of much to do.
North Greenwich gave a better view down the Thames with landmarks like the Gherkin, Canary Wharf, Olympic Stadium and the Shard all visible
The Crystal was hosting an exhibition about sustainable cities but for the £8 entrance fee we weren’t that interested and opted for a coffee in the cafe next door. The journey back to North Greenwich gave a much more impressive view down the Thames with landmarks like the Gherkin, Canary Wharf, Olympic Stadium and the Shard all visible.
London’s Cable Car
As we crossed the middle of the Thames the wind picked up and the cabin swayed from side to side. The cable car is often shut down because of high winds and you can see why, this part of London is renown for being blustery. If you’re a little nervous with heights then taking on the cable car on a windy day isn’t advisable.
White Elephant
London’s cable car has been branded a “£60m white elephant” by the Guardian as it seemed like a solution that worked for the Olympic games but not one that works for London commuters. Figures suggest as few as sixteen commuters actually use the cable car to get to work.
Unique View Of London
Despite this the Emirates Air Line gives you a unique view of this part of the River Thames and I’m sure if there was actually more to do on both sides of the river then it would be hugely popular. As it is, to Londoners it seems a little pointless, like a variation of the London Eye. Perfect for those looking to get a different view of London but not a great deal to do once you’ve finished your journey.
Like the Millennium Dome (now renamed O2) before it, London’s cable car will take time to find it’s place and purpose but as the years pass and the redevelopment of North Greenwich and the continued development of the Royal Docks, the Emirates Air Line may just become much more appealing to locals as well as the tourists.
