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The inner city of London is characterized by numerous small and large sights. Those who are travelling in the east of the British capital should definitely treat themselves to a ride on the Emirates Air Line. After all, it is considered one of the most spectacular cable cars in the world.
Link between the O2 Arena and the ExCel exhibition centre
The cable car, which is still considered a real insider tip among the many attractions in the British capital, connects the two districts of Greenwich and Docklands and crosses the Thames at a height of about 50 meters between the two stops Greenwich Peninsula in the southwest and Royal Docks in the northeast of the city. The Emirates Air Line connects the O2 Arena, one of the largest multifunctional arenas in the world, with the ExCel Congress Centre, the largest exhibition centre in Europe.
The modern aerial tramway was officially opened on 28 June 2012, just a few weeks before the London Summer Olympics, as the first urban cable car in the UK to provide the first direct link across the Thames for the Olympics and Paralympics. Numerous sports were held at both complexes at the time. The Greenwich Peninsula cable car station can be reached by the London Underground via North Greenwich station.
34 gondolas over a length of 1,100 meters
The 77.3-meter-high Emirates Air Line, also known as the "London Cable Car", covers a total distance of 1,103 meters. The distance between the two stations is about 1,000 meters. On the cable car, which is supported by a total of three large supports, there are a total of 34 gondolas, each of which can accommodate ten people. In addition, each gondola, which are also suitable for wheelchairs, can also carry two bicycles.
The gondolas drive in a distance of 30 seconds. During the trip with the cable car, one can enjoy a breathtaking view to the whole city of London and its numerous sightseeings from the gondolas. Of course, the appropriate photos should not be missing. In one hour, the ultra-modern cable car can transport around 2,500 people at a speed of six metres per second.
60 million pounds construction costs
The average journey time for one route is between five and 13 minutes. During rush hour from 10am to 3pm, the tram travels at its fastest. Outside this time, the speed is reduced. From Mondays to Fridays, the cable car operates from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer months. In the winter months, the cable car closes at 8 pm. On Saturdays the cable car starts at 8 am, on Sundays at 9 am.
At a wind speed of about 18 meters per second, the cable car stops operating. The high construction costs for the cable car amounting to more than 60 million pounds were borne by the sponsor Emirates, which also secured the naming rights to the cable car. The ticket for a single ride costs 4.50 pounds for adults. Children between the ages of 5 and 15 pay £2.30 for a ride. Children under the age of five are allowed to travel for free on the Emirates Air Line. Moreover, one can also buy so-called 360° tickets with a return trip in order to actually enjoy the complete cable car experience.
