London gets a new attraction: cable car across the Thames

Emirates Air Line (also known as Thames cable car) is a new visitor attraction in London.

Published 30 July 2012 in Travel Articles

London's famous river, the Thames, is already known for having iconic landmarks such us Tower Bridge and the London Ferris wheel by its banks.

It now has a new feature. Last month saw the introduction of a new form of transport that doubles as a tourist attraction - the Emirates Air Line.

Though it travels through the air, this has nothing to do with planes. It is a cable car service.

Also known as Thames cable car, it links Greenwich Peninsula, close to the O2 centre, to the Royal Docks, home to the Excel Centre and takes just five minutes to make the journey.

The £60 million construction is 1km (0.62 miles) long and though it is sponsored by Dubai-based Emirates airline, it is operated by Transport for London.

At its highest point it reaches 90 metres (300 ft) and for tourists the views over London are sensational.

On a practical level, it provides a crossing every 15 seconds carrying up to 2,500 passengers per hour in each direction - that's equivalent to 50 busses.

The fare for a single trip is £4.30 and £2.20 for a child.

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