Taking the IFS Cloud cable car with children: everything you need to know

London’s IFS Cloud cable car offers a unique and exciting way to see the city from above, making it a perfect adventure for families with children. Soaring over the River Thames, this aerial tramway provides breathtaking views of the capital’s skyline and landmarks, turning a simple journey into a memorable experience. Whether you’re a local looking for a new way to entertain the kids or a tourist seeking a family-friendly attraction, the IFS Cloud cable car promises fun and excitement for all ages. In this guide, we’ll cover everything parents need to know about riding the IFS Cloud cable car with children, from practical tips to what to expect during your journey.

The IFS Cloud cable car: the essentials

What is the IFS Cloud cable car?

The IFS Cloud cable car is a cable car system that crosses the River Thames in London. It provides a unique aerial transport link and scenic views of the city.

Named after its current sponsor, IFS Cloud, it was known as the Emirates Air Line until October 2022. You may still see references online to it being the Emirates cable car, but these are exactly the same thing.

The IFS Cloud cable car opened in 2012 and was part of London’s transport infrastructure for the Olympic Games. It offers panoramic views of London’s skyline, including landmarks like Canary Wharf, The O2, and the Thames Barrier. It is both a transport link and a tourist attraction, popular with visitors for its unique perspective of the city.

The IFS Cloud cable car is approximately 1 kilometre long (0.6 miles) and it rises to 90 metres (295 feet) above the river.

Where does the IFS Cloud cable car start and finish?

The IFS Cloud cable car is located in East London, spanning the River Thames. It connects Greenwich Peninsula (near The O2 arena) with Royal Docks (near ExCeL London). You can start and finish your trip on the cable car from either side of the river, taking either a single or round trip.

How much does it cost to ride the IFS Cloud cable car?

The cost of riding the IFS Cloud cable car varies.

As at September 2024:

For a single journey across the river (in either direction):

Adult: £6
Child (5-15 years old): £3
Child under 5: Free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult

For a return journey:

Adult: £12
Child (5-15 years old): £6
Child under 5: Free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult
Family ticket (maximum 2 adults and 3 children): £30

Concession fares are available for guests with a Freedom Pass or 60+ Oyster Photocard. Carers travel free with a paying adult or child. Tickets must be bought at the ticket office to receive the concession fare. In addition, if you are going to the ExCeL centre for an event, present your confirmation email or ticket at the ticket office to use the cable car for a single fare for just £3.

Prices are subject to change, so it’s advisable to check the official Transport for London (TfL) website for the most up-to-date information before your visit.

The Round Trip journey, where passengers can stay on if they choose to, is only valid with a ticket bought from the ticket office or a Round Trip, or VIP fast track ticket purchased online. Oyster and Contactless are valid for one way journeys only.

How do you buy tickets for the IFS Cloud cable car?

There are several ways to purchase tickets for the IFS Cloud cable car:

• At the terminals: Ticket offices are available at both the Greenwich Peninsula and Royal Docks terminals.
• Online: Tickets can be purchased in advance through the Transport for London (TfL) website.
• Oyster/contactless card: Oyster cards or contactless credit/debit cards can be used to tap in and out. Note that, as above, journeys made using these methods do not count towards daily/weekly fare caps.

It’s advisable to check the official TfL website for the most up-to-date information on ticket types and purchasing options before your visit.

How long does a journey on the IFS Cloud cable car take?

A standard one-way journey on the IFS Cloud cable car takes approximately 10 minutes. During busier times, the cable car operates at a slightly faster speed. This reduces the one-way journey time to around 5 minutes.

It’s worth noting that the exact duration can vary slightly depending on factors such as wind conditions and passenger load. However, these variations are usually minimal.

When is the IFS Cloud cable car open?

The IFS Cloud cable car operates year-round:

Monday – Thursday: 7am-9pm
Friday: 7am-11pm
Saturday: 8am-11pm
Sunday and bank holidays: 9am-9pm

The cable car typically runs continuously during these hours, but service may be suspended temporarily due to severe weather conditions or maintenance.

It’s always advisable to check the official Transport for London (TfL) website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date operating hours, especially if planning a visit during holidays or in case of extreme weather forecasts.

Getting to the IFS Cloud cable car?

What are the nearest tube stations to the IFS Cloud cable car?

On the North side of the river, the nearest station on the TfL network is Royal Victoria DLR station.

On the South side of the river the nearest station is North Greenwich which is serviced by the Jubilee Line.

Will I have to queue for the IFS Cloud cable car?

The IFS Cloud cable car runs continuously during operating hours. Most of the time, the wait is not extensive, often less than 15 minutes. However, during peak times or special events, it could extend to 30 minutes or more. Whether or not you will have to queue depends on a number of factors:

• Time of day: Peak times, typically weekends and late afternoons, may have longer queues. Early mornings and weekdays often have shorter wait times.
• Season: Summer months and school holidays tend to be busier, whereas Winter months usually see fewer visitors and shorter queues.
• Special events: Queues may be longer during events at nearby venues like The O2 or ExCeL London.
• Weather: Clear, sunny days often attract more visitors, potentially increasing wait times.

On the IFS Cloud cable car

What is the process for boarding the IFS Cloud cable car?

When you arrive you will either need to buy a ticket at the station before presenting it at the entry gates. If you already have a ticket or are paying by Oyster/contactless, bypass the queue for tickets and proceed directly to the entry gates.

Once through the barriers, join the queue for the next available gondola.

Wait behind the safety line and watch for the approaching gondola. Gondolas move slowly through the station to allow people to board, but they do not stop entirely. Once in the gondola, choose one of the benches to sit on. The doors will automatically close. The gondola will then proceed out of the terminus.

Important notes:

• The cable car continuously moves, so be prepared to board.
• Staff are present to assist passengers, especially families with young children.
• Pushchairs/strollers typically need to be folded before boarding.
• Wheelchair users will be assisted by staff and may require a specially slowed gondola.

The entire process from queuing to departure usually takes just a few minutes. Staff members are always on hand to provide guidance and ensure safety throughout the boarding process.

Will I have to share a cable car or will I get my own private cable car?

Although generally you and your party should expect to have your own private cable car, during busy times you may find that you need to share. Sharing cars helps with queue management so you should find that although you don’t get your own car, you do get to board faster than you otherwise would.

What is an IFS Cloud cable car like inside?

Each IFS Cloud cable car gondola can accommodate up to 10 passengers. There are bench seats on either side of the cabin, which typically fit 4-5 people each.

Large, panoramic windows surround the gondola, offering 360-degree views of London. Each gondola features a digital screen that may provide interesting facts about the journey and London landmarks.

The gondolas are designed to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, although wheelchairs may not be able to turn around within the cable car and so may need to reverse out if driving in.

The gondolas are designed to be stable, but some slight movement may be felt during the journey, which can add to the excitement for children. As the cable car leaves the terminus there will be a slight bump as the car moves off out of the station.

Overall, the interior provides a comfortable and safe environment for enjoying the aerial views of London.

What is there to see from the IFS Cloud cable car?

The IFS Cloud cable car offers panoramic views of London’s skyline, providing a unique aerial perspective of the city. Here’s what passengers can see during their journey:

To the East:

• Thames Barrier: London’s flood defense system
• London City Airport: Watch planes taking off and landing
• Royal Docks: Historic docklands area
• ExCeL London: Large exhibition center
• Silvertown: Former industrial area undergoing regeneration

To the West:

• Canary Wharf: Cluster of skyscrapers forming London’s financial district
• The O2: Iconic dome-shaped entertainment venue
• Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: Site of the 2012 London Olympics
• Greenwich Peninsula: Developing area with modern architecture

On your journey you will also see sweeping views of the river Thames and its boat traffic, the skyline in all directions and to the North side of the river you may see red DLR trains running below you.

A highlight for many, especially children, is the close-up view of aeroplanes. As the cable car is near the flight path for London City Airport, passengers often get an exciting view of planes coming in to land, seemingly at eye level with the gondolas.

What facilities are there for children on the IFS Cloud cable car?

The real star of the show is the cable car itself, rather than any particular facilities geared at children, although on the Greenwich side of the river there is the London cable car experience. The experience consists of a few exhibits related to the cable car, including a selfie wall, and a few other paid for experience elements (including a teddy workshop). There is also a cafe and toilets.

In terms of the cable car itself, the gondolas are designed to allow wheelchairs and pushchairs/strollers, which are no wider than 80cm. Pushchairs/strollers typically need to be folded before boarding.

What else is there to do near and around the IFS Cloud cable car?

There are numerous attractions and activities near both terminals of the IFS Cloud cable car, making it easy to plan a full day out with children.

Near the Greenwich Peninsula terminal (south side):

1. The O2: Entertainment complex with restaurants, cinema, and climbing experiences
2. NOW Gallery: Free contemporary art space
3. Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park: Nature reserve with wildlife and walking trails

Near the Royal Docks terminal (north side):

1. ExCeL London: Exhibition centre often hosting family-friendly events
2. Thames Barrier Park: Green space with unique landscaping and children’s play area
3. London City Airport: Watch planes taking off and landing

Within easy reach of both terminals are Greenwich, Canary Wharf, and Stratford (for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park). These areas are within a short public transport ride from the cable car terminals, offering a variety of options to entertain children of different ages and interests.

Can you eat on the IFS Cloud cable car?

Whilst you can bring a picnic and non-alcoholic drinks on the IFS Cloud cable car, in reality, other than snacks, the journey time doesn’t allow for much time to eat. If you want to picnic, it would be better to do so by the riverside either before or after your ride on the IFS Cloud cable car.

TOP TIPS for taking a trip on the IFS Cloud cable car

• There is much more to do on the South side of the river, so if you’re planning a round trip, we’d recommend starting and ending there. But, the North side is connected by DLR, which offers an excellent chance to ‘drive’ the train back to the city.

Is there a question you have about riding the IFS Cloud cable car with children that we haven’t answered here? Let us know in the comments and we’ll do our best to address it.