Honest review
Is the London Cable Car worth it?
Short answer: it depends entirely on where you already are and how much time you have. It's one of the best-value views in London — and one of the least convenient. Here's the honest case both ways, without the sales pitch.
The case for it
A view nobody else offers
Ninety metres above the open river, with Canary Wharf on one side and the Thames Barrier on the other. No other London attraction gives you this angle.
Genuinely cheap
From £6 for an adult single. Most London viewpoints cost several times that for a comparable ten minutes.
Quiet and uncrowded
Compared with central London attractions, you rarely queue long. Many groups get a cabin to themselves.
Great for photography
Big windows, slow movement and a wide open sky — much easier to shoot than a crowded observation deck.
A one-off
It's the only urban cable car in the United Kingdom, and the novelty is a real part of the appeal.
The case against it
It's not a central landmark
Both terminals are in East and Southeast London. You won't see Big Ben, Tower Bridge or the West End from up there.
Not a practical commute
It crosses the river in a spot most visitors have no reason to cross. Treat it as an attraction, not transport.
The ride is short
Around ten minutes. Lovely, but over quickly — a return trip is closer to half an hour all in.
Weather dependent
High winds and storms close the line, sometimes at short notice. Grey days also flatten the view considerably.
Little at the terminals themselves
Neither end is a destination on its own. It's much better paired with The O2 or Greenwich.
The verdict
Ride it if…
- • You enjoy photography and want a skyline shot most visitors never get.
- • You're already near Greenwich, The O2 or ExCeL.
- • You've got children and want a short, unusual activity that doesn't cost much.
- • You like the idea of seeing London's working river and docklands up close.
Skip it if…
- • You're on a short trip with only time for the big-name landmarks.
- • You're already doing the London Eye and want variety rather than a second view.
- • The forecast is windy or heavily overcast.
If you're pairing it with something nearby, see what's around the line first, then check prices and opening times before you set off.
Common questions
- Is the London Cable Car worth the money?
- For most people, yes. Adult singles start from £6, which is a fraction of what other London viewpoints charge, and you get around ten minutes at 90 metres above the Thames. As a value-for-money view, it's hard to beat.
- Is the London Cable Car worth it for tourists on a short trip?
- Not usually as a standalone trip. Both terminals sit in East and Southeast London, well away from Big Ben and Tower Bridge. If you only have a day or two for the headline landmarks, skip it — but if you're already visiting The O2 or Greenwich, it's an easy win.
- How long does the London Cable Car take?
- About ten minutes each way. A return trip, including boarding, realistically takes half an hour.