Best for
Sightseers wanting river views without paying for a dedicated tourist cruise, and anyone travelling to Greenwich
Time needed
20–75 minutes depending on route
Worth it?
Yes — combines transport and sightseeing at a fraction of dedicated cruise prices
Skip if
You've already got a Thames view planned via the London Eye, Tower Bridge or a dedicated dinner cruise
About Thames River Cruise (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers)
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers operates a fleet of high-speed catamarans along the River Thames, running as genuine public transport — commuters use it daily — while also functioning as one of London's best-value sightseeing experiences, since the same seat gets you views of Westminster, the London Eye, St Paul's, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Greenwich that a dedicated sightseeing cruise would charge considerably more to offer.
Boats depart every 10 to 20 minutes from major piers including Westminster, Waterloo (for the London Eye), Tower, London Bridge City and Greenwich, running a through-route that makes it easy to hop off at any landing and continue later, particularly with a Hop-On Hop-Off day pass. Standard fares accept Oyster and contactless payment just like the Tube and bus network, and are typically cheaper booked online in advance.
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Beyond the basic point-to-point service, themed cruises run alongside the regular timetable — dinner cruises, afternoon tea cruises and sunset cruises with food and drink included — for those wanting a more curated experience rather than simple point-to-point transport.
For visitors, the practical appeal is combining transport with sightseeing: rather than booking a separate tourist river cruise, riding the Thames Clippers between Westminster and Greenwich (for the Cutty Sark and Royal Observatory) or between the London Eye and Tower Bridge covers the same ground at commuter prices.
What to See: Highlights
- 1River views of Westminster, the London Eye, St Paul's, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge from a single seat
- 2Boats every 10–20 minutes from major central piers
- 3A genuinely practical way to reach Greenwich for the Observatory and Cutty Sark
- 4Oyster and contactless payment accepted, same as the Tube and buses
- 5Themed dinner, afternoon tea and sunset cruises available alongside the standard service
Skip the Queue — Book Tickets Online
Same admission, instant confirmation. Compare prices across platforms.
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Insider Tips
Book online at least a week ahead for a 20% discount on the hop-on hop-off day pass
Sit on the open-air rear deck when the weather allows for the best photos
Use it as practical transport to Greenwich rather than booking a separate sightseeing cruise
Oyster and contactless cards work directly on Thames Clippers, same as the Underground
Boats can sell out at peak commuter times (weekday rush hours) — plan around that if possible
Book a Guided Tour
Get the most from your visit with a local expert guide.
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Getting There
Multiple piers: Westminster, Waterloo (London Eye), Tower, London Bridge City, Greenwich
Open in Google Maps →- 1Board at any Thames Clippers pier — Westminster, Waterloo, Tower, London Bridge City, Greenwich and several others are all a short walk from nearby Tube/DLR stations.
Where to stay
Hotels in London
Compare prices across hundreds of hotels near this attraction — from budget hostels to luxury stays. Free cancellation on most rooms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
Is Thames River Cruise (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers) worth visiting?+−
How long does a visit to Thames River Cruise (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers) take?+−
Who is Thames River Cruise (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers) best for?+−
Do I need to book tickets in advance for Thames River Cruise (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers)?+−
Is Thames River Cruise (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers) included with the London city pass?+−
Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You want river views of London's landmarks without booking a separate tourist cruise
- You're travelling to or from Greenwich and want a scenic alternative to the DLR
- You want a flexible hop-on hop-off day pass covering multiple central piers
- You enjoy being on the water as part of a day of sightseeing
Skip if...
- You're prone to seasickness — the catamarans move briskly and can feel choppy
- You've limited time and prefer the Tube's speed over a slower, more scenic river route
- You're looking for a slow, traditional sightseeing cruise rather than a fast commuter-style service
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in London
Tower Bridge
London's iconic Victorian bascule bridge, free to cross on foot, with a paid glass-floor walkway 42 metres above the Thames and Victorian engine rooms below.
London Eye
A 135-metre observation wheel on the South Bank, built for the Millennium and now a permanent fixture — 30-minute rotations in glass capsules with views stretching up to 40km on a clear day.
Royal Observatory Greenwich
Stand astride the Prime Meridian, the line that defines Greenwich Mean Time and splits the world into east and west, at the observatory Charles II founded in 1675 for navigation and astronomy.
Cutty Sark
The last surviving 19th-century tea clipper, preserved in dry dock at Greenwich and raised on stilts so visitors can walk directly beneath its copper-clad hull.