London: Uber Boat Single Trip and London Cable Car

London looks different from the Thames, and different again from a cable car. This ticket pairs a single Uber Boat journey with a roundtrip on the IFS Cloud Cable Car, giving you two useful ways to see the city without being stuck on a bus route.

I like the freedom to board at one of 18 piers, and I like the way the boat turns a transfer into sightseeing. The cable car adds wide views of the O2, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and east London. The main catch is timing: not every boat reaches North Greenwich, so check the final destination before you board.

Key points to know

• Board at a pier that suits your day: Use the Uber Boat between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside, including central stops such as Westminster, Embankment, London Bridge, and the Tower of London.
• Aim for North Greenwich Pier: This is the closest boat stop for the IFS Cloud Cable Car.
• Enjoy two very different views: The boat shows riverside landmarks at eye level, while the cable car gives you a high view of the O2 and east London.
• Plan around the timetable: Travel times vary by weekday and weekend, and some boats terminate before North Greenwich.
• Expect a practical one-way boat ticket: You get one boat journey, not unlimited river travel, plus a roundtrip cable car ride.
• Good value at $29.36 per person: The price makes sense if you use both parts and treat the boat as transport as well as sightseeing.

A Thames journey with the cable car as your payoff

The clever part of this experience is that the boat is not just a short cruise. You can board at a central or east London pier, ride along the Thames, and use the trip to reach North Greenwich for the cable car.

That gives your day a natural shape. Start near Westminster, the London Eye, Embankment, London Bridge, or the Tower of London, then let the river carry you east. You avoid making the same journey underground, and the views change as the historic center gives way to newer parts of London.

You have one boat journey, so choose your starting point and direction with care. The ticket covers piers between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside, but it does not cover the West Zone service between Putney and Battersea Power Station. It also does not include travel on The O2 Post Show Express.

The important detail is the destination. North Greenwich Pier is the nearest pier to the cable car, but some services may stop at Greenwich instead. Check the departure board and timetable before boarding, especially if the cable car is the main reason you bought the ticket.

Choosing your starting pier in central London

Your best starting pier depends on what you want to see first. Westminster and the London Eye put you near some of the city’s most familiar sights. Embankment is handy for central London, while London Bridge and the Tower of London place you farther east and closer to the old river port.

The boat gives you a different view of these places than you get from the pavement. The Tower of London, for example, makes more sense from the water, where its position beside the river becomes clear. The London Eye and riverside buildings also look less crowded from a moving boat.

You can also board at Battersea Power Station, a useful option if you are already in southwest central London. At the eastern end, Barking Riverside gives you access to the service from a less central starting point, though you will need to plan your connection carefully.

The ticket can be redeemed at any eligible Uber Boat by Thames Clippers ticket office between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. You then have the selected date to make your boat journey. Present a printed or electronic ticket at the pier, and check live departure information there as well as the published timetable.

What the Uber Boat ride is really like

The Thames Clippers boats are high-speed catamarans with indoor seats and covered outdoor areas. That makes the ride more comfortable than an open sightseeing boat, particularly on a cool or wet day.

The river journey is also a useful break from walking. You can sit with a coffee, watch the banks pass, and still make progress toward your next stop. Food and drinks are available to buy, but they are not included, so bring that cost into your planning.

The boat does not promise a full guided commentary. If you want detailed explanations of every building, use the free digital river guide online. That is worth having ready on your phone because the boat ride is more about seeing London at your own pace than listening to a continuous narration.

On a sunny day, the covered interior may feel warm, and air conditioning may not be available in the way you expect. You can use the covered outdoor areas, but conditions can change quickly on the river. I would dress for comfort rather than assume the boat will feel cool.

Crowding can also affect the first few minutes of the trip. At busy piers, boarding can feel untidy, with people trying to get on and off at the same time. Arrive with enough time to read the boarding information and let passengers leave before you move forward.

Getting to North Greenwich without a wrong turn

North Greenwich is the key point in this combined experience. It is beside The O2 and is the closest pier for the IFS Cloud Cable Car.

Do not treat Greenwich and North Greenwich as the same stop. They are separate destinations, and a boat that terminates at Greenwich may not put you where you need to be for the cable car. Check the boat’s final destination before boarding and ask staff if the information is unclear.

This is the part of the day where a little planning pays off. Check the timetable for your chosen pier, then check the cable car operating times before you set out. Weekend and weekday schedules can differ, and total journey times may change with the service pattern.

If your boat does not go all the way to North Greenwich, you may face an extra connection that is not part of this ticket. The activity information does not include that additional transport, so do not assume the first eastbound boat is the right one.

The IFS Cloud Cable Car from North Greenwich

At North Greenwich, the IFS Cloud Cable Car gives you the high view that the boat cannot provide. The roundtrip crossing passes above the Thames, with views toward the O2 arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and the wider London skyline.

The cable car is short enough to fit into a busy sightseeing day, but it feels very different from the boat. From the river, buildings rise around you. From the cabins, the city opens out beneath you, and the Thames becomes a broad line through the scene.

The cable car is also a good choice if you want a rest from walking. You sit during the crossing, look through the windows, and return to North Greenwich without needing to arrange a separate ride back. The ticket includes the roundtrip, which removes the worry of ending up on the wrong side of the river.

Views can vary with weather and construction activity. East London changes quickly, and some sections may look more industrial or unfinished than the historic center. If you want medieval buildings on every side, this is not that kind of view. Its appeal is the contrast between the river, new development, open sky, and distant city buildings.

For the best visual effect, consider timing the ride near sunset or after dark, within the operating schedule. The city lights can give the river and buildings a very different feel. You should still check the cable car timetable rather than assume late service.

How much value do you get for $29.36?

At $29.36 per person, the ticket is good value if you use both included journeys. You get one river trip that can also function as transport, plus a return cable car ride. That is more useful than paying for a short sightseeing loop that returns you to the same pier.

The value depends on your route. If you are already planning to travel from central London toward North Greenwich, the boat can replace another form of transport while giving you views along the way. If you only want the cable car, buying a package that includes a boat journey may be less useful.

You also need to remember what the ticket does not cover. Food and drinks cost extra. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The West Zone service and The O2 Post Show Express are excluded, and there is no general attraction entry included beyond the cable car ride.

I would compare the ticket with your planned day, not with the price of a standard underground journey. The point is not simply to get from one station to another. You are paying for a practical transfer with a river view, then a separate aerial view of east London.

Timing a one-day ticket without rushing

The ticket is valid only on the specific date selected, and the activity is valid for one day. You are not booking an open-ended pass for another visit.

You can redeem the voucher between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers ticket office. Once redeemed, you can travel on the eligible route, but the boat journey is still a single trip. Plan the day around the departure times rather than arriving at a pier with no schedule in mind.

A simple plan is:

• Start at a central pier such as Westminster, London Eye, Embankment, London Bridge, or the Tower of London.
• Confirm that the boat is traveling toward North Greenwich.
• Ride east on the Thames and get off at North Greenwich Pier.
• Take the IFS Cloud Cable Car across and back.
• Continue your day from North Greenwich after the return ride.

You can reverse the order only if the timetable and ticket redemption rules work for your plans. Since the cable car is reached most directly from North Greenwich, the boat-first arrangement is the clearest use of the ticket.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this experience to first-time visitors who want major London sights without spending the whole day underground. It also suits repeat visitors who have already seen the landmarks from street level and want a different angle.

Families may like the mix of transport and sightseeing, though children up to age 10 must be accompanied by an adult. The indoor seating is useful for a range of ages, and the cable car gives you a quiet break between busy sightseeing stops.

It works well for photographers, too. The boat offers changing river views, while the cable car gives you a higher view toward the O2 and the Olympic Park. Sunset or evening can add attractive light, but you must fit both rides into the day’s operating times.

I would be less keen to recommend it if you need a tightly timed connection. River services can have different weekday and weekend patterns, and the wrong boat termination can create confusion. Leave room in your schedule and confirm the destination before you board.

Practical details that matter

The experience is wheelchair accessible, which makes the mix of boat and cable car useful for visitors who want to limit walking. You should still confirm the current pier and service details before setting out, since the ticket information specifically directs you to live departure times and the timetable.

The IFS Cloud Cable Car does not accept the GetYourGuide voucher directly. You must redeem the voucher first at an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers ticket office. This is an easy detail to miss, so do not go straight to the cable car expecting the original voucher to work there.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the scheduled activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your London plans are not fixed yet.

Staff are present at the boat and cable car services, but ticket handling can sometimes be unclear. Keep the voucher ready, allow time for redemption, and ask specifically where to exchange it if the ticket office is not obvious.

Should you book the river and cable car combination?

Book it if you want a pleasant one-way ride through London, a roundtrip above the Thames, and a flexible way to connect central sights with North Greenwich. The strongest part is the combination: the boat gives you historic riverside views, while the cable car changes the scale completely.

At $29.36, it is especially appealing when the boat replaces a separate journey and you have time to enjoy the route. Pick an evening or sunset slot if the timetable allows, and use the digital river guide if you want more context.

Skip it if you need unlimited boat travel, a guided commentary, or a guaranteed direct connection at any time. Most importantly, check that your chosen boat reaches North Greenwich rather than Greenwich. With that one detail sorted, this is an enjoyable and fairly priced way to see London from the water and the sky.

FAQ

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day and only on the specific date selected at booking.

Where can I board the Uber Boat?

You can board at eligible piers in the Central and East zones, from Battersea Power Station to Barking Riverside. The ticket covers travel between those piers.

Which pier is closest to the IFS Cloud Cable Car?

North Greenwich Pier is the nearest pier for the IFS Cloud Cable Car.

Does the boat ticket include unlimited journeys?

No. The ticket includes one single journey on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.

Does the ticket include a return cable car ride?

Yes. The ticket includes a roundtrip ride on the IFS Cloud Cable Car.

Can I use the ticket on the West Zone service?

No. Travel on the West Zone service between Putney and Battersea Power Station is not included.

Can I use my voucher directly at the cable car?

No. Redeem the voucher at an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers ticket office first. The IFS Cloud Cable Car does not accept GetYourGuide vouchers directly.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible.