London Thames River Boat: One-Way Cruise Ticket & Flexible Stops

Summary

River Thames cruise ticket with flexible boarding and iconic London views

You’ll float past London’s most famous sights — Tower Bridge, London Eye, even Canary Wharf’s silver towers — with space to sit indoors or step out for river air. Choose any pier between Battersea and Barking Riverside for your journey and let yourself be surprised by what catches your eye along the Thames.

What’s the experience like?

We hopped onto the Uber Boat at Battersea Power Station, honestly just because it looked easier than the Tube and I’d never seen London from the water before. The air inside was cool — almost too cool after the muggy street — but I grabbed a spot by the window anyway. Our boat slid away from the pier, and suddenly everything felt slower, like London was letting me breathe for a second. There’s this moment when you pass under Vauxhall Bridge where you catch a whiff of river mixed with coffee from someone’s takeaway cup nearby. Not exactly poetic, but real.

A family next to us pointed out Big Ben as we drifted past, their little boy waving at every bridge like he was on some royal parade. I tried to follow along on the digital River Guide (the link worked fine on my phone), but honestly got distracted by the way sunlight bounced off The Shard in these weird angles — almost blinding if you looked too long. Our guide wasn’t official or anything, just this older guy sitting across from us who started naming buildings for his grandkid. “That’s HMS Belfast,” he said, tapping the glass, “used to be a warship.” I didn’t expect to learn anything but somehow did.

I got off at Greenwich mostly because I’d always wanted to see it up close, but also because it felt right to just decide last minute. The freedom of being able to hop off anywhere between Battersea and Barking Riverside is underrated — no pressure if you change your mind halfway through. The whole ride took maybe half an hour? Didn’t really keep track. It’s not fancy or dramatic, but there’s something about seeing St Paul’s Cathedral dome appear around a bend that sticks with you longer than you’d think.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore London via River Thames cruise

• Board Uber Boat at Battersea Power Station
• Pass by red-and-yellow arts bridge
• See Lambeth Palace
• View Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
• Pass London Eye observation wheel
• Explore South Bank arts complex
• Visit Shakespeare's Globe theatre
• Cross Millennium Bridge
• Visit Tate Modern gallery
• See St. Paul's Cathedral dome
• View The Shard skyscraper
• Tour HMS Belfast warship museum
• Visit Tower of London
• See Tower Bridge
• Explore Canary Wharf skyscrapers
• Visit Up at The O2 dome

Top questions

Can I board the Uber Boat at any pier?

You can board at any pier between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside within Central and East zones.

Is this cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all boats and most piers are wheelchair accessible except Cadogan, London Bridge City, and Wandsworth Riverside Quarter due to tides.

How long does a single journey usually take?

The journey length depends on your start and end points; typically 20–40 minutes between major piers.

Are service animals allowed onboard?

Yes, service animals are welcome on all Uber Boat services.

Do I need to print my ticket?

You can present either a printed ticket or an e-ticket at any eligible pier.

Is there air conditioning inside?

Yes, boats have climate-controlled indoor cabins for comfort year-round.

Can children travel alone?

No, children up to age 10 must be accompanied by an adult during the journey.

What’s included

Your trip includes one-way travel on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside piers (Central & East zones), comfortable indoor seating with air conditioning, access to covered outdoor areas for fresh river air, plus a free digital River Guide you can pull up on your phone as you go along.