London: IFS Cable Car + Uber Boat Hop-On Hop-Off 1 Day River Pass

The clever part of this London day out is the change of viewpoint. You can glide past Parliament and the Tower of London on the Thames, then rise above the river in the IFS Cloud Cable Car near North Greenwich. I especially like the freedom to board at any participating pier and the easy mix of sightseeing with practical transport.

The boat is comfortable, covered, and useful for reaching places that are spread far along the river. The cable car adds a quick thrill and broad city views. The catch is time: boat schedules, queues, transfers, and the long trip to east London can eat into a tight sightseeing day.

Key points to know before you go

• One pass covers the whole river route: Ride between Putney and Barking Riverside for unlimited journeys on the selected day.
• The cable car is at North Greenwich: It is not near central London, so allow extra time to reach it.
• You can see London’s big icons from the water: Parliament, the London Eye, St. Paul’s, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London all sit along or near the route.
• The cable car ride is round trip: Look down on the Thames, the O2 Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and east London.
• There is no included entry to the sights: The pass gets you to places such as the Tower, Cutty Sark, and St. Paul’s, but admission costs extra.
• Plan your piers and stops: Boats run regularly, but first-come boarding, transfers, and occasional waits can change the pace of your day.

Seeing London by water and air

This experience works best as a transport day with sightseeing built in. Instead of taking the Tube from one attraction to the next, you use the Thames as your moving route, stepping off when a place catches your eye.

The pass is valid for one day across all zones between Putney and Barking Riverside. That is a broad stretch of river, covering central London, Greenwich, and parts of east London. You can begin at any participating pier, including Westminster, Embankment, London Bridge City, Tower, Battersea Power Station, North Greenwich, or Greenwich.

I like this flexibility because you do not have to commit to one fixed departure time. You can start near your hotel, ride a short section, get off for lunch or a museum, and board again later. The boats have indoor seating and covered outdoor areas, so the plan still works in cool or damp weather.

The pass is priced at about $50.30 per person. Its value depends on how much of the route you use. If you ride several sections and add the cable car, it can be a sensible way to combine transport and views. If you only want one short boat ride and a quick cable car trip, buying separate transport may be worth comparing.

Do not treat this as a fully narrated sightseeing cruise. The boats are primarily public river transport, not a traditional tour boat with constant commentary. You get good views, but you should use a map or a river guide to know which pier is next and what you are looking at.

Choosing your starting pier

Your ticket is valid from Putney in the west to Barking Riverside in the east. You make your own way to a pier and show your printed voucher or e-ticket to Uber Boat by Thames Clippers staff.

For first-time visitors, Westminster or Embankment is the most natural central starting point. From there, the river carries you toward the London Eye, the Palace of Westminster, Somerset House, St. Paul’s, the Tower, and Greenwich.

Tower Pier works well if the Tower of London is your main stop. London Bridge City Pier is handy for the Tower Bridge area and The Shard. Battersea Power Station gives you access to one of London’s newer shopping and dining areas, while Greenwich and North Greenwich make better sense later in the day if you want the Cutty Sark or cable car.

Boats board on a first-come basis. At busy times, you may need to wait for the next boat, and some journeys may involve changing boats. That matters if you have timed admission tickets or a restaurant booking.

Keep your ticket easy to reach. There was at least one case of a barcode problem taking a long time to sort out at the pier, so download or save the e-ticket before leaving your hotel. A printed copy is also accepted.

Central London from the Thames

The central section gives you the best return for your sightseeing time. From the river, you get a fresh view of the Palace of Westminster, with the Houses of Parliament and the clock tower forming one of London’s most recognizable scenes.

Westminster Abbey is just inland. It is the coronation church and the burial or memorial place of many major figures in British history. The boat pass does not include entry, but Westminster Pier puts you close enough to make a visit practical.

The London Eye rises beside the South Bank. Its capsules are visible from the water, and the river gives you a clear sense of how the wheel sits within the city. Again, admission is separate, so decide in advance if you want to spend time in the queue and on the wheel.

As you continue east, Somerset House sits near the Strand. Its large courtyard and riverfront position make it a pleasant stop, though you need to walk inland from the pier and pay separately for any special exhibitions or activities.

St. Paul’s Cathedral is another worthwhile stop. Its dome is especially easy to pick out from the river, but the cathedral itself is inland from the Thames. Allow time for the walk, the visit, and the return to the pier rather than assuming it is right beside the boat.

Tower Bridge, the Tower, and The Shard

The area around London Bridge City Pier packs several major sights into a small area. The Shard rises above the south bank as a 72-story pyramid-shaped tower. You can admire it from below or pay separately to visit its observation level.

Across the river, the Tower of London offers a much deeper historical stop. The Crown Jewels, the medieval fortress, and the famous ravens are the main draws. The pass only takes you close to the entrance, so the Tower can easily use several hours if you want to see it properly.

Tower Bridge is one of the strongest visual moments of the whole boat route. From the river, you see the bridge in its working setting, with the towers rising above the Thames. This is a good place to get off, take photographs, and continue on a later boat.

Do not pack too many central attractions into one day. A boat trip, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s, the Tower, and the cable car are not realistic as full visits in a single day. I would choose one major paid attraction, then use the river for shorter stops and views.

Greenwich, the Cutty Sark, and the Old Royal Naval College

Greenwich gives the trip a different feel from central London. At Greenwich Pier, you can visit the Cutty Sark, the famous historic sailing ship. Admission is not included, and an hour is a reasonable minimum if you want more than a quick look.

The Old Royal Naval College is nearby and makes a strong free exterior stop. The buildings form the architectural heart of Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Painted Hall, sometimes called the United Kingdom’s Sistine Chapel, requires separate admission.

Greenwich is one of the better places to get off the boat for a proper walk. You can visit the riverside, see the naval buildings, and take a break from the steady movement of the boat route. The drawback is that Greenwich is far enough from central London that a stop here takes real time.

The return trip can also be slower than expected. A poor connection or a missed boat may leave you waiting much longer than planned. Keep your schedule loose, especially in the middle of the afternoon.

Battersea Power Station for a modern stop

Battersea Power Station is the most contemporary stop on this route. The Grade II* listed building has been turned into a large shopping, dining, leisure, and entertainment area, with more than 140 shops, bars, restaurants, and other venues in the surrounding development.

You can get off here for an hour, eat, browse, or simply see how an old industrial landmark has been reused. It is a useful contrast to Westminster, the Tower, and Greenwich.

This stop is not essential for a first visit if your main goal is historic London. It is more appealing if you want food, shopping, modern architecture, or a break from the main sightseeing circuit.

Riding the IFS Cloud Cable Car

The cable car is reached from North Greenwich Pier. Show your ticket to a representative, then make the short walk to the station. The pass includes a round trip, so you can cross the Thames and return without arranging another ticket.

The ride lasts about 45 minutes in the stated program, including the experience around the crossing. The cabins give you a bird’s-eye view of the O2 Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the river, and the eastern London skyline.

On a clear day, this is the visual highlight. You can take photographs without the traffic and crowds of central London, and the height gives you a useful sense of how the Thames curves through the eastern part of the city.

The cable car is also the part most likely to divide opinion. North Greenwich is not close to Westminster or the West End, and the immediate views are more industrial and modern than postcard London. Some people find the ride exciting and worth the trip; others see it as a short crossing surrounded by timber yards and redevelopment areas.

Weather matters. High winds have caused cable car service to stop, so do not schedule your only chance to ride it immediately before a flight or a timed attraction. If the cable car is important to you, check the operating situation before setting out and leave room in your day.

How to plan the day without losing hours

The pass is advertised for one to 16 hours, depending on how you use it. In practice, you can spend a full day on the route, but you need to make choices.

A sensible plan is to start in central London, ride east while viewing the major sights, stop at one or two places, continue to Greenwich or North Greenwich, take the cable car, and then return by boat. You could also begin at Greenwich and work west if that fits your hotel.

Write down the piers you want before you leave. Note the direction of travel and check the next departure rather than assuming a boat will appear immediately. A simple plan can prevent you from waiting at the wrong gate or getting off at a pier that does not suit your route.

The boats are comfortable, with toilets and indoor areas available. For photographs, the covered outdoor sections are useful, though cold or wet weather can make a long ride less pleasant. On a sunny day, try to sit outside for part of the journey and move indoors when the wind picks up.

There is no food or drink included, though purchases are available on the boats and at the cable car stations. You should also remember that the pass does not include the O2 Post Express service.

Who will get the most from this pass?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to London and do not mind a slower pace. Families often like the mix of a boat ride and cable car, and the covered seating gives you a practical option when the weather is not kind.

It also suits anyone staying near the river, since you can use the boat as transport rather than treating it as a one-off cruise. The ability to board at different piers is useful for building your own day.

It is less suitable for someone with only a few hours in London. The cable car sits in the east, and boat transfers can take longer than the Tube. It is also not the best choice if you want detailed narration about every landmark.

Children up to age 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, but only certain mobility scooters fit on the vessels. If that affects your plans, contact Uber Boat by Thames Clippers before you go.

Is the $50.30 price good value?

The price makes sense when you use the pass as both transport and sightseeing. A full day of boat journeys across the river zones, plus a round-trip cable car ride, gives you more than a single point-to-point cruise.

The value drops if you spend most of the day inside paid attractions. Once you add admission to the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s, the Cutty Sark, or other sights, the total cost rises quickly. Those entrances are not part of this ticket.

I see the strongest value in the views and flexibility. You are paying to move around London in a pleasant way, not to receive a guided history lesson. If you plan to ride several sections, stop at Greenwich, and take the cable car, the price is reasonable. If you only want to cross the river once, choose a cheaper option.

Should you book this London river and cable car pass?

Book it if you want a relaxed, visual day and like making your own route. The boat is the star for central London, while the cable car provides the memorable high view over the O2 and east London.

Skip it if your schedule is tight, your priority is rapid transport, or you want a guide explaining each landmark. For the best experience, choose one major attraction, keep two or three shorter stops, save your ticket offline, and leave a generous buffer for queues, boat changes, and weather.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the selected start time. After that point, changes and refunds are not accepted.

FAQ

Where can I board the Uber Boat?

You can board at any Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier between Putney and Barking Riverside, including Westminster, Embankment, London Bridge City, Tower, Battersea Power Station, North Greenwich, and Greenwich.

How long is the pass valid?

The ticket is valid for one selected day and allows unlimited journeys across the West, Central, and East zones between Putney and Barking Riverside.

Is the IFS Cloud Cable Car included?

Yes. The pass includes a round-trip journey on the IFS Cloud Cable Car.

Where do I take the cable car?

You can reach the cable car by getting off at North Greenwich Pier and showing your ticket to a representative.

What can I see from the boat?

Depending on your route, you can see the London Eye, the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, Somerset House, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London.

Are attraction entrance fees included?

No. Entry to places such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Cutty Sark, and Somerset House is not included.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but they are available for purchase on the boats and at the cable car stations.

Can I use the ticket on the O2 Express?

No. The ticket is not valid on O2 Express services.

Can children and service animals use the service?

Children up to age 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed. Only certain mobility scooters can travel on the boats, so you should contact Uber Boat by Thames Clippers if this applies to you.