London: Uber Boat Single Trip and London Cable Car

The best part of this London combo is the change in viewpoint: one moment you’re watching the city slide by from the Thames, the next you’re looking down on the river and the O2 from above. I like that the boat ticket can be used between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside, and that the cable car ride is a round trip, so you get two distinct outings from one ticket.

I also like the unhurried pace of a boat ride, with indoor seats and covered outdoor areas, plus the chance to catch London’s riverside sights without spending the whole day on foot. One thing to plan carefully: your boat journey is one way, and not every service goes to North Greenwich, so check the destination before you board.

At a glance

• A one-way boat ride, not an all-day pass: Choose one journey between eligible piers from Battersea Power Station to Barking Riverside.
• Cable car starts at North Greenwich: The IFS Cloud Cable Car ride is a return trip, offering elevated views of the O2, the river and the wider city.
• Two ways to see London: The river puts landmarks at eye level; the cable car gives you a bird’s-eye view.
• Timetable checks matter: Travel times vary by day, and the boat’s final destination can affect your connection to the cable car.
• Good value at $29.36: The price covers both experiences, though food, drinks and attraction admission are extra.
• Redeem before you ride: GetYourGuide vouchers are not accepted at the cable car, so exchange yours at a Thames Clippers ticket office.

London from the river, then from above

This is a transport experience with a sightseeing bonus. You aren’t joining a guided tour with a fixed route and commentary. Instead, you use a single Thames Clippers journey as a scenic way to get between piers, then take the cable car round trip from North Greenwich.

That flexibility makes the ticket useful if you want to combine sightseeing with getting around. You can board at a pier that suits your plans, then choose an eligible destination. Central stops include Westminster, the London Eye, Embankment, London Bridge and the Tower of London, while the route extends east to Barking Riverside.

The river is the connecting thread. From the boat, London’s buildings and landmarks pass at close range. The cable car changes the scale: you look down across the Thames, the O2 arena and the city skyline. I like the contrast. It makes the two rides feel like different experiences, rather than a repeat of the same view.

Choosing the right pier and direction

The boat ticket is for one journey, from or to any pier within the stated Central and East zone, between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside. It does not cover the West Zone services between Putney and Battersea Power Station, or the O2 Post Show Express. Check that the piers you have in mind fall within the included area.

For the cable car, the nearest pier is North Greenwich. If the river ride is part of your plan to reach the cable car, pay close attention to the boat’s destination before boarding. A service that ends at Greenwich does not necessarily take you to North Greenwich. That distinction can cause confusion, so use the timetable and confirm the destination with staff if you are unsure.

You can also make the boat ride the scenic leg of a broader day out. Start at a central pier and travel east, or board farther along the river and head toward a stop that fits your route. Just remember that the ticket allows a single journey, not unlimited boat travel for the day. Once you have used it, that part of the experience is finished.

What the Thames Clippers ride feels like

The boat gives you a comfortable seat and a moving view of London’s riverfront. You can sit indoors or use a covered outdoor area, a helpful choice when the weather changes. Food and drinks are available to buy, so you can have a coffee or a snack on board, but neither is included in the ticket.

The ride is a practical way to see riverside landmarks from a fresh angle. Near the Tower of London, the river gives you a clear look at one of the city’s most recognisable historic sights. Other central piers put you close to familiar landmarks and popular areas, and the changing view of riverfront homes adds a more everyday side to the journey.

Don’t expect a narrated sightseeing cruise. A free digital river guide is available online, but the package does not include a live guide or commentary. If you want context as you pass landmarks, open the guide on your phone before boarding. If you mainly want a restful ride with a view, you can simply sit back and watch the city go by.

The boat is fast and departures are frequent, but service times still vary between weekdays and weekends. Check the timetable for your chosen piers rather than building your day around a guessed travel time. Live departure times are also shown at piers. In busy periods, boarding can feel less orderly, so give yourself a little breathing room and don’t assume a crowd will form a perfect queue.

North Greenwich and the cable car

Once you reach North Greenwich Pier, the IFS Cloud Cable Car offers a change of pace and perspective. The ticket includes a round trip, so you ride across and back rather than needing to arrange a separate return. From above, you can see the O2, the river and the city skyline stretching into the distance.

The height is the main appeal. The boat places you close to the water and the buildings along it; the cable car lifts you above the river for a wider view. The two rides work especially well together if you enjoy seeing how a city fits together, not just ticking off one landmark after another.

Views depend on conditions and on what you find interesting. The city’s changing development is part of the scene, and some stretches may look more built-up than historic. If you’re expecting a continuous panorama of old London, this is not that. The cable car’s appeal is the elevated view of the river and the eastern city, with the O2 as a prominent reference point.

The time of day can shape the mood. An evening ride may bring out the lights of buildings and landmarks, while a sunset departure can give you changing colours over the river. Those views are not guaranteed, of course, and you should check operating times for both services before planning around a particular light or time of day.

Timing, voucher redemption and the small print

The ticket is valid on the specific date you select, not for any day within a broad window. The experience is listed as valid for one day, but there is no fixed start time in the information provided. Check availability and the relevant timetables before you set off.

There’s one important voucher step: the IFS Cloud Cable Car does not accept GetYourGuide vouchers. Present your printed or electronic voucher at a Thames Clippers ticket office within the Central and East zone, between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside, to redeem it. Voucher redemption is available from 10am to 6pm. After you have exchanged it, you can travel from any of the 18 eligible piers.

This extra step is worth knowing before you head straight to North Greenwich. Ticket-office staffing can be limited at times, so allow room in your schedule for the exchange. You’ll also want to check the cable car timetable, as well as the boat timetable, rather than assuming the two services will line up perfectly.

Children aged 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. The experience is wheelchair accessible. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and neither are food, drinks or entry tickets to other attractions.

Is $29.36 good value?

At $29.36 per person, the ticket brings together two rides that would otherwise need to be planned and paid for separately. Its value is strongest if you want both a river journey and the cable car, and if you can fit them into the same day without rushing. The boat also works as transport between eligible piers, so the ticket can do more than simply take you on a sightseeing loop.

It’s less compelling if you only want one of the two experiences, or if you expect a full-day travel pass. The river portion is a single journey, not unlimited travel, and the cable car is a return ride from North Greenwich. Add the cost of anything you buy on board, and remember that the ticket does not include entry to attractions along the route.

For a first or repeat visit, the combination offers a useful change from walking and underground travel. You see familiar sights from angles that ground-level sightseeing can miss, while the boat gives you a chance to pause between stops. If you’re short on time, though, check distances and timetables carefully. A scenic route is still a route, and a missed connection can eat into the day.

Who should book this experience?

I’d recommend it to anyone who likes city views and wants a relaxed break from walking. It’s especially suited to couples, friends and families who are happy to plan around two transport timetables, and to repeat visitors who have already seen the central landmarks from street level. The boat ride can also appeal if you simply enjoy watching a city from the water.

It may not suit you if you want a detailed guided tour, a guaranteed commentary, or a flexible pass for hopping on and off all day. The lack of included narration means you’ll need the free digital river guide if you want explanations as you go. And if crowds or queues make you impatient, build in time at the pier rather than aiming for a tight connection.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a good-value pair of rides and will enjoy the contrast between the Thames and the cable car’s high view. Choose your boat direction with care, check that it reaches North Greenwich if that’s where you need to go, and redeem your voucher before arriving at the cable car. With those details sorted, it’s an easy way to make London’s river part of the day, not just a line on the map.

FAQ

What is included in the ticket?

It includes one journey on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers between eligible piers from Battersea Power Station to Barking Riverside, plus a round-trip ride on the IFS Cloud Cable Car. Indoor seating, covered outdoor areas and a free online digital river guide are also included.

Can I use the boat ticket for unlimited travel?

No. The boat portion covers a single journey. It is not an all-day pass for getting on and off at several piers.

Where can I board the boat?

You can use any pier in the Central and East zones between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside. The included services do not cover the West Zone route between Putney and Battersea Power Station or the O2 Post Show Express.

Where do I take the cable car?

The nearest pier is North Greenwich. The IFS Cloud Cable Car ticket is for a round trip.

Can I show my GetYourGuide voucher at the cable car?

No. Redeem your printed or electronic voucher at a Thames Clippers ticket office within the Central and East zone. Voucher redemption is available from 10am to 6pm.

Does every boat go to North Greenwich?

You should check the destination before boarding. Boat services can have different final stops, and a boat ending at Greenwich may not take you to North Greenwich.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase, but they are not included in the ticket.

Is the ticket valid on any date?

No. It is valid only on the specific date you selected. Check the boat and cable car timetables for the day of your visit.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is listed as wheelchair accessible.