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Times and Tides
The river trip from Westminster to Hampton Court is unique. At 35 kilometres (22 miles) one-way, it is the longest regular scheduled boat service available from London.
On a fiercely tidal river such as The Thames it is difficult and sometimes impossible to provide an exact time of departure and arrival. The latest sailings estimate departure and journey times based on current tides and conditions
It is worth listing here the factors taken into consideration when preparing the latest sailing timetable
- There are two tides a day on the Thames it takes approximately five hours to come in and little over seven hours to go out
- Each high tide occurs slightly more than twelve hours later than the next
- Near to the new and full moons (about every two weeks) we have spring tides when there is a rise and fall between low tide and high tide of up to 8m (26')
- Seven to eight days after spring tides we have neap tides where the difference between low water and high water is around 5m (16')
- Other factors such as wind in the estuary and land water from the hills, all have a bearing on the time and height of tide.
The most obvious way the tide affects vessels is direction. Traveling along with the tide ~upstream with the flood and downstream with the ebb, is more efficient than pushing against the ebb going up and the flood going down.
Approximate Journey Times
Westminster to Kew : 90 minutes each way* Westminster to Richmond : 2 hours each way* Westminster to Hampton Court : Three hours each way*
*Times are subject to tidal conditions
Richmond lock and footbridge is described as a half tide lock. In each arch of the footbridge there is a shutter known as a curtain. Two hours after high water the curtains are lowered into the river, creating a barrier to maintain the level of water above this point. While the curtains are in the lowered position , vessels are obliged to use the lock, and transit time will vary depending the tide. Two hours before the next high water the curtains are lifted, which allows vessels to navigate unimpeded through the bridge.
- Cockney Sparrow
The Cockney Sparrow was built in 1976 at Eel Pie Island. She is a two level boat with a deceptively large enclosed saloon and an open top deck.
M.V Connaught was built by Salter Brothers of Oxford in 1911 & has been cruising between Westminster, Kew, Richmond & Hampton Court for over 100 years. Connaught regularly operates on our services & is also available for private charters.
- Princess Freda
Princess Freda was built in 1926 by T.C. Letcher on the Isle of Wight, and has been restored to a particularly high standard.
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Explore London by boat
Enjoy comfortable seats, fantastic views and an onboard café bar
Take to the Thames and make travel time part of your London adventure! Departing major central piers every 10-20 minutes and connecting 20+ piers along the River Thames, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers (also known as London's River Bus) provides a fast and safe way to get around the capital. With step-free access, guaranteed seats when on board, open back-decks and onboard café bars, you’ll get the best views of London’s landmarks.
Travelling with your family? Children aged 4 and under travel for free on all our services and children between the ages of 5 and 15 receive a 50% discount on all fares. Children go free when you buy a Family Hop-on Hop-off ticket!
Buy your tickets now
See all the sights
Sail through London and see all the iconic sights including Big Ben, London Eye, The Shard, Tower Bridge and Greenwich.
Comfortable seats
Comfortable seats in climate controlled cabins or enjoy the fresh air on the outside back deck.
Onboard café bar
A whole range of refreshments and snacks are available from the café bar from hot chocolate and coffee to beer and prosecco.
Accessible travel
All our boats and piers are step-free and wheelchair accessible except for Cadogan, London Bridge City and Wandsworth Riverside Quarter piers
What can you see and do?
Spot iconic London sights from the river or hop on and hop off across our piers to visit top London landmarks and attractions.
Here are some ideas for you.
London Eye (Waterloo) Pier | The London Eye and South Bank |
Westminster Pier | Houses of Parliament (and Big Ben), Westminster Abbey, St James Park, Churchill War Rooms |
Embankment Pier | National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden |
Bankside Pier | Tate Modern, St Paul’s Cathedral, Borough Market |
London Bridge Pier | The Shard, Tower Bridge, Borough Market |
Tower Pier | Tower of London, the City of London, Tower Bridge |
Greenwich Pier | Old Royal Naval College, Cutty Sark, The Meridian Line |
Need more inspiration? Check out our page ' Things to do in London '.
How does it work?
The River Bus network is divided into zones, just like the tube. Our services operate in three zones: West, Central and East and the fare will depend on which zones you travel in. Your ticket must be valid for all the zones you travel through. For instance, if you are travelling between Tower and Greenwich piers you will need a Central and East ticket.
With a Hop-on Hop-off ticket you can travel across All Zones. It's that easy!
Central Zone: All piers between Battersea Power Station and Canary Wharf East Zone: All piers between Canary Wharf and Barking Riverside
Online price
We have different options available to pay for river travel so you can choose the most convenient for you. The table below gives you our online prices (up to 10% cheaper than buying at the pier) for our most common journeys.
East Zone | £5.60 |
Central Zone | £9.00 |
Central & East Zones | £10.25 |
Go unlimited
Adult | £22.10 |
Child | £11.05 |
Family (2 adults + 3 children) | £44.20 |
Find all our prices
Book your ticket now
All-day unlimited travel across 20+ piers. Best ticket to explore London. Kids go free with a Family ticket.
Buy a single or return ticket if only travelling between two piers.
Joint tickets
Combine a trip on the river with a visit to St Paul's Cathedral, Painted Hall or a flight on the cable car for a Tik Tok moment!
Travel tools
Accessibility, ticket information, find your pier, things to do in london, covid-19 safety measures.
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Paying for river travel with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers couldn't be easier, we have different options available. Choose the most convenient for you.
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- Thames Clippers ticket app
On select event nights, sail back into town after the show ends! Pre-book your ticket for a guaranteed seat on the Express or Request Post-Show services.
The Express service will depart promptly, 15 minutes after showdown, followed by the first Request service. Passengers will be boarded in the order they arrive at the pier. Pre-book your ticket before the event.
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City Cruises Greenwich Pier
Greenwich pier.
Plus there’s plenty of attractions to be seen in Greenwich including the Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum, Painted Hall, Greenwich Market, Greenwich Royal Park, Green Chain Walk, Queen’s House, Old Royal Naval College, Royal Observatory Greenwich and many more.
Quaint streets, attractive parkland and stunning, palatial grounds await you in this pretty, relaxed part of London and boat trips leave from Greenwich pier regularly.
Nearest Tube Station:
Cutty Sark Station – DLR
Nearest Bus Stop:
- Greenwich Town Centre / Cutty Sark (C)
- Greenwich Town Centre / Cutty Sark (D)
- Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich (A)
Disabled Access:
Greenwich Pier is accessible to wheelchairs, with step free access from the ticket office to the boats.
Ticket Booth Open Times:
Daily 10am – 5pm
Things to do at Greenwich Pier:
Why not check out our sightseeing or 24hr River Pass Cruises you can hop on from Greenwich Pier and make your way through to the heart of the city.
Closest Attractions
- National Wartime Museum
- Royal Observatory
Other pier locations
How to get to greenwich pier.
There are a few ways to get Greenwich Pier, the nearest tube station is Cutty Sark on the DLR and then is a 6-minute walk to the pier. Or the nearest bus stop is Greenwich Town Centre from there it is an 8-minute walk. Also if you are coming from the water, you can get to Greenwich Pier on our Hop on Hop off sightseeing cruise.
Where is Greenwich Pier?
Greenwich Pier is on the south bank of the River Thames in Greenwich.
Are boats running to Greenwich?
Yes, our boats run every 40-minutes.
How long is the boat trip from Greenwich to Westminster?
The duration of the cruise is 1hr 15mins.
Who owns Greenwich Pier?
Transport for London owns and operates the Greenwich and North Greenwich piers.
What pier is Cutty Sark on?
Cutty Sark is opposite Greenwich Pier
How do I get to Greenwich market by boat?
You can get to Greenwich Pier from either Westminster or Tower Pier. From the pier to the market it’s a 3-minute walk.
What is Greenwich Pier’s nearest railway station?
Greenwich Pier’s nearest station is Cutty Sark on the DLR Line. Don’t be confused with North Greenwich that is on the Jubilee Line.
What is the Greenwich Pier postcode?
Greenwich Pier’s postcode is King William Walk, London SE10 9HT
Is Greenwich Pier accessible?
Greenwich Pier has wheelchair accessibility.
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Sightseeing At Its Best
Explore london with thames river sightseeing.
Make the most of your adventure! Join our local skippers and friendly team for an unforgettable Thames River cruise.
THAMES RIVER CRUISE TICKETS
Tickets & packages.
- Thames River Sightseeing Cruise Ticket
Westminster to Greenwich
Travel from Westminster to Greenwich and enjoy beautiful views over London’s famous landmarks with our River Thames Sightseeing cruise.
Westminster to Tower Bridge (Butler's Wharf Pier)
See the best of beautiful London from the waters on this Thames River Sightseeing cruise, from Westminster to Tower Bridge.
2 Day River Pass | Hop On Hop Off
Our 2-day hop-on and hop-off Thames River Sightseeing ticket is the best way to explore London from the water – with unlimited river travel over two consecutive days to enjoy at your own pace.
Tower Bridge (Butler's Wharf) to Westminster
Climb aboard our sightseeing cruise at Tower Bridge (Butler’s Wharf Pier) and head to Westminster.
THAMES RIVER SIGHTSEEING
Featured Attractions
There’s so much to see when you’re on your Thames River Sightseeing cruise that you’re bound to find at least one place you’ll want to visit. Explore iconic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Shard, & more!
- Closest Pier: Bankside Pier
TOWER OF LONDON
- Closest Pier: Greenwich Pier
ROYAL OBSERVATORY
Shakespeare's globe, st. paul's cathedral.
- BEAUTIFUL VIEWS
- EXPERT CREW
Are you a group of 15 or more? Book now and get 15% off your tickets. Please select a cruise below and the discount will automatically be applied for group bookings of at least 15 people.
Select a cruise for your group and get 15% off your tickets when check out.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Our common answer to your common questions. Didn’t see what you are looking for? Click the button below to read all our FAQs.
The Thames is a chock-a-block full of London landmarks, including the iconic Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and Cutty Sark, as well as modern attractions like the London Eye and the Shard. Rest assured your skipper will point out all the points of interest in an entertaining and informative commentary.
- Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment, London, SW1A 2JH
- Embankment Pier, Victoria Embankment, London, WC2N 6NU
- Festival Pier, Riverside Walk, London, SE1 9PX
- Bankside Pier, Bankside, London, SE1 9PD
- Tower Bridge Quay, St Katharine Docks, 50 St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1LA
- Greenwich Pier, King William Walk, London, SE10 9HT
- +44 (0) 20 3778 700
- [email protected]
Travel across London by river
Take to the Thames and discover a new way to move through the capital by boat.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers stops at 24 piers along the Thames between Barking Riverside Pier in the East and Putney Pier in the West. Services run from early in the morning until late at night 7 days a week.
Like the tube, the river is divided into zones: West, Central and East. Your ticket must be valid for all the zones you travel through. For instance, if you are travelling between Embankment and North Greenwich piers you will need a Central and East ticket.
All our boats and piers are wheelchair and pram accessible except for Cadogan, London Bridge City and Wandsworth Riverside Quarter piers. You can even bring your bike on board at no extra cost.
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River Guide
Discover everything London has to offer with our River Guide. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, our free interactive map will help you plan the perfect adventure across the capital.
Start exploring
Fast and convenient
Avoid the rush-hour hassle and take to the river. Make time yours! With a guaranteed seat and personal space, what are you going to do with your time? Catch up on emails, call a friend or read a book? Perhaps just enjoy the views?
Putney | Blackfriars | 54 minutes |
Battersea Power Station | London Bridge City | 37 minutes |
Tower | Greenwich | 23 minutes |
North Greenwich | Blackfriars | 44 minutes |
Royal Wharf | North Greenwich | 4 minutes |
Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) | Canary Wharf | 32 minutes |
RB1, our main route, operates from early in the morning until late at night 7 days a week across the Central and East Zones. The RB1 stops at piers between Battersea Power Station or London Eye (Waterloo) and Barking Riverside (depending on time of the day) allowing you to easily travel across London and enjoy the capital’s landmarks such as Westminster, The London Eye, Tower or Greenwich.
Please check the timetable before travelling.
On weekends, RB2 operates across all our zones (West, Central and East) stopping at main piers between Putney and North Greenwich via Battersea Power Station. Our RB2 service connects Tate Britain at Millbank Pier and Tate Modern at Bankside Pier, the easiest way to travel Tate to Tate.
The RB4 Canary Wharf to Doubletree Docklands ferry service provides regular river crossings between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe 7 days a week.
RB5 operates on weekdays during off-peak hours, calling at North Greenwich, Royal Wharf, Woolwich (Royal Arsenal), and Barking Riverside piers once an hour in both directions.
The RB6 operates weekdays during morning and evening peak times between Putney and Canary Wharf piers located in the West and Central Zones of our route. During the off-peak daytime the service operates hourly between Putney and Royal Wharf in the East Zone.
RB6 regularly calls at Embankment, Blackfriars and London Bridge City piers but does not always stop at all piers along its route. Please check the timetable before travelling.
Useful links
Ticket information, accessibility, book tickets, latest service updates.
For the most up to date information on our services please follow @thamesclippers on X (formerly known as Twitter). You can also find live departure information at the piers or on the Thames Clippers Tickets app.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Timetable. Don't miss the boat! Check the River Bus timetable before travelling. To plan your journey by river select the relevant timetable below and scroll right or left to find departure times from your pier. Download the PDF version for offline use. For the latest service updates please check our X account @thamesclippers.
Thames River Services timetable Please select a Thames River Services start and end point. More information is available on the Thames River Services website. In summer selected services cruise up to the Thames Barrier, but only stop at Barrier Gardens Pier for pre-booked groups.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers offers river bus services for a wide range of routes and piers. View our full weekday westbound timetable here.
River Bus and River tours from Richmond to the Thames Barrier. Fast and frequent services and leisure routes.
RB1 timetable. Please select a RB1 start and end point. From:FromBankside PierBarking Riverside PierBattersea Power Station PierBlackfriars PierCanary Wharf PierEmbankment PierGreenland Surrey Quays PierGreenwich PierLondon Bridge City PierLondon Eye Waterloo PierMasthouse Terrace PierMillbank PierNorth Greenwich PierRoyal Wharf PierTower ...
Find out about the most recent changes to our service. All the travel tools you need to plan your journey by river.
Take a look at the river cruise route map, departure times and destinations along the Thames for departures from the Tower Pier.
Escape the crowded London subways and enjoy a ride on the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers to explore the city. These are the fastest boats on the River Thames, running daily with departures every 20 minutes.
Times and Tides. The river trip from Westminster to Hampton Court is unique. At 35 kilometres (22 miles) one-way, it is the longest regular scheduled boat service available from London. On a fiercely tidal river such as The Thames it is difficult and sometimes impossible to provide an exact time of departure and arrival.
London riverboat services on the Thames Travelling on the river is a great way to get around London. You'll beat the traffic and enjoy fantastic views of London along the way. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers at Bankside. Image courtesy of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
Take to the Thames and make travel time part of your London adventure! Departing major central piers every 10-20 minutes and connecting 20+ piers along the River Thames, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers (also known as London's River Bus) provides a fast and safe way to get around the capital. With step-free access, guaranteed seats when on board ...
Timetabled services Get A to B tickets or buy an all-day ticket to hop-on and hop-off across our piers and explore London. You can also buy tickets with parking included! Check our timetable before travelling.
River Bus services are operated by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. Routes run from 23 piers between Putney and Woolwich. Check the current timetable for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. You can also keep an eye on service changes. All River Bus boats are covered and most boats also have a small outside ...
Make more of your travel time with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, London's river bus! Take to the Thames for some of the best views of London.
Take in some of London's most iconic sights from the deck of a City Cruises' river tour boat.
View the London Eye river cruise route map, departure times and destinations along the Thames. City Experiences depart the London Eye every 40-minutes.
Enjoy a seat once on board, fresh air, a café bar and the best view of London. It's definitely the most comfortable way to get to The O2. The River Bus stops at 24 piers across the capital linking North Greenwich directly to central London including London Bridge, Tower, Embankment, Westminster and London Eye.
View a map of the Greenwich Pier in London and see timetables for river cruises from City Experiences - London's No 1 Cruise on the Thames.
The fastest and most frequent fleet on the River Thames; providing River Boat Services & Thames River Cruises for both London commuters and visitors.
How much does it cost? See routes, find fares and timetables for each river service operator. You can use contactless (card or device) or an Oyster card on the River Bus service operated by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. Touch in at the start of your journey and touch out at the end on the yellow ...
Thames River Sightseeing, a family-owned company with 50+ years of experience, offers top-quality Westminster to Greenwich riverboat cruises. Our elegant vessels feature open-air upper decks, enclosed lower decks, and licensed bars, ensuring a great experience, rain or shine.
The RB1 stops at piers between Battersea Power Station or London Eye (Waterloo) and Barking Riverside (depending on time of the day) allowing you to easily travel across London and enjoy the capital's landmarks such as Westminster, The London Eye, Tower or Greenwich. Please check the timetable before travelling.
Discover the top 15 Thames river cruises and boat trips in London. Take in the best views of the city and explore pretty canals on a boat tour of London.
The Columbus premiere of the award-winning "MJ the Musical" will take the stage at the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., for eight shows Sept. 10-15. A Broadway blockbuster, the jukebox musical ...