London: Uber Boat Return River Ticket + IFS Cloud Cable Car

London looks better from moving viewpoints. This one-day ticket pairs a return Uber Boat journey between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside with a roundtrip on the IFS Cloud Cable Car. I like the freedom to board at any covered pier in the Central or East zones, and I like that the boat ride is useful transport as well as sightseeing.

The cable car adds a fun change of angle, with broad views over the Thames and London’s eastern skyline. Indoor seating, covered outdoor areas, and onboard refreshments make the river part easy, but the main drawback is location: the cable car is by North Greenwich, so this outing takes you away from central London for much of the day.

Five things to know before you go

• Board from any included pier: You can start between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside, with no fixed pickup point.
• North Greenwich is the key connection: It is the nearest pier for the IFS Cloud Cable Car.
• The boat journey is part transport, part sightseeing: A ride from Westminster to North Greenwich takes about an hour and gives you a useful look at London from the Thames.
• The cable car ride is short but scenic: A roundtrip lasts about 20 minutes, with the best views often coming from the windows rather than the destination itself.
• The ticket costs $45 per person: That can be fair if you use the boat for several stops and want both experiences, but it is less attractive if you only want a quick cable car ride.
• You need to plan around timetables: Boat departures and cable car hours vary, so check times before setting out.

Two ways to see London in one day

This ticket gives you two very different versions of London. The Uber Boat places you at river level, where bridges, docks, towers, and working wharves pass by at a relaxed pace. The IFS Cloud Cable Car lifts you above the Thames, giving you a wider view of the city’s eastern side.

I like the contrast. On the boat, you move through London. In the cable car, you pause above it. Neither experience replaces a major attraction such as the Tower of London or the London Eye, but together they create a pleasant sightseeing day with less standing in queues and more time looking around.

The ticket is valid for one selected day. It is not a guided tour, and nobody leads you from one stop to the next. You choose your starting pier, decide where to get off, and make your own way to North Greenwich for the cable car.

That independence is a strength. It also means you must keep an eye on the clock.

Starting at Westminster or another Thames Clippers pier

You can board at any Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier in the Central and East zones. The usable stretch runs from Battersea Power Station in the west to Barking Riverside in the east.

A popular plan is to begin at Westminster. From there, the boat ride toward North Greenwich takes about an hour, giving you time to see the riverfront without rushing from sight to sight. You pass through the central part of London before the scenery becomes more open and dock-focused farther east.

You can also begin at another pier. The choice depends on where you are staying and what you want to see first. Starting farther west gives you a longer sightseeing ride. Starting near North Greenwich makes the cable car easier to fit into a shorter day.

The important point is that this is not a fixed hop-on, hop-off route with a reserved departure. You present your printed or electronic ticket at the pier, then use the service according to the published timetable.

What the Uber Boat ride is really like

The Thames Clippers boats are designed for practical city travel, so you get a more relaxed experience than on a typical sightseeing cruise. There is indoor seating, plus covered outdoor space. You can sit down, watch the river, and move around a little without treating the boat like a formal tour.

Refreshments are available for purchase onboard. That small detail matters on a longer ride from Westminster to North Greenwich, especially if you are using the boat as the main outing rather than just a short connection.

The river gives you a different view of London’s famous sights. Bridges and waterfront buildings appear from low down, and the city feels less crowded than it does at street level. You are also seeing the Thames as a transport route, not just as a backdrop for photographs.

I would use the boat for the longest practical stretch of your day. A short ride can still be pleasant, but the ticket offers more value when you use it to reach several parts of London rather than simply riding one stop.

You can board and disembark at any included pier, but the return benefit has limits. The ticket covers travel between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside. It does not cover the West Zone service between Putney and Battersea Power Station, and it is not valid on The O2 Post Show Express.

The route from Westminster to North Greenwich

The Westminster to North Greenwich ride is a useful example of how to plan this ticket. You begin near some of central London’s most familiar sights, then continue east toward the cable car.

The central river section is best for broad city views and landmark spotting. As the boat moves east, the character of the Thames changes. The ride becomes less about ticking off a single famous building and more about seeing how London opens toward its docklands and newer riverside areas.

Allow about an hour for this journey based on the published experience of riding from Westminster to North Greenwich. The exact time can vary with the service and pier, so do not build a tight connection around it.

The ride is also a good reason to avoid overloading your day with too many paid attractions. You are already spending time on the river, and the boat provides a pleasant break between walking sections.

For a first visit to London, I would pair this with one central attraction before boarding. For a return visit, I would use the boat to explore a section of the Thames you might otherwise skip.

Arriving at North Greenwich for the cable car

North Greenwich is the key stop for the IFS Cloud Cable Car. It is the nearest pier to the cable car stations, so this is the natural place to leave the boat and continue to the aerial ride.

The area is also connected with The O2, making it a useful part of an eastern London outing. The ticket itself does not include entrance to other landmarks, so you should treat the cable car as the included attraction and plan any additional visits separately.

The transfer is not presented as a guided connection. You need to follow the local signs and allow enough time between the boat and cable car. Check the operating schedule before boarding the boat, since a late arrival could reduce the time available for the ride.

This is one place where flexibility works both ways. You can spend time around North Greenwich if you wish, or take the cable car and return to the river. Just remember that the ticket is valid for one day and all services follow their own timetables.

Riding above the Thames on the IFS Cloud Cable Car

The cable car gives you the ticket’s most unusual view. Instead of looking along the river, you look across it from above, with London spread out around the cabins.

The roundtrip takes about 20 minutes according to the experience details. That is long enough for photographs and a good look around, but short enough that you should not expect a full afternoon attraction.

The cabins may not always be private. One booking experience had a car to itself, which was useful for taking photographs, but you should not count on having an empty cabin. Even with other passengers, the windows provide the main appeal.

I like this ride best as a change of pace after the boat. The river journey is horizontal and steady. The cable car is quiet, brief, and more focused on the view. The combination feels varied without demanding much physical effort.

The cable car can be especially attractive in the evening. One rating praised the night view, and the city lights give the ride a different mood from a daytime crossing. Still, check the operating hours before choosing a late visit, as schedules can change.

How much time should you set aside?

The activity is sold as a one-day experience, not a fixed-duration tour. Your total time depends on your starting pier, how often you get off the boat, and how long you spend at North Greenwich.

A simple plan would look like this:

• Start at Westminster or another central pier.
• Ride east toward North Greenwich.
• Get off near the cable car.
• Take the roundtrip cable car ride.
• Return to the river and continue by boat, or use the boat for another included pier.

The Westminster to North Greenwich section alone can take about an hour. Add time for waiting, the roughly 20-minute cable car journey, the transfer between pier and station, and any stops you want to make.

If you want a relaxed day, keep your plans around the Thames. If you also want the Tower of London, the London Eye, a museum, and several central sights, this ticket may feel like one activity too many.

One useful approach is to make the boat journey your main route between places. That way, you are not trying to squeeze sightseeing into every spare minute. You are simply using the river to get around.

Is $45 a fair price?

At $45 per person, the ticket is not a bargain for the cable car alone. The cable car ride is short, and you could find the price difficult to justify if you only make a quick trip to North Greenwich and return.

The value improves when you use the Uber Boat as real transport. A longer ride from Westminster, several pier options, seating, covered areas, and a return journey make the package more useful than a single attraction ticket.

I would consider it good value for someone who already wants to ride the Thames and also likes the idea of seeing London from above. It is less convincing for someone focused on central London landmarks, since North Greenwich sits away from the main sightseeing core.

A single day ticket also has a planning advantage. You do not need to buy separate boat and cable car tickets at each stage. That convenience is part of what you are paying for, though you still need to check the schedules yourself.

The overall rating of 4.3 from 47 ratings suggests a solid experience with some limits. The strongest praise focuses on the smooth boat ride, the attractive views, the comfort onboard, and the convenience of combining both activities. The main criticism is that the cable car is not central and may feel like a one-time experience.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this ticket to you if you enjoy seeing a city through its transport network. The boat lets you travel rather than simply pose beside the Thames, and the cable car gives you a short aerial view without committing to a long attraction visit.

It also suits families and mixed-age groups. The activity is wheelchair accessible, and the boat has indoor seating and covered outdoor areas. Children aged 4 and under travel free, with a limit of two young children per paying adult. Children under 10 must stay with an adult at all times.

The ticket may work well for photographers, especially if you like changing viewpoints. The river gives you broad side views, while the cable car provides a higher position for skyline photographs. Light and weather will affect the experience, so a clear day can make a real difference.

I would be more cautious if you are visiting London for the first time and have only one short day. Central attractions may deserve priority, and one rating specifically found this activity less central than preferred.

It is also not the best choice if you dislike planning around public transport schedules. The ticket is flexible, but flexibility requires you to check boat and cable car departure times.

Small details that make the day easier

Check the timetable before you leave your hotel. Departure times can vary by pier, and cable car opening hours may not match the boat schedule.

Bring your ticket on your phone or as a printout. You present it at the included piers and at the cable car stations.

Use the free Thames Clippers River Guide to understand the pier sequence before setting out. It can help you decide where to board and where to leave the boat.

Do not assume every Thames Clippers route is included. The West Zone service from Putney to Battersea Power Station is excluded, as is The O2 Post Show Express.

Food and drinks are not included, but refreshments can be bought on the boat and at the cable car stations. You should also avoid bringing hazardous materials, flammable substances, or items longer than two metres onto the boat.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your London plans are still shifting.

Should you book the boat and cable car ticket?

Book it if you want an easy, scenic day built around the Thames, especially if you plan to travel from central London toward North Greenwich. The best value comes from using the boat for a longer journey, not treating it as a brief ride attached to a 20-minute cable car trip.

Skip it if your priority is staying close to Westminster, the Tower of London, or other central sights. In that case, the journey to North Greenwich may take time away from attractions that matter more to you.

My practical verdict: this is a pleasant and flexible London outing, with the boat ride doing most of the heavy lifting and the cable car adding a memorable change of height. At $45, it makes sense for people who want both viewpoints and will use the river as transport. It is less compelling as a standalone cable car ticket.

FAQ

Where can I board the Uber Boat?

You can board at any Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier in the Central and East zones, from Battersea Power Station to Barking Riverside.

Is the return boat journey included?

Yes. The ticket includes a return journey between included piers in the Central and East zones.

Which pier is closest to the IFS Cloud Cable Car?

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

How long does the cable car ride take?

The roundtrip cable car experience lasts about 20 minutes.

Can I use the ticket in the West Zone?

No. The ticket does not cover West Zone services between Putney and Battersea Power Station.

Is the O2 Post Show Express included?

No. This ticket is not valid on The O2 Post Show Express.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is wheelchair accessible.

Do young children need a ticket?

Children aged 4 and under travel free, with a maximum of two children under 4 per paying adult. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.