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

London looks different from the Thames. This ticket lets you watch the city slide past from the water, then rise above it on the IFS Cloud Cable Car near North Greenwich. You can board at any eligible pier between Putney and Barking Riverside, so the day works as both sightseeing and transport.

I like the all-day flexibility and the chance to combine two very different views without buying separate tickets. I also like the comfortable boats, with indoor seats and covered outdoor areas, especially when London weather turns cold or damp. The catch is time: boat transfers can take longer than the Tube, and the cable car is far east of central London.

Key points

• One ticket, two viewpoints: Cruise the Thames and take a round-trip cable car ride above the river.
• Use any eligible pier: The pass covers Uber Boat by Thames Clippers services between Putney and Barking Riverside.
• North Greenwich is the cable car connection: Walk from North Greenwich Pier to the IFS Cloud Cable Car station.
• Best central sights are on the river route: Look for Westminster, the London Eye, Somerset House, St. Paul’s, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London.
• Plan around the timetable: Boats run regularly, but transfers and waits can eat into a short sightseeing day.
• The cable car depends on conditions: High winds can stop service, so leave room in your plans.

What This London Combination Really Gives You

At about $50.30 per person, this is not simply a scenic cruise. You are buying a full day of river transport plus a round-trip cable car ride. That can be good value if you use the boat to reach several parts of London, rather than staying aboard for one short loop.

The pass is strongest for a first visit. You can see central London from the river, reach Greenwich or Battersea Power Station without dealing with roads, and add the cable car for a short burst of height and fresh air. You are free to get off when something catches your eye, then board another boat later.

I would not treat it as a fast substitute for the Underground. The boat is scenic, but the Thames does not cut through every part of London, and changing boats may be required. A day built around three or four river stops is realistic. A day built around every major attraction listed here is not.

Start at the Pier That Fits Your Day

You make your own way to an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier and show your printed voucher or e-ticket to staff. The pass is valid for unlimited journeys on the chosen date across the West, Central, and East zones, from Putney to Barking Riverside.

Useful starting points include Westminster, Embankment, London Bridge City, Tower, Battersea Power Station, North Greenwich, and Greenwich. The operating details also allow boarding at piers throughout the covered route, so you do not need to force yourself to begin at Westminster.

Your first choice matters. Start near Westminster if you want the classic central London run. Begin at Greenwich if you want the Cutty Sark and Old Royal Naval College first. Choose Battersea if the restored power station is high on your list. North Greenwich makes the most sense when the cable car is your main goal.

Boarding is first come, first served. Boats have indoor seating and covered outdoor space, which helps in cold weather and light rain. For photos, head outside early, then move indoors if the wind picks up. Some boats can be busy, and you may need to wait for the next departure.

Westminster to Tower Bridge: London’s Best River Views

The central stretch gives you the most recognizable sights in the shortest distance. From the river, you can see the Palace of Westminster, home of the Houses of Commons and Lords, along with Westminster Abbey and the London Eye across the water.

This part is especially useful if you have already seen these buildings from the street. The river gives you a wider view, with the Thames opening up the foreground. Westminster Abbey is not included as an entrance ticket, so get off only if you plan to pay separately and allow enough time for a visit.

The London Eye is another optional stop. The cable car and boat pass do not include a ride on the observation wheel. You will need a separate ticket, and the river pass does not reserve a time for you.

Heading east, you reach Somerset House, St. Paul’s Cathedral, London Bridge, The Shard, and the Tower of London. Somerset House works well as a short stop, while St. Paul’s and the Tower need much longer if you want to go inside.

The Shard is easy to recognize from the boat, but entry to its viewing platform is not included. The same applies to the Tower of London, where the Crown Jewels and historic fortifications can take much of a day. The boat lets you reach these places, but it does not turn them into quick stops.

Battersea Power Station Adds a Modern Stop

Battersea Power Station gives the route a different feel from Westminster and the Tower. The Grade II* listed building has been brought back into use with more than 140 shops, bars, restaurants, leisure venues, parks, and historic spaces.

I like this stop for a meal or a break. You can get off the boat, walk around, and decide how much time to spend without needing an attraction ticket just to enter the area. The stop is also useful for anyone who wants to see how an old industrial building has been adapted for modern London life.

Allow about an hour if you want a relaxed look at the complex. If your main goal is Greenwich and the cable car, do not linger too long here. Every extra stop makes the eastbound trip tighter.

Greenwich: Cutty Sark and the Old Royal Naval College

Greenwich is one of the most rewarding places to leave the boat. At Greenwich Pier, you can visit the Cutty Sark, the famous historic sailing ship. Admission is not included, so check the time and cost before committing to the stop.

The Old Royal Naval College is another major draw. Its buildings form the architectural center of Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Painted Hall is often called the United Kingdom’s Sistine Chapel, and the complex gives you a strong sense of Greenwich’s importance as a naval and royal center.

This is a better stop for people who want history and architecture than for anyone trying to collect quick photo stops. Give yourself around an hour at minimum, and more if you plan to enter the Cutty Sark or Painted Hall. Greenwich also works well as a pause before returning west, but keep an eye on departure times.

The Thames Barrier is another notable sight farther east. The river route lets you see this major flood defense structure, though the experience is mainly about viewing it from the boat unless you make separate plans nearby.

North Greenwich and the IFS Cloud Cable Car

The cable car connection is at North Greenwich Pier. After leaving the boat, show your ticket to a representative and walk to the IFS Cloud Cable Car station. The cable car ride is included as a round trip and takes about 45 minutes as part of the wider visit.

From the cabins, you look over the O2 Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the Thames, and the London skyline. The view is broad rather than packed with old landmarks. North Greenwich is well east of the classic central sights, so you will see modern London, open river space, construction areas, and industrial surroundings as well as the skyline.

That setting is the main point of disagreement about this experience. I find the cable car fun and worthwhile when the weather is clear, especially for families and anyone who enjoys seeing a city from above. If you expect a panorama of Westminster, the Tower, and St. Paul’s, you may be disappointed. Those central sights are too far away to be the focus here.

The ride is short and smooth, and the cable car can be uncrowded at quieter times. You may even find a cabin with only your own group, though that is not guaranteed. You can ride across and back, so you do not need a separate return plan.

Weather matters. High winds can suspend service, and one cancelled cable car ride can spoil the balance of this combined ticket. If the cable car is essential, avoid building the experience into a tightly timed final afternoon. Check conditions and leave a backup option for getting away from North Greenwich.

How to Build a Day That Does Not Run Out of Time

The biggest practical issue is pace. A boat may be frequent, but the trip itself still takes time. You might also need to change boats, queue, or wait for a suitable service. One departure delay can turn a neat plan into a long pause.

For a central sightseeing day, I would choose Westminster, Tower, and Greenwich, with the cable car only if the timetable and weather cooperate. Another good plan is Battersea Power Station in the morning, central London around midday, then Greenwich or North Greenwich later.

Do not assume you can remain aboard indefinitely without changing. Some services may require you to leave and wait for another boat, even if you hoped to continue in the same direction. This is why the pass is better as a scenic transport option than as a fixed narrated tour.

There is also no regular onboard commentary identifying every sight. The river view is excellent, but you should bring your own plan for what you are seeing. A free river guide is available, and checking piers, attractions, and boat times before you leave your hotel will save frustration.

For photos, take an outside seat on the first run, then use the covered area later. On a cold day, you can still enjoy the route without sitting in the wind. For families, the boat and cable car offer variety, but children up to age 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

What Is Included and What You Still Pay For

The ticket includes unlimited one-day travel on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and a round-trip journey on the IFS Cloud Cable Car. Food and drinks are not included, although they are available for purchase on the boat and at cable car stations.

Entrance fees for the Cutty Sark, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, The Shard, and other attractions are separate. This distinction matters because the list of sights can make the experience sound like a sightseeing package with admissions. It is really a transport and viewpoint pass.

At $50.30, the value depends on use. If you take several boat journeys and complete the cable car ride, the price can make sense, particularly when you would otherwise buy separate transport and cable car tickets. If you take one short cruise and spend the rest of the day elsewhere, it is harder to justify.

I would compare it with your planned Tube and bus costs. The pass makes the most sense when the river route is part of the day itself, not just a way to move from one station to another.

Access, Tickets, and Weather Details

The experience accepts a mobile ticket, though the instructions also refer to a printed voucher. To avoid a dockside delay, keep the ticket easy to open on your phone and bring a printed copy if that is convenient.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. Some mobility scooters fit on Uber Boat vessels and some do not, so contact Uber Boat by Thames Clippers in advance if this applies to you. The ticket is not valid on The O2 express services.

The experience begins and ends in London, with no hotel pickup. You get to the pier yourself. The selected date is valid for one day of unlimited journeys, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who Should Book This Pass?

I recommend it for first-time visitors who want a broad look at London, families who like a boat ride and a cable car, and anyone who would enjoy making Greenwich or Battersea part of a sightseeing day. It is also a good choice when you want a break from underground stations and crowded streets.

I would be more cautious if you have only a few hours, need exact arrival times, or care mainly about historic central London. The cable car takes you east, and boat travel is slower than the Tube. In poor weather, the cable car may stop, while the river views can lose some of their appeal.

Book it if you will use the boat as your day’s main route and can stay flexible. Skip it if you want a tightly scheduled list of attractions. The best version of this experience is relaxed: cruise, get off for one meaningful stop, continue east or west, and save enough time for the cable car.

FAQ

Where can I board the Uber Boat?

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

Is the cable car included?

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

Where do I access the cable car?

Get off at North Greenwich Pier and show your ticket to a representative. The cable car station is a short walk from the pier.

How long is the pass valid?

The pass is valid for one day on the date selected during booking. It allows unlimited journeys within the covered zones.

Are attraction admission fees included?

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

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available to buy on the Uber Boat and at the cable car stations, but they are not part of the ticket.

Can I use the ticket on The O2 express service?

No. The pass is not valid on The O2 express services.

Can bad weather stop the cable car?

Yes. High winds can cause the cable car service to stop. Keep your schedule flexible if the cable car is important to your day.