Westminster to Greenwich Hop-On Hop-Off River Bus
Hop On Hop OffRiver Cruise1–4 hours (hop on and off at your pace)
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Why we love it
It's the best-kept secret in London transport. Same river, same views, a fraction of the price. The hop-on hop-off format means you're not locked into a single cruise — you can use it as actual transport between riverside attractions all day.
Best for
Budget-conscious travellersReturn visitorsFamiliesAnyone who hates the Tube in summer
Our tips
- Download the Uber Boat app for live departure times — the boats run every 20 minutes at peak times
- Sit on the open rear deck for the best views and photo opportunities
- The Embankment to Greenwich stretch is the most scenic — prioritise that if time is short
- Bring a light jacket even in summer — it gets breezy on the water
In detail
Here's the thing most London travel guides won't tell you: the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is a genuine commuter service. Londoners use it to get to work. That means it runs frequently, it's competitively priced, and it doesn't have a man with a microphone pointing out Big Ben as though you might have missed it.
The hop-on hop-off day ticket gives you unlimited rides between Westminster and Greenwich, which means you can use it as transport between attractions rather than paying for a single overpriced sightseeing cruise. Get off at Embankment for the South Bank. Get off at Bankside for the Tate Modern and Borough Market. Get off at Greenwich for the Royal Observatory and the Cutty Sark. Then get back on.
The views are identical to what you'd get on a £30 tourist boat — Parliament, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, the Naval College at Greenwich — but at a fraction of the price. The boats have indoor and outdoor seating, a small bar, and free Wi-Fi. They're modern catamarans, not floating tour buses.
The only downside is the lack of live commentary, which genuinely matters if you're a first-time visitor who wants context. But if you've read even a basic guidebook, or if this is your second visit, the river bus is the smarter choice. Download the app, tap in with contactless, and enjoy London from the water like the locals do.
What's included
Included
- Unlimited hop-on hop-off river bus travel for the day
- Access to all piers between Westminster and Greenwich
- Indoor and outdoor seating on modern catamarans
- Free onboard Wi-Fi
Not included
- Live commentary (this is a transport service, not a sightseeing cruise)
- Food and drinks (bar available onboard at extra cost)
- Entry to attractions at pier stops
Frequently asked questions
The sightseeing cruise is a one-way narrated journey — great for first-timers who want context. The hop-on hop-off river bus is a real transport service with no commentary but unlimited rides all day. If you want to use the river as transport between attractions (South Bank, Borough Market, Greenwich), the river bus is significantly better value.
Yes — you can tap in with Oyster or contactless on any Thames Clippers service. Single fares are around £8–9. If you plan to make three or more trips in a day, the hop-on hop-off day pass at £22 saves you money.
Every 20 minutes during peak hours (roughly 7am–9am and 4pm–7pm) and every 30 minutes at other times. Weekend frequency varies by route. Check the Uber Boat app for live departure times — it is very reliable.
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