Reviewed · THAMES RIVER CRUISES
London: Uber Boat Return River Ticket + IFS Cloud Cable Car
London’s best angle is not from a tube platform or a crowded overlook. It is from moving water, then from the sky, and this combo ticket hands you both. I especially like the flexible river hopping on Uber Boat, plus the IFS Cloud Cable Car ride that gives you fresh aerial views of the Thames and skyline.
The one thing to think about: this is more of a travel-by-scenery day than a deep landmark plan. If you want a single “big ticket” photo stop like Tower of London or the London Eye, you may still prefer those instead of a cruise plus cable car.
If you like comfort and you want your transport to do double duty as sightseeing, this works well. The Uber Boats run on a frequent, easy rhythm, and the cable car gives you a calm, photogenic reset after time on the river.
Key things to know before you go

- River flexibility: You can ride to and from piers within the Central and East zones, between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside.
- Two perspectives, one day: Thames views from the boat, then city views from the IFS Cloud Cable Car.
- North Greenwich is your cable car anchor: The nearest cable car pier/station area is North Greenwich.
- Comfort on the water: Indoor seating plus covered outdoor areas make it easier to stay comfortable whatever the weather does.
- Short, scenic cable car ride: Expect a ride of about 20 minutes.
- Small group feel: Limited to 9 participants, which often makes the day feel less chaotic.
Uber Boat on the Thames, from Battersea Power Station to Barking Riverside

This ticket’s foundation is a return journey on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. The key word here is return, because you are not committing to one single route. You ride to your chosen stop, then you can ride back later using the return part of the ticket.
What makes it practical is the zone coverage. You can board and disembark at any pier in the Central and East zones, between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside. That means you can build a day around what you want to see, rather than forcing your plan around one fixed stop.
Uber Boat also solves a common London problem: getting around quickly without spending all day underground. The river route is built for sightseeing while you move. In one of the clearer examples from real bookings, a rider went from Westminster to North Greenwich and described it as a solid, about one hour ride with sightseeing baked in. Even if you do a different pair of piers, the idea stays the same: you are trading some walking time for river time.
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Why this part feels worth it
The boat isn’t just transport. It is a moving viewpoint. From the water you can see how the Thames threads through the city, how neighborhoods change from one side to the other, and where big landmarks sit along the riverfront.
And because the boat has indoor seating and covered outdoor areas, you are not stuck gambling on the weather. If the sky clears, you can step outside. If it turns gray or breezy, you can stay inside and still enjoy the ride.
One realistic drawback
This combination does not replace a full day of museum or a major single attraction. You get a lot of skyline and river scenery, but if your heart is set on a specific iconic site, you will likely want to add that separately.
Also, do not plan to be picked up. You need to go to a pier yourself. The boat part is flexible, but you still need to arrive at the pier for your chosen departure time.
North Greenwich to the sky, the IFS Cloud Cable Car ride

After you’ve spent time on the Thames, the second half changes the angle completely. The IFS Cloud Cable Car floats you above the river for broad views of London.
The nearest cable car station area is North Greenwich, which is a helpful detail because it guides where your river time should lead. If you plan your boat stop around North Greenwich, the switch to the cable car tends to feel smooth and low stress.
The ride itself is relatively short. One booking described it as lasting about 20 minutes, and that matches the general feel of a ticket that pairs well with a river cruise. You are not stuck for hours. You get enough time for photos and a good look around, then you are back down and ready to continue exploring.
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What you actually see from up there
From the cable car you get a different kind of London overview. Instead of focusing on a shoreline as you do from the boat, you see the Thames corridor laid out with a higher viewpoint. You also get a sense of distance between areas, which is handy if you are trying to understand the city map.
And because it is a ride where the cabin moves steadily, it is easier to grab photos without rushing. One booking noted that they had a calmer cabin experience and were able to take photos easily. You cannot guarantee that every time, but the setup is clearly designed for easy sightseeing.
The most common planning issue
Plan for the timing shift between the boat and cable car. Service schedules can vary by pier, so you want to check departures before you commit your day to a specific order. If you arrive at North Greenwich too late, you might end up waiting, and with a one day ticket, you want to keep the rhythm.
How to shape your day: pairing the boat stops with the cable car

You can make this day as simple or as structured as you want. The ticket gives you flexibility on the river, but the cable car location nudges you toward one clear anchor point: North Greenwich.
A clean approach looks like this:
- Take the Uber Boat from one of the included piers toward the North Greenwich side (Westminster to North Greenwich was one easy example in a real booking).
- Use the time at North Greenwich to hop from the boat area to the cable car.
- Ride the cable car to get your aerial view.
- Take Uber Boat again as your return ride, using any pier in the covered zone for getting back.
This works well because it avoids the common headache of choosing one random pier and then realizing you are far from your next connection.
Where the flexibility really pays off
Because Uber Boat lets you board and disembark across the covered zones, you can adjust your plan on the fly. If you find one stop more interesting, you can spend a bit more time. If you want to get back faster, you can.
This is especially useful if your day is weather dependent. If it is pouring, you might spend more time inside on the boat and shorten time walking around.
A sensible tip for photos and comfort
Time your cable car ride when you think the light will be kind to photos. The data you provided includes a comment that night views can be great, so it is fair to say lighting matters. If you are aiming for skyline shots, consider late afternoon or early evening when the city starts shifting tones.
Comfort, boarding, and what you need to bring

This combo is built to be straightforward. You use your printed or e-ticket at the places that matter.
For Uber Boat, you present your ticket at any Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier in the Central and East zones. For the cable car, you present the same e-ticket at the IFS Cloud Cable Car stations. Since your ticket is only valid for the selected date, it is worth keeping your ticket accessible and not buried in your bag.
Seating and weather protection
On the boat, you get indoor seating plus covered outdoor areas. That is a big deal in London. It means you can enjoy the river without turning the trip into a cold-weather survival contest.
And the pace feels easy. Several details point to fast, frequent departures, which usually matters because you spend less time waiting around with nothing to do.
Wheelchair access and family note
The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is great to see. If you are traveling with kids, note that children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Also, children 4 and under travel free, up to two children per paying adult.
Price and value: is $45 per person a smart use of a day?

At about $45 per person for a full day, the value hinges on what you are trying to get out of London that day.
If your goal is to see London from two unique angles with minimal planning stress, this is a strong deal. You are effectively buying:
- A return Thames ride with plenty of flexibility on where you hop on and off
- A roundtrip cable car ride with skyline views
- Comfortable seating options on the boat
This is not the same type of value as a museum ticket. You are not paying for a deep, ticketed attraction that forces a timed entry. Instead, you are paying for a day-long movement experience where the ride itself is the sightseeing.
One review summed it up with a clear tradeoff: it can feel like an activity you only need once, especially compared with doing something that sits closer to the center of your “must see” list. I agree with the spirit of that. If you already have a London Eye or Tower of London planned, you may still want this as an extra scenic day. If you do not, this combo can pull its weight nicely.
Who this combo suits best

This experience fits best if you like:
- Scenic transport that doubles as sightseeing
- A day that is mostly low effort, with comfort built in
- City views that change as you move, rather than standing in one place
- A straightforward plan that works even when the weather is unpredictable
It might not be the best fit if you are traveling with only one day and you want a single, highly focused attraction that anchors your whole itinerary. This combo gives you two rounds of views, but it does not replace the need for a big, specific landmark visit if that is your priority.
Things to watch out for, so the day stays smooth

A few practical notes help you avoid the most common hiccups:
- Tickets are not valid for The O2 Post Show Express or West Zone services (Putney to Battersea Power Station). Stick to the included piers in the covered zones.
- Food and beverages are not included. You can buy things on board and at stations if you need a snack.
- There is no pickup. You go to your pier, and you manage your schedule based on departures.
It is also smart to check service timetables before you lock in your plan. Even within one day, departure times can vary by pier.
Should you book this Uber Boat plus IFS Cloud Cable Car combo?

I would book this if you want a one day, two-angle London experience with comfort and flexibility built in. The Thames ride gives you a big-picture look at the city along the river, and the cable car adds the sky view without eating your whole day.
I would skip it or swap it for something else if your London priority list already includes a major, timed attraction and you only have time for one “big wow.” In that case, this combo can feel like the fun extra, not the main event.
If you do book, plan your river route with North Greenwich in mind, build in a little buffer between boat and cable car timing, and treat the rides as the highlight. When you do that, this ticket delivers exactly what it promises: London from water, then London from above.
FAQ
Where can I use the Uber Boat portion of the ticket?
You can board and disembark at any piers within the Central and East zones between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside.
How do I get to the boat?
There is no pickup. You need to go to any Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier within the covered zone.
Where is the nearest area for the IFS Cloud Cable Car?
The nearest cable car pier/station area is North Greenwich.
What does the ticket include?
It includes a return journey on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers in the covered zones, plus a roundtrip ride on the IFS Cloud Cable Car.
Are food and drinks included?
No. Food and beverages are available for purchase on Uber Boat and at cable car stations.
How long is the cable car ride?
The ride is about 20 minutes.
What if I want to ride back from a different pier than I arrived at?
The ticket lets you use Uber Boat to travel to and from any piers within the Central and East zones between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside.
What do I need to show at the rides?
Present your printed or e-ticket at the Uber Boat piers within the covered zones and at the IFS Cloud Cable Car stations.
Are there any age rules for children?
Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Children 4 and under travel free with a limit of up to 2 children per paying adult.
Is the experience wheelchair accessible?
Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.
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