London: IFS Cable Car + Uber Boat One Way River Thames Cruise

London looks different from the water, but it looks more surprising still from a cable car nearly 300 feet above the Thames. This flexible combo links a one-way Uber Boat journey with a round-trip IFS Cloud Cable Car ride near the O2, giving you two useful ways to see east London.

I like the freedom to board the boat at any pier between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside, and I like the cable car’s clear views toward the O2, Canary Wharf, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard, and the Thames Barrier. The catch is simple: this is not a central London sightseeing cruise, and the boat ticket is only one way.

Key points to know before you go

• The cable car crosses between North Greenwich and the Royal Docks, not over Westminster or the historic heart of London.
• Your boat ticket is one way, valid between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside on the booked day.
• The cable car ticket is round trip, so you can cross to the Royal Docks and return to Greenwich Peninsula.
• The ride works best as a self-guided outing, with no guide or live sightseeing commentary included.
• Boarding is first come, first served, and queues can affect your plans at busy times.
• The O2 and North Greenwich area offer food and shopping, so allow extra time if you want more than the basic transport experience.

Two ways to see London in one outing

At $33.15 per person, this experience combines public transport with a leisure attraction. That matters because the Uber Boat is not a traditional sightseeing cruise with a fixed route, reserved seats, or a running commentary. It is a fast river bus that happens to offer excellent views along the way.

The cable car supplies the real attraction element. You ride above the Thames between the Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks, then return by cable car. The whole outing can take about one to four hours, depending on where you board the boat, how long you wait, and how much time you spend near the O2 or cable car stations.

I see this as a good-value choice if you already want to visit North Greenwich. It is less convincing if you expect a complete tour of London’s famous central sights. You can see St Paul’s Cathedral and The Shard from the cable car on a clear day, but they are distant views, not close-up landmark visits.

Taking the Uber Boat from Battersea to Barking

The boat portion is flexible. You can present your printed ticket or e-ticket at any Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier in the Central or East Zone, covering Battersea Power Station through Barking Riverside. That means you can begin near a central sightseeing day, rather than traveling all the way to Greenwich first.

The boats run from key piers at roughly 20-minute intervals. That sounds frequent, but you should still leave room for a wait, especially if a boat is full. Boarding is first come, first served, and a full boat can mean waiting for the next departure.

Inside, you will find climate-controlled seating. There are also covered outdoor areas and licensed coffee bars. The outdoor deck is the best place for photographs, especially when the boat is moving past bridges, docklands, and riverside buildings. Indoor seating is useful in poor weather, though conditions can feel warm or stuffy when ventilation is limited.

The river bus moves quickly and makes several stops. That gives you a practical ride as well as a sightseeing experience. You are not locked into a set departure pier, and you can use the boat as part of a wider day in London.

The boat’s main weakness is the lack of a full sightseeing presentation. You should not expect a guide to point out every building or explain the history of the Thames. If you want commentary, bring your own map or use the ride as a quiet way to watch the city pass by.

The one-way rule is important. If you board in central London and get off at North Greenwich, your ticket has been used. You will need another valid ticket or travel method for any further boat journey. An Oyster card may be useful for eligible boat travel, but this package itself provides one single journey only.

Getting off near the Greenwich Peninsula

The cable car’s nearest pier is North Greenwich. From there, the cable car station is about a 10-minute walk, according to the practical directions available for this outing. The route is manageable, but the instructions can be unclear, so check your location before leaving the pier.

North Greenwich is home to the O2, along with shops, restaurants, and other places to spend time. If you plan ahead, the cable car can become one part of a longer afternoon or evening rather than a brief ride followed by a search for somewhere to go.

Do not confuse this ticket with an entrance ticket for the O2 or another London attraction. The package does not include admission to other landmarks. It also cannot be used on The O2 Post Show Express or on West Zone services.

This part of London has a very different feel from the area around Westminster, the Tower of London, or St James’s. You will see modern buildings, new construction, wide stretches of the Thames, and working docklands. Some views below may include land being developed rather than postcard-ready old London.

The IFS Cloud Cable Car from Greenwich Peninsula

The IFS Cloud Cable Car travels between Greenwich Peninsula, near the O2, and the Royal Docks, close to ExCeL London. The journey is short, but the height gives it visual impact. You rise above the Thames and get a broad view of Canary Wharf, the O2, the Thames Barrier, and, on a clear day, parts of central London.

The cable car is especially useful for photographers. From the cabins, you can frame the Thames, the towers of Canary Wharf, bridges, large event venues, and the changing pattern of the docklands. The view is not the same as the view from a tall city building. Instead, you move across the river and see the city from a suspended route.

Your ticket includes a return ride, so you can cross to the Royal Docks and come back to Greenwich Peninsula without arranging another form of transport. The ride takes about 30 minutes in total, according to the scheduled outline, though queues and service conditions can add time.

The cable car is not a long-distance journey. Some people find it too short for the price, while others find the length just right for a quick family outing or an unusual photo stop. I would set your expectations correctly: this is a compact attraction with good views, not a full afternoon activity by itself.

The experience can also be affected by weather and operations. Wind may make the ride feel more exciting, but it can be uncomfortable if you dislike heights. There have also been occasions when service interruptions created long waits. A boat or other operational delay can affect your schedule, so avoid placing an important timed booking immediately afterward.

What you can see from the air

The height is the main reason to book this experience. The cable car gives you a clean view across a section of the Thames that is hard to understand from street level.

Look toward the Greenwich Peninsula for the O2 and its large curved roof. Across the water, the Royal Docks and ExCeL area spread out below. Canary Wharf’s towers form the strongest modern skyline, while the Thames Barrier adds a distinctive engineering feature farther east.

St Paul’s Cathedral and The Shard may appear in the distance. They are not close enough for detailed viewing, but they help you place east London within the wider city. If you want the best chance of clear photographs, daytime is the safer choice. Evening rides can be atmospheric, but details fade quickly after dark.

You also get a better sense of the Thames as a working river. From the cabin, you can see broad stretches of water, dock edges, new building projects, and the relation between the river and the large commercial districts. This is not old London in the usual sense, but it is an important part of how the city continues to grow.

A simple plan for the day

A straightforward plan is to board the Uber Boat somewhere in the Central Zone and travel east toward North Greenwich. Get off at North Greenwich, walk to the cable car station, make the round trip, and then spend time around the O2 if you wish.

Allow extra time for the walk and for queues. The basic ride may fit into two hours, but a slower day can easily stretch toward four hours once you add waiting, food, shopping, and photography.

You can also begin closer to North Greenwich, but that reduces the sightseeing value of the boat portion. The strongest use of the ticket is to treat the river ride as your approach to the cable car.

Keep the ticket on your phone, and carry a printed copy if you prefer a backup. The booking information says you can show the e-ticket or printed ticket at any eligible pier. Some directions may suggest exchanging a voucher, but the QR code can be accepted directly in some situations, so check the instructions shown with your booking before making an unnecessary trip to another pier.

Comfort, queues, and mobility needs

The boats offer indoor seating and covered outdoor areas, but they are transport vessels rather than luxury cruisers. On a warm day, indoor cabins may feel uncomfortable, and outdoor seats can fill quickly. A coffee bar is available, but food and drinks cost extra.

Queues are usually part of the calculation. The cable car may have little waiting at quieter times, but busy departures can be different. The river service also uses first-come boarding, so a full boat can leave you waiting for the next one.

Children aged 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. Mobility scooters require special care: only certain models fit on the boats, so you should contact Uber Boat by Thames Clippers directly before booking if this applies to you.

A wheelchair user may face delays if a particular boat cannot accommodate the chair. The next boat may also be going to a different destination, which can create a longer wait. Ask staff before boarding and allow plenty of spare time.

Is $33.15 a fair price?

The value depends on how you use the ticket. Paying $33.15 for a short cable car ride alone would feel expensive to some people. Add a useful one-way river journey, and the price becomes easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for transport to North Greenwich.

The strongest value comes from combining three things: a scenic boat approach, the cable car crossing and return, and time around the O2. If you use only the boat for a short hop and the cable car without exploring the area, the package may feel like a lot for a small amount of riding.

This is also a good option for a first visit to London when you want a different view rather than another museum or landmark interior. It is less suitable for a tightly scheduled day focused on central attractions. The cable car is well east of the classic sightseeing core, and travel time to reach it can be longer than expected.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend it to photographers, families, couples, and anyone who likes unusual city transport. The combination of water and air creates variety, and the cable car is easy to understand without a guide or complicated tour schedule.

It also works well for a celebration or relaxed afternoon. You can ride the boat, take photographs from the cable car, then eat or shop around the O2. The experience has enough structure to feel like an outing, but enough freedom for you to set the pace.

I would be cautious if you want detailed history, close views of central landmarks, or a fully guided cruise. You should also think twice if you dislike heights, have a tight connection afterward, or need guaranteed wheelchair boarding on a particular departure.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made later are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book this London boat and cable car combo?

Book it if you want to see modern east London from two unusual angles and can spare several hours. The river ride is fast and practical, while the cable car supplies the memorable view. Together, they make a pleasant break from London’s crowded streets.

Skip it if your main goal is historic central London. This is not a Westminster-to-Tower sightseeing cruise, and the one-way boat ticket requires careful planning. For the right visitor, though, it is a good-value way to reach the O2 and see the Thames from above.

FAQ

Where can I board the Uber Boat?

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

Is the Uber Boat ticket one way or return?

The boat ticket is for one single journey on the booked travel day. It is not a return ticket.

Is the IFS Cloud Cable Car ticket one way or return?

The cable car ticket includes a round-trip ride between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks.

Where is the cable car station?

The cable car is near the O2 on Greenwich Peninsula. The nearest pier is North Greenwich.

Can I use the ticket on West Zone boat services?

No. The ticket is valid only within the Central and East Zone, between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside.

Can I use this ticket on The O2 Post Show Express?

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

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and beverages are available to buy on the Uber Boat and at the cable car stations, but they are not included in the ticket price.