Uber boat to Greenwich

The Hop on-Hop off ticket is only a bit more expensive than a return, so if you were planning to buy a return I reckon it'd be worth getting the HO-HO for a bit of flexibility.

However, an alternative way back is to get to North Greenwich (where the O2 dome is) by walking or bus or by getting the Uber boat one stop downstream and from there getting the cable car ('Skyride'??) back across the Thames. It gives a very different view of Greenwich and docklands. On the north side, you are close to the Royal Victoria DLR station (I think I have remembered the station correctly) where you can get a DLR train back to the area near the Tower of London or change onto the Jubilee line at Canning Town.

We've done this several times with our grandkids and they really enjoyed it.

Finally, do be aware that next weekend is a bank holiday weekend (Monday is a public holiday) and sites popular with Children like Greenwich will probably be very busy.

What a great reply. Lots of neat ideas I hadn't thought of. My assumption was that the boat ride was a "heads and tails above" experience over anything else, but I suppose things will be in better context once we get there and see everything. That cable car ride does sound neat.

I forgot to ask, it's difficult sometimes to tell which things really need to be booked in advance and which things are okay to do off the cuff. Is there any reason I should book the Clipper now? Versus just when we get there?

As well as Bill's route you can also go back via the DLR from Cutty Sark* station - the route goes under the river and then above ground through Canary Wharf. Or you can walk under the foot tunnel and pick up the DLR from Island Gardens station.

Either of these routes provides a different experience than going back on the boat.

• For anyone else reading this note that Cutty Sark station will close on 31/5 until next spring for work on escalators. From then you can get the DLR by walking back to Greenwich station or walk under the river to Island Gardens.

I’ve never used the Uber boat at a weekend and have never booked in advance. I don’t know how things work if the boats are very busy.

I’ve never booked an Uber boat ahead… but I have walked down to the pier on a whim, queued, paid, and then had to stand up the whole way with a lot of screaming children and bored tweens lounging in window seats - absorbed in their phones and NOT LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW - so I would recommend booking in advance if that scores you a guaranteed seat. The alternative can be less than pleasant. Plus, you can’t see much when you are standing up.

Edit: Oops! I live a 3 minute walk from the Chelsea Harbour pier and have taken the Uber boat numerous times… and did not realize that you can’t reserve a seat! Hahahaha! Well, I’m a dope. :-)

So I guess you just pay your money and take your chances. It’s a fun ride, so… worth it, IMHO.

If no one has mobility issues, I'd recommend walking the tunnel to Island Gardens. Gave me a feel for being in the Victorian Era and a good way to stretch your legs and get some exercise. We did this on a London Walks and was a memorable experience.

You don't need to book in advance or buy a ticket if you
use the Oyster card (or a contactless credit card) to ride the Thames Clipper/Uber boats.
Just walk up at the pier you're starting from, tap the Oyster (or a contactless credit card) as you board the boat, find a seat.

We have always purchased an Oyster card when arriving in London or "topped up" one we had from previous visits.
Tap the Oyster card on the pad when you board the Uber/Thames Clipper boat. Tap out on the pad when you exit the boat.

Oyster card is also used on the tube (underground)--tap in when you enter through the turnstiles, tap out when you exit.

Tap in when you board one of the London buses, do not tap out when you exit the bus.
The buses are a good way to get around London.

There's no need to purchase a Hop On Hop Off ticket (or any other ticket) for the boat if you use an Oyster card (or contactless credit card) to tap in, tap out.

For a day trip to Greenwich using the Thames clipper, do you think it's smart to get the Hop on Hop off version just to open up the possibilities on the trip back?

No. You don't need that if you have an Oyster card.
You can get on the Thames Clipper anywhere you want....and get off at any location you want. Then you can get on the boat and do it again....going onward to another location.

Oyster cards can be purchased at machines (looks like an ATM machine) at Heathrow, or at the entrance to tube stations, or at some convenience stores and grocery stores. Or at the London Visitors Center near St. Paul's.

Using Oyster for the journey to Greenwich has always worked well for us. I have not used the Hop-On-Hop-Off ticket on the Thames Clipper/Uber boat, so maybe someone will come along in a minute and compare the costs, etc.
We most often leave from the Tower of London pier to go to Greenwich. It is...well...right behind the Tower of London. Convenient if you want to see the Tower as soon as it opens in the morning, then take the boat to Greenwich after that.

See this page:
https://www.thamesclippers.com/plan-your-journey/find-your-pier/embankment-pier
"Tickets can be bought at ticket machines at the pier before travel, but to save time and money touch in and out with your Oyster or contactless card."

Route map here:
https://www.thamesclippers.com/plan-your-journey/route-map

Plan your trips using the map.
Board the boat at any pier.
Get off at any pier.

Look at the fares on the Thames Clipper website for your planned journeys and you may find that a day Hop On Hop Off pass is cheaper than keeping on paying single fares on Oyster or Contactless.
The one day passes are quite attractively priced to encourage exploration of the various piers.
They can all be purchased on the day.
Booking ahead gets you no preference in order of boarding or which seats are available for you to use.
For instance a return on Oyster from Central London to Greenwich is £21.60 (or £1 less with a Travelcard).
A one day HOHO 'river roamer' is £25.40 on line (£28.20 at the pier) or £42.30 for 2 days. Those prices are the whole system from Barking to Putney.
Purchased more than 7 days ahead you get 25% off the above river roamer prices.
So then the roamer is cheaper than an Oyster return to Greenwich.

I've been on this service multiple times and never had the sad experience described above. It must have been a tough day for that person. There is usually plenty of seating and I just "walk on." I don't travel during summer so maybe that makes a difference.

I like to combine an Uber boat trip to Greenwich with an activity in Central London that requires walking/standing. My "go to" is usually the Tower of London. I will go to the Tower right when it opens and then when I am done, simply walk the 100 feet to Tower Pier and take the Uber Boat to Greenwich. This allows for a pleasant rest and a scenic journey. Lots of good opportunities for a lunch in Greenwich.

I've done the tube DLR method before and I found the transfer at Canary Wharf a bit confusing with its ambiguous signage. You are directed through a shopping mall. You will find your way, but the Uber boat is so relaxing and simple.

The Uber boat has always been busy like Volva describes when I’ve used it, but I don’t live or work in London so I only visit at weekends and holidays. Sometimes you can’t get on the first one that comes and have to wait. Based on my experience I’d say getting the boat one way will be enough.

and NOT LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW -

This is what I’d do when I use the Uber boat. It isn’t illegal. I do the same when on a bus or tube.

I get the feeling Volva was making a lighthearted comment about teens in general being phone obsessed rather than seriously suggesting people have to look out of the window…

However, I am going to say to the general reader that if you don’t want to look out of the window there is not much point taking the boat as it’s quite slow and relatively infrequent compared to other transport options. The tube I’ll forgive as the views of dark tunnels don’t really merit much attention.