How to take the boat to Greenwich

Greenwich is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous around the world for its seafaring connections.

Many of the area's most historic sites are located right on the banks of the River Thames. So if you want to get into the maritime spirit and make the most of everything Greenwich has to offer, there's really only one solution: take the boat!

A journey along the River Thames offers stunning views of the city and the perfect start to a day out in Greenwich. Find out more about river travel and cruises in London, and start planning your Greenwich adventure.

At a glance

Practical information to help you plan a trip to Greenwich by boat.

How long does the boat to Greenwich take?

The journey length varies depending on the boat operator and where you start your trip from. As a rough guide, here are the timings for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, which run regular river bus services all year round.

Uber Boat to Greenwich times:

Westminster to Greenwich: around 45 minutes
Tower Bridge to Greenwich: 20 minutes
London Bridge to Greenwich: 25 minutes
London Eye to Greenwich: 40 minutes

Where is Greenwich Pier?

Greenwich Pier is located on the south bank of the River Thames, right next to historic ship Cutty Sark and historic Greenwich. The postcode for Greenwich Pier is SE10 9HT.

Find Greenwich Pier on Google Maps

Booking Thames Clipper tickets

Tickets for all Uber Boat by Thames Clipper services can be bought in advance online, with various options depending on how you're planning to travel.

Tickets are also available on the day from ticket machines and offices next to each pier.

Passengers can also use contactless and Oyster cards to pay for Uber Boat tickets on the day; remember to touch in and out using the yellow card readers.

What Thames river cruises to Greenwich are available?

As well as the regular river bus service, there are a number of other tour operators offering sightseeing river cruises to Greenwich.

Tours include:

Thames River Sightseeing: Westminster to Greenwich
City Cruises: various options available

Timetables and maps

The current timetable for river bus services run by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is available here. RB1, RB2 and RB6 services all stop at Greenwich.

Transport for London (TfL) publish a map of all Thames river services and stops here.

Accessibility on Uber Boats

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers boats are all wheelchair accessible and ramps are used to board the boat. Most piers including Greenwich Pier offer step-free access; the exceptions are Cadogan Pier, Wandsworth Riverside Quarter Pier and London Bridge City Pier.

Continuing your journey from Greenwich

If you aren't planning on returning by boat, Greenwich has plenty of other public transport options once you've finished exploring the area. The nearest station to Greenwich Pier is Cutty Sark DLR station, connecting with the London Underground network. Frequent National Rail services are available at nearby Greenwich Station, while the town itself is served by numerous bus routes. Find more travel information here.

What to do when you arrive in Greenwich

As soon as you step off the boat at Greenwich, you find yourself in the heart of Maritime Greenwich.

Historic ship Cutty Sark, the fastest and most famous of the 19th century 'tea clippers', is right next to Greenwich Pier and well worth a visit. Explore the ship's decks and discover what life was really like for sailors during the Golden Age of Sail. You can even climb the ship's rigging - if you're brave enough...

View of Cutty Sark and people walking around the ship

The Old Royal Naval College on the banks of the River Thames was originally established as a retirement home for sailors in the 17th century, and its wide spaces and historic buildings make it a popular filming location today. This is also where the old Tudor palace once stood, birthplace of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

The College isn't Greenwich's only royal connection: walk across to the Queen's House, a beautiful villa originally built for the wife of James I, for a taste of historic luxury. The mansion combines stunning architecture with a renowned art collection. Entry is free, and includes access to the whole of the historic house.

A woman stands looking up at the spiral staircase in the Queen's House known as the Tulip Stairs

Head to the National Maritime Museum to continue your maritime adventure. This is the world's largest museum dedicated to seafaring, home to must-see objects such as relics from the Titanic and the jacket worn by Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar. Free tickets include entry to all galleries as well as a number of special events and exhibitions throughout the year.

Drone Photography of Royal Observatory Greenwich

A visit to Greenwich wouldn't be complete without a trip to the Royal Observatory, perched on a hill in the middle of beautiful Greenwich Park. This is the home of Greenwich Mean Time, the Prime Meridian of the World and London's only Planetarium. Discover the place that made Greenwich the centre of global time and navigation.

Need a break during your day? Greenwich Market is a haven for London's food lovers and vintage shoppers, with covered stalls and shops open every day.