2 Day London Hop-On Hop-Off River Thames Sightseeing Pass

See London from the water.

This pass gives you two days of unlimited travel on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, linking 24 piers between Putney and Barking Riverside. I like the freedom to board at any included pier, and I like having both indoor seats and covered outdoor areas when the weather turns typically British. The main drawback is that this is transport and sightseeing in one, not a guided tour, so you will need to plan your own stops and visit tickets separately.

I also appreciate that the boat offers a useful break from London’s streets and traffic. The crew is praised for handling boarding and disembarking efficiently, with clear instructions, but seats are first come, first served. If you want a particular spot, allow time before departure and do not treat the boat like a reserved excursion.

Key points to know before you board

• Two full days of river travel: Use the pass as often as you like during the two-day period, across the route from Putney to Barking Riverside.
• London from a fresh angle: The River Thames gives you a different view of landmarks, including the London Eye, and lets you photograph the city from the water.
• A practical traffic escape: The boat can help you move between central and eastern parts of London without dealing with road traffic.
• Indoor and covered seating: You have shelter while still being able to enjoy riverside views.
• No attraction tickets included: Your pass covers the boat only, so budget separately for places along the route.
• First come, first served boarding: You can begin at any included pier, but there is no reserved seat or hotel pickup.

What this Thames pass actually gives you

At $58 per person, the pass costs about $29 per day if you use it across both days. That is not the cheapest way to get around London, so its value depends on how often you ride and how much you care about seeing the city from the Thames.

If you use the boat just once for a short ride, the price is harder to justify. If you board several times, hop off at different piers, and use the service as both transport and sightseeing, the calculation improves. You are paying for flexibility rather than a single narrated cruise.

This distinction matters. You should not book this pass expecting a guide to explain every building or a fixed sightseeing circuit with a planned commentary. You get the river route, the boat, the piers, and the freedom to make your own day.

The pass covers all zones and access to the included piers from Putney to Barking Riverside. You can present a printed voucher or mobile voucher to Uber Boat by Thames Clippers staff at any pier. Since there is no pickup service, you must make your own way to the river.

Putney to Battersea: the western start of the route

Putney Pier is the western starting point listed for this service. Beginning here gives you the longest possible ride toward central London and the eastern end of the route, but it may not be the most convenient starting point if you are staying closer to Westminster or the City.

Wandsworth Riverside Quarter Pier follows. The name reflects the riverside setting, and this stop can be useful if you are already in the Wandsworth area. As with every pier, the appeal is less about a single attraction ticket and more about connecting your day to the river.

St Mary’s Wharf Pier and Chelsea Harbour Pier continue the western section. Chelsea Harbour gives you another option for boarding without first heading into central London. If you are using the pass mainly for sightseeing, you might prefer to begin farther east, since the route becomes especially useful when it links several central piers in one ride.

Cadogan Pier offers another western access point. The closely spaced piers on this end of the route give you flexibility, but they also mean you should check your exact departure point before setting out. The pass does not include door-to-pier transport.

Battersea Power Station Pier is one of the more recognizable stop names on the route. It is a natural place to pause if you want to explore the Battersea area, then return to the river later. You will need to arrange and pay for any attraction entry on your own, since admission tickets are not part of the pass.

Vauxhall to Westminster: central London from the river

Vauxhall, at St George Wharf Pier, brings you closer to the central sightseeing zone. It is a practical stop for anyone who wants to avoid crossing London by road before reaching the Thames.

Millbank Pier leads toward Embankment Pier. This section is useful for a day built around central London, since you can choose a pier near your planned sightseeing area instead of riding the entire route from Putney. The boat gives you a change of pace, and the river views can make even a simple transfer feel like part of the day.

London Eye Waterloo Pier is one of the clearest photo opportunities named in the route. The experience specifically highlights views of the London Eye from the water, so keep your camera ready as you approach this part of the river. You do not need to buy a London Eye ticket to use this pier, but any visit to the attraction itself is separate.

Westminster Pier is another major central stop. It is a sensible place to begin or end a river ride if your plans center on the Westminster area. You can also use it as a switching point in a day that combines sightseeing on foot with boat travel.

Embankment Pier, including the Clipper Lounge EMB location, is next. The lounge name may help you identify the correct stop, but you should still follow staff instructions at the pier. Boarding is first come, first served, and the crew provides information about boarding and disembarking.

Blackfriars to Tower Millennium: the busiest sightseeing stretch

Blackfriars Pier takes you into a section with several central stops close together. This is where the pass can be most convenient for short hops, especially if you want to avoid retracing your steps through crowded streets.

Bankside Pier follows. It is a useful river access point for the Bankside area, and you can make it part of a walking day along the south side of the Thames. The pass does not tell you how long to spend at each pier, which is a strength if you like flexibility but a weakness if you want a fully planned tour.

London Bridge City Pier continues the eastbound route. From here, you can use the river as a connection between central sightseeing areas rather than relying only on roads or underground transport. The boat ride itself is part of the attraction, with open views that you cannot get from a street-level transfer.

Tower Millennium Pier is one of the key stops farther east. It is a logical place to pause before continuing toward Canary Wharf and Greenwich. If you are planning a full day, watch the clock and check the service information at the pier so you do not assume that every boat will arrive exactly when you want it.

The strongest practical feature of this central stretch is choice. You can ride one stop, stay aboard for a longer view, or get off and continue on foot. The main limitation is that the pass does not promise a seat, a particular departure time, or a narrated explanation for each landmark.

Canary Wharf to Greenwich: a longer river ride

Canary Wharf is a major stop on the eastern route and a useful turning point for a day that covers more of London. Greenland Pier, also listed as Canary Wharf Pier, gives you another access point in this area. Pay attention to the exact pier name on your voucher and the signs on the riverfront, especially if you are moving around rather than following a simple out-and-back ride.

Masthouse Terrace Pier extends the route beyond Canary Wharf. This is the sort of stop that makes the pass more than a central London cruise. You can use it to see more of the Thames and build a day around several parts of the city.

Greenwich Pier is among the most appealing names on the route for sightseeing. It gives you an eastern destination where you can get off, explore independently, then return to the river if the service and your pass timing allow. The pass includes transport, not entrance to attractions, so set aside extra money for anything you choose to visit in Greenwich.

The North Greenwich and Greenwich Pier listing can look confusing because it combines two names. Check the live pier signage and ask staff if you are unsure which landing point you need. That small bit of care can save you an unnecessary walk.

For me, the Greenwich section is one of the better reasons to buy the two-day option rather than a single ride. You can spend one day in central London, then use the second day for a slower trip east. The pass gives you room to adjust instead of forcing every stop into one long outing.

Royal Wharf to Barking Riverside: the far eastern reach

Royal Wharf Pier takes the route farther east. It will not suit every short London visit, but it gives the pass a wider reach than a central sightseeing boat. If you want to use the experience mainly for familiar landmarks, this section may feel less essential. If you enjoy seeing how the river connects different parts of the city, it adds useful range.

Woolwich Pier continues the eastern journey. Like the other outer piers, it can be more valuable as part of a planned route than as a quick hop. Check the boat timing before getting off, since you do not want to assume another boat will be ready whenever you return.

Barking Riverside is the listed eastern end of the service. Reaching it requires more time than staying between Westminster and Tower Millennium, so plan this section deliberately. You might find the outer route worthwhile for the ride itself, but it is not necessary to travel to the end to get value from the pass.

The full route gives you a choice between a compact sightseeing day and a longer river journey. You can focus on the central piers, or you can use the pass to see a broader stretch of London. That flexibility is the core product.

What riding the boat is like

The boats provide indoor seating and outdoor covered areas. That combination matters in London, where rain or cool wind can appear without warning. You can stay sheltered while still enjoying views through the windows, or use the covered outdoor area for photographs when conditions are comfortable.

Food and drinks are available to buy onboard, but they are not included. I would treat that as a convenience rather than a reason to book. You should still plan your day around your own meals, particularly if you intend to spend long periods on the river.

The crew is praised for efficient boarding and disembarking, with clear information and instructions. That is important on a hop-on hop-off service, where delays can quickly affect your plans. Still, boarding is first come, first served, so busy departures may not offer your preferred seat.

Children aged 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but you should not bring hazardous items, inflammable substances, or objects longer than two meters.

How to plan two days without wasting the pass

I would avoid trying to ride from Putney to Barking Riverside and back in one day unless the journey itself is your main goal. The route is broad, and rushing from pier to pier leaves little time for the places you came to see.

A more useful plan is to divide the pass into zones of your own making:

• Use one day around Westminster, Embankment, the London Eye, Blackfriars, Bankside, London Bridge City, and Tower Millennium.
• Use the second day for either the western route toward Putney and Battersea or the eastern route toward Canary Wharf and Greenwich.
• Use short boat rides as connections between walking areas, rather than staying onboard for every section.
• Check pier information before getting off, then keep your mobile voucher ready when boarding again.

You should also remember that this is not a private boat. There is no reserved seating, and your day must allow for the normal rhythm of departures and boarding. The clear staff instructions help, but a little patience is part of the deal.

Who gets the best value from the $58 price

This pass suits you best if you want a flexible sightseeing day and a practical way to move around London without dealing with road traffic. It is particularly useful if you plan several boat rides across two days and want to photograph the city from the river.

Families may like the simple hop-on hop-off format, provided an adult accompanies every child aged 10 or under. The indoor and covered seating also helps if you do not want to commit to an open-air cruise.

You may want to skip it if you only need one short transfer, if your schedule is packed with timed attraction tickets, or if you want a guided tour with detailed commentary. At $58, you need to use the pass enough to make the flexibility count.

The strongest praise for the service centers on efficient crew work and clear instructions. That does not remove every possible delay, but it does make the basic process easier. For a large city, being able to step away from traffic and see the London Eye and other riverside sights from the water is a real benefit.

Should you book the Thames Clippers pass?

Book it if you can give the river two days of attention. The pass works best when you mix sightseeing with transport, use several piers, and value the ability to change plans.

Skip it if you want a short, fully guided cruise or if you will probably board only once. The $58 price is reasonable for active use across two days, but it is not a bargain for a single ride.

My practical choice would be to use one day for the central piers and one day for either Greenwich or the western route. Bring your mobile voucher, arrive with some flexibility, and remember that every attraction ticket, meal, and drink costs extra. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time, but changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

FAQ

How long is the sightseeing pass valid?

The pass is valid for two days of unlimited hop-on hop-off travel on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.

Which piers can I use?

The pass provides access to all 24 included piers across the River Thames, from Putney to Barking Riverside.

Can I start at any pier?

Yes. Pickup is not included, so you should travel independently to any included pier between Putney and Barking Riverside.

Is the London Eye ticket included?

No. The pass gives you river transport and views of landmarks such as the London Eye, but attraction admission is not included.

Is food included?

No. Food and beverages are available to purchase onboard, but they are not part of the pass price.

Can I reserve a seat?

No. Boarding is first come, first served, so seating is not reserved.

Are children allowed to ride alone?

No. Children up to age 10 must always be accompanied by an adult.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed onboard.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted or refunded.