You can see London from two heights in one day. This pass links the IFS Cloud Cable Car with an all-day hop-on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers cruise, giving you sky views and river views without locking you into one route.

I love how flexible it feels, you can get on and off all day at major Thames piers. I also like that the plan covers the biggest hits along the river, then adds a high-angle look at the O2 and Olympic Park from the cable car. One drawback to keep in mind, the cable car depends on weather, high winds can shut it down.

Quick takeaways

• Hop-on, hop-off freedom: Get off where the sight is, then re-board when you are ready
• Two vantage points: River views from a comfortable boat, plus skyline views from the cable car
• Frequent sailing: Boats run regularly, so you usually are not stuck waiting forever
• Simple redemption: Present your printed or mobile ticket at the piers for Uber Boat
• Weather matters: Cable car can be canceled when wind is too high
• Not all attractions are included: You typically pay separate entrance fees if you want to go inside

Price and Logistics: What This Pass Costs and How It Works

This costs $50.30 per person, and for many people it is a smart “see a lot, pay once” setup. You are paying for unlimited boat rides for the day plus the roundtrip IFS Cloud Cable Car journey. Entrance tickets to most landmarks are not included, so your total spend will depend on whether you plan to go inside places like St. Paul’s Cathedral or Westminster Abbey.

You get a mobile ticket (you can also present a printed e-ticket), and the day is structured around your timing, not a strict fixed schedule. Your river pass is valid for the day you select, with unlimited journeys across the West, Central, and East zones between Putney and Barking Riverside piers. You can get on at any participating pier within that range.

One practical thing I like: the Uber Boats have indoor seating and covered outdoor areas. That matters in London, where your best plan often includes a backup layer for wind and rain.

Also note this detail: ticket redemption is done at the pier. Present your ticket to Uber Boat staff at the piers, and boarding is first come, first served.

Where You Board the Uber Boat: Thames Piers That Make Hop-On Easy

You meet the boat at one of several departure points along the Thames. Your pass lets you ride from Putney to Barking Riverside, and Uber Boats stop at key piers listed for this experience, including:

• Westminster Pier
• Embankment Pier
• London Bridge City Pier
• Tower Pier
• Battersea Power Station Pier
• North Greenwich Pier
• Greenwich Pier

You can literally start wherever is convenient to your day. If you are using the Tube, this is one of the easiest “sit down and travel” ways to connect major sights without walking every mile.

A heads-up from real-world timing: one person found that getting the return boat near Greenwich around 2pm can be tricky. The fix is simple, do not assume there will be a perfect next boat on the exact time you want. If your schedule is tight, build in a little buffer.

The Cable Car Part: IFS Cloud at North Greenwich

The cable car is the second major experience, and it is a very specific location in the plan. To access IFS Cloud Cable Car, you hop off at North Greenwich Pier and show your ticket to the representative.

The cable car ride is 45 minutes, and it was designed for the 2012 Olympics. What you get is a high-angle look over the O2 Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and London’s skyline. In good weather, that is a great way to get photos that you just cannot capture from street level or from the boat.

The big consideration is weather. One review describes cancellation due to high winds, and that can happen quickly. If the cable car is canceled, you still have the Uber Boat portion, so your day is not ruined. But you should plan the day with the expectation that the boat cruising is the reliable backbone.

Your River Day: How the Stops Fit Together (and How to Use Your Time)

Think of this pass as a sightseeing loop with flexibility. The boat carries you along the Thames, and the stops listed in the experience give you “I want to go there now” moments. Many landmarks are best done by getting off for an hour, then rejoining the river flow.

Also, the overall experience time is listed as 1 to 16 hours. That range makes sense. If you only take a partial cruise, it can be short. If you do multiple hops and spend time on the cable car, it becomes a long day.

Cutty Sark from Greenwich Pier

One stop listed is Cutty Sark, accessible when you are at Greenwich Pier. The plan gives about 1 hour here, and the important note is that admission is not included.

Cutty Sark is one of those places where the value is not just the building, it is the story of the ship and what it represents. If you like maritime history, this can feel like a meaningful pause between big tourist landmarks.

Tradeoff: since admission is separate, you need to decide whether “seeing inside” fits your day. If you are more of a views person, you might skip the interior and use that hour to explore Greenwich on your own.

Thames Barrier

The experience includes a Thames Barrier stop. The details provided here do not specify duration or admission rules. So if this is a priority for you, I would treat it as an area to check out briefly rather than planning your day around a timed visit.

Battersea Power Station Pier

Next is Battersea Power Station, with about 1 hour. Admission is listed as free for this stop, and it is described as a major shopping and leisure destination around the landmark.

I like this stop for two reasons. First, the area is modern and lively, so it feels different from the classic “old London” vibe. Second, it gives you a practical hour to eat, browse, or reset before you continue downriver.

Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and London Eye (Seen from the River)

The itinerary specifically calls out views from the Thames of the Palace of Westminster and Houses of Parliament, plus Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye. These are highlights you typically catch from the boat as you cruise.

Here is why that matters: a river cruise is one of the best ways to see these landmarks in one flow. You get context, you can look both left and right from the deck, and you do not lose your momentum to long walking stretches.

If you want to go inside, you would need separate tickets, because the itinerary notes attraction admissions are not included for other stops. Use the boat views to decide if you want to do a focused interior visit later.

Somerset House

You get Somerset House with about 1 hour, and admission is not included.

This is a good stop if you like spaces that mix architecture with arts and public activity. Even if you do not pay to enter exhibits, the area is usually rewarding as a place to wander slowly and take in the Thames-side setting.

Tradeoff: if your plan is “maximum must-sees,” Somerset House can be a little time-consuming compared with places where you mainly need a quick photo. If you enjoy lingering, it fits.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

The pass includes St. Paul’s Cathedral for about 1 hour, with admission not included.

From the river, London looks elegant. From around St. Paul’s, it feels powerful. If you are interested in interiors or climb options, you should budget time for it and expect extra tickets.

If you are short on time, you can still appreciate the cathedral outside and spend less than an hour, then use the boat hop to keep your day moving.

The Shard

There is also The Shard for about 30 minutes, and admission is not included.

Thirty minutes is short, so I would treat this as a quick “do I want to go up?” check. If you are not paying to enter, this can still work as a photo and viewpoint pickup during your cruise.

Tower of London area

The plan mentions experiencing history “where it happened” at the Tower of London, including the Crown Jewels and Tower ravens. Admission is not included, and no specific time block is listed for this segment beyond the surrounding stop structure.

This is one of those places where you could easily spend several hours if you buy tickets. Since this pass is built for flexibility, the best strategy is to decide how much you want to commit. If you are doing Tower of London seriously, you might want more time than this pass alone provides.

Old Royal Naval College (Maritime Greenwich)

The final listed cultural stop is Old Royal Naval College with about 1 hour, and admission not included. It sits in Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the description calls out the Painted Hall as a major draw.

Why I like this stop in a pass like this: it brings you back to Greenwich, but with one of the grandest architectural settings. Even if you do not go deep into every room, you are in the kind of location that makes the investment worth it.

What the Best Day Looks Like in Real Life

Here is how I would plan your day so you do not feel rushed.

1. Start with the boat rather than forcing everything in order. The river cruise is the backbone. If you hop on early, you get good light and relaxed pacing.
2. Pick one “inside” landmark to spend real time on. Your pass includes the boat and cable car, not entry fees. Choose either St. Paul’s, Westminster Abbey, Somerset House, Cutty Sark, or one other big ticket option.
3. Use the cable car as your reset. When you want a break from crowds and walking, the cable car gives you a different rhythm, and it is timed, about 45 minutes.
4. Keep a buffer for timing at Greenwich. Even though boats run regularly, one schedule crunch near Greenwich around early afternoon was reported. Build in a little slack.

I also pay attention to temperature. One review noted a very cold day, but inside seating and covered areas helped. If you bring layers, you enjoy the cruise longer.

Comfort, Crowds, and Reliability: The Stuff That Makes or Breaks It

This is a max 220 travelers experience. That is not tiny, so you should expect crowd pressure at peak times, especially around popular piers like Westminster, London Bridge, and Tower.

The good news is that reviews often focus on frequent service and minimal waiting. Multiple notes mention short waits for the next boat and convenient boarding.

Still, reality check: crowds plus first-come, first-served boarding means there can be bottlenecks on certain departures. One review mentions needing to wait for a later boat because a gate attendant did not provide clear access at a certain moment. Another mentions barcode trouble that took a long time to sort out. Your fix is simple:

• double-check your ticket format before you reach the pier
• keep your phone charged
• have a printed backup if possible

Uber Boat Notes: Seating, Views, and What Not to Expect

The boat ride includes indoor seating and covered outdoor areas, which is huge for London weather. It is also a comfortable way to connect sights without walking between them.

Two things I want you to know from the experience described here:

• The pass gives you views and movement, it does not guarantee onboard landmark commentary. One review called out the lack of commentary about landmarks.
• It is easy to lose track of where the boat is arriving. One review wanted clearer route and arrival information on a screen, because staff expect you to be ready to disembark.

My practical advice is to watch for the next pier stop information when you reboarding. Have a quick plan for what you will do when you get off. That prevents decision fatigue.

Cable Car Notes: When It’s Amazing and When It’s a Headwind

When the cable car runs, it is a fun change of pace. You are going above the O2 and the Olympic Park area, and the skyline view is the point. People described it as brilliant and scenic.

The downside is obvious once you are there: if wind speeds are too high, operations can stop. That is not something you can control. If you care most about the cable car, pick a day with decent conditions when possible and keep the boat portion as your backup plan.

Also note one review warning that the cable car location can feel like a long transfer away from the “main city sights.” It is still scenic, but if your expectation is a cable car over the core central landmarks, you may find it less satisfying than you hoped.

Who This Is Best For

This pass is a good fit if you want:

• big sightseeing coverage without a tight schedule
• a mix of river cruising and a skyline view
• an easy day structure for first-time visitors

It is especially good for couples, families with children old enough to enjoy attractions, and visitors who like to “choose later” at each pier.

If your priority is only going inside major attractions, you might find the pass costs more than it saves, because entrance fees are not included for the listed landmarks.

Should You Book This Thames River + IFS Cloud Cable Car Pass?

I would book this if you want a flexible, mostly low-stress London day where the primary experience is the Thames scenery, plus one big aerial moment. The value is strongest when you treat it like transportation plus included highlights, and you only pay for one or two additional attractions you truly care about.

Skip or reconsider if:

• cable car views are your main goal and you are traveling on a day when wind is likely
• you want a strict itinerary with guaranteed timed stops inside attractions
• you dislike the idea of planning around multiple piers and possible boarding slowdowns

If you go in with a simple mindset, you will enjoy it: take the boat for views and mobility, choose a couple of “get off and do something” moments, and let the cable car be the fun bonus when conditions allow.