REVIEW · LONDON CITY TOURS
London: Uber Boat Return River Ticket + IFS Cloud Cable Car
London looks different from the Thames and sky. This combo ticket pairs a Uber Boat by Thames Clippers return ride on the river with a roundtrip flight on the IFS Cloud Cable Car, so you get two kinds of sightseeing in one day. I especially like the flexible pier access for the river portion and the comfortable seating on the boat. The main drawback is that this is more scenic travel than a single must-see attraction, so if you want the most central, iconic stops all day, you may feel it is a bit “peripheral.”
What makes it work well is choice. You can board and disembark at many piers between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside, then hop off near North Greenwich for the cable car. The whole plan is designed for an easy loop, but it runs on schedules, so you will want to check departure times before you settle in for the day.
This is a small group experience with limited spots, and it is also wheelchair accessible. You should still plan around the fact that the cable car ride is relatively short, so the rest of your enjoyment comes from how long you take on the Thames.
Key points worth knowing before you go

- Flexible river travel: hop on and off at piers between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside
- Two “angle” days: landmarks from the water, skyline views from the air in the IFS Cloud Cable Car
- Comfort on the Thames Clippers boats: indoor seating plus covered outdoor areas
- North Greenwich pairing: the cable car is easiest to reach from the North Greenwich area
- Short cable car timing: the ride takes about 20 minutes each way, so plan your river time too
- Small group feel: limited to 9 participants, which helps keep it relaxed
A Scenic Transport Combo: Thames Clippers by boat and the IFS Cloud Cable Car

If you like sightseeing with your feet off the ground, this is a smart London pairing. The Thames is one of the easiest ways to read the city. Instead of sprinting between photo stops, you float along and watch London unfold: bridges, riverside buildings, and the long sweep of the skyline.
Then you swap water-level views for sky-level views on the IFS Cloud Cable Car. It is a simple roundtrip, but it changes your perspective fast. From up there you can see how the Thames bends through the city and how neighborhoods connect across the river.
One more nice part is that the river ticket is not trapped to one route. You get a return journey on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, with the ability to board and disembark at piers in the Central and East zones (between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside). That flexibility is what turns this from a single ride into a flexible day of exploring.
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Price and Value: Is $45 a good deal for two big views?

At about $45 per person for a 1 day ticket, the value comes from combining two separate experiences that would otherwise cost you time and planning. You are paying for transportation that doubles as sightseeing.
The river portion matters because it includes return travel and multiple pier options. If you were to do a single river cruise, you would still need to get yourself to the starting pier and then figure out how to get back. Here, the ticket is built around looping through the Thames corridor.
The cable car portion also adds value because it is a fast add-on once you are already in the North Greenwich area. You are not building a whole new travel plan just to include a few aerial views.
So the real question is not whether the rides are “cheap.” It is whether you want scenic travel as a big part of your day. If you do, this ticket offers solid bang for your time.
Entering the river zone: What you can do on the Uber Boat ticket

Your Uber Boat return ticket works within a specific stretch of the Thames. You can travel to and from any piers within the Central and East zones, between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside.
That range is what gives you flexibility. You can start your day wherever it fits your schedule, then hop off to explore a riverside area, and later return to the boat for the second half of your journey. The ticket is valid for the selected date only, so you cannot treat it as a “sometime this week” pass.
On board, you get indoor seating plus covered outdoor areas. That is not a small detail in London. Even when the weather looks fine at departure, it can change quickly along the river, so having covered space helps you stay comfortable.
There is also a free River Guide available from Thames Clippers, which you can use for ideas about what to notice along the way. It is one of the easiest upgrades you can do because it helps you turn “watching the scenery” into “knowing what you are looking at.”
Choosing your pier route: Making the Thames your guide
You do not have a single forced meeting point like a lot of tours. Pick a pier between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside and show your e-ticket there.
A good mental model is this: start with the river segment that gets you into position for the cable car, then use the rest of the day to explore along the Thames. The IFS Cloud Cable Car’s nearest pier is North Greenwich, so your planning should usually revolve around reaching that area when you want your aerial views.
In one helpful example, a rider took the Uber Boat from Westminster to North Greenwich, and it felt like about an hour of river time. That is a practical reminder: the Thames ride is not just a quick transfer. It is long enough to settle in, take photos, and actually enjoy the scenery.
Once you reach North Greenwich, you can hop into the cable car roundtrip and then decide what you want to do next. If you want a relaxed plan, treat North Greenwich as a base, ride the cable car, and then return by boat.
The IFS Cloud Cable Car ride: What to expect from North Greenwich

The IFS Cloud Cable Car is a roundtrip add-on, and it is timed well for a day that already includes river travel. In practice, the ride takes about 20 minutes each way, based on real on-the-ground experience shared by other visitors. That means you do not need half a day set aside, but you also get enough time up there to take photos and look around.
From the ground, you might think a cable car is just “nice views.” From the air, you start to see patterns. You can trace the river, identify the way bridges cut across the Thames, and get a better sense of where neighborhoods sit relative to each other.
One tip from reviews: the view can be especially good at night. If you can, consider aiming for your cable car ride when the light is changing. Night views tend to make the skyline look more dramatic, and it is an easy way to add variety to a day that might otherwise be only daytime photos.
Car sizes and comfort can vary, and you should not assume you will have a car to yourself. Still, the experience is designed for photos, and having the chance to get your bearings fast from above is the main payoff.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in London
Best way to time it for a smooth day

This is sold as a 1 day ticket, but “1 day” is not the same as “1 schedule.” Your enjoyment depends on how you build time around the boat frequency and the cable car ride length.
Here is a practical approach I recommend:
- Do the river first, so you are already in a scenic rhythm when you reach North Greenwich.
- Plan the cable car for when you want a big photo moment, not as a rushed last step.
- Leave a little cushion between boat departure times from the piers you choose and your cable car time. Timetables can vary by pier and day, so check before you commit.
Also keep in mind that the cable car is a short ride. If you fill the morning with rapid stops, you may spend the cable car looking at your watch instead of the city. If you prefer slow travel, this ticket naturally rewards that style.
If you want to make it feel like more than just a transit day, pick one pier area to explore for longer, instead of hopping off everywhere. The ticket allows it, but your legs will thank you for restraint.
Comfort and onboard rules: Small details that affect the day

The Uber Boat experience is built around comfort. You can sit indoors or head to the covered outdoor areas depending on weather. That flexibility helps when you are traveling with kids or if you simply hate being stuck in one spot.
Food and beverages are not included. You can buy refreshments on board and at cable car stations, so factor in the fact that your budget might be higher if you want snacks during the rides.
There are also rules about what you can bring. On the boat, prohibited items include hazardous materials and inflammable substances, and items over 2 meters in length. If you are traveling with oversized gear, check first.
For tickets, present your printed or e-ticket at Uber Boat by Thames Clippers piers within the Central and East zones and at the IFS Cloud Cable Car stations. Do not plan to show it on a whim at the last second without access to the ticket.
Who this ticket fits best, and who should consider alternatives

This combo is ideal if you want a low-stress London day that still feels like you saw something special. It is particularly good for:
- People who enjoy views and prefer seated sightseeing
- First-time visitors who want an easy introduction to the Thames corridor
- Families who like variety without needing a long, complicated schedule
- Anyone who wants a quick aerial angle without committing to a full-day landmark plan
It may not fit as well if:
- You only want the most central big-ticket sights and want to spend most of the day near them
- You are hoping for a deep, multi-stop tour with lots of historical context built in
- Your travel style is all “get off, explore, move on” with no downtime
One of the most honest takeaways from experience is that this feels like an activity you do once, especially if you are comparing it to London Eye or Tower of London style icons. The flip side is that it still can be a great day when you treat the Thames as the attraction, not a means to an end.
Should you book this Uber Boat and IFS Cloud Cable Car combo?

Book it if you want an easy, scenic day with two different viewpoints, and you like the idea of using the river as your main sightseeing route. The flexible pier access between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside is the big advantage, because it lets you adjust your plan on the fly.
Skip it if your priority is a single headline landmark in the most central area, and you do not want a day that is partly built around travel time on the water and a short cable car ride. In that case, you may prefer a more landmark-focused ticket.
If you do book it, plan your day around North Greenwich and give the Thames cruise real time. That is where this ticket earns its value.
FAQ
What piers can I board the Uber Boat from with this ticket?
You can board and disembark at any Uber Boat by Thames Clippers piers within the Central and East zones, between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside.
Is pickup included for this experience?
No. Pick-up is not included. You should go to any pier between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside.
Where is the closest pier to the IFS Cloud Cable Car?
The nearest pier for the IFS Cloud Cable Car is North Greenwich.
Is food included with the ticket?
No. Food and beverages are not included. You can purchase refreshments on Uber Boat and at cable car stations.
How long is the IFS Cloud Cable Car ride?
It takes about 20 minutes, based on visitor experience shared with this ticket.
How many people are in the group?
It is a small group with a limited maximum of 9 participants.
Can children travel on this ticket?
Yes. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Children 4 and under travel free (no ticket required), up to a maximum of 2 children per paying adult.
Is the ticket valid for multiple days?
No. The ticket is valid only for the selected date.
Is the experience wheelchair accessible?
Yes, it is wheelchair accessible.
Can I cancel and get a refund?
Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
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