London boats

Advice overview

The Uber Boat service provides transport for commuters and visitors along the Thames. These river bus services are operated by Thames Clippers.

River buses stop at 24 piers along the Thames between Barking Riverside pier in the East and Putney pier in the West. Information regarding routes can be found on the Thames Clippers website.

Key tips 

• It is advisable to book tickets before travelling and confirm any required travel assistance at the same time. 
• Check your route to the boat or ferry is accessible if you have reduced mobility or are travelling with mobility equipment.  

Operators

Thames Clippers

www.thamesclippers.com

Help with cost

Any person with a Freedom Pass (or a non-London equivalent pass issued in the UK), 60+ Oyster card or UK concessionary bus pass can receive 50% off fares. 

Choose the ‘concession’ fare when purchasing your ticket and bring your relevant pass with you on your journey, to validate your discount.

A free companion ticket is offered if you require the assistance of a carer. Further information can be found on the Thames Clippers website.

Special assistance

Customer Service Assistants are present between 10:00am – 18:00pm at the following piers: London Eye, Westminster, Embankment, Bankside, London Bridge, Tower, Canary Wharf, Greenwich, and North Greenwich.

For passengers with hidden disabilities, staff on both the piers and boats have access to the materials provided by the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.

Travelling with mobility equipment

Most London piers are step-free and wheelchair accessible. However, Cadogan, London Bridge City and Wandsworth Riverside Quarter piers are not. 

You can use what3words to give the exact location of accessible entrances to piers. 

Boat accessibility

All boats are wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible, and use ramps for boarding, except for Orion and Twinstar. The Star, Storm and Sky Clipper boats do not have accessible toilets.

Larger boats can accommodate up to four wheelchairs, whilst smaller vessels can hold two. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are not allowed on the back deck for safety reasons.

All boats have audible next stop announcements on board. You should notify a crew member if you have hearing difficulties so that they can indicate your stop. 

All guide and assistance dogs are welcome on board free of charge; however, they are not allowed to occupy a seat. 

Mobility scooters

Scooters that use combustible fuel are not permitted on board any of the river buses.

Some mobility scooters may be too large or unable to negotiate tight turns. They must be Class 2 and not exceeding a speed limit above 4mph. 

The make and model of your mobility scooter must be reviewed by the Thames Clippers Safety Team before it can be taken on board. This can take a few days to process. Once approved, you will be sent a ‘Mobility Aid Card’, which must be shown to staff to bring your mobility scooter on board the boat. 

To check if your mobility scooter can be accommodated and to receive your Mobility Aid Card, email web@thamesclippers.com with the make and model of the scooter, and your name, address and telephone number. 

Routes and timetable links

Thames Clippers

River Bus services operate from early in the morning until late at night, though this is dependent on each pier. It is used by commuters, so rush hour times are often busier. You can plan your journey on the Thames Clippers website.

The Thames Clippers app can be used to purchase tickets online in advance, or alternatively tickets can be purchased on the day at the ticket office or machine at each pier. Contactless or the Oyster card can also be used to touch in and out to pay as you go, simply tap the yellow scanner at the pier.

Find further information about the Thames Clippers app.

Transport for London (TfL)

Have a journey planning app for all modes of London travel.  

You can also use the TfL journey planner to search local routes.