The Thames Clipper, also known as Uber Boat by Thames Clipper, offers visitors to London a method by which to way to explore the River Thames by boat. Running at a fraction of the price of more costly river cruises, the Thames Clipper works not only as a mode of transport but also as a sightseeing tour.
The Thames Clipper; Uber Boat
Taking in the sights along the river including the London Eye, Tower of London, Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral & Tower Bridge, it’s great way to explore London on a budget. Find out more details about location, prices & cheap ticket options within our guide to the Thames Clipper below.
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the Thames Clipper
The Thames Clipper Uber Boat; Route
Running from Putney to Barking Riverside, the Thames Clipper offers a regular service up & down the most popular stretch of the river so is ideal for those sightseeing in London. With 24 stops along the route, you can alight/disembark at piers including the London Eye, Battersea Power Station, Westminster, London Bridge City, Tower, Canary Wharf & North Greenwich. This hop-on-hop-off service provides you with a method of travel that bypasses the need to navigate on the London Underground or on busy city buses.
As many of London’s top visitor attractions are situated close to the banks of the Thames there is plenty to spot along your route. Sit back and relax as you take in sights including the Tower of London, Big Ben & Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern & Canary Wharf & the O2 Arena to name but a few. The great advantage with being on the river is you have a unique perspective under many of London’s well known bridges including Tower Bridge, Millennium Bridge & London Bridge or being river side when spotting HMS Belfast.
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The River Thames, (photo; Phil Loach)
Thames Clipper; Ticket Options
The Thames Clipper offers an array of ticket options that provides full flexibility for any visit to London. Whether you are electing to use the Clipper as a mode of transport to navigate around the city or simply as a sightseeing tour, there are plenty of choices to consider.
For those looking to use the Clipper as an alternative to a river cruise, worth noting that there is no commentary during your trip. However for those that know their sights of London, it remains a cost effective option. You’ll find seating both inside and outside of each boat that offer good vantage points & a bar available for snacks & drinks.
If you plan to use the Clipper to primarily to move between 2 distinct areas of London, (for example between London Eye & Tower of London), then you may wish to consider a single/return fare. If you plan to use the Clipper a number of time during any given day, then the Hop-on-Hop-off ticket may offer both greater value for money and flexibility.
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Thames Clipper
Thames Clipper; Hop-On-Hop-Off Tickets
The Hop-on-Hop-off tickets gives you all-day travel around the service & you can pick up discounts if you book online in advance. Look out to see if the family Hop-on-Hop-off tickets continues to offer kids go free. You can select either a 1 day or 2 day ticket, (it has to be 2 consecutive days) where you can pick up discounts on the second day travel.
During peak times of the year, the Clipper can get very busy and you may find yourself waiting for available space to open up on a boat. Whilst boats run on a regular basis, there are capacity limitations on each vessel. Particularly at popular destinations, (Tower of London, Westminster), you may find queues build quickly at the pier but only a limited number of passengers can embark if the boats are travelling near capacity. Worth also noting that the London Eye pier is only in operation during weekends.
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The Thames Clipper
1. Thames Clipper Contactless
We find it easiest to pay contactless as you would when using the London Underground or London buses. Contactless offers you discounts off standard fare prices but doesn’t take account of any concessionary rates. This pay as you go system is quick and easy to use; simply touch in & out as you alight & disembark. It’s important that you don’t touch with your card until a staff member asks you to as they need to see you do this. Clipper staff will be vigilant in ensuring you tap in at a touch station, but there are often fewer reminders as you leave. Remember to touch in & out with the SAME card and worth noting that each passenger needs a separate card.
For those visiting from overseas you may need to consider foreign exchange/transaction fees so contactless might not be the most cost effective method for you. If you are travelling with children, contactless can also be difficult as it doesn’t allow for discounted child tickets plus you need a card per person, (for example if you have 2 children with you, you cannot use the same card and tap that twice more). Contactless also doesn’t take account of concessionary rates available for persons with disabilities, Freedom Passholder, 60+ Oyster photocards or UK Veterans photocard holders.
Thames Clipper
2. Thames Clipper App; use the app to purchase a full range of tickets including Hop-On-Hop-Off tickets & concessionary rates. This option is particularly beneficial to Thames Clipper season ticket holders as they can gain substantial discounts off standard Clipper fares when using the app. You can also purchase more than one ticket per transaction by using the Multiple tab.
3. Online; you can also use the Uber App or purchase tickets online via Thames Clipper to pick up discounts off standard fare clipper prices.
4. Thames Clipper Ticket Office/Ticket Machine; make use the ticket office or ticket machines located at the top of each pier but you will pay standard fare prices. You will be able to access concessionary rates & multiple tickets via this route and you’ll usually staff available to help with any queries you have.
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Interior of the Thames Clipper
Thames Clipper; Discounted Fares
Online Payment; the easiest way to pick up discounts off standard fares is by opting to pay via contactless, online or by app. Each option has varying benefits but remember to take into consideration transaction fees for overseas residents, limits on concessionary rates, paying for multiple passengers and discounts for season ticket holders.
Concessionary Rates; available for children, persons with disabilities & their carers, Freedom Passholders, 60+ Oyster photocards or UK Veterans photocard holders. Do not use contactless is you are looking to access a concessionary rate.
Children, (age 5-15 years); are eligible for 50% off adult fares although this excludes return fares purchased at the pier. Children under 5 years travel for free. Family ticket concessions are also available on the Hop-on-Hop-off
TfL London Underground Travelcards; receive 1/3 off standard fares on adult & child single tickets, Hop-On-Hop-Off tickets & season tickets. Oyster cards linked to travelcards will automatically receive the 1/3 off when tapping in & out. Other travelcard holders will need to select the TfL Travelcard option when selecting your Thames Clipper fare.
Tate members; can pick up a 25% discount when travelling between Tate Modern & Tate Britain. You need to purchase tickets form the ticket office/machine at Bankside or Millbank piers and show your Tate Membership card to staff when boarding. More information available over at Tate To Tate By Thames Clipper.
Thames Clipper Season Tickets; for those planning to regularly use the Thames Clipper, consider weekly, monthly or annual season tickets that offer substantial discounts.
Bikes; there is no additional cost to bring your bike on board.
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