A complete guide to Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

Make getting from A to B part of the adventure. Here's why Uber Boat is an unmissable London attraction, as well as a great way to get around.

By Selina Whitby
Published: April 28, 2025
London river

Please note this attraction is no longer available with your London Pass. 

Why travel by Uber Boat?

Riverboat is our favourite mode of transport for a reason. The sights along the banks are epic, you can choose to sit inside or out, and – in general – you’ll spend less time sweating (on the tube) or stuck in traffic (on the bus). There’s even an onboard café where you can stock up on your snacks, barista-made drinks, and bottles of fizz. How’s that for comfort?

Need more convincing? Read all about why Uber Boats are the VIP way to travel.

Woman on boat

Front-seat views of London's top sights

Where can I hop on and off?

The Uber Boat route spans from Putney to Barking Riverside and there are 24 stops you can disembark at along the way. Access lots of little-known areas across London as well as the big hitters. To help you decide where’s worth your time, we’ve created this handy guide to all 24 piers. Yes – every single one!

You can also check out the timetables here. They sometimes change, so best to head to the official website for up-to-date info.

What’s the best route for seeing London’s top sights?

A very good question indeed. And if you haven’t already got a London Pass – quick, snap one up now. You’ll get a free 1-day ticket for the Uber Boat, plus entry to all the attractions listed below at a discounted price. Result!

Here’s our suggested itinerary:

  1. Start off in Westminster and visit Westminster Abbey first thing before it gets busy. Then head to Westminster pier which is just a short walk away. Hop on the Uber Boat and you’ll get gorgeous views of Big Ben as you sail down the river.
  2. Make Bankside your next stop – take a tour of Shakespeare’s Globe and enjoy a lively walk along the Southbank. Swing by Borough Market for lunch, which caters to the fussiest eaters with over 100 stalls to choose from. After lunch, it’s just a 5-minute walk to The Shard where you can soar up to the 72nd floor and get an above-cloud look at the whole of London.
  3. Hop back on the boat at London Bridge City and sail onward to Tower pier. Here you can explore the Tower of London or Tower Bridge – whichever iconic sight takes your fancy.

Want to swap Shakespeare for something else? If you’re not a fan of the Bard but royalty’s right up your street, stop off at Blackfriars instead of Bankside to explore St Paul’s. After you’ve climbed right up to the dome, head to the pier and get back on the boat towards London Bridge City.
 

>> READ MORE: Don't plan your Uber Boat trip without this – The free travel hack that changed my London experience.

The Shard

Sail up to the Tower of London in style 

Are there different lines I can take (like on the tube)?

When you look at the route map, you’ll see different coloured lines indicating which boats stop where. This is based on the frequency of the services. If you’re sticking to the main tourist areas, you can hop on any boat and use any route. If you want to travel further afield, you’ll need to make sure that your boat is running to your destination. Check out the route key on the map to figure out what’s what.

In general, you’ll find that the Yellow route goes from Putney to Central London and the Purple route goes from Central London to Barking.

Meet the fleet

There are 21 vessels in the Uber Boat fleet and each one has its own unique colour and weather or space-themed name. If you’re an uber fan of boats, you can read about each and every one here. Or keep an eye out for one of the key players below…

Earth Clipper – the sustainable one
This boat joined the fleet in 2023 and is the UK’s first hybrid high-speed passenger ferry. It’s a pretty earth green colour to match its impressive planet-saving credentials, and is one of the bigger clippers with space for 230 peeps.

Aurora Clipper – A+ for accessibility
Aurora started life in Australia before being literally shipped over to the UK to enjoy a much rainier climate. She’s a top clipper for accessibility, boasting space for four wheelchairs and one mobility scooter.  

Hurricane Clipper – the one with the distinguished career
This former flagship boat joined in 2001 and was the first vessel to be built for the fleet. It’s easy to spot as the wheel box (where the captain steers from) is at the very back of the vessel's cabin unlike the others which are at the top.

Venus Clipper – the actual flagship vessel
Sorry Hurricane, Venus now holds flagship status and boasts a lovely emerald line of colour, being the jewel of the crown an’ all. Venus is a fast boat, with a top speed of 30 knots, so hold onto your hats as you’re whizzing down the Thames on this one!

Jupiter Clipper

Venus looking particularly stellar

More essential Uber Boat info

All information about delays and cancellations can be found here >> service alerts

Any temporary timetable updates can be found here >> service changes

Information about accessibility can be found here >> accessibility 


Enjoyed this? Learn all about London's famous Thames bridges and check out our guide to all 24 Uber Boat stops.

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Selina Whitby
Content Lead

Selina is a copywriter and seasoned backpacker who has visited over 50 countries if you count Vatican City, which she does. Her most memorable travel experiences include tubing in Vang Vieng, doing New Zealand’s Nevis Bungee with a fear of heights, and taking a nine-hour flight with a toddler. On her bucket list is Rio Carnival in Brazil, walking the Camino de Santiago, and flying First Class (when she wins the EuroMillions).

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