2 Day London Hop-On Hop-Off River Thames Sightseeing Pass

The best thing about this pass is simple: London becomes easier to read from the river. Instead of threading through traffic or underground stations, you can watch bridges, waterfront districts, and major landmarks pass by from an indoor seat or covered outdoor area. The pass covers two days and all included piers from Putney to Barking Riverside.

I like the freedom to hop off when a stop suits your plans, and I like the practical value of using the boat as transport rather than treating it as a one-time cruise. The main consideration is that boarding is first come, first served, and this is not a guided tour with attraction admission included.

Key points before you board

• Two days of unlimited river travel: Use the pass across both days instead of paying for separate boat journeys.
• A wide route through London: Travel between Putney, central London, Canary Wharf, Greenwich, and Barking Riverside.
• Useful landmark views: The London Eye, Westminster, Tower Millennium, and riverside districts are all seen from the water.
• Comfort in changing weather: Boats provide indoor seating and outdoor covered areas.
• No pickup service: Start at any included pier between Putney and Barking Riverside.
• Simple boarding system: Show your printed or mobile voucher to Thames Clippers staff, then board on a first come, first served basis.

Why the Thames makes a good sightseeing route

London can feel like a collection of separate neighborhoods when you move only by Tube or taxi. The river gives you a long, open line through the city. You see the distance between places, the bends in the Thames, and the changing feel of London as the route moves from residential Putney toward the central sights and farther east.

This is not a hop-on hop-off bus with recorded commentary or a traditional cruise with a fixed sightseeing loop. You are using Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, a river transport service, with the freedom to make your own day. That distinction matters. You get a useful ride and good views, but you should not expect a guide explaining every building.

The pass works best when you have two days to spread your stops across. A single long ride from one end of the route to the other can be tiring, and you may not have much time to explore once you get off. With two days, you can use the boat for short connections, scenic stretches, and planned stops near places you already want to visit.

From Putney to Battersea, the western Thames

The western end of the route begins at Putney Pier, a good starting point if you are staying in southwest London or want to see the river before reaching the central sights. Putney gives you a calmer opening to the journey, with the boat route gradually leading toward denser parts of the city.

Next comes Wandsworth Riverside Quarter Pier. This stop is useful for the riverside area around Wandsworth and lets you break up the western section instead of staying aboard for the full ride.

St Mary’s Wharf Pier and Chelsea Harbour Pier continue the journey through the western river districts. These stops are best thought of as neighborhood access points rather than major sightseeing terminals. You may find them useful if your plans are already nearby, but do not choose them solely for a famous attraction named in the pass.

Cadogan Pier brings you closer to Chelsea. It can be a handy stop for linking the river with the surrounding neighborhood, though you will need to plan your own walk from the pier. The pass covers boat travel, not admission to attractions or guided walks beyond the terminals.

At Battersea Power Station Pier, the route reaches one of the most recognizable waterfront locations in this section. The stop gives you a strong reason to get off and spend time on the south bank, or to use the boat as a scenic way to reach the area without dealing with road traffic.

Vauxhall, Millbank, and the central riverfront

From Battersea, the route continues to Vauxhall, St George Wharf Pier. This is another useful connection point for the south bank and central London. If you are building a day around several short rides, stops such as Vauxhall can help you avoid retracing your steps.

The route then includes Millbank Pier to Embankment Pier, followed by London Eye Waterloo Pier. The London Eye stop is one of the clearest sightseeing opportunities on the route. Even if you do not ride the London Eye, the river gives you an excellent angle for photographs of it from the water.

At Westminster Pier, you are close to one of London’s most important central sightseeing areas. This is a natural place to get off, explore on foot, and later continue by boat. The river view also gives you a useful sense of how the central landmarks sit along the Thames rather than appearing as isolated points on a map.

Embankment Pier, which includes the Clipper Lounge EMB, is another strong central stop. It is practical for switching between a river ride and an afternoon in central London. Since the pass is unlimited for two days, you do not need to treat every boarding as a major commitment. You can take a short ride, walk for a while, then board again at a later pier.

Blackfriars through Tower Millennium

The next section includes Blackfriars Pier and Bankside Pier. This is a particularly useful stretch if you want to spend time along the south bank. The river puts the city in view while letting you avoid some of the street-level walking between central stops.

London Bridge City Pier offers another major connection point. It is well placed for exploring the riverfront around London Bridge, although the pass itself does not include entry to any nearby attraction. That is important when comparing the cost. The $58 price buys two days of boat travel, not a bundled sightseeing ticket.

At Tower Millennium Pier, the route reaches one of its most recognizable central stops. This is a good place to plan a longer break, then return to the water later. The pier also marks a useful transition: from here, the river journey begins to feel less like central London sightseeing and more like a broad eastward trip through changing districts.

The crew’s role is modest but important. Boarding and leaving a boat can become slow when many people are moving at once. Clear instructions and efficient handling of passengers make a real difference, especially when you are trying to fit several stops into a busy day.

Canary Wharf and the eastern docks

The route continues to Canary Wharf, a striking change from the older central riverfront. The boat brings you into a part of London known for its modern commercial setting and broad waterside views. It is a useful stop for seeing a different side of the city without arranging a separate sightseeing trip.

Greenland Pier, Canary Wharf Pier gives you another access point in this eastern section. The two Canary Wharf stops may be more useful for your transport plans than for a quick landmark checklist. Check your intended walking route before getting off, since the pass does not include pickup or onward transport.

At Masthouse Terrace Pier, the route continues along the eastern river. This stop provides another chance to break up the journey. If you are riding mainly for the views, stay aboard and watch London change as the dense central area gives way to more open stretches.

The route’s eastern reach is one reason the two-day format matters. You can spend one day around Westminster, the London Eye, Bankside, and the Tower, then use the second day for Canary Wharf, Greenwich, and farther east. That plan gives the pass a clearer purpose than trying to cover every pier in one sitting.

Greenwich and North Greenwich

Greenwich Pier is one of the strongest stops for a full outing. It gives you a river-based arrival into Greenwich and makes the journey part of the day rather than just a transfer. You can get off, explore at your own pace, and later continue along the route if your schedule allows.

The itinerary also includes North Greenwich Pier to Greenwich Pier. Be careful when planning this section, since Greenwich and North Greenwich are separate stops with different surroundings. The pass gives you access to both, but it does not include the O2 Post Express.

That exclusion is worth noting because you should not assume every transport option in the area comes with the pass. The boat ticket covers Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and the included piers only. Food and drinks are also separate, though they are available for purchase onboard.

Royal Wharf to Barking Riverside

Farther east, you can stop at Royal Wharf Pier and Woolwich Pier. These are useful if your plans take you beyond the traditional central sightseeing zone. They also show how much ground the river service covers, connecting very different parts of London in one pass.

The final listed stop is Barking Riverside Pier. Reaching this far east makes the pass more than a central London photo ride. You can use it for a longer point-to-point journey, though you should allow enough time for the ride and for your return plans.

The route information describes access to all included piers from Putney to Barking Riverside, with 24 piers included across the Thames. The stops supplied for the route name the main boarding points, but your practical takeaway is straightforward: you can board at any included pier in the covered zones, rather than being tied to one departure point.

What the $58 price really buys you

At $58 per person, the pass is not the cheapest way to take one short boat ride. If you only want a brief trip for photographs, a single-journey option may make more sense. The value appears when you use the pass repeatedly over both days.

Used evenly, the cost works out to $29 per day. That is a reasonable comparison point for a sightseeing transport pass, especially if you replace several separate journeys and use the boat to reach different parts of London. The more often you get on and off, the easier it is to justify the price.

I would not buy this pass only for attraction admission, because no attraction tickets are included. I would buy it if I wanted a flexible river transport plan, scenic views, and the ability to avoid some traffic while moving between major areas.

The pass also gives you a comfortable fallback when the weather changes. Indoor seating is available, along with outdoor covered areas. You can still see the river without committing to an uncovered boat ride, though conditions and seating availability can affect the experience.

How to plan your two days

Start at any included pier that fits your plans. There is no pickup service, so you must make your own way to Putney, Barking Riverside, or another covered stop. Show the printed or mobile voucher to Thames Clippers staff at the pier.

For the first day, I would focus on the central section: Westminster, Embankment, the London Eye, Bankside, London Bridge City, and Tower Millennium. This keeps your boat rides connected to the highest concentration of central sights.

For the second day, consider the western or eastern reach. Putney, Wandsworth, Chelsea Harbour, Battersea, and Vauxhall form one useful group. Canary Wharf, Greenwich, North Greenwich, Woolwich, and Barking Riverside form another. You do not need to visit every pier to get good value.

Keep your plan loose. Boarding is first come, first served, so avoid building a schedule that depends on catching one exact boat. The service team gives boarding information, and clear instructions help keep passengers moving, but you should still leave room between stops.

Children up to age 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed, and the service is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but hazardous items, inflammable substances, and items longer than two meters are not permitted onboard.

Who will get the most from this pass

I recommend it for first-time visitors who want to understand London geographically, families who prefer a break from crowded streets, and anyone staying near the river. It also suits you if you like choosing stops as you go rather than following a fixed tour timetable.

It may be less useful if you are staying far from every pier, have only a few hours in London, or mainly want guided commentary. It is also not the right product if your priority is admission to attractions, since those costs are separate.

The experience is strongest for people who treat the boat as both transport and sightseeing. You can take photographs of the London Eye from the water, move toward Westminster or the Tower without road traffic, and then continue east when you are ready.

Should you book the two-day river pass?

Book it if you have two days, expect to make several river journeys, and like the idea of exploring London at your own pace. The biggest strengths are the broad route, the freedom to hop off, and the chance to see familiar landmarks from a fresh angle.

Skip it if you want a short, guided cruise or if your schedule does not allow repeated use. At $58, the pass needs more than one ride to feel worthwhile. Used across two days, though, it can be a practical way to connect London’s central sights with Greenwich, Canary Wharf, and the farther eastern riverfront.

Cancellation is free when you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

FAQ

How long is the pass valid?

The pass is valid for two days.

What does the pass include?

It includes unlimited hop-on hop-off travel on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers for two days and access to all included piers from Putney to Barking Riverside.

Where can I board?

You can board at any included pier between Putney and Barking Riverside. Pickup is not included, so you must make your own way to a pier.

Can I use a mobile ticket?

Yes. You can present a mobile or printed voucher to Uber Boat by Thames Clippers staff.

Is boarding guaranteed at a specific time?

No. Boarding is based on a first come, first served system.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and beverages are not included, but they are available to purchase onboard.

Are attraction tickets included?

No. Entrance tickets to attractions along the route are separate.

Does the pass include the O2 Post Express?

No. Use of the O2 Post Express is not included.

Are children allowed to travel alone?

Children up to age 10 must always be accompanied by an adult.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded.