London’s Super-fast Uber Boat. Best Value Sightseeing in the Capital?

Hello guys!
Bit of a departure (pardon the pun) for me this week as I take London's Uber Boat on the River Thames from Greenwich to Battersea Power Station. It's a ferry, yes but also part of the TfL network and used as both a commuter service and a way of seeing the sights along the banks of the river - quite cheaply in my opinion.
So come with me on this journey upstream in glorious weather, where I'll show you these iconic London landmarks and also tell you about the boat, the facilities on offer and the cost. I think it's a practical, exhilarating and easy way to get around. A great way to spend an hour or so in the capital but do let me know what you think.
Thanks for watching and cheers for now.
Mark
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Uber Boat by Thames Clippers website: booking.thamesclippers.com/
Map Credit: Open Street Map, (route added), www.openstreetmap.org/
📖Chapters
00:00 - Intro
02:40 - Greenwich to Waterloo Bridge
08:06 - Loo Review
09:05 - Interior Facilities & Seat
09:56 - Hungerford Bridge to Battersea
11:40 - Arrival

[@icepee9252]

The Thames is criminally underused as a mode of transport. The original cross London commute. I used to jump a boat at Putney to take me as far east as Woolwich, and back.

[@richardnei]

Great Trip Report! It’s been so long since I was on the river boats in London. Hopefully I’ll get a trip down someday soon. Certainly a great way to get around and view the skyline from the river. Keep up the great work! I really love the variety on the channel. ✈️

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, yes hopefully the variety keeps things fresh. I would really recommend those Uber boats - a great experience I’d certainly do it again 👍

[@Deqoid_123]

Your videos never fail to entertain me mate, great video and great KZbin channel!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thank you sir, glad you enjoy them 😊👍

[@laeyna6779]

this is exactly the video I was looking for! Thanks a lot and keep going 😊👌

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thank you, glad you found it useful. 😊👍

[@jamescrossley8599]

Thanks for the great video Mr Swain. I enjoyed learning about the boat and watching you explore it! The boat goes faster than I expected and was reminiscent of James Bond's 'The World is not Enough'!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I thought that when I was on the back of it 😂 I was surprised how fast it went as I’d just assumed the Thames would have a speed limit on it?

[@killerqueen9298]

Super trip Mark. It's been a long time since I've been sightseeing in London. I've been several times on business but you don't get much chance to see much. Brought back some happy memories though of going there with family. Keep the fab reviews coming 🙃❤

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it. I picked a good day for this at the time and the views were superb.

[@simonwhitlock9189]

I do like Greenwich I spent a wonderful morning exploring the Cutty Sark then walking under the Thames and taking the Docklands Light rail back to the city, thanks for the video most enjoyable as always. Take care and stay safe.Cheers.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Simon. Yes I could have spent more time in Greenwich. Tbh, I was on a budget and the Travelodge was the best option, but right opposite some halls of residence it was a bloody nightmare at 3am onwards when they all came back! The DLR’s always good fun imo and maybe next time, I’ll do the Cutty Sark - it did look impressive. Thanks as always for the comment. 😊

[@derisleybrittain]

Excellent footage 🍷🍷🍷🍷🥂🥂🥂🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩💖💖💖👐👐👐😀😀😀😀👍👍👍👍👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate 😊😊😊😊😊⛴⛴⛴⛴⛴⛴⛴⛴⛴🎲👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🤘🎡

[@craigthurston7731]

The way TfL use the river is light years ahead of how it was even 10 years ago, thanks for the video Mark.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Craig. Yes I think this may be the reason why I’ve never really bothered before because, until I started looking into it, I assumed it was just sightseeing boats and barges tbh which I guess it was a while back. Glad I did it now, really enjoyed it!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

I'm ashamed to say despite living within 1 hour of London for most of my life, I've never been on a Thames River boat 😂 It looks a great experience tbh and I'll definitely make a note to do it soon, great video Mark, I really enjoyed it! ⛵🤓

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate! Same here, I’d never given it much thought before. I’ll definitely use again, I need to try those super-comfy chairs at the front. There’s quite a few river ferries around - maybe it’s an idea for a new series?

[@NonstopEurotrip]

@@LetsMakeaTrip You can definitely have that series lol 😜

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@NonstopEurotrip haha, thanks!

[@incubus_the_man]

Locals rarely ever see the attractions in their own cities. I'm from the US and I can say the same thing about my hometown.

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

Excellent. Might be in London in July, will keep this in mind for sure.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Do you know what, I’d never even thought about it before - always assumed it would be quite expensive. But I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it now. Great fun! Cheers Mark😊👍

[@mancs123]

great video, keep it up!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Laszlo, glad you enjoyed it 😊👍

[@catb7059]

Very interesting. Definitely going to try it 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes, I think you can go a bit further downstream from Greenwich too. I had a great time 😊👍

[@hoof2001]

It’s a brilliant trip for a tiny cost compared with the rubbish river trips from Westminster Pier. Far longer and often the crew do a commentary too. An Oyster card works because this is a part of Transport for London’s services. A brilliant choice for a video. Thanks 🙏. Another cheap sightseeing trip is the service 15 along the Strand which passes all the best sights for the normal LfT fare. Those tourist buses cost a fortune and offer nothing more than an indifferent taped commentary. Ever tried a London walk? So cheap and so good like this one

[@hoof2001]

Like London Walks Brunel

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi John, thanks for the info. Yep, I’ve never been into the kind of tour guide, guided commentary stuff - prefer to do my own thing tbh and if I can do it cheaply (or even better, for free) that makes it even more worthwhile imo. The London walk thing, I haven’t done so much of that but one of my favourite things about the place is finding these little squares and just getting some quiet time in the middle of the city. Edinburgh’s good for that too. Funnily enough, I’ve never been on a typical London bus - I might try that next time I’m down there. Cheers mate 😊👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi John, just sent out your Ko-fi update but your email address bounced back. Can you check it and let me know via the Ko-fi page what it should be. Don't want you to miss out on the updates. Cheers, Mark

[@janer2709]

I did this trip in November. I crossed the river on the Emirates skyline and got on the ferry at North Greenwich. Your video is excellent - Just captures it all.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hey thanks Jane. I’ve done the Emirates Skyline a couple of times and I must admit, I was terrified!! it’s the steep bit at the start I don’t like 😬

[@janer2709]

Mark I stayed at the Ibis in Canning Town which was great for all transport links especially if you're travelling via London City airport. There's a huge new Premier Inn about to open there also. Good budget choices.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@janer2709 Hi Jane, thanks and funnily enough I booked into that Premierinn just yesterday - I think it’s only just down from Canning Town station - not really showing on google maps yet but I’ve got a flight from LCY the next morning so it’s really handy. Only £40 too which is not bad for round there 👍

[@janer2709]

@@LetsMakeaTrip It's about 5 mins walk on the same side as the station. It should have great views over the river. I come over from Northern Ireland two or three times a year to do railway journeys. I'm doing the west coast of Scotland in March. Your videos give me great ideas for trips.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@janer2709 aw thanks Jane, that’s really kind. I would definitely recommend the Kyle of Lochalsh line (I did a video about that a while back) and I try and make them more about the adventure than being overly technical tbh. I did take the Caledonian Sleeper up to Fort William a couple of years back which was amazing, but that was before I discovered KZbin so no footage unfortunately! Incidentally, I was in Northern Ireland two weeks ago making some content which will come out next month hopefully 😊👍

[@Timstravels01]

What a fab way to see the sights. I’ll definitely look out for this the next time I visit London.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes, well worth it imo. Pick a nice day weather-wise, I think I got lucky there considering it was January!

[@troydeeney9]

@@LetsMakeaTrip How much was this?

[@moinalam8418]

I love see you soon❤️

[@baseballfan99]

I do love the Thames Clipper and plan to use it again in August from Greenwich. I do like the fact the concession stand is still open as it saves time rather than having a drink and snack in Greenwich before departure. Good tip on the price difference, will certainly check if this is still the case in August.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes, i'm glad I tried it - i'll definitely do it again - maybe in the other direction and go a bit further than Greenwich (if you can go much further). I too will have to try the cafe-bar. Let me know how you get on with the price difference - it's easy enough to 'tap in/out' but I'm all for trying to get things cheaper if I can! Have a good trip!

[@chathamabs2011]

Brilliant video 👍 I took this journey with father in law a few weeks ago and thought it was good value for money. I think with 3 small children we could manage a trip to London from Salisbury. Take the Elizabeth line from Paddington to Canary wharf, get the Emirates cable car ride and Uber Clipper back to the London eye for Waterloo. .....it's all to accommodate my dodgy knees, I can't walk far but the kids will see a lot of landmarks on the Thames as well. 👌

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It’s good value for money Keith I agree. I really enjoyed it and will definitely do it again when I’m down in London. Like you said, it’s a great way to see loads of famous sights in a short amount of time. Cheers.

[@chrisprobert5340]

I didn't know about these until Ian McKellen told me about them ( well, it was an article he'd written in The Guardian actually but that's what I'm telling everybody). They look great fun. I've booked somewhere to stay in East London for a change soon so this shall be a super chance to have a ride on one. Wonderful video...

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Chris and yes, imo, this is a really great way of seeing lots of the famous landmarks from the river without paying stupid money. Really modern boats as well with lots of stuff on them. Have a great time👍

[@spark_6710]

It's much bigger than I expected !! I'm impressed everytime I see inside of the Clipper ferry boats in videos !! You can even get a cuppa ! I guess it's all relatively short rides to have meals ? I think it's one of the best / more affordable ways to do London sightseeing !! I've always loved rivers ,more than oceans in a way ! 👍👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💞

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Spark, good to hear from you. I'm sure you'll be ok with the wheelchair getting it on/off the boats. You can spend a good hour or so on the longer trips and see all the stuff you want from the water. I thought it was a great way to view the sights. I didn't try the cafe bar but I reckon you could get plenty of food/drink there. It was quiet when I went but I'm sure they get busier in the main tourist season. Enjoy!

[@spark_6710]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Hello !! Thank you so much ! Oh ! We can eat on it ,too -!!? YAY !! I forgot about that ! Lol. I can't wait to do this !! I really love rivers !! And the views are amazing !! I really wanted to visit Hungary & cruise on Danube, too !!! 😫 But ...thanks to the war by Russian . I love Russians ! So sad ! Thanks to Putin . I really hope the war will end very soon with Ukraine's victory ! Thank you so much for your replies ! Hoping everything is well with you !! 👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶🛥💕💞

[@WiresFanDrew]

Did this from Greenwich to Westminster - took about an hour and was amazing!! Highly recommended AND as we were getting on, Gok Wan was getting on 😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Drew, I agree, a great trip, decent price and, if you meet a celeb as well that’s a bonus isn’t it! 😊👍

[@anianoenrique2115]

Looks interesting for tourists.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yeh and I reckon 90% of people on my boat were tourists, easily!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Very interesting video! I think I must have seen these boats hundreds of times on various visits to London, but had never really thought of going on one myself. I'll maybe have to take a quick ride on one next time I find myself in London with some time to kill!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes, same here. I always thought the river was full of sightseeing river cruise type boats and yes there are some of those about but this is a genuine TfL service really. Once I got to Battersea of course I had to use the new Northern Line station!

[@DylansTravelReports]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Ah yes, the famous Battersea Power Station Station 😅

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@DylansTravelReports hmm, have to admit, it wasn’t particularly inspiring tbh!

[@hoof2001]

But you have to admit that a station called “Battersea Power Station Station” is pretty funny haha. As Jago Hazard and Geoff Marshall both made great play of

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@hoof2001 haha, it sure is!

[@radhakhosla4424]

Good information 😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks 😊

[@nickyruso2786]

Keep em coming! Greenwich my ends

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I liked Greenwich (apart from the Travelodge)!

[@davefields3020]

Nice video!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Dave, appreciate the comment 😊👍

[@ThexboxDuo123]

Good video 😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thank you 😊

[@spark_6710]

Ohh I missed this one !!? 😱 Thanks for this video !! 👍 I am looking forward to ride on the clipper a couple of times while we'll visiting tower hill & bankside ...my mom developed mobility issues ,so I had/have to change our itineraries. I gave up on the Swan at the Globe !! ☹️I knew there were steps going there ,but a couple of days ago ,found out that there were many steps !! 😅 Mom wouldn't be able to go up/ down that many at once ! I'll be pushing her wheelchair everywhere over there !! 😅💜🥁🐉🎤🎶🛥🇬🇧💕💞

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Might be worth checking the Thames Clipper website for accessible departure points just to be sure: booking.thamesclippers.com/ they've got some decent route maps on there too.

[@spark_6710]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Thank you --!!! So - sweet of you ~ !!! I appreciate it very much !! 🙏🏼 I know ! I am thinking about taking a longer ride ,too !! But,there are many places we'd love to do...,so not sure if all will fit in our schedules !! Lol I wanted to have a cream tea at the Swan ,but they have 3 sets ,or more of steps ,like total of 21 to 28 ?? steps to get to the actual restaurant/ bar !! Lol 😅 That'll kill my mom's knees !! So,I already gave up on that one sadly !! 💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💕💞

[@augustsky6248]

I did a similar trip a few years ago starting from the London Eye to Greenwich with a cockney commentary thrown in for good measure. It was excellent value and a wonderful way to enjoy the sights of the city. Thanks for bringing it up to date with Uber but I would miss the cockney comic. Great video.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, we didn’t have any commentary on this but I didn’t mind that. Just a nice relaxing (and cheap) way to spend an hour or so.

[@KS-xz2rq]

Can you do a complete loop on the same boat and get off at the boarding stop with a day pass ?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Not too sure tbh. I think you may need to ask the crew once you get up river wrt whether you need to tap out then in again.

[@timothybird4264]

Going to try barking riverside, when the station of the same name opens shortly

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Looks quite impressive from what I’ve seen on KZbin 👍

[@timothybird4264]

@@LetsMakeaTrip will be the reason I go to barking riverside

[@fourmanfilms]

I prefer the open top boats between Westminister and Greenwich which give a better view and do not have a two hour queu to get on or when you return for that matter. As they only stop briefly at the Tower they are often much quicker than the clipper, are far less polluting, far more spacious and you can also use your oyster card on Thames River Sightseeing. If you have a travel card a return is far less than a clipper at at about £13 return. At 19.65 full fare return it is about the same if not less than a clipper and they do full draught pints as well as bottles also reasonably priced. These TRS boats are run by familes some of whom have been on the Thames for centuries and are part of the Watermen and Lightermens hall. They are super friendly and a family owned bussiness. What is there not to like.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Great comment and thanks for the info. I’m heading back to London next month so will give them a try. Cheers.

[@brianmorrison9168]

My wife and I shall be visiting London in August, having had a wonderful trip there last year .. out first time in 20+ years. During this visit we want to take a trip on River Thames .. but it's hard to know which one is best .. there seem to be cruises and 'water buses' for want of a better term. Which do you think is the best value ?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I haven’t been on the cruise boats Brian tbh. All I would say is this seemed good value for money and there are some great facilities on board. Have to weigh up the prices of each I guess.

[@brianmorrison9168]

@@LetsMakeaTrip thank you for your reply. Regards from Whitley Bay

[@MickCampin-jp9kb]

Looks a good trip even though your edit is out of sync with the landmarks from Tower Bridge to the Jubilee Bridge

[@user-pu1fy6vw3f]

Are you allowed to stand up and take photos towards the back of the boat ?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I can’t see that it would be an issue. I did it several times iirc.

[@XteamMAB]

What’s this? 2:46

[@thecyberleaderwhufc]

I’ve been on UberBoat they are fast they go to Essex aka Barking

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Best thing I’ve done in the capital for ages. Couldn’t believe how it powered away from the dock like that. Great fun!

[@oscarr.s334]

Greetings to everyone, I would like to know how much the children pay, thank you

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Oscar, I would recommend checking on the TfL website. They can help with up-to-date pricing 👍