Visit river boats of tourists plying the Thames are a familiar sight in London.
However, they are far from the only way to visit the city by river.
Here's a guide to boating in London.
Boating in London: article summary
Boats in London: Uber Boats by Thames Clippers
Formerly known as Thames Clippers, Uber Boats by Thames Clippers is the TfL River Bus service.
It serves 24 piers and stops all along the river between Putney and Barking, under the route names RB1, RB2, RB4 and RB6.
It is generally designed as a commuter service rather than a pleasure boat.
Rivers Tours
In addition to river bus services, other boat routes on the Thames are also available. known as River Tours.
These are your most touristy options, including multi-stop services, sightseeing tours and dinner cruises.
Various companies are authorized by TfL to manage these services, but the best-known and most visible are :
- City Cruises
- London Eye River Cruise
- Boat London
Boats in London: London Waterbus
Just around the corner from the Paddington Water Taxi is Little Venice.
Sit here long enough and you might notice a queue forming on one of the peripheral paths.
They'll be waiting for the London Waterbus, a riverboat service that links Little Venice and Camden Lock on Regent's Canal several times a day.
A one-way trip takes around 45 minutes, taking in Little Venice, Maida Vale and the Maida Hill Tunnel, skirting Regent's Park and passing through the center of London Zoo before heading up to Camden Lock.
The Woolwich Ferry
Another service owned and operated by TfL, the Woolwich Ferry, links the two banks of the Thames near Woolwich and London City Airportusing two boats.
It's free to use.
Pedestrians, cyclists, cars, vans and trucks are all allowed on board for this trip. which lasts only 5 to 10 minutes.
Boat in London: Hammertons Ferry
Woolwich Ferry isn't the only ferry operating on the River Thames in London, although Hammertons Ferry is a totally different and far more bucolic experience.
First of all, it's a family-run business that crosses the Thames between Twickenham and Ham, serving locals, day-trippers and walkers alike.
The first Hammerton was Phil Collins' grandfather, although the company is now in the hands of another family, the Spencers.
The Hammerton Ferry is a smaller, quieter vessel, carrying only a handful of passengers at a time.
Boarding is via a metal footbridge leading down to the small wooden pier. Tickets cost £1 per adult, 50 pence for children.
Turks Boat Company
Turks Boat Company owns three vessels operating between Hampton CourtKingston and Richmond during the summer months, aimed more at boaters than people with a place to stay.
It takes 35 minutes to travel between Hampton Court and Kingston, one hour between Kingston and Richmond and 1 hour 45 minutes to cover the entire journey from Hampton Court to Richmond.
Boats in London: Thamees River Boats
Thames River Boats runs trips from central London to Kew, Richmond and Hampton Court, allowing you to see the waterfront sights of southwest London from your floating vantage point.
If you go as far as Hampton Court, you'll pass Kew Gardens, Syon House and Ham House on board the one of the company's three historic double-decker boats.
Thames River Boats also offers 45-minute circular tours starting and ending in Richmond, taking in Marble Hill House, Eel Pie Island and Teddington Lock.
Lee & Stort Boat Co
Tours of Lee & Stort Boat Co begin on a pontoon outside the center. in Londoninside the Olympic Park, venturing through the Carpenters Road lock, down the Lea River, Lee Navigation and St Thomas Creek, and on to City Mill River. before heading north to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The route offers views of tourist attractions, including theArcelorMittal Orbit and other London 2012 Olympic venues.
The boats used are wheelchair-accessible, and have on-board toilets and a bar.
If you'd like to take a boat in London, I suggest you take a look at this list of river companies. You'll see the city from a different angle from the banks of the Thames.
