scorecardI took a ride on an Uber Boat down the River Thames in London. It was much more fun than an Uber taxi and I got to see lots of landmarks.
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  4. I took a ride on an Uber Boat down the River Thames in London. It was much more fun than an Uber taxi and I got to see lots of landmarks.

I took a ride on an Uber Boat down the River Thames in London. It was much more fun than an Uber taxi and I got to see lots of landmarks.

Kate Duffy   

I took a ride on an Uber Boat down the River Thames in London. It was much more fun than an Uber taxi and I got to see lots of landmarks.
The Uber Boat approaching Battersea platform.Kate Duffy/Insider
  • Uber Boat by Thames Clippers drops passengers off at 23 piers along the River Thames in London.
  • Passengers can grab drinks and snacks onboard, and spot famous London landmarks.
  • The boat arrived 20 minutes late, and the trip was meant to last 40 minutes but took an hour.

Uber Boat is a river bus service on the River Thames in London, England.

Uber Boat is a river bus service on the River Thames in London, England.
Uber Boat approaching Battersea platform.      Kate Duffy/Insider

I'm always taking Uber taxis and wondered what it would be like to take an Uber Boat for a change.

I
Traveling down the River Thames.      JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

I thought the price was reasonable for my journey from Battersea in southwest London to Canary Wharf in east London.

I thought the price was reasonable for my journey from Battersea in southwest London to Canary Wharf in east London.
Screenshot of boat prices on Uber app.      Kate Duffy/Insider

Passengers can also pay at a ticket office or tap a machine with their credit card. The different payment options caused some confusion among boarding passengers. This added to the journey time.

Passengers can also pay at a ticket office or tap a machine with their credit card. The different payment options caused some confusion among boarding passengers. This added to the journey time.
Traveling down the Thames on an Uber Boat.      Kate Duffy/Insider

The timetable showed that the Uber Boat would arrive at 3:15.p.m. After it was 15 minutes late, passengers waiting on the platform began asking each other when it was due to arrive.

The timetable showed that the Uber Boat would arrive at 3:15.p.m. After it was 15 minutes late, passengers waiting on the platform began asking each other when it was due to arrive.
Passengers waiting for Uber Boat on the platform at Battersea.      Kate Duffy/Insider

After 20 minutes of standing on the bobbing platform, the boat rocked up.

After 20 minutes of standing on the bobbing platform, the boat rocked up.
Uber Boat approaching Battersea platform.      Kate Duffy/Insider

Uber Boat's interior is modern and spacious. The leather seats were comfortable and there was lots of light in the cabin. It felt like I was sitting on a first-class train.

Uber Boat
Comfortable seating.      Kate Duffy/Insider

The seating area at the back wasn't as nice as the inside, but the views and blast of fresh air made it worth it.

The seating area at the back wasn
The outside seating area.      Kate Duffy/Insider

There was also a cafe onboard, where passengers could buy drinks and snacks. The barista brought hot drinks to people's seats.

There was also a cafe onboard, where passengers could buy drinks and snacks. The barista brought hot drinks to people
Refreshments being served.      Kate Duffy/Insider

There was a range of drinks available to buy, including prosecco, wine, beer, and soft drinks.

There was a range of drinks available to buy, including prosecco, wine, beer, and soft drinks.
The range of drinks in the cafe.      Kate Duffy/Insider

I bought a beer for the ride!

I bought a beer for the ride!
One of many onboard drink options.      Kate Duffy/Insider

There were lots of other Uber Boats passing by on the River Thames. Uber and Thames Clipper said on their website they have a fleet of 20 boats.

There were lots of other Uber Boats passing by on the River Thames. Uber and Thames Clipper said on their website they have a fleet of 20 boats.
Passing a fellow Uber Boat.      Kate Duffy/Insider

Each boat stops at 23 piers along the River Thames, starting at Putney pier in southwest London and ending at Woolwich pier in the southeast.

Each boat stops at 23 piers along the River Thames, starting at Putney pier in southwest London and ending at Woolwich pier in the southeast.
A view of the London Eye and other landmarks.      Kate Duffy/Insider

The best part of the trip was spotting some of city's famous landmarks, including the London Eye, which you can't properly see in a taxi.

The best part of the trip was spotting some of city
A view of the London Eye from the back of the boat.      Kate Duffy/Insider

I sat on the back bench of the boat - a tourist hotspot - and enjoyed looking back on the river.

I sat on the back bench of the boat - a tourist hotspot - and enjoyed looking back on the river.
Traveling down the Thames on an Uber Boat.      Kate Duffy/Insider

Every now and then, I got sprayed with water from the engines. It's not the type of transport to travel on when it's wet and windy.

Every now and then, I got sprayed with water from the engines. It
Water spraying around the boat.      Kate Duffy/Insider

It was quite difficult to walk off the boat because of the water bobbing the platform. This, coupled with passengers' confusion about tickets, meant there were long waiting times at each stop.

It was quite difficult to walk off the boat because of the water bobbing the platform. This, coupled with passengers
Passengers coming onboard.      Kate Duffy/Insider

For the remainder of the trip, I sat inside the boat.

For the remainder of the trip, I sat inside the boat.
The inside seating area.      Kate Duffy/Insider

Although I was inside, I still had a great view of the sights because of the boat's tall windows.

Although I was inside, I still had a great view of the sights because of the boat
The boat passing London landmarks.      Kate Duffy/Insider

The windows, which are tinted on the outside, didn't stop me from taking clear photos behind the glass either.

The windows, which are tinted on the outside, didn
City views.      Kate Duffy/Insider

Uber Boat's website says it takes 26 minutes to get from my starting point, Battersea, to London Bridge City. Canary Wharf is two stops along from London Bridge City so it should have taken an extra 10 minutes to get to my destination.

Uber Boat
End of the journey.      Kate Duffy/Insider

The journey took an hour in total. This was because of the waiting times between each stop.

The journey took an hour in total. This was because of the waiting times between each stop.
Canary Wharf.      Dave Rushen/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

A taxi back to where I started in Battersea took 15 minutes less but was almost double the price of the Uber Boat.

A taxi back to where I started in Battersea took 15 minutes less but was almost double the price of the Uber Boat.
Screenshot of Uber taxi ride back to Battersea.      Kate Duffy/Insider

Overall, I would much prefer to travel with Uber Boat than Uber taxis because of the comfort and sightseeing. But I can't rely on the boat's unreliable timetable and long waiting times.

Overall, I would much prefer to travel with Uber Boat than Uber taxis because of the comfort and sightseeing. But I can
Traveling home in an Uber taxi.      Kate Duffy/Insider

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