River bus services on the Thames (mainly Uber Boat by Thames Clippers) use a zone-based system with prices depending on the route. Adult single tickets range from approximately £5.20 to £14.70 (or £4.80–£13.50 with app/contactless). One-day "River Roamer" hop-on-hop-off tickets cost £21.00 for adults. Children under 5 travel free, and those aged 5-15 receive 50% off.
The UK's £2 bus fare cap, originally ending in 2023, was extended multiple times and eventually transitioned to a £3 cap in England (outside London) from January 2025 to December 2025, funded by the government to help with living costs. However, some regions, like Liverpool City Region and Telford, have stepped in with local funding to keep their specific £2 caps running longer, with Liverpool aiming for 2026, while the national scheme shifted focus to the £3 cap to support bus services long-term.
River Bus services are operated by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. Routes run from 23 piers between Putney and Woolwich. Check the current timetable for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. You can also keep an eye on service changes.
There isn't a fixed number of bodies in the Thames, but around 30 bodies are recovered annually, with figures ranging from the low 20s to over 30 in recent years, primarily due to suicides or accidents, though some are from unexplained deaths. The Metropolitan Police Marine Policing Unit (MPU) handles recoveries, but other agencies like the RNLI also assist.
Thamesline River bus London 1987 - it cost a pound
Why is the Thames called Isis?
It used to be thought that the ancient name for the Thames, Tamesis or Thamesis, came from a combination of Thame and Isis, but this is no longer given any credit, although the name Isis is probably an abbreviation for Tamesis.
If your budget is up to $600 per day per person you'll typically find a good fit with CroisiEurope, Emerald Cruises and Viking River Cruises. That said, Avalon and AmaWaterways also can fall within this price range, particularly during shoulder season.
For most tickets, travel through Zone 1 is more expensive than journeys of similar length not crossing this zone. The zone contains all the central London districts, most of the major tourist attractions, the major rail terminals, the City of London, and the West End.
If you travel on Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, IFS Cloud Cable Car or River Bus services in between Hopper journeys, you'll be charged a standard fare. The Hopper fare will still apply to any further bus and tram journeys made within one hour of first touching in.
Do you need a TV licence if you live on a canal boat?
Do I need a TV Licence on a narrowboat? Legally, residential narrowboat owners are required to have a TV licence to watch live or catch up television and radio onboard.
The "12-person yacht rule" is an international maritime regulation stating that a vessel carrying more than 12 passengers (in addition to the crew) is classified as a passenger ship under SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), triggering significantly stricter and costly safety requirements like lifeboats, fire safety, and structural standards, making 12 guests the practical limit for most private and commercial charter yachts. This distinction separates pleasure/private vessels from commercial passenger vessels, impacting operations, certification, and insurance.
Cruise ships use secret codes like Code Alpha (medical), Code Bravo (fire), Code Oscar (man overboard), and Code Charlie (security threat) to alert crew to emergencies discreetly, preventing passenger panic while allowing for swift response, with codes like Operation Brightstar (medical), Operation Rising Star (death), PVI (public vomiting), and 3030 (cleanup needed) varying by line but serving similar functions to manage incidents. Passengers should stay calm and out of the way if they hear these, as crew handle the situation.
While "prettiest" is subjective, Henley-on-Thames is widely considered a top contender for the most picturesque town on the Thames, known for its classic English charm, historic buildings, vibrant Regatta, and beautiful setting near the Chilterns. Other contenders for beauty include Marlow for its idyllic riverside setting, Windsor for its iconic castle, and charming spots like Richmond for riverside pubs and greenery.
There isn't a fixed number of bodies in the Thames, but around 30 bodies are recovered annually, with figures ranging from the low 20s to over 30 in recent years, primarily due to suicides or accidents, though some are from unexplained deaths. The Metropolitan Police Marine Policing Unit (MPU) handles recoveries, but other agencies like the RNLI also assist.