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Woolwich Ferry
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Woolwich Ferry

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Woolwich Ferry
3.5
117
#1,048 of 2,558 things to do in London
Public Transportation Systems • Ferries
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6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
11:30 AM - 7:30 PM
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< 1 hour
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Top ways to experience nearby attractions

The area
Address
How to get there
  • Woolwich Arsenal • 10 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
708 within 3 miles
Beefeater
273
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Bar • British
Dial Arch
803
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Gastropub
The Friends Cafe
22
0.2 mi$ • Cafe • International • British
Fusion
14
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Nepali
Con Gusto
148
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
The Guard House
355
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub
Kailash Momo Restaurant
250
0.5 mi$ • Asian • Tibetan • Nepali
Hitachi Sushi
4
0.2 miJapanese • Asian
The Taproom
128
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Pizza • British
Viet Baguette(Pho & Grill)
160
0.5 mi$ • Vietnamese • Healthy • Vegetarian Friendly
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Attractions
440 within 6 miles
Woolwich Foot Tunnel
44
349 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Waterfront Leisure Centre
54
0.1 miSports Complexes
Brick Lane Music Hall
1,197
1 miTheaters
Royal Arsenal Farmers' Market
7
0.4 miFarmers Markets
Thames Path
15
0.4 miScenic Walking Areas
Royal Victoria Gardens
7
0.4 miParks • Gardens
Greenwich Town Hall
1
0.4 miGovernment Buildings
Tower Bridge
39,610
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Bridges
Tower of London
66,637
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Beresford Square
2
0.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
117 reviews
Excellent
44
Very good
32
Average
12
Poor
4
Terrible
25
Cheekycockney190757
Basildon, UK7,770 contributions
Fairly New Ferry's for a free ride across the Thames
Jun 2021
Visited on Wednesday 23rd June 2021 As part of a day trip to London. Woolwich Ferry. It was still free and my first time on it since I went on it as part of the circular cycle around East London back in 2012. I exited the King George V DLR Station and walked the rather decrepit streets the short distance to the Woolwich Ferry. You can queue with your vehicle or walk under the Thames using the foot tunnel. I chose to queue and as there was only 1 of the 2 Ferrys in operation the time to wait was circa 20-30 mins. Once the Ferry was on my side, you could access the ferry and either stand in the open or the covered side seating area. The ferry takes about 10 mins to empty its vehicle and people contents and be refilled. The crossing takes about 10 mins and provides a free view down the Thames. Once in Woolwich, it is a similarly poor/decrepit area of now South London. Either way, unless you have a reason to use this free ferry there is little value to doing so.
Written August 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pranker797
Lowestoft, UK29 contributions
Worth A Visit
Oct 2019
Decided to use the ferry to cross the Thames by foot after visiting the Thames Barrier. It was about 7pm, but there was still a huge queue of cars on the north bank. Good views of the Thames Barrier and the lights of The City. Good way to see some of the city for free!
Written May 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Eva O
High Wycombe, UK258 contributions
Good
Mar 2020
A very convenient and free method of crossing the river. The journey was quick and easy, and saved time. Recommended.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
therichastill
Stevenage, UK1,862 contributions
Sedate way to cross the Thames
Aug 2021 • Solo
The Woolwich Ferry is not the fastest way to cross the River Thames however it is very pleasant.

When I visited I was on foot and pedestrians were able to get on quite easily however there was a bit of a queue for vehicles.

No one can get on until they have unloaded and it takes a bit of time to get all the cars and lorries on board but once the safety announcement has been completed you are off across the river. There are some great views of Docklands and Canary Wharf to the west and I also got to see a plane take off from London City Airport.

Again, it takes a bit of time to get berthed but once sorted you can get off.

Note, in the time it took to walk through the tunnel it was the same to make the crossing by ferry.
Written September 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Terrycq
Mundesley, UK6 contributions
Excellent Customer Service
Mar 2022
I arrived at the North Terminal having driven down from Norfolk, I was driving my wife's car which was only purchased very recently and is all new to me. I joined the queue and turned off my car. When the queue began to move my car would not start. I was holding up a good many drivers some of which vented their frustration via the trusty old horn! Better to stay safely anonymous in your car than actually get out to see what the problem is and perhaps offer some sort of help! A member of the TFL team noticed my car and soon realised I could not start it. The chap was Asian and a very nice bloke. He helped me move the car and informed the anpr team to ensure I didn't get a fine for parking in one of their bays. He offered lots of suggestions and used his phone to try and find solutions, meanwhile I contacted the RAC and was advised that there would be at least a 3 hour wait before a technician could attend to my problem. The guy from TFL went about his business but kept coming back to check on me etc. He dealt with lots of enquiries from the public and was very helpful. after a couple of hours the sun stared to go down and it started to get cold so I went and sat in the car, I put the key in the ignition, not holding out much hope but, much to my surprise the car started. I didn't want to turn the engine off until I had travelled the relatively short distance to Eltham incase the car would not start so the same chap contacted the ferry staff to ask if I could be let on and leave my engine running, which they agreed to. And do I completed my journey. I would like to thank the chap for his help and professionalism, he went beyond what you might expect and took a lot of the grief out of the experience. He is a credit to TFL as were all of his colleagues who help me continue on my journey. (Yes I did cancel the RAC call out) . If you are reading this my helpful friend I would like to say As-salamu alaykum! (I hope I got that right).
Written March 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
steve k
Greater London, UK46 contributions
Gone down the pan
Aug 2021 • Solo
Sadly this historic part of woolwich has "gone down the pan". If its not strike action its technical issues that prevent their operation.
When they start charging to use the blackwall tunnel you would be better off swimming across. Just get rid now and close it completely and sell off the land and build expensive apartments over looking the Thames.
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
chrisdodd4
London, UK395 contributions
Ferry Nice to cruise from Woolwich to North Woolwich
Sep 2020 • Solo
The weather was wonderful for the time of visiting so we took a voyage on the Woolwich Ferry â›´.

We boarded and waited for the ferry to fill up with its traffic for the essential journey to the other side of the River Thames.

As you glide the short way you get a wonderful view of the Thames Barrier with the skyline of Canary Wharf in the background see my picture below.

Then before you know it we docked the other side,we disembarked walked pass the building that houses the foot tunnel, we declined this in this occasion and passed the old North Woolwich station 🚉 see on your internet for the history on this station.

So in summary take this free ferry â›´ you have to do this once if you are a Londoner.
Written September 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andy C
19 contributions
Worst tfl service ever
Feb 2020 • Couples
I have been using the woolwich ferry over 20 years and since the upgrade to the new ferries and new staff the time to cross the river has double.Seemed like the staff are delaying the crossing deliberately. Also they are either on strike,reduced 1 boat service or closed due to very trivial issues. Like everyone suggested please build a bridge its a no brainer.

By a frustrated motorist.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andy C
19 contributions
Build a bridge
May 2021 • Couples
I have been using the woolwich ferry over 20 years. It is the worst service and organisation you will ever experience I can promise you. They will close the service over a bit of snow, rain, wind, high tide, low tide, shop stewart victimised ect ect. On top of that the 2 new ferries costing nearly £20m with technical issues and lazy militant staff. It is causing lots of stress , inconvenience, money ect ect to tax paying motorists. Please Mr. Sadiq khan build a bridge its a no brainer!!!
Written May 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GrahamP113
Witham, UK1,585 contributions
Ferry ride
Feb 2022 • Friends
On our way to O2 and SatNav directed us via ferry. Never used before but what a little gem . Very simple, staffed well and efficiently. Best of all totally FREE!!

Little wait but simple crossing once on board

Worth a detour from busy city
Written February 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Woolwich Ferry (London) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Woolwich Ferry
Woolwich Ferry is open:
  • Sun - Sun 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM
  • Mon - Sat 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Restaurants near Woolwich Ferry: View all restaurants near Woolwich Ferry on Tripadvisor