Woolwich Ferry
Woolwich Ferry
3.5
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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- Woolwich Arsenal • 10 min walk
- King George V • 10 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
124 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
32
Average
12
Poor
5
Terrible
29
therichastill
Stevenage, UK3,302 contributions
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.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy C
18 contributions
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.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terrycq
Mundesley, UK15 contributions
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chrisdodd4
London, UK794 contributions
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.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve K. OBE
Greater London, UK46 contributions
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.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy C
18 contributions
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pissed off C
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Business
The service is just way to slow, takes 30minutes to an hour to get on ferry to cross a 3 minute stretch.
Your better off sitting in the traffic at Blackwall tunnel if your in a rush.
It’s a pointless service if it doesn’t work.
Your better off sitting in the traffic at Blackwall tunnel if your in a rush.
It’s a pointless service if it doesn’t work.
Written March 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuckycharlie
London, UK252 contributions
Sep 2019 • Solo
As a kid I used to spend many Saturdays with my mates crossing the ferry backwards and forwards, it was like being in a different world. To be honest I don’t use this as a commuter but often when I’m out cycling for the day I go across the river on the boat. I’d encourage anyone with some spare time or in no hurry to cross the river on it just for the experience. Sadly the old boats have been decommissioned and Woolwich isn’t the shopping centre it used to be but if you do cross over to Woolwich then head down to Powis Street and take a selfie at the plaque on McDonalds as it is the first outlet to have opened in the UK back in 1974. Enjoy before they close the ferry as there’s talk of another crossing. It’s like going back in time .....
Written April 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrahamP113
Witham, UK2,017 contributions
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
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowan W
8 contributions
Apr 2022 • Solo
First time I used it going north it was amazing, waited five mins and straight on. This time, heading south, I checked the timetable, arrived in good time and have now been waiting for nearly an hour. I cant even leave and got to the blackwall tunnel as I'm pinned in by cars and cones! There should be some signage with waiting times before you get trapped in the lanes. I'm now gonna be unnecessarily late. And they wonder why no one uses it!
Written April 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes and it’s still free of charge.
The ferry takes articulated lorries and everything smaller.
Happy travels
Written February 6, 2018
Hello, is there ramps on the Ferry for disabled people in wheelchairs.
I hope to take a wheelchair bound person aboard in September so would much appreciate knowing whether it is possible.
Written August 11, 2016
Rodney W
London, United Kingdom
how long is the waiting time to get a ferry from woolich
Written September 10, 2018
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