Crossing the Thames in London can take a few minutes or become the most scenic part of your route. This practical guide compares pedestrian bridges, foot tunnels, ferries and public transport so you can choose the fastest, easiest or most enjoyable way across, while allowing for accessibility, bicycles, payment, opening times and planned closures.
Overview
London has many ways to cross the Thames, but the best option depends on where you start, where you are going and whether the crossing itself is part of your day. In central London, a bridge is usually the simplest choice. Millennium Bridge connects St Paul's Cathedral with Tate Modern and Bankside; Westminster Bridge links the Palace of Westminster with the South Bank; and Tower Bridge provides a memorable route between the Tower of London and the riverside around Butler's Wharf.
Other bridges are more useful for transport than sightseeing. Waterloo Bridge offers broad central views, while Hungerford Bridge and the Golden Jubilee Footbridges provide a direct pedestrian route between the South Bank and Charing Cross. London Bridge, Southwark Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge can be useful when attractions are close to the City, Borough or Bankside.
East and west of the centre, the crossing pattern changes. Greenwich Foot Tunnel connects Greenwich with Island Gardens beneath the river. The Woolwich area has both the Woolwich Ferry and nearby public transport alternatives, but services, access arrangements and operating details should be checked before travelling. Tube, rail and DLR routes can save time when a bridge is too far away, the weather is poor or a step-free interchange matters more than the view.
For route ideas on the riverside itself, see this Thames Path walking guide. If the crossing is part of a sightseeing day, the guides to Thames viewpoints and riverside walks and river cruises and boat travel can help you plan the route around it.
How to compare options
Compare the complete journey, not just the time spent crossing the water. A bridge that is close to your departure point may be quicker than a faster Tube journey that requires a long walk to and from stations. Before setting out, check five practical details:
- Access points: Identify the exact riverside entrances. A bridge may connect two neighbourhoods but still require stairs, ramps or a long approach.
- Step-free travel: Check the current accessibility status of lifts, stations and foot-tunnel entrances. Step-free access can be temporary rather than permanent if a lift is out of service.
- Opening and service times: Bridges are generally available for walking, but foot tunnels, ferries, river buses and station facilities can have specific operating hours or temporary restrictions.
- Payment: For public transport and boats, confirm accepted payment methods before boarding. Contactless payment, travel cards, tickets and mobile wallets may not be interchangeable on every service.
- What you are carrying: Stairs, narrow approaches and busy pavements can make a route difficult with luggage, a pushchair or a large bicycle.
Allow extra time at busy periods, during events and when crossing near major attractions. If your route depends on one lift, ferry or boat, identify a nearby bridge or station as a backup.
Feature-by-feature breakdown
| Option | Best for | Access and practical notes | Nearby connections |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central pedestrian bridges | Short, direct crossings and sightseeing | Usually free to walk across; expect steps, ramps or crowded approaches depending on the bridge. Cycling rules vary, so dismount when signs require it. | Westminster, Waterloo, Hungerford, Millennium, Southwark, Blackfriars, London and Tower Bridge areas. |
| Greenwich Foot Tunnel | Walking between Greenwich and Island Gardens | A useful dedicated foot crossing, but check current lift availability, entrance access and any maintenance notices. Cyclists should follow posted rules and dismount where required. | Greenwich attractions, Cutty Sark and Island Gardens; DLR and rail connections are nearby. |
| Woolwich Ferry | Crossing in east London without a bridge | Service times, boarding arrangements and bicycle or vehicle procedures can change. Check the current operator information before relying on it. | Woolwich, North Woolwich and nearby Elizabeth line, rail and DLR connections. |
| River bus or sightseeing boat | A scenic crossing or a route between riverside piers | Check the route, next sailing, fares, payment method, boarding access and weather-related changes. A boat is rarely the simplest choice for a very short crossing. | Piers around Westminster, Embankment, Bankside, London Bridge City, Greenwich and east London. |
| Tube, Elizabeth line, rail or DLR | Bad weather, luggage, longer distances or a need to avoid exposed walkways | Use the official journey planner for current disruptions, station access and platform changes. A route may cross beneath the river without providing a convenient station at either bank. | Stations vary by journey; check the complete walking route at both ends. |
Walking times are best treated as estimates. A brisk adult may cross a central bridge in a few minutes, but the approach from an attraction or station can take longer. Crowds, photographs, traffic signals and luggage all affect the real journey time. For an accessible route, verify the entire path rather than assuming that a crossing marked as step-free is step-free from pavement to destination.
Toilets are not a standard feature of bridges or tunnels. Plan to use facilities at a station, museum, shopping area, café or attraction before beginning the crossing. This is particularly useful for families and anyone making a longer Thames Path walk.
Best fit by scenario
- Fastest central crossing: Choose the nearest pedestrian bridge, then compare it with a Tube or rail journey only if the stations are already on your route. Avoid adding a station transfer for a crossing that is walkable.
- Best views: Waterloo Bridge, Millennium Bridge, Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge are strong choices for different landmark views. Build in time to pause rather than treating the crossing as a transfer.
- With children or a pushchair: Prefer a confirmed step-free route with wide pavements and nearby facilities. Check lift status and avoid assuming that a foot tunnel or older station will have level access.
- With luggage: Select the route with the fewest stairs and interchanges. A short Tube journey may be less convenient than a longer bridge walk if it involves escalators, narrow passages or station changes.
- By bicycle: Check signs at each bridge or tunnel and be prepared to dismount. When a crossing is crowded, walking the bicycle may be safer and may be required.
- For a riverside itinerary: Cross where the route naturally meets your next stop. A bridge near Tate Modern, the Tower of London, Greenwich or Westminster can save backtracking even when another crossing looks shorter on a map.
- When a crossing is closed: Look first for the nearest adjacent bridge, then consider a station or ferry. Recalculate the route from your current bank rather than navigating to the original entrance.
For accommodation-based planning, compare your crossing needs with the area where you stay using this guide to where to stay near the Thames in London.
When to revisit
Recheck this guide before any trip in which a crossing is essential, especially if you are travelling with a wheelchair, pushchair, bicycle or substantial luggage. Transport services, fares, payment rules, lift availability, ferry timetables and construction programmes can change. Planned bridge works, river events and station closures may also alter the most convenient route.
On the day, use a current journey planner and the official information for the relevant bridge, tunnel, ferry, boat or transport operator. Confirm the last practical departure if using a ferry or river service, and keep one land-based alternative in mind. If you are updating this guide for future use, review service details at least twice a year and whenever a major transport change or closure is announced. That simple check keeps a Thames crossing from becoming the least predictable part of a London itinerary.
