Greenwich, London cruise port guide

Arrival & Getting Ashore

Getting to the centre: Figures are from Greenwich Pier, the local landing beside the historic centre, to Cutty Sark.

• Walk: about 2 minutes; realistic on the paved waterfront at Cutty Sark Gardens.
• Step-free: Greenwich Pier has step-free street access and boarding ramps; this describes the public pier, not the ship's transfer boat.

Sources: Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, Royal Borough of Greenwich, Pier accessibility.

Ocean cruise ships use Greenwich Ship Tier, a mooring in the Thames served by a floating cruise terminal and ship-to-shore passenger boats. This is different from an ocean liner berthing directly against Greenwich's public river pier. Expect a boat transfer, and follow the landing instructions supplied by your cruise line.

Greenwich Pier is the useful local reference point beside the historic visitor district and Cutty Sark. If your transfer lands here, the town's waterfront sights are immediately accessible on foot. A cruise transfer and a scheduled river-bus departure are separate services.

Allow for boarding and security as well as the crossing. The ship's daily programme supplies the final return transfer and assistance arrangements for its transfer boat.

About this port

Greenwich gives cruise visitors a substantial day out within one riverside district. Maritime museums, the former royal hospital buildings, a historic sailing ship and the park lie close together, while river boats and rail services connect with other parts of London. On a short call, staying in Greenwich avoids spending much of your visit travelling across the capital.

Maritime Greenwich is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The designation concerns its historic buildings, scientific associations and designed landscape; it is not a designation for all of London. Choose a couple of interiors and leave room to enjoy the spaces between them.

Getting Around

Walking suits the riverfront, market area and museums. The Royal Observatory stands uphill in Greenwich Park, so include the climb when deciding whether to combine it with other visits. For an easier day, concentrate on the lower part of the district.

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers provides river services from Greenwich Pier. Its route and timetable should be planned independently of the ship transfer.

For rail, Cutty Sark DLR is the nearby station; Greenwich station is approximately a ten-minute walk from the river pier and offers additional rail options. Check Transport for London's journey planner for current routes, station works and accessible journeys. A taxi is another option, but cross-London traffic can consume a large part of a short visit.

Things to Do

Choose a maritime visit. Cutty Sark offers an encounter with a preserved sailing ship. The National Maritime Museum covers Britain's connections with the sea, while the Queen's House adds art and architecture to the same area. Consult Royal Museums Greenwich for the individual venues, admissions and current opening arrangements.

Explore the historic riverside. The Old Royal Naval College buildings form a major part of the World Heritage ensemble. A walk through the surrounding district helps explain how the waterfront, formal buildings and park relate to one another. Allow time for the market streets as well as the monuments.

Visit the Royal Observatory. Its history of astronomy, navigation and the Greenwich Meridian makes it a natural destination for passengers interested in travel and timekeeping. Reserve the relevant admission if you want to enter, and distinguish the uphill park walk from the indoor visit when estimating time.

Getting back to your ship

Allow for boarding and security as well as the crossing. The ship's daily programme supplies the final return transfer and assistance arrangements for its transfer boat.

Practical Information

Currency is pound sterling (GBP, £). English is widely spoken. Call 999 or 112 for emergencies.

Keep the cruise landing's name and return instructions on your phone or on paper. Wear comfortable shoes for museum floors and park slopes. If you head into central London, choose one district and return early enough to absorb a missed connection before the final ship transfer.

Frequently asked

Can you walk from Greenwich Pier to Cutty Sark? Yes. Cutty Sark is about a two-minute walk from Greenwich Pier across the paved waterfront at Cutty Sark Gardens.

How long does it take to reach central Greenwich from the pier? About two minutes to Cutty Sark, which stands in the central visitor district.

Do cruise ships dock or tender at Greenwich? They tender. Ocean cruise ships moor at Greenwich Ship Tier and use ship-to-shore passenger boats.

Is Greenwich Pier wheelchair accessible? Yes. The public pier has step-free access from the street and crews provide boarding ramps, although the cruise ship's own transfer boat has separate arrangements.