Cruise port Greenwich (London)
Live-Info for port Greenwich (London)
Port information & tips for Greenwich (London)
Greenwich is London's maritime jewel, offering a unique blend of historical grandeur and modern flair right on the banks of the Thames. The district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and delights visitors with its magnificent architecture and extensive royal parks. Locally, the legendary Cutty Sark, the splendid Old Royal Naval College, and the Royal Observatory with the famous Prime Meridian invite you to make exciting discoveries. Smaller cruise ships dock at the Greenwich Ship Tier, from where guests can reach Greenwich Pier by tender. Central London is easily accessible from here in just about 20 minutes thanks to the fast Uber Boats or the DLR connection.
Greenwich in London, known for its maritime history, often serves as an anchorage or mooring point for smaller and luxury cruise ships. A large, dedicated cruise terminal, as known from other ports, does not exist here; however, the area around the Greenwich Ship Tier is easily accessible.
Car
Greenwich is well-connected to the London road network via the main arterial roads A2 and A102 (Blackwall Tunnel Approach). Please note that London has an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and a Congestion Charge, which may incur fees. Parking options in Greenwich are mostly public parking garages or street parking, such as at Cutty Sark Gardens or the National Maritime Museum car park. Special "Park & Cruise" providers for long-term parking directly at the pier are rare; it is recommended to research private providers or hotels with parking facilities.
Train
Greenwich station is excellently connected to the London local transport network. From London Bridge, you can reach Greenwich directly with Southeastern trains in about 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) runs from the Canary Wharf financial district to Cutty Sark station, which is only a few minutes' walk from the Greenwich Ship Tier. This allows for convenient travel from various parts of London as well as good connections to other long-distance railway stations such as St Pancras International or Waterloo.
Airplane
The nearest airport is London City Airport (LCY), which is only about 10 kilometers away and is ideal for arrival. From LCY, you can easily reach Cutty Sark or Greenwich directly by DLR in about 20 minutes. Larger international airports such as Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) are also well-connected. From Heathrow, you can reach Greenwich via the Elizabeth Line and DLR in about 60-75 minutes. From Gatwick, take the Gatwick Express to Victoria station and then continue by Underground and DLR, which takes about 60-90 minutes. Due to potential travel times and London traffic, we recommend arriving the day before for international flights, with an overnight stay in one of the numerous hotels in and around Greenwich or in central London.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is generally scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Greenwich in London, known for its maritime history, often serves as an anchorage or mooring point for smaller and luxury cruise ships. A large, dedicated cruise terminal, as known from other ports, does not exist here; however, the area around the Greenwich Ship Tier is easily accessible.
Car
Greenwich is well-connected to the London road network via the main arterial roads A2 and A102 (Blackwall Tunnel Approach). Please note that London has an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and a Congestion Charge, which may incur fees. Parking options in Greenwich are mostly public parking garages or street parking, such as at Cutty Sark Gardens or the National Maritime Museum car park. Special "Park & Cruise" providers for long-term parking directly at the pier are rare; it is recommended to research private providers or hotels with parking facilities.
Train
Greenwich station is excellently connected to the London local transport network. From London Bridge, you can reach Greenwich directly with Southeastern trains in about 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) runs from the Canary Wharf financial district to Cutty Sark station, which is only a few minutes' walk from the Greenwich Ship Tier. This allows for convenient travel from various parts of London as well as good connections to other long-distance railway stations such as St Pancras International or Waterloo.
Airplane
The nearest airport is London City Airport (LCY), which is only about 10 kilometers away and is ideal for arrival. From LCY, you can easily reach Cutty Sark or Greenwich directly by DLR in about 20 minutes. Larger international airports such as Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) are also well-connected. From Heathrow, you can reach Greenwich via the Elizabeth Line and DLR in about 60-75 minutes. From Gatwick, take the Gatwick Express to Victoria station and then continue by Underground and DLR, which takes about 60-90 minutes. Due to potential travel times and London traffic, we recommend arriving the day before for international flights, with an overnight stay in one of the numerous hotels in and around Greenwich or in central London.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is generally scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
From the terminal in Greenwich, you enjoy excellent connections to central London and can reach famous landmarks directly on the riverfront.
On Foot
You can reach the maritime center of Greenwich, featuring the Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum, in about 5 to 10 minutes. The walk through the UNESCO World Heritage site is particularly pleasant thanks to the short distances and pedestrian-friendly zones, leading you directly into the heart of the historic district.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
The fast river buses depart directly from Greenwich Pier and serve as a convenient water taxi to the City of London. This connection also offers a scenic journey along the Thames, taking you directly under Tower Bridge to landmarks such as the London Eye or Westminster.
Taxi and IFS Cloud Cable Car
Official taxi ranks are located directly near the pier as well as at local train stations, offering quick onward travel to destinations in the surrounding area. For a special experience, you can also use the IFS Cloud Cable Car near the North Greenwich station, which offers spectacular views over the Thames and the skyline.
To make the most of your stay in London, it is recommended to focus on the maritime heritage directly in Greenwich and take a river bus ride to the iconic landmarks in the heart of the metropolis.
Historic Greenwich & Royal Observatory
This UNESCO World Heritage site impresses with the legendary sailing ship Cutty Sark and the famous Prime Meridian. In addition, the expansive Greenwich Park offers a breathtaking view over the skyline and, thanks to its immediate proximity to the pier, is perfect for a relaxed start to the day.
Tower Bridge & Tower of London
These world-famous monuments are easily accessible by boat via the Thames and transport visitors into captivating British history. At the same time, the surrounding area offers modern waterfront promenades and first-class photo opportunities of the impressive bridge architecture.
Westminster & Southbank
The political center with Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster can be ideally combined with a stroll along the lively Southbank and, thanks to its central location, offers the perfect overview of the city's most important cultural highlights.
The Old Royal Naval College & The Painted Hall
The magnificent Old Royal Naval College is located just a few minutes' walk from Greenwich Pier and impresses with its majestic architecture as well as the world-famous Painted Hall. This location is perfectly suited for cruise guests, as it leads deep into British history without long transfer times and also offers excellent infrastructure with the cozy "Old Brewery" café and extensive, well-maintained grounds. It is best to visit the Painted Hall directly in the morning to enjoy the fascinating ceiling paintings in peace and quiet, and then stroll relaxedly through the adjacent Greenwich Market. Ideally, plan your return to the ship ninety minutes before departure to end the day stress-free on the banks of the Thames.
Returning to the ship in Greenwich is extremely relaxed and safe thanks to the compact layout of the sights and excellent transport links.
Taxi and Ride-Hailing Services
Official taxi ranks can be found directly at the Cutty Sark DLR station as well as near Greenwich Market; additionally, ride-hailing services can be used via apps for a comfortable journey to Greenwich Pier. Drivers are well-acquainted with the port area and will bring you directly and punctually back to the pier.
River Bus and DLR
The Uber Boat by Thames Clippers docks directly at Greenwich Pier and offers a fast and scenic connection from central London directly to the ship. The Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich DLR station is also just a few minutes' walk from the pier and is ideal for an easy return journey from other parts of the city.
On Foot
The walk back within the historic district is easy and safe to find thanks to clear signage to the pier and the Cutty Sark. From the Royal Observatory or Greenwich Park, you can take a relaxed stroll through the pedestrian zones and reach the tender boat dock at the pier in a short time.
