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.
