From North Woolwich
to Woolwich
20min
Likely 16 to 25 min, including the queue
Likely the next boat
Woolwich Ferry · Running now
The ferry's running.
Free, both ways, every few minutes. Here's how long it takes right now, and whether the Blackwall or Silvertown tunnel would be quicker.
Coming soon to iPhoneFree. Alerts the moment the ferry stops, ferry or the tunnels, and live times on your Lock Screen.
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NorthNorth WoolwichSouthWoolwich
Checked 21:42Live (updates on its own while this page is open)
Woolwich Ferry times today
Right now, crossing the Woolwich Ferry takes about 20 minutes from North Woolwich to Woolwich and about 14 minutes from Woolwich to North Woolwich, including the queue and loading (checked at 21:42).
From Woolwich
to North Woolwich
14min
Likely 12 to 18 min, including the queue
Likely the next boat
Ferry or the tunnels?
The same trip to an equidistant point on the other side, by the free ferry or the quicker of the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels, in today's traffic. Tolls for a car at this time.
Starting north of the river
+£1.55 southbound toll, off-peak with Auto Pay (£4.20 without). The southbound peak is 4 to 7pm on weekdays.
The tunnel's 19 min quicker, but you pay
Starting south of the river
+£1.55 northbound toll, off-peak with Auto Pay (£4.20 without). The northbound peak is 6 to 10am on weekdays.
The tunnel's 16 min quicker, but you pay
The London Ferry engine
An algorithm that knows the river.
London Ferry doesn't just repeat the timetable. Our own algorithm watches the river and the roads around it, learns how every crossing and every boat really behaves, and tells you what's actually going to happen.
Crossing times you can plan around
Close, honest estimates of how long the Woolwich Ferry will take from each bank, queue and all, with the likely range. It learns how each crossing really behaves through the day.
Delays before they're official
When a boat is running late, London Ferry spots it and updates your times, even when the published times haven't caught up.
Know where your boat is
Every Uber Boat moving on the river, and the one you'll catch from your pier, so you leave at the right moment instead of waiting on the pier.
The full engine runs in the app. Estimates are a guide.
Real-time crossings. Smarter journeys.
London Ferry tells you how long the Woolwich Ferry will take from each bank, and whether the Blackwall or Silvertown tunnel would beat it.
- Alerts the moment the ferry stops or starts again, at the times you cross
- Crossing times on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island while you drive there
- Live departures from your piers, and alerts when your boat's running late
- "Hey Siri, how's the Woolwich Ferry?" Hands-free, so you never touch your phone
Coming soon to iPhone. Free, no ads, no account.
On a computer? Scan to open London Ferry on your iPhone.
The Woolwich Ferry, answered
How long does it take to cross on the Woolwich Ferry?
The sailing itself takes about 5 minutes. With the queue and loading, right now it's about 20 minutes from North Woolwich and about 14 minutes from Woolwich. It changes through the day, so London Ferry estimates it live from each bank.
What time does the Woolwich Ferry run?
The Woolwich Ferry runs from 6am to 10pm every day, and it's closed overnight. It can stop for maintenance or bad weather; London Ferry shows whether it's running right now and alerts you when it stops or restarts.
How often do Woolwich Ferry boats leave?
With both boats running, a boat leaves each side roughly every 10 to 15 minutes. With one boat, it's about every 25 minutes.
Is the Woolwich Ferry free?
Yes. The Woolwich Ferry is free for cars, vans, cyclists and foot passengers. The nearby Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels charge a toll.
Is the ferry or the Blackwall or Silvertown tunnel quicker?
It depends on the traffic. London Ferry compares the same trip both ways, the ferry against the quicker of the two tunnels, in today's traffic and shows the toll for that time of day.
Where does the Woolwich Ferry go?
Across the Thames in east London, between North Woolwich (Newham, E16) and Woolwich (Royal Borough of Greenwich, SE18).
About the Woolwich Ferry
People have crossed the river here since at least the 14th century, and the free ferry opened in 1889. Today's boats, Ben Woollacott and Dame Vera Lynn, are hybrid ferries that entered service in 2019, each carrying 150 passengers and 40 vehicles. The service is run for Transport for London.