Thames Clippers operate a fleet of fast commuter boats along the river Thames between Woolwich Arsenal and central London via Canary wharf.
I'd been intending to try their service for some time, but as I don't travel to London too often my first opportunity didn't arrive until a recent bank holiday Monday.

For my first trip I decided to travel from Canary wharf to London, Canary wharf pier is easy to find, I just had a few minutes to walk from the DLR station, and the route was clearly signposted.
There are several ticket booths at Canary Wharf pier, and the pier is used by boats from a number of different companies so it is important to check you are getting on the right boat. At the time I was there although the office at the pier was staffed, the tickets were sold on board the boat, I don't know whether or not this is standard practice.

Even though it was a bank holiday 'Thames Clippers' were still operating a frequent timetable of services, and right on schedule the boat pulled in and we were able to board. The boat was neatly laid out with a large covered cabin which consisted of rows of seats with two wide aisles. Around the front and sides of the cabin were windows which provided an excellent view of everything happening on the river, at the back of the cabin there was a small counter which was set up to sell drinks and snacks, although this did not seem to be in use on any of the boats I travelled on that day.
At the rear of the main cabin was roofed open air area which held additional seating if required. This proved popular with some of my fellow passengers but would probably be too cold to endure a long journey there except in the height of summer.

One of the advantages in using the Thames Clipper service instead of the train was the timekeeping, I did not observe any congestion on any of the river routes I used that day, and every boat I took that day arrived and departed almost exactly on time. In order to travel from Canary Wharf to Waterloo Pier I needed to change boats at Bankside pier. The changeover was effected very efficiently, we disembarked from our first boat, (named Sun Clipper) and were immediately able to board the Hurricane Clipper to continue our journey. Arriving at Waterloo pier we were relaxed and 'frazzle free' as their brochure describes it.

Our return journey was equally easy and stress free, the only difference being that we travelled back to Greenwich instead of Canary Wharf. I would have preferred to travel all the way back to Woolwich Arsenal but there are no Woolwich services available on the timetable apart from the morning or evening rush hour times. This is a shame, but it must be admitted that at present there does not seem to be a significant demand for such a service. I would like to see this service extended to Erith, or even Gravesend, but maybe this will have to wait until the service is more established.