Crossing the Thames by car in east London just got pricier. The user charges for the Blackwall Tunnel and the newer Silvertown Tunnel are increasing, and anyone driving through east London — whether you live there or you're visiting with a hire car — should factor the new rates into their plans.
The Silvertown Tunnel opened in April 2025, ending the infamous daily gridlock that made the Victorian-era Blackwall Tunnel a byword for misery. The two tunnels now operate as a pair, connected by a new approach network, and both carry the same user charge. Unlike the Dartford Crossing further east, there's no cash booth — payment is digital, with TfL matching your number plate to your account or one-off payment.
The charge structure rewards travelling light on time. Drivers pay a peak rate during weekday rush hours and a lower off-peak rate at other times, with different bands for cars, motorcycles, larger vehicles and heavy goods vehicles. Local residents on the routes feeding the tunnels get discount schemes, so if you're a regular user living nearby, it's worth registering for those rather than paying full price every trip.
The detail that catches occasional visitors out: the charge applies in both directions, so a round trip costs double. And if you're in a hire car, you'll typically either pay yourself via TfL's online system using the vehicle's plate, or cop an admin fee from the rental company for handling it. Either way, it doesn't disappear — drivers who ignore it get a penalty charge notice in the post.
Why should a traveller care? If your London itinerary involves driving to the O2, the Excel Centre, London City Airport or onward to Kent and Essex, the tunnels are now a tolled leg of the trip alongside the Congestion Charge and ULEZ fees that already apply in central zones. Budget it in. Alternatively, skip the road entirely: the DLR, Jubilee line and the Emirates cable car all cross the river in that part of town, and none of them charge tunnel prices. The cable car, in particular, is a cheap little sightseeing detour with Thames views.
For locals and commuters, the increase is another line item in the cost of east London life — and a reminder that off-peak crossings save real money if your schedule is flexible. Check Transport for London's site for the exact current rates and to set up auto-pay before you drive.
