RIVER TRIPS · THAMES RIVER CRUISES
The Thames boats are transport as much as sightseeing: Westminster to Greenwich beats the Tube for the same money. These 15 compare hop-on tickets, the fast clippers and the evening sailings.
Take a one-way or round-trip Thames cruise from Westminster to Greenwich, with live English commentary, an open deck, indoor seating, café, toilets, and a six-language smartphone audio guide. You will pass Parliament, Tate Modern, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Canary Wharf, and more.
“The commentary, the speed and the ambience..inside the boat was premium”
Travel by sightseeing boat from Westminster Pier to Butler’s Wharf, passing Parliament, St. Paul’s, Tate Modern, the Globe, and The Shard. A crew member gives live English commentary, while an app offers six-language audio. Choose one way or return, with a boat change at Butler’s Wharf.
“Absolutely loved the boat ride so informative, the staff absolutely made the experience worth their weight in gold good staff xxx”
Join Thames Rockets at London Eye Pier for a 50-minute Thames ride with a skipper, guide, music, and a small group of up to 12. See Big Ben, Parliament, St. Paul’s, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge, and HMS Belfast before reaching speeds of 30 knots.
“So much fun - boat guide was hysterical and driver great! Perfect amount of time and info. Best was the high speed and music!”
Board at London Eye Pier for a 40-minute circular cruise toward Tower Bridge and back. Your English-speaking guide points out Big Ben, St Paul’s, the Tower of London, Shakespeare’s Globe, and five major bridges. Add a London Eye ticket if you want both views in one booking.
“The experience was amazing and the guide was very informative, it was very educational.”
Use a one, two, or three-day Tootbus pass to explore London by double-decker bus, then add a Thames sightseeing cruise. Ride three routes past Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s, Tower Bridge, museums, and Notting Hill, with audio commentary and app-based bus tracking.
“Buses pretty regular. Music on board can be a bit repetitive and sometimes commentary goes missing. Overall pretty good though.”
Board a City Cruises boat at Tower Pier for a 90-minute Thames round trip with sandwiches, warm scones, cakes, unlimited tea and coffee, and live or recorded commentary. You’ll pass Tower Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Shard, Tate Modern, the London Eye, and the Houses of Parliament.
“Had the best time! Food and tea aren’t as good as a high tea, but the views and experience were so worth it!”
Cruise London’s Thames for 24 hours with City Cruises. Board at Westminster, London Eye, Tower, or Greenwich Pier, then hop off for the Tower of London, Tate Modern, or Cutty Sark. Expect open-deck views, all-weather seating, a bar, and lively commentary, sometimes from guides such as Dom.
“The commentary was fun, both guys had a great sense of humour even though they probably repeat this many times a day/week/month. Food drink ordering was quick and efficient and not massively expensive. Seats not that comfy but did the job.”
Sail from Westminster Pier to Greenwich in about an hour, passing Big Ben, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. Live commentary adds context, while optional return tickets let you explore the Cutty Sark, Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory, and more at your own pace.
“No frills. It was rainy and got us from point A to B. Great narrator but otherwise uneventful. Still worth doing.”
Spend two hours cruising from Tower Millennium Pier with one glass of sparkling wine or a soft drink, canapés, and live chill-out pop. See Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Canary Wharf, the London Eye, and possibly Westminster sights from the indoor saloon or open-air deck.
“A great way to start your trip to London great overview of the city. The staff were great including the singer on the first floor. The food was great too!”
Board at Westminster Pier for a three-hour evening cruise toward the Thames Barrier and back. You’ll see Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, the O2 Arena, and City Hall while enjoying sparkling wine, a three-course British dinner, and live singing with optional dancing.
“Amazing experience! really enjoyed it… the food was delicious and the whole atmosphere was classy. The staff was really good too”
Cruise from Tower Pier beside the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, then enjoy a two-course lunch with tea or coffee as London landmarks pass by. Expect fixed tables for four, panoramic windows, bar service, and live or recorded commentary, with the boat returning to its starting point.
“Awesome way to explore London. as I sprained my ankle duting my vacation i couldn't be walking trough London. So i went to the lunch. Had a lovely table at the window. Great comments from the crew explaining on the way what we were passing and sharing little stories. Delicious food i really enjoyed.”
Cruise from Westminster Pier for about three hours, beginning with sparkling wine or a soft drink and followed by a set three-course dinner. See the London Eye, St. Paul’s, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, Canary Wharf, and the Thames Flood Barrier, with live music and dancing on board.
“Great way to see the sights at night. Dinner and entertainment was nice. Had lots of fun, definitely recommend if it’s your first visit to London.”
Use one Uber Boat by Thames Clippers ticket to travel between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside. You can board or leave at any pier in the Central and East zones, with indoor seats, covered outdoor areas, a cafe-bar, and views of the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and Canary Wharf.
“Terrible service from Viator... I bought the Uber Boat in London to arrive at the ticket point and no one was there to give my tickets. I had to buy from another company. Asked for a refund and Viator didnt get back to me. I had my mom and godmother (both over 70yo) waiting in line for nothing . Terrible.”
Use a 24-hour Thames cruise pass to board at Westminster, Waterloo, Tower, or Greenwich Pier. Ride in a glass saloon or open air, hear onboard commentary, and hop off for sights along the river. Check the timetable carefully, since departures can be limited later in the day.
“Best tour experience in many years. The crew was friendly and efficient, especially liked the young man who offered a descriptive commentary on the sights. Glad we went to Greenwich, the Maritime Museum was one of my favorites. This Viatour is excellent start to a first visit to London. You can get an idea of the environs of London. And it is a pleasant cruise. Would recommend this cruise to anyone, first timers or return visitors. I leisurely way to view London.”
Follow a live guide through Green Park, St James’s, Westminster, and the Tower of London while hearing grim tales of London’s past. Choose a scenic Uber Boat ride with an onboard bar or use the Underground. Guides such as Marvin, Julia, John, and Zachary are known for lively storytelling.
“Incredible, it surpassed all expectations. Luke is an amazing storyteller, you could see yourself in “that” time, submerged in the stories, as an spectator of what was happening. We had so much fun!”
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