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London’s best Thames river cruises

Get a whole new perspective of the city with these top Thames river cruises

Think you’ve ticked off everything London has to offer? Think again. Try a Thames river cruise – and no, we’re not talking about the Clippers (well we are, but only a little bit). There are few better ways to take in the capital than by its famously choppy, murky central waterway. Plus the views, from Hampton Court down to the City and Greenwich, are some of the absolute finest our city has to offer.

It's time to ditch dry land and hop aboard a Thames river boat tour. And plenty of London’s top attractions are best seen from the water – so get your camera ready.

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Best Thames river cruises in London

Thames Rockets

• Ships and boats

Bring your waterproofs, because the slick RIB (rigid inflatable boat) operation offers a high-speed ride on the Thames. It's a great way to discover how exhilarating it can be to swoop along the Thames at almost 30 knots – that’s nearly 35 mph, nautical novices! We're not sure how much you'll actually be able to see, but there are plenty more leisurely-paced tours for that sorta thing.

Bateaux London Cruises

• Victoria Embankment

A good river cruise for those who want a spot of grub while taking in the sights along the Thames – Bateaux offer a full range of different dining cruises. There’s the lunch, afternoon tea and dinner cruise – or you could really pull the stops out and enjoy their three-course lunch with a live jazz band playing assorted swingin’ classics. All river cruises depart from Victoria Embankment.

City Cruises

• Things to do
• Walks and tours

Want to see the city in style? City cruises operate on a hop-on, hop-off basis and run from Westminster, Waterloo, Tower and Greenwich Piers with commentary along the way. All the departure points are convenient for the city’s various sights, with Greenwich Pier ideal for the Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory.

London Duck Tours

Praise whichever brilliant mind decided to paint the scant remaining WW2 landing vehicles in bright, rubber-duck yellow! These duck city tours take in all the typical land-based sights – then has two ‘splashdowns’ into the Thames as it goes into nautical mode and takes passengers around Docklands, Canary Wharf and Greenwich.

Thames RIB Experience

• Sightseeing

Instead of a usual tour’s drab history lessons and endless stream of tedious facts, why not try something a little more thrilling? The Thames RIB Experience is more like a rollercoaster than a classic sightseeing tour, and sees passengers jetted across the water at an impressive 45mph. Lifejackets and waterproofs are provided (fortunately), leaving you free to enjoy whizzing around in figure-eights in open water between Tower Bridge and the Isle of Dogs. Try and take in some sights as the high winds reshape your face.

Thames River Boats

Thames River Boats take you all the way from the Palace of Westminster upriver to Hampton Court Palace. It’s a pretty leisurely 22-mile journey: in 90 minutes you’ll be at Kew; in another 90, you’ll be at Hampton Court. But this westward route is a lovely way to appreciate the Thames, as the banks get greener, less cluttered with high-rise buildings and the river buses are replaced by rowers.

Thames Clippers

These days the Thames Clippers are better known as ‘Uber Boats’, not because they’re the most incredible boats but because, you guessed it, they’re sponsored by a taxi company. Sure, they don’t go very fast (trundling along at a very leisurely 30mph), but they’re a pretty underrated, cost-effective way to traverse the Thames.

Vintage Red Bus Tour and Thames Cruise

Why choose between the road and the river when you can have both? First up on this guided tour you'll be driven round the capital in a routemaster (that's the old red double decker bus), before boarding a Thames Cruiser to view the sites from the water. Sail past landmarks like Shakespeare's Globe and Tower Bridge, before getting back on the bus and heading to her Maj's residence: Buckingham Palace. There's also the option to add a ticket for the London Eye on this package.

Tate to Tate Boat

A connecting service between either art institution, the Tate to Tate Boat runs every 40 minutes. Aside from getting you from one gallery to another, it’s also great for taking in lots of central London scenery. As you might expect, the boat itself is an arty affair: YBA Damien Hirst covered both the exterior and interior with his trademark spots. It’s also genuinely the quickest way to travel from Tate to Tate – this way, you avoid an irritatingly convoluted tube or bus journey.

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Take in the best of London’s waterside viewpoints with our Thames River sightseeing cruise, from Bankside to Westminster via Tower Bridge. We pride ourselves on being a family-run business, ensuring every guest feels welcome the minute they step aboard our boats. Our friendly crew will make sure you have an enjoyable experience throughout your time with us, and we look forward to welcoming you onto the Thames. Select a one-way or round-trip cruise from Bankside to Westminster, with regular departures and spectacular city views over famous landmarks including the Tower of London, The Shard, HMS Belfast, Shakespeare's Globe, the Tate Modern, the National Theatre, the London Eye, and Westminster Palace.

Yes. Always confirm with ticket office or crew as to the time of the last boat.

The journey time from Bankside Pier via Tower Bridge to Westminster Pier is 40 minutes.

With the round-trip ticket, you’ll need to change boats at Westminster Pier for the return trip.

Yes, we have fully-licensed bars selling a wide range of tasty snacks and drinks, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic.

Westminster lies in the heart of London and the list of attractions here is seemingly endless. Highlights include the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the Southbank, and The Sea Life London Aquarium. You can find more details on our Attractions page.

+44 20 3778 0700 [email protected]

Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment. London, SW1A 2JH

Copyright © Thames River Sightseeing 2024

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London Eye River Cruise

Set sail on the River Thames with the London Eye River Cruise.

Opening Hours

Boats leave every hour from 10:45am to 4:45pm.

Ticket Information

Tickets from £14. Combination tickets including a ride on the London Eye can be bought online.

Contact Info

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Casting off from the London Eye pier in South Bank, this 40-minute guided river boat cruise takes in all of the biggest sights that sit on the river Thames including Big Ben, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge and more.

This is a circular boat tour starting and ending at the London Eye with live commentary (in English) on board from a professional guide. There are also audio guides available in French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Czech, Hindi, Polish, and Portuguese. Refreshments can be bought from the on-board bar.

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Hop on Hop off Thames River Cruise

Discover London’s famous attractions with a hop on hop off Thames River Cruise. You’ll get to hop on and off as many times as you wish during a 24-hour period. Sail past many famous attractions like Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, Shakespeare’s Globe and HMS Belfast. Hop off the boat to explore sights like Tower of London, the London Eye and Borough Market.

Our Hop on Hop off Thames River Cruises is an easy way to explore the best of London. Purchase your tickets today!

Highlights:

• Hop on hop off Thames river cruise with unlimited access for 24 hours
• Get on and off at any one of 4 piers
• See amazing views of London from all-weather boats
• Guided commentary of many sights along the Thames
• On-board refreshments at the bar, serving hold and cold drinks

Hop onboard your Thames River Cruise and set sail! The River Thames runs through the heart of Central London and you’ll notice lots of iconic buildings on both the left and right-hand banks of the river. Once upon a time, the river was the major economic lifeblood of the city. Many famous places were built overlooking it such as the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London . Today, it’s really easy to reach these places with your hop on hop off Thames River Cruise ticket!

The Four Piers

Your Thames River Cruise stops at four piers. You can hop on and off at each pier to visit some of London’s most popular attractions.

Westminster Pier is the best place to hop on and off to reach many famous London landmarks. This includes the Houses of Parliament, Churchill Museum, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Cabinet War Rooms and Big Ben. It’s also ideal for walking to many famous locations in London such as Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Covent Garden.

The London Eye Pier is located in the riverside Southbank neighbourhood. Popular nearby attractions include The London Eye , Shrek’s Adventure and Sealife Aquarium. As you stroll along the south bank of the River Thames you’ll notice lots of street performers, shops, cafes and pubs.

Tower Pier is the perfect point to hop on and off for visiting the Tower of London. You’ll also get incredible views of Tower Bridge as you hop on and off the river cruise. The City of London is located nearby, the financial district and a very historic part of the city.

Greenwich Pier is the ideal place to get on and off for visiting the World Heritage Centre of Greenwich. See the famous ship called Cutty Sark as well as the National Maritime Museum and Painted Hall. It’s a steep climb to get to the Royal Observatory, the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and the historic Prime Meridian of the World.

More information:

• The ticket is valid for unlimited travel within a 24-hour period
• Vouchers must be redeemed at Westminster Pier, Tower Pier or Greenwich Pier, and not at London Eye Pier

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Did you know.

Up until the 20th Century, the River Thames was an important part of the economic lifeblood of the city. Barges would travel up the river daily, carrying important supplies such as timber, wool, foodstuffs and livestock. This includes the stone used to rebuild St Paul’s Cathedral after the 1666 Great Fire of London, which was transported by boat along the River Thames from the Cotswolds to London. Following the growth of road transport in the 20th Century, the River Thames became less economically important.

Nowaday’s if you look out at the river, you’ll spot our hop on hop off cruises showing-off this wonderful city to tourists from all over the world!

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London sightseeing by river

No trip to London is complete without a ride on the River Bus! There’s so much to do in the UK’s capital city and the River Thames flows through the heart of it all.

What you will see

Make travel time part of your London adventure with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. You'll see the best views of the capital’s major sights as you set sail between them.

From The O2 to Battersea Power Station and everything in-between. Our fast and frequent River Bus service stops at world-famous London landmarks every 10-20 minutes.

You could explore the Tower of London and historic City of London from Tower Pier. Then sail beneath London’s most iconic bridge on your way to visit Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in just 27 minutes!

Disembark at Westminster Pier to see the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. You could also take a stroll through St James’s Park to see Buckingham Palace.

Travel tools

Ticket information, accessible services, find your pier, buy tickets.

"What a fantastic experience. A real 'must do' for anyone coming to London. No better way to enjoy seeing all the fabulous landmarks."

Family days out

Looking to make an extra special family day out? You'll find plenty of things to do along London's riverside, and travelling to them aboard the River Bus makes these moments even more memorable!

For art-loving families, our RB2 service makes travelling Tate to Tate a breeze! If trips to the theatre are your family's thing, the West End is moments away from Embankment Pier. Explore the great outdoors at Greenwich Park or visit Battersea Park from Battersea Power Station Pier.

Our high-speed boats are ideal for families or friendship groups to enjoy a day exploring London together. Each boat can carry up to 220 passengers, with compartment-style seating available on most vessels.

With a Family River Roamer kids go free! We also offer joint tickets with many London attractions.

Plan your family's day out

What's on board

With natural light, fantastic views and fresh air, you’ll glide safely across London aboard the River Bus, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Drinks and snacks are available at the onboard Café Bar. Every passenger is guaranteed a comfortable seat in our spacious, climate-controlled cabins or breezy open-air back decks.

Toilets are on board all vessels, larger vessels have accessible toilets with baby-changing facilities.

See what's on board

Ready to explore London by River Bus?

We have a range of affordable ticket options that can be suited to your group.

View ticket options

Group bookings & school trips

Groups greater than 10 can benefit from a group discount. We also offer Park & Glide options for coaches, so you can park your coach at The O2 then sail into central London.

Please get in touch if you would like to make a school booking. We can tailor your experience and provide educational resources created in conjunction with the London Transport Museum.

Make a group booking

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City Cruises Tower Pier

Address: Tower Millennium Pier, Lower Thames St, London EC3N 4DT

Nearest Tube:

• Tower Hill underground station
• London Fenchurch Street Station
• Tower Gateway DLR station
• London Bridge Train station

Nearest Bus Stops:

• Tower of London (Stop TB) 15, N15
• Tower of London (Stop TA) 15, N15
• Tower Gateway (Stop TD) 42, 78, 100, 343, N551
• Tower Hill / Tower Gateway Station (Stop TE) 42, 78, 100, 343, N551

Santander Cycles drop off point at Tower Gateway Station.

Disable access:

The Pier is accessible

Ticket booth open times:  

10:00 – 18:00* (*subject to change)

Things to do at Tower Pier

Why not check out our Sightseeing and Dining Cruises where you can come on board at Tower Millenium Pier and see London from a different view.

Closest Attractions near Tower Pier

• The Tower of London
• Tower Bridge

Other pier locations

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Danube river cruises: an ultimate guide to cruising Budapest and beyond

Why, when and how to sail along Europe’s second-longest river, which meanders through the likes of Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest

Its banks are lined with dramatic, unspoiled landscapes, postcard-perfect towns and villages, and grand, opulent cities . Take a river cruise down this majestic river and you’ll encounter some of the world’s most stunning countryside, including the UNESCO-protected Wachau Valley, along with an array of fascinating cultures.

Cruising Europe’s waterways is a great way to see more of the region in a short period of time than you might do by land, and a river cruise can be the ideal introduction to cruise holidays for first-timers.

While ships are smaller than those traversing across oceans, river cruise itineraries often feature big-name guests onboard – as is the case with our seven-night sailing along the Danube , when one of the UK's best-loved historians, Lucy Worsley (pictured below), joins guests on a private visit to Vienna’s Royal Lipizzaner Stables and Spanish Riding School.

What is the best time of year to cruise the Danube River?

The Danube is a year-round destination with the exception of January and February, when few cruise lines operate here. Summer, when the weather is hottest, is peak season and as a result Europe’s cities are particularly crowded. Because of that, we recommend taking a Danube river cruise in April, May, September and October. Good Housekeeping's seven-night itinerary sails in September, when the weather should still be balmy and dry, but the summer hordes have gone home.

Where does a Danube river cruise start and end?

The Danube either flows through or delineates part of the border of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine. Many cruises traverse the stretch between the capital cities of Vienna, Austria and Budapest , Hungary, starting or ending at either location.

Our seven-night Danube river cruise with Lucy Worsley departs from the city of Engelhartszell in Austria before calling at Vienna (pictured below), the pretty town of Esztergom in Hungary and Budapest. You'll then loop back down the river, calling at Slovakia's capital Bratislava and the Wachau Valley in Austria before returning to Engelhartszell.

Is a Danube river cruise worth it?

Absolutely! If you love dazzling landscapes, magnificent architecture and fabulous food, a Danube river cruise is hard to beat. Exploring Europe by water requires no internal flights and train rides and eliminates schlepping around with your luggage in tow.

On a river cruise, you can discover multiple destinations – and even get to the heart of them with a guided tour, should you wish – in just one trip, all the while returning to the same luxurious stateroom and comfy bed each night.

What are the best things to do on a Danube river cruise?

One of the highlights of any Danube cruise is the Austrian capital, Vienna, with its musical heritage, imperial palaces, array of art museums, stunning Lipizzaner stallions, and delectable cuisine (a slice of Sachertorte chocolate cake is a must when in town!).

Secondly, Budapest, the capital of Hungary, boasts breath-taking architecture as well as historic thermal baths (pictured above), while Bratislava shouldn’t be overlooked with its lively 18th-century Old Town and impressive reconstructed hilltop castle from which you can look down over it.

Other hotspots along the Danube include the verdant Wachau Valley in Austria, which tumbles down to the riverbanks; and medieval Esztergom, Hungary’s former capital, which is home to the country’s largest church, Esztergom Basilica.

And that’s all without mentioning the entertainment and facilities onboard your ship. Join us on our seven-night Danube cruise and you’ll sail aboard A-ROSA FLORA, which boasts an onboard spa offering beauty and body treatments, gym, spacious sun deck, heated outdoor pool, outdoor restaurant with canopy top, bar and dancefloor, lounges and plenty of evening fun.

Which cruise lines offer Danube river cruises?

Among the companies offering cruises along the Danube are A-ROSA Cruises , with whom we have partnered to bring you our remarkable river cruise . A-ROSA has 20-plus years of experience in sailing couples, families, groups and solo travellers along some of Europe’s loveliest rivers in laidback style, giving you lots of freedom to explore port stops at your own pace.

How much does it cost to cruise the Danube?

Danube cruises can be great value, with our cruise through Austria, Hungary and Slovakia starting just over £2,000 per person for a week. All meals and drinks, including sparkling wines and cocktails, are included, as are snacks and afternoon tea. Also included is the use of the sauna, gym and top-deck heated swimming pool. You'll also get 15% off treatments in the onboard spa.

Sail the Danube and visit Vienna's famous riding school with Lucy Worsley in September 2024.

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