Thames Sightseeing

If you’re looking for a quicker boat tour, you might want to consider one of the hop-on, hop-off options. Like many cities, there are also lunch and dinner cruises available on the Thames River. If none of the tours above caught your eye, you might find these Thames River Cruises interesting. Unlike the cruises above, these two tours explore the river and London’s waterfront from a different perspective.

Illuminated River Official Boat Tour

The good news is that you can book your entry times for the London Eye whenever you’re ready since the tickets are valid for 90 days from the day you go on the River Cruise. There’s nothing like taking in the beauty of London as you meander along the Thames. Below, you’ll find two sightseeing cruises that show you London’s iconic landmark aboard their boats.

Hop-On Hop-Off River Pass City Cruises™

Mostly though the reviews are positive, saying that the live commentary is very informative and humorous. The few negative reviews say that the tour feels short and that you do not see so many sights. This cruise service has been in operation for several years, but they don’t have a lot of reviews. This circular loop cruise allows you to hop on and off whenever you wish so that you can get a better look at the sites located all along the Thames.

Find Your Experience

Big Bus Tours of London has a 4-star rating on TripAdvisor. Most reviews are very positive, and comments about this specific combo package tend to be favorable. Whether you want to go on a cruise with wonderful music and fabulous food, or you just want to have your afternoon tea out on the Thames, City Cruises offers a wide variety of options.

You won't see too many of the sights along the river when you're traveling down the Thames in the city's fastest boats. Your morning commute now costs less with our new ‘Commuter AM‘ ticket that offers a 25% saving! Upgrade your journey into work and enjoy taking in the views with a freshly brewed coffee from the onboard café bar. The Thames is a chock-a-block full of London landmarks, including the iconic Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and Cutty Sark, as well as modern attractions like the London Eye and the Shard.

London Eye Pier

The majority of cruises available on the Thames River are day cruises on larger boats taking in London's historic sights. River enthusiasts can find overnight cruises up to a week in length on luxury barges like European Waterways' eight-passenger, 117-foot Magna Carta. While our free London walking tours are a great way to see and learn a lot about the city, Thames River cruises offer a completely different perspective that you might also enjoy.

Sightseeing cruises are nice, but they might not be the best option for business events or dating. Along the ride, the boat passes through Regent’s Park and the grounds of London Zoo. For a true experience off the beaten path, these relaxing and beautiful rides are a definite must. Operating entirely along the canals that flow through the north of London, a canal ride is a charming way to see parts of London that most tourists miss. If you’re looking for excitement on the river, consider the Thames RIB Experience. The Thames RIB Experience has earned a full 5-star rating on TripAdvisor – and that includes over 2,500 positive reviews.

A ride upstream will show you places you’re not likely to see in a completely land-based visit. Thames River Sightseeing is one company offering a boat tour to the Thames Barrier. Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Day, is officially on November 5, but the actual lighting of fireworks is no longer confined to one night. Some companies offer special Bonfire Night cruises to see the fireworks at Battersea Park. The National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory, Saint Alfege Church, and Cutty Sark are just some of the attractions of this historic seaside town.

This trip is not for everyone — the trip from Westminster Pier to Hampton Court Palace by boat can take 4 hours! I love the long ride, but if you want to get from Point A to Point B quickly, this is not the way. If you're looking to cruise down the River Thames, your options for cruise lines are limited as most of the cruises available are day cruises. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is the fastest, most frequent and reliable fleet on the River Thames - carrying over 4 million passengers last year. Unlike most other forms of public transport, we are always reliable - the only days our river boats don’t run are Christmas and Boxing Day. Thes itineraries are typically part of British Isles and Northern Europe itineraries.

The London Eye River Cruise has an indoor seating area operating on a first come first serve basis. Customers can still cruise along the river and enjoy the full experience in the comfort and warmth inside. Embark on a captivating 40-minute round-trip tour along the River Thames with the London Eye River Cruise. Alternatively, for more of a London river cruise, look to those lines that call in the capital. Magna Carta's cosy deckplan features four cabins each measuring about 200 square feet, with shower-only bathrooms. There's a saloon-bar, dining areas and sun deck with loungers and a hot tub.

In addition to their longer tour of the Thames, this company also manages three shorter tours of Canary Wharf, and the Tower Millennium Pier. Lady Daphne is the last wooden sailing barge still working on the Thames regularly and in addition to their private tours, you can take a public tour when offered. This circular cruise operates out of Westminster Pier and lasts approximately one hour. There is commentary provided along the way to point out significant sights such as Old Scotland Yard or the Houses of Parliament. For a complete timetable of the RB2 route that stops at both Tates, click here for schedules. When you purchase, look for the RB2 service, a central zone ticket price.

THE 25 BEST Cruises to London (Greenwich, Tower Bridge, Tilbury) 2024 (with Prices) - London (Greenwich, Tower ... - Cruise Critic

THE 25 BEST Cruises to London (Greenwich, Tower Bridge, Tilbury) 2024 (with Prices) - London (Greenwich, Tower ....

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En route, it passes glass and steel urban London, green parks, and former riverside villages. You can see two of the city's most iconic art institutions with the Tate to Tate Boat. You can see both the Tate Modern and the Tate Britain while passing the central London scenery.

On special occasions, like Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day, there may be themed cruises. In the United Kingdom, Mother’s Day is called Mothering Sunday and falls three weeks before Easter. The journey time from Tower Bridge Quay to Westminster Pier is 20 minutes. Always confirm with ticket office or crew as to the time of the last boat. Both are close to popular tube stations, so you can easily see the rest of the city after paying a visit to either institution. It's a three-hour cruise, where you can see the greener, quieter side of London along with the exciting hustle and bustle of its high-rises and busy streets.

It's not only a great sightseeing cruise but a good option when you get sick of using the Tube. It's one of the best dining cruises the Thames has to offer. Cruises depart from the Victoria Embankment, and you can book in advance online. For the most up to date information on our services please follow @thamesclippers on X (formerly known as Twitter). You can also find live departure information at the piers or on the Thames Clippers Tickets app. You have 90 days to visit the London Eye after your River Cruise visit.