Britain · THAMES RIVER CRUISES

The 15 Best Thames River Cruises in London

32 tours  ·  from $14 a head

The river passes almost everything on the postcard for less than a taxi fare. These 15 sort sightseeing boats, commuter services and dinner cruises by price, and say which ones let you hop off at the piers.

London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise - The western route through Kensington and Notting Hill
Cruises & Boat Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off Tours in London, Thames River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in England, Tours in London

London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

1.London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 10,803 reviews · 3 hours 35 minutes (approx.) · from $39Our pick

Use a 24 or 48-hour Big Bus pass to connect London’s major sights, from Buckingham Palace and Westminster to the Tower and Notting Hill. Recorded commentary is available in seven languages, Wi-Fi is included, and selected tickets add a Thames cruise, guided walks, or an evening panoramic ride. Activate your mobile ticket at a designated stop.

“Great way to see London! We loved the variety of routes and having the app was so helpful to see when the busses were arriving.”

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London: Westminster to Tower Bridge River Thames Cruise - The first stretch reveals London’s ceremonial center
Cruises & Boat Tours, Thames River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in London, Westminster and Big Ben Tours

London: Westminster to Tower Bridge River Thames Cruise

2.Westminster to Tower Bridge River Thames Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6,127 reviews · 30 minutes - 1 hour · from $18

Cruise from Westminster Pier to Butler’s Wharf near Tower Bridge in 25 to 30 minutes, passing Parliament, St. Paul’s, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, and The Shard. Sit on the open deck, listen to lively English commentary, or use the six-language app. Choose one way or return, changing boats at Butler’s Wharf.

“great! we had just visited the London eye, and used this to travel closer to our apartment in the Tower Bridge area. highly recommend it, bar on board to have a couple of drinks and plenty of sights to see along the way. all the staff were very helpful.”

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London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour - Start with the red buses and London’s main sights
Cruises & Boat Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off Tours in London, London Eye Tickets, Thames River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in London

London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

3.London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5,332 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $74

Combine three classic London views in one ticket: open-top Big Bus routes, a one-way Thames cruise, and a timed London Eye ride. Use the 24-hour pass for a fast overview or choose 48 hours for slower sightseeing and three guided walks, including Royal, Harry Potter, and Jack the Ripper themes.

“Everything was very well organised and especielly the LondonEye was worth the money! So nice and beautiful to see London from above. We had standard tickets and even if it was a lot of people there everything flow on and the waiting was short. In the cabin it was not crowded and we could really enjoy the ride. Bus and River Cruise was also very nice! Ake Andersson, Taby, Sweden”

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London: Tootbus Hop-on Hop-off with optional River Cruise - Westminster, Big Ben, and the royal center
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London: Tootbus Hop-on Hop-off with optional River Cruise

4.Tootbus Hop-on Hop-off with optional River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 4,327 reviews · from $41

Use a 24, 48, or 72-hour Tootbus ticket to reach London highlights including Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Choose the Thames cruise option for a one-way City Cruises trip between Westminster and Tower Pier. Audio is offered in 10 languages, with children’s commentary in English and French.

“The ease of accessibility! Great bus drivers who ensures my boys alight safely”

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High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London - The first view of Westminster
Thames River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in England, Tours in London

High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London

5.High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,971 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) · from $90Top rated

Board at London Eye Pier for a 50-minute Thames ride with up to 12 people. Your skipper handles speeds up to 30 knots while an English-speaking guide such as Sofia, Jack, or Leoni shares London stories, music, and jokes. Expect a slow sightseeing section, then a short, lively run through Canary Wharf and the Docklands.

“We did lots of amazing things in London but this was the best! We saw lots of beautiful landmarks and got a thrilling ride as well. Will do it again next t time I am In London.”

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London: Thames River Cruise with Optional London Eye Ticket - Westminster Bridge and the Palace of Westminster
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London: Thames River Cruise with Optional London Eye Ticket

6.Thames River Cruise with Optional London Eye Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,900 reviews · 45 minutes - 1.5 hours · from $20

Set off from London Eye Pier for a roughly 40-minute Thames cruise with live English commentary. Guides such as Mitch, George, Ben, Josh, and Emma mix landmark facts with jokes as you pass Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge. Add a London Eye ticket if you want both sights.

“Took my two kids Ny daughter thout it maybe a little boring but overall she was very impressed and we all enjoyed it including the eye to which im not a fan of hegits but that was quite chilled”

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London: Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-off with Optional River Cruise - The Red Route, from Westminster to the Tower
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London: Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-off with Optional River Cruise

7.Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-off with Optional River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 3,875 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $35

Use a one, 24, or 48-hour Big Bus ticket across three routes and more than 50 stops. See Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s, the Tower of London, and Kensington. Longer tickets add a one-way Thames cruise, while the 48-hour option can include Royal, Harry Potter, and Jack the Ripper walks, plus a 19:30 evening tour.

“It was a great way to see the city and get off when we wanted”

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London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise - Starting at Coventry Street or Grosvenor Gardens
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London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise

8.London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3,834 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $53

See London from an open-top double-decker bus across three routes linking Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, St Paul’s, museums, Covent Garden, and more. Use the included audio commentary, Tootbus app, and Thames River cruise ticket to build your own sightseeing day. Passes last one, two, or three days.

“This was our first time visiting London and this was a great way to see all the sites. There were plenty of busses so we didn’t have to wait long for another one when we got off to wander around”

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Manchester: Canal & River Cruise - Boarding beside the Lowry Theatre
Cruises & Boat Tours, Thames River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Manchester

Manchester: Canal & River Cruise

9.Canal & River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,761 reviews · from $16

Board at Salford Quays for a one-hour English-language cruise through Manchester’s industrial past and modern waterfront. You’ll pass MediaCity, Old Trafford, Imperial War Museum North, Pomona Docks, Hulme Lock, Ordsall Chord, and Stephenson’s 1830 railway bridge, with live or recorded commentary along the route.

“Perhaps you could pass photos round of how it used to look”

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Liverpool: Sightseeing River Cruise on the Mersey River - Boarding at Liverpool Pier Head
Cruises & Boat Tours, Thames River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Liverpool

Liverpool: Sightseeing River Cruise on the Mersey River

10.Sightseeing River Cruise on the Mersey River

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,427 reviews · from $17

Board a Mersey Ferry at Liverpool Pier Head for an approximately 50-minute sightseeing cruise with recorded commentary. See Albert Dock, the 3 Graces, both cathedrals, shipyards, and the Razzle Dazzle Ferry Snowdrop. The hourly service is flexible, wheelchair accessible on the main deck, and has a café bar and restrooms.

“Brilliant tour. Our guide Heidi had so much knowledge. Would deffo recommend”

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London: Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames - The first course: London’s historic riverfront
Afternoon Tea Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Thames River Cruises, Tour Reviews

London: Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames

11.Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,274 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $53

Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea aboard a City Cruises boat from Tower Pier. Over 90 minutes, you’ll pass Tower Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, The Shard, the London Eye, and Parliament while eating sandwiches, warm scones, cakes, and unlimited tea or coffee. Commentary adds context along the way.

“Excellent cruise. Service was impeccable. We were able to see all the major tourist attractions. We had a lovely time as a family of four with 2 kids. Thank you!”

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London: River Thames Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise - Starting at Westminster Pier with Big Ben overhead
Cruises & Boat Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off Tours in London, Thames River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in London

London: River Thames Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise

12.River Thames Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,112 reviews · 1 day · from $33

Use a 24-hour City Cruises ticket to ride between Westminster, London Eye, Tower, and Greenwich piers. Sit inside or on the open deck, listen to live commentary, and stop for the Tower of London, Borough Market area, Tate Modern, or Cutty Sark. Crew members such as Dom add humor and useful historical detail.

“Great experience good value for money and the guys on board running it was excellent very informative and amusing much better than an audio recording”

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Westminster to Greenwich Sightseeing Thames Cruise in London - Boarding at Westminster and finding your seat
Cruises & Boat Tours, Thames River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in England, Tours in London, Westminster and Big Ben Tours

Westminster to Greenwich Sightseeing Thames Cruise in London

13.Westminster to Greenwich Sightseeing Thames Cruise in London

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,969 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $22

Sail east from Westminster Pier to Greenwich in about an hour, passing Big Ben, the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. Choose an indoor or open-air deck, listen to live commentary or multilingual audio, then explore Greenwich on foot. A return option lets you make it a relaxed half-day outing.

“Captain provided interesting commentary on way to Greenwich. Greenwich a fun town to visit if you have an extra day in London.”

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London: River Thames Evening Cruise with Bubbly and Canapés - Tower Bridge and the Tower of London from the water
Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Thames River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in London

London: River Thames Evening Cruise with Bubbly and Canapés

14.River Thames Evening Cruise with Bubbly and Canapés

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,493 reviews · 2 hours · from $37

Board at Tower Millennium Pier for a two-hour evening cruise with one glass of sparkling wine or a soft drink, canapés, and live chill-out music. You will pass Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Canary Wharf, the London Eye, and the Houses of Parliament, with seating indoors or on an open-air deck. Some sailings feature singer Daniel Spiller.

“Turned out to be a beautiful evening with no rain, views were amazing! You are greeted with a glass of champagne on your way in and you can grab a table or sit upstairs. Music began around the last hour and was festive, people came up dancing. Really enjoyed”

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London: River Thames Dinner Cruise - The three-hour route, from Parliament to the Thames Barrier
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Thames River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in London

London: River Thames Dinner Cruise

15.River Thames Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,159 reviews · 3 hours · from $94

Board at Westminster Pier for a three-hour evening cruise to the Thames Barrier and back. You’ll see Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the O2 Arena, Canary Wharf, and City Hall while enjoying sparkling wine, a three-course British dinner, and live music. Singers such as Emma, Paddy, Andrew, and Patrick Phelps have performed on different sailings.

“Amazing experience! really enjoyed it… the food was delicious and the whole atmosphere was classy. The staff was really good too”

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New in Thames River Cruises

★ 4.6Sightseeing River CruiseFrom $25694 reviews
★ 4.0Hop-On Hop-Off 1 Day River Thames Adventure – Uber BoatFrom $34707 reviews
★ 5.0Skip the Line Tower of London & Westminster Tour and River CruiseFrom $165730 reviews
★ 4.9River Thames Speed Boat TourFrom $80713 reviews
★ 4.0Afternoon Tea River Cruise on the ThamesFrom $55884 reviews
★ 4.4Fully Flexible River Thames Sightseeing PassFrom $18838 reviews
★ 4.5Lunch River Cruise on the Thames with 2-Course MealFrom $59994 reviews
★ 4.050-Minute Mersey River CruiseFrom $171,232 reviews
★ 4.0Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the ThamesFrom $331,256 reviews
★ 4.5London Eye River Cruise and London Eye Ticket OptionFrom $631,431 reviews
★ 4.5Ghost Walk and River Thames Boat RideFrom $261,251 reviews

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