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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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London is a big city... With so many options on where to go, it can be hard to decide. Luckily for you, we've done the hard work already! Head to our blog to see our recommendations on places to explore along the Thames.

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Comfortable seats in climate controlled cabins or enjoy the fresh air on the outside back deck. 

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A whole range of refreshments are available from the onboard café bar.

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Bring your bike on board at no extra charge. We can currently carry up to 14 bikes on our largest vessels. Pets are also welcome.

There are toilets with accessible facilities on board most of the fleet. Our larger boats also have baby changing tables.

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Go on an adventure with the kids. Travelling by river is a great way for families to explore London differently. They will love being on the back deck! With a Family River Roamer kids go free. 

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Sip, snack and sail! Refreshments are available at our onboard café bar from hot drinks to alcoholic beverages and snacks.

Make special occasions extra special

Add a touch of luxury to your events with our high speed vessel Orion Clipper from VIP transfers, to birthdays and excurions with family or friends.

Accessible travel across London 

Boat accessibility information.

All our boats are wheelchair, mobility scooter and pram accessible by ramp. All boats, except Star, Storm and Sky Clipper, have accessible toilets and larger boats have baby changing tables.

All our piers are step-free and wheelchair accessible except for Cadogan, London Bridge City and Wandsworth Riverside Quarter piers.

Mobility scooter owners are welcome on board but need first to apply for our Mobility Scooter Recognition Scheme .

You can bring your guide or assistance dog on board for free.

Any person with a valid Disabled I.D. badge/card, will get 50% off ticket fares and a complimentary ticket for their carer.

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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.

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Thames River 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.

Thames River Boats 

Our Thames river boats are fully equipped with comfortable seating and plenty of space. Our larger river boats all have licenced on-board bars, with a range of coffees, snacks and alcoholic drinks. They all have toilet facilities, and some even have baby changing facilities. Our Thames river buses have Metro and City AM newspapers available on board and Free Wi-Fi is available at our main piers. The experience of travelling through London on a Thames river bus is unlike any other form of travel, providing an epic experience for its users. Far more enjoyable than struggling for space on a packed London Underground tube, quicker than driving or getting the bus, and less exhausting than walking or riding your bike!

Our History 

Starting in 1999 with just one boat in operation, our fleet has grown exponentially to 20 high-speed Thames river boats, offering services from all major London piers every 10-20 minutes. Our services cater for everyone from early morning commuters to night-time passengers. There are countless reasons to choose a London River Bus over any other form of transport – choose a Thames river cruise next time you need to travel through London.

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London Eye River Cruise

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

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

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

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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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Take in the best of London’s waterside viewpoints with our Thames River sightseeing cruise, from Tower Bridge Quay to Westminster. 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 Tower Bridge Quay 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 Tower Bridge Quay to Westminster Pier is 20 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.

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City Cruises Tower Pier

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

Nearest Tube:

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Nearest Bus Stops:

• Tower of London (Stop TB) 15, N15
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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.

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10 Of Best London River Cruises You Have To Experience At Least Once

Last Updated on 7 November, 2023

London is such a beautiful city and sometimes can be overwhelming choosing the perfect method to explore. So today I thought I would walk you through one of the best ways to see London by way of best London river cruises you will have to experience at least once on your visit to London. With some of the cruises, you not only get views of London’s best tourist sights but most of the cruises also include lunch, dinner or afternoon tea.

I have shared posts on some of the cruises I have samples such as the London dinner cruise on Bateaux Cruise . I have also gifted family members with the afternoon tea cruise which have been well received. You get to explore London’s Westminister, Southbank, London Bridge and London Greenwich , another beautiful place in London that you need to add to your places to visit in London.

Best London River Cruises To Check Out

What could be cooler than experiencing tourist sights via the best London river cruises London has to offer. There is a wide range of cruises to choose from, from river boat dinner cruises in London riding across the Thames to river boat trips from London to Hampton Court where you can check out the beautiful Hampton Court Palace . There are also riverboats from London eye to Greenwich which is another cool part of London with amazing views of London from Greenwich Park.

There is also plenty to see in the area, from Queen’s House’s spiral staircase, Greenwich Maritime museum to the Observatory, markets and much more. You can read about that in my post on Greenwich. If you are visiting London for Christmas, you can also usually find Christmas river cruise as well as river boat party cruises in London to River Thames boat party on new years eve. For more on these checkout  Viator Tours or Get Your Guide . You can also get combined London Pass with a cruise.

London Thames River Dinner Cruise

This is one of the best London river dinner cruises. It’s is a 2.5-hour Thames River dinner cruise in London with a welcome cocktail. Relax and cruise along the Thames aboard the luxurious Harmony or Symphony boats. Then listen to music from a live jazz band as you enjoy a 4-course meal on the dinner cruise. You get to pass top London attractions such as Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben and finish the Thames River night cruise with after-dinner dancing. If you love cruising while dining and enjoying city sights then also consider checking out the Viking grand European tour which takes yours through European cities on a rather chic cruise.

London Thames River Lunch Cruise

Combing tourist sights and Thames River boat dining with this 1.5-hour London river cruise with lunch on the River Thames offers a wonderful three-course meal freshly prepared on-board. The sightseeing cruise takes you past London’s famous attractions and provides on-board commentary.

Royal Observatory and Thames River Cruise in London

If you want a river boat from London to Greenwich then this is perfect! This cruise offers a combined visit to the Royal Observatory Greenwich and River Thames where you can explore London’s only planetarium and straddle the Prime Meridian and also view major landmarks from the water and listen to the informative commentary with a hop-on hop-off cruise. Cruises depart every 30 minutes from four piers in central London.

London Eye and Thames River Sightseeing Cruise

The perfect boat tour on London River Thames. This is a perfect trip as you get combined tickets to the London Eye and Thames River. Enjoy mesmerising views of London from one of the world’s tallest observation wheels.  Get on a Thames River sightseeing cruise make yourself comfortable on the open upper deck or lower saloon. Live commentary is provided on-board.

London Thames River Afternoon Tea Cruise

Have a fantastic trip on this 1.5-hour Thames River sightseeing cruise. Soak up great views of London’s iconic landmarks from the water as you drift by the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye and the Tower of London Admire other attractions such as St Paul’s Cathedral, the ‘Gherkin’ and The Shard. Then enjoy a selection of freshly made finger sandwiches, cakes and scones served with high quality tea and coffee as you cruise. What better way to spend your day?

London Ghost Tour with Thames River Cruise

This is a perfect way to spice up your vacation. Go on this evening ghost tour of London with Thames River cruise. It promises a spooky experience and is ideal for history junkies. Get to explore dimly-lit parks and historic buildings while listening to spine-chilling stories. Then finally, take a Thames River cruise that concludes at the Tower of London, London’s most haunted landmark.

London Tour and a River Cruise

This cruise lasts for approximately four hours and allows you to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Royal city of Westminster, passing by historically important buildings while being led by your well informed guide. After taking in the sights and sounds of Westminster and the changing of the guard (subject to the day), next is to take a 30 minute river Thames cruise passing by the City of London ending the day at the Tower of London.

London Thames River Evening Cruise

Make your evening perfect with this 2-hour Thames River evening cruise in London. Cruise by top London attractions such as the London Eye, Big Ben and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and see London’s famous sights illuminated against the night sky as the sun sets.

Day Trip to London from Paris including Thames River Cruise

Thames river boats don’t come and sweeter than a combined Paris trip. Sit back and enjoy this independent day trip to London from Paris. On this cruise, you get a comfortable ride in a reserved seat on the Eurostar train. You can take an open-top bus tour to see London’s top attractions, including Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, the London Eye and Tower Bridge after which you can go on an optional free walking tour and then enjoy a cruise on the River Thames. At the end of the cruise, you receive a complimentary map of London.

London Vintage Bus Tour Including River Thames Cruise

On this half-day London city sightseeing tour, you get to see London on a vintage double-decker bus and see attractions like Westminster Abbey, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the London Eye during your Thames River sightseeing cruise. You can also watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

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My name is Bianca and welcome to my local guide of London's Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. Everything you need to know about exploring London in addition to the coolest hangouts and Instagrammable spots.

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As you probably saw elsewhere Bianca, I went to London last summer and had a blast. I thought about doing a river cruise but didn’t get around to it. Next time, I’m going to either do the ghost cruise or the cruise from Paris (which is on my travel agenda). What could be more fun than cruising down the Thames, enjoying good food and drink while taking in the majesty of London? How exciting.

Hi Bee, do you know of any London river cruise 2 for 1 also any London river cruises new years eve deals?

Hi Roman, there are a couple of links above. Viator and Get Your Guide will have plenty of offers for 2 for 1 deals as well as London cruise for new years eve.

You have so many great articles about London on your site that it makes going there so easy. I have bookmarked everything and will try to create a guide to places I’d like to visit next month when I’m going.

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London River Cruises

Top london river cruises deals.

London River Cruises Overview

Making its way through the heart of London, the Thames is one of the most famous rivers in the world- and the London river cruise is one of the best ways to explore the beautiful river. Idling along the length of the Thames, the cruise offers fantastic, unobstructed views of London’s biggest and proudest buildings. Cruising past, one catches a glimpse of the London Eye in its slow rotation, of the Big Ben sounding the hour, of the glass facade of the odd-shaped Gherkin.

Initially having started as a speedboat tour, the river cruise in London has grown over the years to offer more sophisticated services. The cruises take place throughout the day- some in the afternoon, some in the evening, and some at teatime. Special lunch and dinner cruises add the luxury of onboard dining to the sightseeing cruise. The Thames River Hop on Hop off sightseeing tour is another interesting experience, allowing its cruisers to embark and disembark at ports of their choice to sightsee around the attractions.

The original speedboat tour has been retained in its original format as well, and is well suited for those looking for a round of sightseeing as well as adventure. Each river cruise in London is accompanied either by an audio-commentary or a special tour guide who offers a live- and often humorous- commentary on the attraction one passes by.

Top Attractions To Spot While On London River Cruise

The Thames river cruise serves as an excellent sightseeing route; gliding across the Thames, one catches a glimpse of some of the city’s biggest and most iconic attractions. While the Big Ben rings aloud with its hourly gong, the HMS Belfast stands moored as a testament to Britain’s war-ridden past; such are the sights that one comes across on their river cruise.

The Tower of London also known as Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortification of the Tower of London, is a 900-year-old castle and fortress in central London. Now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tower of London has served in multiple roles, sometimes a treasury, sometimes a royal mint, sometimes a prison and then the holder of royal jewels. The Tower of London holds a permanent exhibition of these same jewels which are open to the public throughout the year. Tourists also get a chance to meet the resident ravens at the tower, who have been historically designated as the protectors and guardians of the Tower of London.

The Tower Bridge is a defining mark in London, and many regard it as the most popular bridge in the United Kingdom, if not the whole world. The Tower Bridge is a bascule bridge- which means that it draws back from the center to let vessels pass through. Constructed in 1894, the Tower is laden in history, and once acted as an important route for traders who crossed the river with their horses and their carts. Today, visitors are allowed to not just walk across the iconic bridge with its panoramic views of the city, but also visit the engine rooms that help draw back the bridge.

St. Paul's Cathedral , London's largest cathedral, is one of the world's most important structures, known for its stunning dome with a lantern on top. The earliest church on the site was a wooden church dedicated to the Apostle Paul, which King Ethelbert of Kent constructed in 604 AD. Since then, the Church has undergone several reconstructions to take the shape that it has today. Visitors at St. Paul’s can take a tour of its many galleries- the Whispering Gallery, the Stone Gallery and the Golden Gallery-, as well as make their way down to the Crypt, which holds the remains of some of London’s biggest personalities.

The Houses of Parliament are more than simply a tourist attraction in London; they serve as the center of British power. The 1000+ chambers of the Palace of Westminster, a Victorian Neo-Gothic extravaganza on the Thames's banks, including two of the most significant sites in UK politics — the House of Commons and House of Lords. Every day, MPs in the House of Commons and Peers in the House of Lords discuss problems and proposed legislation, which anyone may see from the public galleries of both houses. In addition, both chambers convene committee sessions to investigate matters in depth on a variety of topics, all of which are available to the public.

Near synonymous to the idea of London, the Big Ben is one of London’s most iconic structures. Sitting on the northern edge of the Palace of Westminster, the Big Ben Clock Tower is one of the most popular attractions to be viewed and photographed from the London River cruise. Strictly speaking, the name Big Ben refers to the massive Bell within the Tower, but the nickname is often extended to indicate the tower in its totality. Although the inner sanctums of the Big Ben are not open to the public, the Tower’s facade forms one of the most photographable destinations in all of London.

Any debate on London’s history would remain incomplete without a mention of the master himself- William Shakespeare. The modern Globe Theater is where the immortal writings of Shakespeare are put on stage. The Theater as it is today, is a reconstruction of the original Globe where the playwright conducted his plays and which was consecutively destroyed in fire. The modern building remains faithful to its predecessor, full with an open-air environment and the circular seating arrangement. The Globe regularly puts on productions of Shakespeare’s plays, and is open to the public throughout the year.

The Millennium Bridge, also known as the London Millennium Footbridge, is a steel suspension bridge that spans the River Thames in London and is used by pedestrians. Its southern end is near the Globe Theater, Bankside Gallery, and Tate Modern, while its northern end is below St Paul's Cathedral, adjacent to the City of London School. The bridge's design was chosen in a competition organized by Southwark Council and RIBA Competitions in 1996. Arup Group, Foster & Partners, and Sir Anthony Caro collaborated on the winning "blade of light" design. It took four years for the bridge to be fully constructed, and the Millenium Bridge came into being in 2000, earning it its name.

A town-class light cruiser, the HMS Belfast was built for the Royal Navy. The iconic ship is now permanently moored on the docks of the Thames, and functions as a Museum operated by the Imperial War Museum. The ship, which had served the Navy during momentous crises such as the D-Day, the Korean War and the Arctic Convoy, now lives to tell the tale. Tourists at HMS Belfast can tour all nine decks of the war ship. A series of permanent displays and exhibitions showcase weapons, clothing, bunk beds and ship equipment used by the crew on board. Tourists can even enter into the massive gun turrets and learn about how the ship fired during the Normandy wars.

Overlooking the city’s skyline, the Gherkin is one of the most iconic modern buildings of London. Nearly three times the height of the Niagara Falls, the Gherkin stands out in its unique cucumber-shaped design. The Gherkin is an office building, and is home to some of London’s biggest businesses. Although the skyscraper isn’t normally open to the public, the top floors of the building do feature two of London’s most iconic eateries- the Helix Restaurant and Iris Bar- both of which are famed for their fantasstic views of the city’s skyline.

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Top River Cruises In London

The London river cruise offers an excellent means of sightseeing. Cruising across the River Thames, one catches a glimpse of some of London’s best attractions. Certain tours with London Attraction tickets are of a more traditional bent and offer a mere 30-minute ride, while some also offer meals on-board, along with a number of other entertainment shows.

Usually opted for along with a visit to the London Eye, the London Eye river cruise is one of the most popular options. The thirty minute cruise is circular, with pick up and drop off at the Tower Pier port. Wandering along the Thames, the short cruise offers glorious views of some of the most prominent landmarks in London, including the Big Ben, the Westminster Palace and the Houses of Parliament. The cruise is accompanied by a traditional British afternoon tea; a fresh selection of scones, cakes and freshly brewed hot coffee and tea await all cruisers on board.

The River Thames Evening Cruise is one of the most romantic of river cruises in London. Unlike most daytime tours, the Evening Cruise sets off after sunset, offering one a splendid glimpse of how the London skyline appears when lit up at night. Cruisers will catch sight of London’s best and brightest in all its lit up glory- from the London Eye to the Tower Bridge. The Thames Evening Cruise also includes a dinner, comprising a host of non vegetarian and vegetarian delicacies, along with drinks. Accompanying the meal will be an array of live performances, including cabaret shows and live music.

The Hop on Hop off Cruise is one of the most popular and convenient of London river cruises. Like any other river cruise in London, the Thames Hop on Hop off tour offers unobstructed views of London’s best landmarks. However, it goes a step further and allows one to visit the attractions as well. The Thames river cruise grants each tourist an access pass of 24 hours, and operates across four piers in London- Westminster Pier, Greenwich Pier, London Eye Pier, and Tower Pier. Cruisers are then allowed to disembark at any of the designated piers, sightsee around the attractions in the vicinity, then embark again from any port of their choice.

The Thames Lunch cruise combines panoramic views of the city’s skyline with a delicious British lunch on board. The lunch cruise sets off in the afternoon; when the day is clear, one can spot landmarks such as the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, and the London Eye. The cruise is laid out in beautifully decorated wooden tables, with a friendly staff serving up a freshly prepared two-course meal. Guests can choose between a non-vegetarian and a vegetarian meal option, along with deserts and tea and coffee. The cruise also features a bar, although drinks are to be purchased at one’s own expense.

This traditional river cruise in London idles lazily along the Thames between Westminster and Greenwich. Spanning 30 minutes in duration, the London river cruise passes by London’s favorite attractions: The Houses of Parliament, the Westminster Palace and the Shard being just some of many. The cruise features a live audio commentary in English where tourists are introduced to the history of the sights they come across on the way.

The speedboat cruise on the Thames is the very first of all London sightseeing river cruises. The tour is not just an excellent means of sightseeing, but an extremely fun activity in itself as well. Whizzing past at a speed of over 35 mph, one catches a waterfront view of attractions such as the Big Ben, the St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament and the Westminster Palace. The personal kipper and tour guide on the tour will offer an insightful and entertaining glimpse into the history and culture of London, while also making sure that all tourists have the safest experience possible.

Why To Book London River Cruises?

The London River Cruises offers an excellent means of touring the city of London without having to tackle the city’s notorious traffic. Booking the tickets for the river cruise online allows one to not only skip the queue for the widely popular activity, but also secures one a good discount on the cruise tickets.

• Catch unbound views of London’s skyline, pierced by the towering heads of the Big Ben, the Shard, or the London Eye, as you embark on your Thames river cruise.
• Learn more about the heritage, history and culture of London’s biggest attractions with the aid of your tour guide or live audio commentary.
• Enjoy a fantastic dinner, lunch or traditional British tea on-board while you’re on your cruise.
• Take a spin on the evening river cruise and enjoy a session of live music and dance performances.
• Embark on the hop-on hop-off tour of the Thames to be able to visit as many attraction as you want while on your cruise.
• Add a little bit of adventure to your sightseeing with the speedboat river cruise, the first of all river cruises in London.

Sightseeing :

• Tower of London
• Tower Bridge London
• Canary Wharf
• HMS Belfast
• St. Paul's Cathedral
• Lunch (Choice of vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu) for the Lunch Cruise
• Dinner (Choice of vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu) on the Evening Cruise
• British tea on the Afternoon Tea Cruise

Guide :- Tour Guide - Pre-recorded audio commentary

Know Before You Go

• Westminster : Westminster is one of the river cruise's highlights as one of London's most politically significant and scenic neighborhoods. From the River Thames, you can capture amazing shots of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
• Tower Hills : Home to both the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, the Tower Hill is one of the most photographable spots on the river cruise in London.
• Southbank : Southbank has historically been a creative hotspot, with cultural titans like Shakespeare performing many of his plays in its riverbank theaters. The Globe Theater, which was the master’s primary space, still stands by the riverfront. Prepare your cameras for the Millennium Footbridge, a contemporary London building that has appeared in the Harry Potter flicks. The London Eye, which offers a 360-degree perspective of the city, is also located on Southbank.
• Docklands : Home to London’s oldest docks, Docklands is one of London’s lesser known sightseeing spots. Crossing the area on a river cruise in London, one comes across the Cutty Sark, a 19th century ship now permanently docked in its shores. Cruising along Dockland also offers one view to the Canary Wharf, where most of London’s skyscrapers convene.

• The London river cruise offers an excellent photography opportunity, so make sure you have a camera ready
• Avoid leaning over the ship railings or standing at the edge of the decks while on Thames river cruise.
• Arrive at least 15 minutes before the cruise begins to ensure a hassle free boarding process
• Try to avoid the rainier months while planning your trip to London.
• If you just want to witness the attractions from a distance, opt for the Thames hop on hop off sightseeing tour.
• If you’re planning to visit the London Eye, you could go for the London Eye river cruise and combine two activities in one visit.

Explore The London River Cruises

London River Cruise FAQs

How much time does it take to complete the london river cruise.

The duration of a river cruise in London would depend entirely on the type of cruise. A traditional, one way trip would take around 30-40 minutes, while a circular tour would take about an hour to complete. Cruises that include on board lunch and dinner would take around 2 hours to complete.

What will we see on the boat trip?

One would catch glimpses of some of London’s biggest attractions, including the Westminster Bridge, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, the Shard, the Millennium Footbridge and the London Eye, among several others.

Do they offer food and drinks onboard?

There are dedicated lunch, dinner and tea cruises operating across the Thames, which offer meal services. These cruises also feature bars on board, although drinks have to be purchased at one’s own expenses.

What facilities are available on the London river cruise?

• Audio commentary
• Meal services

Can I eat my own food or drink on the London river cruise?

Yes, tourists are allowed to bring food aboard the cruises. However, most cruises offer food and drinks of their own.

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See inside a new ultra-luxury river cruise line that's charging up to $59,520 per person

• Newcomer Riverside Luxury Cruises wants to break into the growing river cruise market.
• The ultra-luxury cruise line  operates former Crystal ships in popular European rivers like the Danube.
• Riverside's 2024 cruises start at $1,055 per person for four days.

A new ultra-luxury cruise line wants to be the swankiest travel-by-river vacation option.

To do so, it's enticing cruisers with truffle-infused butter, $320-per-person dinners, and butlers that can be beckoned with a simple WhatsApp message.

Affluent travelers , meet Riverside Luxury Cruises.

The budding company first set sail in March 2023. With a year of service under its belt, its three ships are now sailing some of Europe's most popular rivers — starting at more than $260 per person per day.

Riverside is operated by Seaside Collection, a European hotelier.

The firm had its sights set on a river cruise venture since 2018, Jen Halboth, CEO of Riverside Luxury Cruises, told Business Insider.

Ironically, COVID-19 was the reason it got into the business.

Crystal Cruises declared bankruptcy in early 2022 amid the pandemic. Shortly after, Seaside purchased and updated five of the then-defunct cruise line's ships.

Three of these vessels now make up Riverside's fleet. The other two are being leased to competitor Uniworld River Cruises.

River cruising has become increasingly popular as wealthy travelers gravitate to ultra-luxury small-ship vacations.

River cruise ships are much smaller than their behemoth ocean-based counterparts, allowing Riverside to sail in waterways like Europe's Rhine, Rhone, Danube, Main, Moselle, and Saône rivers.

Along the way, guests can explore destinations many giant ships can't easily access — like Budapest, Hungary; Frankfurt, Germany; and Amsterdam — sometimes visiting more than one port in a day.

One of Riverside's shortest and cheapest 2024 voyages starts at $1,055 per person for a four-day Danube River cruise from Passau, Germany, to Vienna.

Alcohol and excursion packages can tack on an extra $75 to $175 per person per night.

Looking to ball out? The most expensive and longest itinerary is $59,521 per person for a three-river, 22-day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, Hungary, in the most expensive suite with the most inclusive package.

To compare, the cheapest 2024 voyage with all-inclusive luxury competitor Uniworld River Cruises starts at $2,000 per person for an eight-day Danube River sailing.

River cruisers tend to be over the age of 55.

But the new company is targeting guests 45 years old and older, specifically those who frequent luxury vacations but have yet to try a river cruise.

"New luxury travelers want to be pampered, get off and have an adventure, and come back and be taken care of," the cruise line's CEO said.

"Pampering” they will get.

Of Riverside's three ships, the 394-foot-long, 74-foot-wide Mozart can accommodate the most guests — up to 162, not including the 82 crew.

Yes, it's larger than Uniworld's ships, which range from 32 to 159 guests. But it's also significantly smaller than Royal Caribbean's new 9,950-person Icon of the Seas ocean vessel.

Like most cruise liners, Riverside's three ships have spas, buffets, and plush lounges and bars.

During the day, travelers can enjoy lunch at the open-air grill and relax to live music courtesy of Steinway and Bösendorfer pianos, no less.

At night, they can dine on a seven-course meal at the 295 euros ($320) per-person Vintage Room.

Riverside’s ships have up to 5 restaurants. Vintage Room is the only specialty option.

The cost to dine includes a wine pairing and plates like veal with truffle and chanterelle mushrooms and "surf and turf" with beef sirloin and scallops.

But don't expect a lackluster, rushed meal at the other complimentary options: "This is not a churn-and-burn," the company's CEO said of the ships' Waterside restaurants. "You come in for fine dining."

Infused, whipped butter is apparently one of Riverside's hottest commodities.

Sometimes, it has chiles. Other times, it's infused with citrus. If you're lucky, you'll get one with truffles.

"People were raving about our butter," Halboth said. "Everyone's waiting to see what butter they'll get at dinner each night."

Need to sleep off all that dairy? You're in luck. Every cabin has a king bed.

Riverside's suites range from 194 to 883 square-feet. These high-end cabins include butler service, stocked mini-bars, and espresso machines.

Some suites also have double-sink vanities and walk-in closets, a hallmark of an ultra-luxury cruise vessel .

Does Riverside’s more than $260 per person, per day fare seem reasonable now?

If yes, book soon. It'll only get more expensive from here.

These fares don't offset the amount Riverside is spending on amenities like the upscale food, according to Halboth. To make up for these expenditures, the cruise line plans to raise its prices gradually over the next two years.

The company's CEO said bookings have been 'a little lighter' since the start of 2024.

But the back half of the year is "filling up" thanks to Americans: About 70 to 80% of its guests are from North America, the company said.

Riverside will operate its Mozart, Ravel, and Debussy ships for three years as it 'hones the brand,' Halboth said.

The cruise line's two additional vessels would join its fleet in the next few years.

Given the growing popularity of river cruises , it's a good time for companies like Riverside to start expanding.

However, it could face plenty of incoming competition.

Jamie Loizou, the UK managing director of luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways, is forecasting 2024 as a "pivotal" year for the river cruise industry, noting that 15 new river-based vessels are expected to launch this year, Cruise Critic reported .

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