Boats on the Thames
The best River Thames cruises
The short hop from Westminster to Tower Bridge, the cruise to Greenwich, the hop-on hop-off boat, the Uber Boat river bus and evening and dinner cruises: here is which boat to take, with honest advice on whether there is commentary, whether the dinner is worth the price, and getting your money back if plans change.
See our 8 picks
For most visitors, the best Thames cruise is Westminster to Tower Bridge. It takes 30 minutes to an hour, from €17.
For a whole day on the river, the one-day pass starts from €12. GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.
Our 8 picks for a Thames cruise
Six boats with free cancellation come first. The evening and dinner cruises are non-refundable, so they come last.
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from €17 per person Our top pick 30 minutes–1 hour 4.5 (6,740) reviews on GetYourGuide
Westminster to Tower Bridge cruise
A sightseeing boat from Westminster Pier past Bankside to Tower Bridge. It has commentary, plus an audio guide in 6 languages on the app. You can go one way or return.
Best for First visits with little time
Check availability: Westminster to Tower Bridge cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €21 per person 1–2 hours 4.5 (25,702) reviews on GetYourGuide
Westminster to Greenwich cruise
A longer cruise from Westminster Pier to Greenwich Pier, with live commentary in English. An audio guide in 11 languages comes with it.
Best for A day out in Greenwich
Check availability: Westminster to Greenwich cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €30 per person 4.4 (3,310) reviews on GetYourGuide
Hop-on hop-off sightseeing cruise
A 24-hour ticket to hop on and off the sightseeing boats. There is commentary on board and a bar for drinks and snacks.
Best for Sightseeing by boat all day
Check availability: Hop-on hop-off sightseeing cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €12 per person 1 day pass 4.5 (1,011) reviews on GetYourGuide
One-day unlimited river pass
A one-day pass for the City Cruises boats at four piers: Westminster, London Eye, Tower and Greenwich. The captain gives commentary in English, and an app adds 14 languages.
Best for Getting around by boat on a budget
Check availability: One-day unlimited river pass on GetYourGuide -
from €12 per person 4.0 (1,179) reviews on GetYourGuide
Uber Boat single river ticket
A one-way trip on the Uber Boat river bus, between any piers from Battersea Power Station to Barking Riverside. It has indoor seats and covered outdoor areas.
Best for One trip from A to B
Check availability: Uber Boat single river ticket on GetYourGuide -
from €38 per person 1–2 days 4.2 (5,146) reviews on GetYourGuide
Big Bus with an optional river cruise
A hop-on hop-off bus ticket for one day, 24 or 48 hours. The 24- and 48-hour options add a Thames cruise. The 48-hour one also adds three walking tours.
Best for Bus and boat in one ticket
Check availability: Big Bus with an optional river cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €48 per person 2 hours 4.4 (2,875) reviews on GetYourGuide
Evening cruise with bubbly and canapés
Non-refundable. A 2-hour cruise from Tower Millennium Pier at sundown, with canapés and one glass of sparkling wine or a soft drink. There is no guide.
Best for Couples and celebrations
Check availability: Evening cruise with bubbly and canapés on GetYourGuide -
from €94 per person 3 hours 4.3 (2,543) reviews on GetYourGuide
Dinner cruise on the Thames
Non-refundable. A 3-hour cruise from Westminster Pier with a 3-course dinner, a glass of sparkling wine and live music. Extra drinks cost more.
Best for Couples and special occasions
Check availability: Dinner cruise on the Thames on GetYourGuide
Thames cruises compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Free cancellation | Commentary | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster to Tower Bridge cruise | €17 per person | 30 minutes–1 hour | Yes | Yes, plus app | First visits with little time | The best short ride past the big sights, with 4.5 from 6,740 reviews. |
| Westminster to Greenwich cruise | €21 per person | 1–2 hours | Yes | Live, in English | A day out in Greenwich | The most-reviewed Thames cruise, with 4.5 from 25,702 reviews. |
| Hop-on hop-off sightseeing cruise | €30 per person | Not stated | Yes | Yes, on board | Sightseeing by boat all day | Get on and off at the big sights, with 4.4 from 3,310 reviews. |
| One-day unlimited river pass | €12 per person | 1 day pass | Yes | Captain, in English | Getting around by boat on a budget | The cheapest full day on the river, with 4.5 from 1,011 reviews. |
| Uber Boat single river ticket | €12 per person | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | One trip from A to B | Sold by Thames Clippers, who run the river bus, with 4.0 from 1,179 reviews. |
| Big Bus with an optional river cruise | €38 per person | 1–2 days | Yes | Digital, on the bus | Bus and boat in one ticket | The easy way to mix bus and boat, with 4.2 from 5,146 reviews. |
| Evening cruise with bubbly and canapés | €48 per person | 2 hours | Non-refundable | No guide | Couples and celebrations | The lights of London with a drink, with 4.4 from 2,875 reviews. |
| Dinner cruise on the Thames | €94 per person | 3 hours | Non-refundable | Live music | Couples and special occasions | A full dinner on the river, with 4.3 from 2,543 reviews. |
Westminster to Tower Bridge cruise
€17 per person30 minutes–1 hour 4.5 (6,740)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Commentary
- Yes, plus app
- Who it suits
- First visits with little time
- Why we picked it
- The best short ride past the big sights, with 4.5 from 6,740 reviews.
Westminster to Greenwich cruise
€21 per person1–2 hours 4.5 (25,702)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Commentary
- Live, in English
- Who it suits
- A day out in Greenwich
- Why we picked it
- The most-reviewed Thames cruise, with 4.5 from 25,702 reviews.
Hop-on hop-off sightseeing cruise
€30 per person 4.4 (3,310)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Commentary
- Yes, on board
- Who it suits
- Sightseeing by boat all day
- Why we picked it
- Get on and off at the big sights, with 4.4 from 3,310 reviews.
€12 per person1 day pass 4.5 (1,011)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Commentary
- Captain, in English
- Who it suits
- Getting around by boat on a budget
- Why we picked it
- The cheapest full day on the river, with 4.5 from 1,011 reviews.
€12 per person 4.0 (1,179)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Commentary
- Not stated
- Who it suits
- One trip from A to B
- Why we picked it
- Sold by Thames Clippers, who run the river bus, with 4.0 from 1,179 reviews.
Big Bus with an optional river cruise
€38 per person1–2 days 4.2 (5,146)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Commentary
- Digital, on the bus
- Who it suits
- Bus and boat in one ticket
- Why we picked it
- The easy way to mix bus and boat, with 4.2 from 5,146 reviews.
Evening cruise with bubbly and canapés
€48 per person2 hours 4.4 (2,875)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Commentary
- No guide
- Who it suits
- Couples and celebrations
- Why we picked it
- The lights of London with a drink, with 4.4 from 2,875 reviews.
€94 per person3 hours 4.3 (2,543)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Commentary
- Live music
- Who it suits
- Couples and special occasions
- Why we picked it
- A full dinner on the river, with 4.3 from 2,543 reviews.
- None of the 8 includes hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point.
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Which boat to take
Take the Westminster to Tower Bridge cruise if you have little time. Take the Greenwich cruise for a day out. Take a pass if you want to hop on and off.
Most boats start at Westminster Pier. The evening cruise starts at Tower Millennium Pier.
If you want the bus as well, a Big Bus London tour ticket with a river cruise bundles both.
Is there commentary?
Most sightseeing boats here have commentary. The Greenwich cruise and the City Cruises pass have live commentary in English. The Tower Bridge cruise has commentary plus an app.
The Uber Boat is a river bus, so its listing names no commentary. The evening cruise has no guide.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers: the river bus
The Uber Boat is London's river bus, run by Thames Clippers. It calls at 24 piers from Putney to Barking Riverside.
You can pay with contactless, and the fare depends on the time you touch in. Touch in and out at the piers. Cards from outside the UK may have overseas fees.
| Zone | Online | At the pier | Contactless |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central | £11.70 | £16.40 | £9.90–£11.90 |
| Central + East | £13.50 | £17.70 | £11.40–£13.70 |
| All zones | £22.70 | £24.70 | Not stated |
Uber Boat day tickets
A hop-on hop-off day ticket costs £29.30 for an adult online and £32.60 at the pier. Two days cost £48.80.
Evening and dinner cruises
Book the dinner cruise for an occasion, not just for the view. It costs from €94 and lasts 3 hours, with a 3-course dinner and live music.
The evening cruise is shorter and cheaper, from €48. You get canapés and one drink. Both are non-refundable here and do not suit children under 13.
Lunch and dinner cruises
City Cruises also runs a lunch cruise on its own site. It warns that window tables for two sell out, so book early.
On its own site, City Cruises lets you reschedule or get a refund up to 2 hours before boarding with Ticket Assurance. This does not cover special events.
Before you book a Thames cruise
Check your pier
Most boats leave from Westminster Pier. The evening cruise leaves from Tower Millennium Pier.
Book the window
For a lunch or dinner cruise, book early. Window tables for two sell out first.
Know the refund rule
Six picks have free cancellation. The evening and dinner cruises are non-refundable here.
Tap with care
On the Uber Boat, touch in and out with the same card. Foreign cards may add fees.
Thames cruises: questions and answers
What is the Uber Boat in London?
How much is the Uber Boat in London?
How long is a Thames river cruise?
How much is a Thames river cruise?
Where do I catch a Thames river cruise?
More Thames cruises, live
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
See all of these with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.
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Sources (6), facts checked on 24 October 2026
Written by the Things to Do in London editorial team.