River trips · LONDON

Top 15 London River Cruises

23 sailings  ·  boarding from $14 a head

Good sailings fill up days ahead and the best ones first. Below: the 15 london river cruises to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

London: Westminster to Tower Bridge River Thames Cruise - What you see between Westminster and Embankment
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London: Westminster to Tower Bridge River Thames Cruise

1.Westminster to Tower Bridge River Thames Cruise

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

Board at Westminster Pier for a 25 to 30 minute Thames cruise past Parliament, St. Paul’s, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Shard, and Tower Bridge. You get live English commentary, open-deck views, a bar, and an optional return trip. The return requires changing boats at Butler’s Wharf Pier.

“The best part was the guide!! He is so funny. I wish it was longer so I can listen to him more. anyway, the tour was great ❤️”

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London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour - The bus routes cover the famous London postcard views
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London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

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

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

Use one ticket for a 24 or 48-hour Big Bus pass, a timed London Eye ride, and a one-way Thames cruise between Westminster and Tower Pier. You can explore three bus routes, hear multilingual commentary, track buses in the app, and add guided walking tours with the 48-hour option.

“We used the hop-on hop-off during the Underground strike. Although the drivers couldn’t get you from point A to point B quickly they were incredible in assisting you and worked well past the scheduled end time of 18:00.”

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High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London - Shakespeare’s Globe and the Thames from the water
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High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London

3.High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London

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

Join a skipper and guide for a 50-minute Thames speedboat ride from London Eye Pier. A maximum of 12 people see Big Ben, St Paul’s, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, and Canary Wharf, with lively commentary, British music, and speeds up to 30 knots.

“So fast!!! This blew us away - so much better than expected - FUN and some bonus historical facts along the way.”

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London: Thames River Cruise with Optional London Eye Ticket - Boarding at the London Eye Pier
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London: Thames River Cruise with Optional London Eye Ticket

4.Thames River Cruise with Optional London Eye Ticket

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

Board beneath the London Eye for a 40-minute circular Thames cruise toward Tower Bridge and back. An English-speaking guide such as Mitch, George, Josh, or Emma brings the landmarks to life with facts, jokes, and photo cues. Choose covered or sun deck seating, then add a London Eye ticket if availability suits your plans.

“Really enjoyable (and informative!) trip. The guide was very interesting and funny, can really recommend this.”

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London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise - Use the Buckingham Palace and Kensington route for royal London
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London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise

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

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

See London by open-top double-decker bus on three routes linking Buckingham Palace, Westminster, the Tower of London, St Paul’s, museums, and Notting Hill. Use the 1, 2, or 3-day pass with audio commentary, real-time bus tracking, and a Thames cruise valid for the same period. The cruise adds strong live commentary and fine river views.

“Great way to get around and see London. Drivers are courteous and helpful. The metro can get you faster but many things can be missed”

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Westminster to Greenwich Sightseeing Thames Cruise in London - South Bank, Tate Modern, and St Paul’s from the river
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Westminster to Greenwich Sightseeing Thames Cruise in London

6.Westminster to Greenwich Sightseeing Thames Cruise in London

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

Board at Westminster Pier and cruise east along the Thames for about an hour. Live commentary points out Big Ben, the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. Add a return sailing if you want more river views, then explore Greenwich’s Cutty Sark, market, park, museums, and observatory.

“Great trip up/down the Thames. We did the return trip, despite it being freezing above deck the delicious mulled wine went down a treat. Great commentary during the trip and we both enjoyed it.”

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London: River Thames Evening Cruise with Bubbly and Canapés - From Tower Millennium Pier to the city lights
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London: River Thames Evening Cruise with Bubbly and Canapés

7.River Thames Evening Cruise with Bubbly and Canapés

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

Spend two hours on the Thames from Tower Millennium Pier, watching London brighten at dusk with a glass of sparkling wine and canapés. Choose the open-air deck or air-conditioned saloon, enjoy live chill-out pop, and pass Tower Bridge, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, and Canary Wharf. This is a scenic evening cruise, not a narrated history tour.

“it was wonderful having live music. everyone on the cruise was so friendly and helpful. the boat was clean and we had a fantastic time looking at London while enjoying a bottle of champagne and absolutely wonderful appetizers. it was easy, and a great way to relax during the evening.”

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London: River Thames Dinner Cruise - The first stretch reveals London’s historic center
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London: River Thames Dinner Cruise

8.River Thames Dinner Cruise

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

Spend three hours cruising from Westminster Pier to the Thames Barrier and back. You’ll receive sparkling wine, a seated British dinner, tea and coffee, and live music from singers such as Emma, Paddy, Andrew, or Patrick Phelps, depending on the sailing. Expect floodlit landmarks, optional dancing, and a smart-casual evening for adults and older teens.

“It was my birthday celebration. From start to finish I really enjoyed it. My group said it wasThe host was good. The singer is a "Wow:. Will be back soon. Loved it. the best choice for my day.”

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London River Thames Lunch Cruise - A fixed table with good river views
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London River Thames Lunch Cruise

9.London River Thames Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,014 reviews · 1h 45m · from $48

You’ll cruise from Tower Pier for 105 minutes, dining on a two-course lunch while passing Tower Bridge, the Shard, the London Eye, and Westminster. The refurbished boat has panoramic windows, assigned tables, bar service, and live or recorded commentary. Smart casual dress is requested, and drinks beyond tea and coffee cost extra.

“Friendly greeting from the team Good communication Pleasant cruise on the River Thames through London Great two course lunch meal and friendly service”

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London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River - London Eye and Parliament from the river
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London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River

10.London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,772 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $95

Board at Westminster Pier for a three-hour evening cruise toward Greenwich and back. You’ll see the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, and the Thames Flood Barrier while enjoying a set three-course dinner, welcome sparkling wine or a soft drink, live music, and dancing.

“Friendly efficient staff. Good standard of food. Our party all had a great time. My only minor gripe would be that the music was quite loud, which made conversation more difficult. Apart from that, a thoroughly enjoyable experience.”

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London In One Day Tour with River Cruise & London Eye Option - St. Paul’s Cathedral with fast-track entry
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London In One Day Tour with River Cruise & London Eye Option

11.London In One Day Tour with River Cruise & London Eye Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,678 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $177

Start at Victoria Coach Station for a guided coach tour past Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, and Buckingham Palace. Watch the Changing of the Guard, tour St. Paul’s Cathedral, explore the Tower of London, then cruise to Westminster. An optional London Eye ticket is used at about 6:30 pm.

“Lots of historical sites to visit, guide was thorough and enjoyable. The add ons are excellent. Sandra is the best”

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London: Uber Boat - Single Journey River Thames Cruise - What the $13.44 fare really buys you
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London: Uber Boat – Single Journey River Thames Cruise

12.Uber Boat – Single Journey River Thames Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,597 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $13Best value

Use one Uber Boat by Thames Clippers ticket to travel along the Thames between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside. Board or leave at any Central or East Zone pier, passing Big Ben, the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, and more. Expect transport first, sightseeing second, with indoor seating and covered outdoor space.

“Was a good ride, enjoyed the views, though a bit daft of a day. Remember it has a start on both ends. So you *can't ride till you return back to the port you got on. You will have to buy another ticket.”

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London Eye River Cruise - Big Ben and Parliament begin the sightseeing run
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London Eye River Cruise

13.London Eye River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,503 reviews · 40 minutes (approx.) · from $21

Board at London Eye Pier for a 40-minute circular Thames cruise with live commentary. You’ll pass Big Ben, Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge. Guides such as Paul, Hannah, Mitch, and Ian add humor and history. Choose an upper-deck seat for the best views, weather permitting.

“Great Thames tour. Just long enough to see the sights, live narration which was amusing. Sit ion top if you can for the best views. Hopefully the weather cooperates.”

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London Eye River Cruise and London Eye Ticket Option - What you see from the Thames
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London Eye River Cruise and London Eye Ticket Option

14.London Eye River Cruise and London Eye Ticket Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,431 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $63

Start with a 40 to 45-minute Thames cruise from London Eye Pier, passing Big Ben, St. Paul’s, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London with live commentary from guides such as George, Mitch, or Ian. Use the London Eye ticket within 90 days for panoramic views from 135 meters above the city.

“Great experience. Access to both the River Cruise and the London Eye was super fast. The staff was very attentive and helpful.”

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Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the Thames - Westminster Pier gives you the classic London start
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Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the Thames

15.Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the Thames

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,256 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33

See London from the Thames on a flexible 24-hour City Cruises pass, boarding at Westminster, Waterloo, Tower, or Greenwich. Choose indoor or open-air seating, listen to onboard commentary, and hop off near sights such as the London Eye, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and Greenwich. Check boat times closely, since service can be limited later in the day.

“Great weather London was meant to be seen from the Themes. Great photos short lines. The food on board is s but expensive”

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Newly added: London River Cruises

★ 4.5Festive London Christmas Day River Thames Lunch CruiseFrom $23547 reviews
★ 4.6Hampton Court to Richmond River Thames CruiseFrom $1820 reviews

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