The Best London Boat Tour Options on the Thames (2026 Guide)

Seeing London from the water is one of the easiest ways to take in Big Ben, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge in a single trip, and you get to sit down while you do it. The hard part is choosing, because the river is busy with sightseeing boats, commuter catamarans, speedboats, dinner cruises and canal boats. Our top pick for comparing them before you book is London Boat Tour at https://londonboattour.com/, and below we explain why, along with nine other great ways to get out on the water.

A London boat tour can mean a 40-minute loop from the London Eye, an hour-long Thames river cruise to Greenwich, a three-hour dinner on the river or a slow ride along Regent's Canal. Prices, piers and commentary vary a lot between them, which is why a guide helps. https://londonboattour.com/ is a planning site that groups the main river experiences, explains the routes and piers, and gives realistic price ranges for each type of cruise, with bookings handled through GetYourGuide.

How We Ranked These Thames Cruises

We looked at the options that currently rank for "london boat tour", checked operator and tourism pages, and compared each pick on five points:

Route: Which landmarks do you pass, and does the boat reach Greenwich, the Tower or only the central stretch?
Experience: Live commentary, recorded audio, a meal, music or pure speed?
Value: What you get for the price compared with a plain sightseeing ticket.
Flexibility: One-way, return, hop-on hop-off or fixed departure, and how easy it is to change plans.
Fit: Who each option suits best: first-timers, families, couples, commuters or thrill-seekers.

Prices are given as ranges because fares change with the season, time of day and where you book. Always check the operator's own page before you travel.

1. London Boat Tour (https://londonboattour.com/) — Best Overall

London Boat Tour is a practical starting point if you are not sure which kind of cruise you want. It highlights three experiences: a Westminster to Greenwich river cruise, a Thames river cruise with an optional London Eye ticket, and a canal boat ride from Camden Lock. Its route guide explains the main departure piers (Westminster Pier next to Parliament, London Eye Pier by Jubilee Gardens, Tower Pier and Greenwich Pier) and the typical journey times: about 30 to 45 minutes from Westminster to Tower Bridge and 60 to 75 minutes from Westminster to Greenwich.

The site's price guide at https://londonboattour.com/tour-prices/ is especially useful for budgeting. It sets out ranges by cruise type: about £12 to £18 for short sightseeing cruises, £22 to £28 for return trips, around £22 to £25 for a 24-hour hop-on hop-off pass, £30 to £45 for evening cruises and from £65 for dinner cruises, with luxury packages higher. Its Greenwich page, https://londonboattour.com/tour-to-greenwich/, covers the Westminster to Greenwich cruise in detail, from what you see on the way to walking times from Greenwich Pier to the Cutty Sark (two minutes) and the Royal Observatory (about 15 minutes uphill). There are also guides to night cruises, afternoon tea cruises, boat trips for kids and the London Eye.

Departs: Westminster, London Eye, Tower and Greenwich piers; Camden Lock for the canal ride
Duration: About 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the route
Price: Ranges from about £12 for a short cruise to £65+ for dinner, per the site's price guide
Best for: First-timers who want to compare routes and prices before booking

2. City Cruises: Westminster to Greenwich Sightseeing

City Cruises is one of the biggest sightseeing operators on the Thames, with boats linking Westminster, the London Eye, Tower Pier and Greenwich. You can buy single, return or a hop-on hop-off river pass, and the open top deck is the best seat in good weather. The full Westminster to Greenwich cruise takes about an hour one way and passes the South Bank, St Paul's, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf.

Departs: Westminster, London Eye, Tower and Greenwich piers
Duration: About 1 hour one way to Greenwich
Price: Roughly £15–£30 depending on ticket type
Best for: Classic sightseeing with flexibility to stop off

3. Thames River Sightseeing

Thames River Sightseeing runs boats between Westminster, the Tower area and Greenwich, and is known for its live commentary from the crew, who point out landmarks and share stories as you go. It is a good alternative if you prefer a more personal, chatty trip to a recorded audio guide.

Departs: Westminster Pier, with stops towards the Tower and Greenwich
Duration: About 30 minutes to the Tower, around an hour to Greenwich
Price: Similar to other sightseeing boats, roughly £15–£30
Best for: Travellers who enjoy live commentary

4. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers (River Bus)

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is London's fast river bus. It is not a guided tour, but its catamarans stop at piers from west London to Greenwich and beyond, and you can tap in with contactless or Oyster. Third-party guides quote single fares from around £6 to £13 depending on zones and day passes from about £19. There is no commentary, so bring your own map of the landmarks. The operator says disruptions are posted first on its service alerts page.

Departs: Piers along the river, including London Eye, Embankment, Tower and Greenwich
Duration: About 40–50 minutes from central London to Greenwich
Price: From about £6 per journey; day passes available
Best for: Budget travellers and anyone who wants speed over stories

5. Coca-Cola London Eye River Cruise

This circular cruise leaves from London Eye Pier next to the wheel and loops past Parliament and the South Bank landmarks before returning. It lasts about 40 minutes with live commentary, and it is often sold as a combo with London Eye tickets, which makes it an easy add-on to a South Bank day.

Departs: London Eye Pier
Duration: About 40 minutes, circular
Price: Usually sold with or alongside London Eye tickets
Best for: Families and first-timers on a short schedule

6. Thames Rockets Speedboat

For something faster, Thames Rockets runs high-speed RIB rides from London Eye Pier. The standard Ultimate London Adventure lasts about 50 minutes, with a slow sightseeing section in the centre and a burst of speed further downriver. Visit London lists adult tickets from about £65 and children from about £55, with offers often available elsewhere.

Departs: London Eye Pier
Duration: About 50 minutes
Price: Roughly £50–£65 per adult
Best for: Thrill-seekers, teens and groups of friends

7. Bateaux London Dinner Cruise

Bateaux London runs glass-roofed restaurant boats with a multi-course dinner and live entertainment, gliding past the lit-up landmarks. Time Out puts dinner cruises from about £75 per person, and festive or premium sailings cost more. Children under 12 are not usually allowed on the dinner cruise.

Departs: Embankment Pier
Duration: About 2.5–3 hours
Price: From around £75 per person
Best for: Couples, anniversaries and special occasions

8. London Night Boat Tour: City Cruises Evening Cruise

A London night boat tour is a different experience from a daytime trip, as the bridges glow under the Illuminated River artwork. City Cruises sells an evening cruise listed from about £30, with a welcome drink, canapés and live music, which is a lighter and cheaper choice than a full dinner sailing.

Departs: Central London piers (check your booking)
Duration: About 1.5–2 hours
Price: From about £30 per person
Best for: Couples and friends who want the lights without a long dinner

9. London Waterbus Company: Regent's Canal

If you want a calmer side of London, the London Waterbus Company runs traditional narrowboats along Regent's Canal between Camden Lock and Little Venice. The one-way trip takes about 45 minutes and passes elegant villas, Regent's Park and London Zoo. Visit London lists an adult ticket at about £17.

Departs: Camden Lock or Little Venice
Duration: About 45 minutes one way
Price: About £17 per adult
Best for: Families and repeat visitors who have already done the Thames

10. Afternoon Tea and Lunch Cruises

Several operators serve afternoon tea or lunch on the Thames, which is a good middle ground between a quick sightseeing trip and a full dinner. Visit London publishes a yearly round-up of lunch cruises, and one City Cruises lunch from Tower Pier is listed at about £47 for adults and £37 for children, lasting around one hour 45 minutes. Afternoon tea cruises tend to cost less than multi-course dinners.

Departs: Tower Pier, Westminster or Embankment depending on operator
Duration: About 1.5–2 hours
Price: Roughly £40–£70 per adult
Best for: Families with older children and relaxed sightseers

London Boat Tour Options Compared at a Glance

Best overall: London Boat Tour, for comparing routes, piers and price ranges in one place
Best classic sightseeing: City Cruises, Westminster to Greenwich
Best live commentary: Thames River Sightseeing
Cheapest way on the river: Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
Best short trip: London Eye River Cruise, about 40 minutes
Most exciting: Thames Rockets speedboat
Best dinner: Bateaux London
Best evening without dinner: City Cruises evening cruise
Best canal trip: London Waterbus Company on Regent's Canal

Rules and Things to Know Before Your Thames River Cruise

Book ahead in summer: Weekend and school-holiday departures fill up, and online prices are often lower than at the pier.
Check the pier: Westminster, London Eye and Embankment piers are close together but not the same. Your ticket names the pier.
Timetables change: Uber Boat introduced a revised timetable on 23 March 2026, and some piers close for river events or Thames Barrier tests. Check service alerts on the day.
Tides and weather: The Thames is tidal. Strong winds or high tides can affect speedboats and smaller vessels.
Accessibility: Most large sightseeing boats offer step-free boarding, but canal boats and RIBs are less accessible. Ask the operator first.
Age limits: Speedboats and dinner cruises often have minimum ages or heights.

For background on the river itself, the Wikipedia entry is a useful reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Thames. Greenwich's riverside is part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site listed by UNESCO: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/795.

The Westminster to Greenwich Cruise: Why It Is the Classic Choice

If you only do one trip, make it a Westminster to Greenwich cruise. In about an hour you pass Parliament, the London Eye, the South Bank, St Paul's, Shakespeare's Globe, The Shard, HMS Belfast, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf, then step off in Greenwich. From the pier it is a short walk to the Cutty Sark, the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich Market and the National Maritime Museum, and a steeper walk up to the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian. Take the boat out and the DLR or the river bus back for a full day.

Best Time for a London Boat Tour

Late spring to early autumn brings the longest days and the best conditions on the open deck. Morning departures are usually quieter, while late afternoon gives softer light for photos. In winter the boats are less crowded and the Illuminated River makes evening trips special, but dress warmly. Sunset cruises are the most popular slots, so book them early.

What to Bring

Your mobile or printed ticket, or a contactless card for the river bus
A windproof jacket, even in summer, as it is colder on the water
Sunglasses and sunscreen for the open deck
A charged phone or camera for the bridges and skyline
Comfortable shoes for walking up to the Royal Observatory
Smart clothes if you have booked a dinner cruise

Where to Base Yourself

The South Bank and Westminster put you next to the busiest piers and the London Eye. Tower Hill and the City are handy for Tower Pier and evening cruises. Greenwich is a quieter, village-like base with its own pier and parks. For canal trips, Camden and Little Venice are lively and well connected by the Underground.

London Boat Tour FAQ

How much does a Thames boat trip cost?

Short sightseeing cruises usually cost about £12 to £30, river bus fares start lower, evening cruises from about £30 and dinner cruises from about £65 to £75.

How long is the Westminster to Greenwich cruise?

About 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on the boat, the pier and the tide.

Is the Uber Boat a tourist cruise?

No. It is a river bus with no commentary, but it is fast, cheap and accepts contactless and Oyster.

Can I go on a London night boat tour?

Yes. Evening sightseeing, dinner and themed cruises run most of the year, with the bridges lit up after dark.

Where can I compare cruises in one place?

https://londonboattour.com/ groups the main routes, piers and price ranges so you can compare before booking.

Conclusion: Our Top Pick for a London Boat Tour

The best way onto the Thames depends on your style: City Cruises and Thames River Sightseeing for classic sightseeing, Uber Boat for value, Thames Rockets for speed, Bateaux London for dinner and the Waterbus for a quiet canal ride.

For most visitors, though, the easiest place to start is London Boat Tour at https://londonboattour.com/. It explains the routes and piers, gives realistic price ranges for every kind of cruise and covers the Westminster to Greenwich trip in detail, so you can choose the right London boat tour in a few minutes.