Are you considering booking a cruise down the River Thames? Not sure what is available or which one is best for you? We have you covered in our complete guide to the best London boat trips.
One of the most popular ways to experience London is to take a boat trip along the River Thames. With so many different Thames river cruises and boat trips to choose from it can be overwhelming picking the right fit for your needs. In this article, we compare the best London boat trips and provide a detailed breakdown to help you choose the right one for you.
We have divided the city cruises by theme including 8 different cruises (dinner cruises, lunch cruises and more) which offer food, drink and entertainment. There are also a number of speedboat tours available if you want the thrill of experiencing the Thames a la James Bond.
If you are planning to travel along the Thames to some of London’s popular landmarks and sights such as Greenwich, the Tower of London and the London Eye we recommend considering the hop-on hop-off sightseeing cruise which includes unlimited travel on the river for 24 hours.
- Overview of the best London boat trips and cruises
- Best London boat tours and cruises
- Best London Canal Waterbus Tours
- London boat cruises with food (& entertainment)
- London River Thames Lunch Cruise
- Sunday Lunch Cruise on the Thames
- Taste of Britain Cruise
- Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames
- River Thames Dinner Cruise
- River Thames Evening Cruise with Bubbly and Canapés
- River Thames Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music
- River Thames London Dinner Cruise with Live Jazz
- Best London speetboat tours
- Plan your trip to London
- London Travel Guide & Itinerary Planner (+ 4 bonus ebooks)
Overview of the best London boat trips and cruises
Best London boat tours and cruises
River Thames Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise
- Duration – 24 hours
- Wheelchair Accessible – YES
- Leaves from – Westminster, north Greenwich Pier, London Eye, and the Tower Pier.
On this boat ride on the River Thames, you’ll get a chance to see London’s most famous attractions. The 24-hour river ticket allows you to hop on and hop off at any of London’s major piers for 24 hours, including Westminster, Greenwich, London Eye, and Tower Pier.
Click here to purchase your ticket on the River Thames Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise
Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise
- Duration – 30 minutes to 1 hour (choose one way or round trip)
- Includes on-board commentary
- Wheelchair accessible – Yes
- Leaves from – Westminster Pier
- Not included – Food and drinks (available to purchase on board)
See the sights of London along the banks of the River Thames on a sightseeing river cruise from Westminster Pier to Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier, and Tower Bridge Quay.
Click here to purchase your Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise
Westminster to Tower Bridge River Thames Cruise
- Duration – 30 minutes to 1 hour (choose one way or round trip)
- Includes on-board commentary
- Wheelchair accessible – Yes
- Leaves from – Westminster Pier
- Not included – Food and drinks (available to purchase on board)
You have the option of purchasing a 1-way trip to Tower Bridge Quay or you can opt for a round-trip city cruise and return to Westminster. Listen to the live audio commentary from your captain and make use of the state-of-the-art facilities on board the boat.
Regular departures from Westminster Pier every hour. The boats offer ideal viewing opportunities from the open top deck of the modern “Sapele” and “Mercuria” vessels or the open deck of the traditional “Sarah Kathleen.” Each vessel features a bar serving light refreshments available to purchase.
Click here to purchase your Westminster to Tower Bridge River Thames Cruise
Thames Cruise to Greenwich with Private Guide
- Duration – 3 hours
- Includes tour guide
- Wheelchair accessible – Yes
- Leave from – Meet your guide by the London Eye Waterloo Pier.
With a 3-hour cruise down the River Thames, enjoy seeing landmarks like the Tower of London and historic Greenwich while being guided by your private guide.
Best London Canal Waterbus Tours
Little Venice: Regent’s Canal Waterbus Boat Trip to Camden
Duration – 45 minutes
Guided commentary
Wheelchair Accessible – NO
Leaves from – The cruise will depart from Little Venice and end at Camden Lock
Travel the Regent’s Canal to Little Venice and enjoy a picturesque journey through London. This leisurely waterway is lined with quirky houseboats, while boats pass by on their way to Camden Town – an area bustling with culture!
Camden Town: Regent’s Canal Waterbus Trip to Little Venice
Duration – 45 mins
Guided commentary
Wheelchair Accessible – NO
Leaves from – West Yard, Camden Lock Place, Camden Market, NW1 8AF
Take a journey through London’s Regent’s Canal and experience the city like never before on this 1-way waterbus trip. Sit back as you cruise along with your window seat facing out into beautiful natural scenery, enjoying views that are impossible to find anywhere else!
London boat cruises with food (& entertainment)
London River Thames Lunch Cruise
Duration – 105 mins
Live commentary
Wheelchair Accessible – NO
Leaves from – Tower Pier, Lower Thames Street. London EC3N 4DT.
Discover a new way to enjoy London on this fantastic 105-minute cruise along the River Thames! You’ll be treated to 2 courses from an expert chef, including tea or coffee.
Get spectacular views of some of England’s most famous landmarks while sipping your beverage and listening out for fun facts about each site’s history during our journey down the river
Sunday Lunch Cruise on the Thames
Duration – 2.5 hours
Wheelchair Accessible – YES
Leaves from – Embankment Pier, Victoria Embankment, London WC2N 6NU
Included – A three-course set menu (starter, main course, and dessert) Live band
Relax on board of a luxury pleasure boat and enjoy live music as you cruise down river. Including a 3 course dinner and live entertainment performed by a jazz band this is the perfect cruise to celebrate that special occasion.
Taste of Britain Cruise
Duration – 2 hours
Live music performance
Wheelchair Accessible – NO
Leaves from – Tower Pier
Start your evening with a Taste of Britain Cruise that will take you on a relaxing journey along the River Thames. As you take in the sights, enjoy traditional British-themed bowl food, and musical hits created by British artists.
Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames
Duration – 1.5 hours
Sightseeing commentary
Wheelchair Accessible – YES
Leaves from – Tower Pier
Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, savouries and cakes as you cruise down the Thames past some of London’s most iconic sights and landmarks.
River Thames Dinner Cruise
Duration – 3 hours
Cabaret
Wheelchair Accessible – YES
Leaves from – Westminster Pier
Step aboard for a wonderful 3-hour dinner cruise on the River Thames and a 4-course meal. Enjoy a live cabaret performance and dance into the night as you cruise past London’s illuminated monuments as far as the Thames Barrier and back.
River Thames Evening Cruise with Bubbly and Canapés
Duration – 2 hours
Live music
Wheelchair Accessible – NO
Leaves from – Tower Millennium Pier
Set sail after sunset and enjoy London on a river tour down the Thames. Start your evening with a glass of bubbly and delicious canapés. Enjoy a selection of jazz and chill-out pop songs from live performers.
River Thames Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music
Duration – 2 hours 45 minutes
3 or 5-course meal
Wheelchair Accessible – YES
Leaves from – Embankment Pier
See the sights of London illuminated for the night on a dinner cruise down the River Thames. Enjoy a 3 or 5-course menu of delicious food, with live music and professional service, as you pass iconic views of the city.
River Thames London Dinner Cruise with Live Jazz
Duration – 3 hours
3-course meal with tea and coffee
Wheelchair Accessible – YES
Leaves from – Westminster pier
If you’re looking for a sophisticated night out in London with fine food, great live music, a friendly atmosphere, and some of the most stunning sights in London, this 3-hour Thames jazz dinner cruise is the ideal solution for you!
Best London speetboat tours
50-Minute River Thames Speedboat RIB Tour
Duration – 50 minutes
Not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with heart problems or children under 33 lbs
Wheelchair Accessible – NO
Leaves from – Embankment Pier
Get the ultimate adrenaline rush aboard a high-speed RIB boat and see the sights of London as you speed along the River Thames on a 50-minute round-trip from Embankment Pier to Tower Bridge.
Family-Friendly Speed Boat Tour of the River Thames
Duration – 50 minutes
Wheelchair Accessible – NO
Leaves from – London Eye Pier
Experience a wild and fantastic River Thames boat cruise that is fun for all ages. Informative banter is provided by an award-winning comedian guide, whose cheery anecdotes include narration about the history of London.
Speedboat Tour Through Heart of the City
Duration – 50 minutes
Wheelchair Accessible – NO
Leaves from – Tower Bridge Quay
See the sights of London aboard a high-speed powerboat and ride past the Tower of London, HMS Belfast and other sights on the River Thames. Blast through Wapping and Canary Wharf to the O2 Arena at Greenwich and back.
50-Minute River Thames Speedboat Ride
Duration – 50 minutes
Wheelchair Accessible – NO
Leaves from – Westminster Pier
Enjoy a fun-filled, adrenaline-packed experience as you cruise down the River Thames on the fastest boats in London. You’ll enjoy sightseeing, speed and awesome aquabatics.
75-Minute Thames Barrier RIB Speedboat Tour
Duration – 75 minutes
Wheelchair Accessible – NO
Leaves from – Embankment Pier
Board a speedboat from Embankment Pier and enjoy a round trip experience right up to the Thames Barrier, including guided commentary and high-speed action.
Terrible Thames
Duration – 40/45 minutes
Wheelchair Accessible – Contact for more information
Leaves from – Tower Bridge Quay
Prepare to experience a Horrible Histories tour of the Thames. Terrible Thames is the new hit Thames river cruise for those interested in the history of the city and the river that runs through it.
Plan your trip to London
I am sure this post will have helped you choose the right boat tour from the many London river cruises the city has to offer! You can find out more to help plan your trip to London in these articles:
- London Travel Guide – links to everything you need to know to plan your trip
- Visiting Greenwich? Best things to see and do in Greenwich & one day itinerary
- Looking for accommodation? Read our guide to where to stay in London
- First time visitors? Read our top tips for visiting London for the first time
- Best bus tours? Read our guide to the best sightseeing London bus tours
- How to get around London? Read our guide to using public transport in London and our guide to London’s main trains stations.
- What to see and do – Complete London bucket list with guide to all the top sights and attractions
- How to purchase tickets for London attractions – Guide to purchasing tickets for the lost popular London attractions & Best London bus tours reviewed
- London Eye – Top tips plus ticket options
- Visiting on a budget? Read out budget guide to London with tips to save money when visiting
- Free things to do in London – Discover 32 free things to see and do in London
- Best day trips? Read our guide to the best day trips by train and our guide to the best tours from London
- Visiting in winter? 21 Festive things to do in London in December
London Travel Guide & Itinerary Planner (+ 4 bonus ebooks)
