In this article, you'll learn the following:
The River Thames is one of London’s most iconic landmarks, snaking for over 200 miles through the city centre and beyond. Its banks are home to famous attractions like the London Eye, the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament, making it a fantastic place for sightseeing.
There are Thames boat trips to suit everyone, from fascinating boat tours to luxury dinner cruises. Looking for inspiration? Our guide showcases the best boat rides in London, including how to get there and what your trip will cost.
Prefer land over water? Discover the best free walking tours in London to enjoy sightseeing with both feet firmly on the ground.
The best Thames boat tours
If sightseeing is on the agenda, book one of these Thames boat tours to see several London sights and attractions in one go.
City Cruises
cityexperiences.com/london/city-cruises
City Cruises offer some of the best boat tours in London, with entertaining commentary and incredible views. The Sightseeing Cruise takes you on a 40-minute journey from one pier to another, with plenty of London sights along the way.
There are two ticket options for the Sightseeing Cruise: timed and flexible. We recommend booking flexible tickets at a small extra cost so you can enjoy your day at your own pace. Make the most of offers and discounts on your boat trip when travelling by train, such as this SWR | Rewards offer.
Price range: £ - ££
How to get there: Sightseeing Cruises depart from Westminster Pier, London Eye Pier, Tower Pier and Greenwich Pier, so you can choose where you start your tour. The London Eye Pier is a six-minute walk from London Waterloo, the closest of the four piers.
Thames Clippers Uber Boat
thamesclippers.com
The most affordable way to see London’s sights by boat is on a Thames Clippers Uber Boat. These boats don’t need to be pre-booked and run continuously throughout the day, stopping at 24 piers along the Thames.
There are ticket options to suit everyone. The River Roamer offers a day of unlimited Uber Boat travel for a set price, while single or return tickets are also available. To see London by night, the Illuminated River Official Boat Tour takes you along the Thames and under nine beautifully lit bridges between London and Lambeth.
Price range: £
How to get there: The Thames Clippers Uber Boat stops at 24 piers across London, including Putney in the west, Barking Riverside in the east and central piers such as London Eye, Vauxhall and Battersea Power Station. You can easily reach the piers from our London Waterloo and Vauxhall stations.
The best Thames party boats
Celebrating a birthday or special occasion? A Thames River party boat could be just what you’re looking for.
London Boat Party
londonboatparty.co.uk
Make your next birthday extra special with the London Boat Party, with everything you need for a fun-filled night on the Thames. Featuring party anthems and plenty of drinks, there’s lots to keep you entertained.
Tickets for this four-hour party cruise include DJ entertainment, a light buffet and an onboard bar, as well as free guest list entrance to a nightclub post-cruise. The tour runs every Saturday night 20.00 – 00.00 and most Fridays 19.00 – 23.00.
Price range: ££
How to get there: The London Boat Party departs from Westminster, Festival or Waterloo Pier, all within easy reach of London Waterloo. Check your tickets to find out which pier you’ll be departing from.
Thames Cruises Weekend Party Cruises
thamescruises.com/disco-party-cruise
Enjoy a fantastic night on the Thames with Thames Cruises Weekend Party Cruises. Drift past London’s best-known landmarks, including the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe, HMS Belfast, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, while an onboard DJ provides the soundtrack to your night.
Party cruises run every Friday 18:45 – 22:45 and Saturday 19:45 – 23:45. There’s an onboard bar serving a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as a dining option with a pre-purchased food ticket.
Price range: ££
How to get there: Thames Cruises Weekend Party Cruises depart from Westminster Pier. From London Waterloo, a scenic walk across Westminster Bridge will take you to the pier.
Best Thames dining cruises
A Thames Dining Cruise is the perfect gift for a loved one. Dine in style while drifting along the Thames with London’s iconic landscape as your backdrop.
Bateaux
bateauxlondon.com
Whether you’re heading on a date night or celebrating with family or friends, a dining experience at Bateaux is bound to impress. Begin your evening with a drink at The Pier at Embankment, Bateaux’s magnificent waterfront bar and lounge. Once onboard the cruise, enjoy a selection of fantastic food and drink, atmospheric live music and unbeatable views of London’s historical attractions.
Dining experiences vary in price, but you can expect to pay between £70 – £175. Choose from Afternoon Tea, Classic Sunday Lunch, Gold Dinner and Platinum Dinner.
Price range: £££
How to get there: Bateaux departs from Embankment Pier, just a 15-minute walk from London Waterloo.
City Cruises Thames Dining Cruise
cityexperiences.com/london/city-cruises/dining-cruises
Drift past landmarks such as Big Ben, the London Eye and Tower Bridge onboard a City Cruises Thames Dining Cruise. With live entertainment, delicious food and spectacular views, this is a dining experience like no other!
City Cruises offer a choice of Thames dining cruises, from lunch and afternoon tea to evening dinner cruises, as well as themed nights with live bands and tribute artists. Ticket prices are largely under £100, offering a more budget-friendly dining opportunity on the Thames.
Price range: ££ - £££
How to get there: Most City Cruises Dining Cruises depart from Tower Millennium Pier or Westminster Pier. Both are a short walk or tube journey from London Waterloo.
Check out the best waterside pubs in the South West to discover more scenic dining spots on the water’s edge.
The best Thames speedboat tours
For adrenaline junkies, a Thames speedboat tour is one of the most exciting ways to see the city.
Thames RIB Experience
thamesribexperience.com
If it’s speed you’re after, a trip on the Thames RIB Experience will be right up your street. Whiz past London landmarks on one of the city’s fastest, most powerful Thames speedboats.
Tours range from 20 minutes to 70 minutes. Experiences depart from Embankment Pier and feature full guided commentary, while Blasts depart from Tower Millennium Pier and feature minimal guided commentary.
Price range: ££ - £££
How to get there: Embankment Pier is a 13-minute walk from London Waterloo, while Tower Millennium Pier is best reached by the tube. Walk from Waterloo to Embankment and catch the District line eastbound to Tower Hill. The pier is a five-minute walk from the tube stop.
Thames Rockets
thamesrockets.com
The Thames Rockets Speedboat Tour is TripAdvisor’s number one outdoor activity in London, so you’re guaranteed a fun experience. See over 20 London landmarks as you speed along the Thames, promising an exhilarating, adrenaline-inducing day out.
There are four speedboat experiences available, including a 45-minute Break the Barrier, a 50-minute Ultimate London Adventure or Thames Lates, and an 80-minute Thames Barrier Explorers Voyage. Each tour comes with knowledgeable guide commentary so you can learn about the sights as you travel past them.
Price range: ££ - £££
How to get there: Most Thames Rockets Speedboat Tours depart from the London Eye Waterloo Pier, a six-minute walk from London Waterloo, or Bankside, a short tube journey eastbound on the Jubilee line. Heading to London as a family? Get inspired with our guide to fun days out on Waterloo Southbank.
If you’re planning a boat trip on the Thames, leave your car at home and hop on a train to London. Discover cheap train tickets by travelling off-peak, or save even more with a Railcard. If you’re travelling in a group, you could benefit from GroupSave or a Family and Friends Railcard.
Don't forget to check out SWR Rewards to unlock rewards when you travel with us. Enjoy discounts on any rewards including days out, dining deals, theatre tickets, hotel stays and much more.
