Thames River Cruises in London

• Sightseeing cruise (1 hour one way): Westminster to Greenwich with live commentary. The best all-rounder, and Greenwich makes a great half-day once you land. A 2-hour round trip is available if you'd rather sail straight back.
• Hop-on hop-off pass (24 hours): City Cruises lets you board at Westminster, the London Eye, Tower or Greenwich from 10am. Worth it if you'll use the boat to move between several sights; for one scenic ride, a one-way cruise is simpler.
• Cruise + London Eye: a 40-minute circular cruise from the Eye plus a standard Eye ticket you can use within 90 days.
• Lunch or afternoon tea (90 minutes): two courses or a full afternoon tea between Tower Pier and Westminster.
• Dinner (about 3 hours): a welcome drink, a set menu and live entertainment after dark.
• Speedboat (50 minutes): open boats for up to 12 people, with a guide, at up to 35 mph.

Almost everything leaves from a handful of central piers, so pick your cruise by where you'll be that day.

• Westminster Pier, by Big Ben: the Greenwich sightseeing run and City Cruises' dinner and jazz cruises.
• London Eye Pier (London Eye (Waterloo) on the river bus): the Eye's own cruise and Thames Rockets speedboats.
• Tower Millennium Pier, beside the Tower of London: lunch, afternoon tea and evening drinks cruises.
• Butler's Wharf Pier, on the south bank just past Tower Bridge: Tea on the Thames.
• Embankment and Greenwich: river-bus stops, and Greenwich is the eastern end of most sightseeing routes.

If you're combining the river with the Tower of London or Westminster, start or finish your cruise at that pier and you won't waste time crossing town.

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is London's river bus: fast catamarans running from early morning until late at night, seven days a week. Stops include Westminster, Embankment, London Eye (Waterloo), Bankside, London Bridge City, Tower and Greenwich. It's a commuter service rather than a tour, so don't expect commentary, but the views are the same.

Pay as you go by touching in and out at the pier readers with the same contactless card or Oyster. Tap fares are cheaper than buying at the pier ticket office, but they don't count toward your daily cap on the Tube and buses. TfL Travelcard holders get a third off standard fares. The operator's current tap fares are only valid until 31 October 2026, so check thamesclippers.com for November prices before you budget.

Choose the river bus if you're using the Thames as transport, say Westminster to Greenwich and back on your own schedule. Choose a sightseeing cruise if you want a guide pointing out what you're passing.

Daytime meals show you more of the city; dinner cruises are about the lights and the occasion. The City Cruises lunch cruise boards at 11:30am at Tower Pier for a 90-minute run with two courses and tea or coffee, from $72. The same company's afternoon tea cruise covers the same stretch with sandwiches, scones and unlimited tea from $54, and child menus make it the family pick.

For dinner, the three-hour City Cruises cruise from Westminster Pier includes a welcome drink, three courses and a live performer, from $94. The operator asks for smart casual dress: no flip-flops, leisurewear or ripped jeans. The smaller Tea on the Thames boat from Butler's Wharf scores higher (4.91) but on far fewer reviews. Our dinner cruise comparison breaks down exactly what each one includes.

If you've already done a slow cruise, or you're traveling with teenagers, book a speedboat. The Thames Rockets ride leaves the London Eye Pier, takes in Big Ben, the London Eye and St Paul's with a guide, then opens up to as much as 35 mph downriver. Groups max out at 12, and it's the highest-rated product on this page.

Expect wind and spray, especially in November. Pregnant passengers can't ride, it isn't recommended for anyone with back or heart problems, and children under 14 must ride with an adult.

For photos, go in daylight. In November and December that means an early-afternoon departure, because it's dark by late afternoon. The upside of winter is that evening cruises get the city lights without a late night, and dinner cruises are fully after dark. In December, pair an evening cruise with the lights and markets in our Christmas in London guide.

Whatever you book, get to the pier early: City Cruises asks dining guests to arrive 20 minutes before departure, and Tea on the Thames asks for 15.