Seeing the city from the Thames is one of the ways we recommend getting your bearings on a first trip. The choice is between a narrated sightseeing cruise, a boat you can use to travel from one place to another, and special trips such as afternoon tea. These are different products with different fares and stops, so decide which experience you want before booking.
Which Thames boat trip suits your day?
| Option | Best for | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Sightseeing cruise | Commentary and landmarks viewed from the river. | Departure pier, duration, whether it returns to the same pier, and the commentary format. |
| Hop-on hop-off sightseeing pass | Stopping at several riverside areas. | Pass validity and which piers you can use. |
| Uber Boat by Thames Clippers | A practical point-to-point river journey. | Fare zones, timetable and whether one journey or a day ticket suits you. |
Allow time at the piers, especially if you have a reserved attraction slot afterwards. Conditions on the water can be cooler than on the street; we would bring an extra layer when travelling with children.
Sightseeing cruises and routes
City Cruises serves piers including Westminster, London Eye, Tower and Greenwich. Its 24-hour hop-on hop-off river pass suits a day with stops along the river, while a single journey may suit a visit to Greenwich. Check the live sailing schedule and your ticket’s pier conditions before you plan a return trip.
The existing route image is a visual guide; use the operator’s current pier map and timetable for live service details.
The London Eye River Cruise is a narrated circular trip lasting about 40 minutes, returning to London Eye Pier without stops in between. A London Eye and cruise combination is available; compare the final cost and book the required times rather than assuming a bundle always saves money.
Bus tour, pass and cruise combinations
Some hop-on hop-off bus packages include a one-way river cruise. This is part of the ticket you have paid for, and the direction or availability depends on the operator and package. Check the exact cruise inclusion before choosing a separate boat ticket.
The London Pass attraction list currently includes a City Cruises 24-hour river pass; check your pass type and any booking instructions. If you plan to visit several paid attractions, our London Pass guide explains how to compare the total cost.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
Uber Boat is a scheduled river service rather than a narrated sightseeing tour. You can use it for a trip between piers such as London Eye, Tower and Greenwich, and enjoy the river views en route. Some boats have open-air seating, subject to the vessel and weather; the purpose of the service is transport rather than guided commentary.
You can pay as you go by touching in and out with an Oyster or contactless card, or choose a ticket such as a one-day hop-on hop-off ticket. Check the current fare rules for zones, peak times and concessions. River Bus fares do not count towards the normal TfL daily cap for Tube and bus travel.
A TfL-issued Travelcard may give a discount on eligible standard river fares, but it does not make the boat journey free. We have removed the old fixed Roamer prices and Oyster percentage claims; compare the fare offered for your actual journey or day ticket.
Special cruises and New Year’s Eve
Dining, afternoon tea and speedboat experiences differ from ordinary sightseeing services. Check the operator’s age rules, boarding point, cancellation terms and what is included in the ticket. A special cruise should be planned as its own activity rather than squeezed into a tight transport connection.
New Year’s Eve departures have separate tickets and timings. See our London New Year’s Eve cruises guide for current choices.
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.