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Women at the front of a boat heading towards Tower Bridge

Best London Thames River Cruises

 

Best London Thames River Cruises

As the second-largest river in the UK, the Thames stretches an incredible 346km (215 miles). Perhaps its most famous section is the Central Tideway and Estuary, covering 97km (60 miles) through all the iconic landmarks, from the London Eye to the Tower of London. 

A London boat tour is one of the best ways to explore both the river and the sights, starting from as little as £20. Whether you’re looking for an affordable hop-on-hop-off adventure or a luxury sail, we’ve gathered the best London Thames river cruises.  

Can you cruise the Thames?

You can cruise the Thames with a range of different services available. Many come with an audio guide in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish, allowing you to relax without the traffic of bus tours. Uncover Central London in style, whether you’ve landed a beautiful day with the unpredictable British weather, or want to round off your evening.

Do you need to book a Thames River cruise in advance?

It’s best to book your London cruise in advance, particularly in peak seasons like the height of summer. Some boat trips are accessible with an Oyster card, or serve as a taxi like an Uber boat, rather than river cruises.

How long does a Thames River cruise take?

Your Thames river boat cruise can vary from as little as 40 minutes to three hours. This depends on whether or not you’ve booked dining and entertaining options, or packages. For example, Lastminute offers a short 40-minute river cruise with a London Eye ticket.

How much is a cruise on the Thames?

Prices for Thames cruise tickets range from as little as £15 to £99, depending on the package you choose. For example, simple journeys like the Thames Clippers offer discounted tickets under £15, but a jazz dinner cruise can be just short of three figures.  

Is there a dress code for Thames River cruise?

You’ll find a relaxed dress code on any lunch cruise or evening cruise with dinner options. This is not heavily enforced, but it’s generally advisable to avoid trainers, ripped jeans and sports gear.

Whatever your style or budget, enjoy the best of the River Thames with our sightseeing cruise guide.

Sightseeing Thames Cruise

This highly affordable Westminster to Greenwich boat trip covers all the famous architecture in London’s world-famous skyline. Start at Westminster Pier, close to our Victoria branch with unspoilt views of the London Eye. 

Enjoy a one-hour tour as you pass by the Tate Modern, St Paul’s Cathedral and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, before disembarking on Greenwich Pier. Here you can take a leisurely approach and explore the surrounding areas, including the 19th Century clipper ship, the Cutty Sark, and the Royal Observatory. 

You can take a single or round trip, with regular return cruises back from Greenwich throughout the day. Group trips are available for up to 200 people at once. Book tickets for the Thames River sightseeing cruise here

Dinner Cruise on the Thames River

Make a day of it with the Thames River dinner cruise. This three-hour tour lets you see London during twilight hours, accompanied by a four-course dinner of British classics. Starting at Westminster Pier, this romantic boat ride lets you see all the sights including the Houses of Parliament (home to Big Ben), Tower Bridge and London Bridge. 

The tour passes Canary Wharf before returning to Westminster. After your meal, you can enjoy live music and hit the dancefloor as the sun sets over the city. You’ll need to book in advance for this one as there’s a three-day cancellation policy, but it’s more than worth it. If you’re looking for a family dinner cruise in London, bear in mind there is a minimum age of 13.

Enjoy this magical boat ride with outstanding table service and live entertainment. It’s all yours from £71.20 each.

Afternoon Tea Cruise on the Thames London

Why not combine a Thames river cruise with afternoon tea? This daytime treat runs from Thursdays to Sundays, starting at Tower Pier next to the famous Tower of London. Enjoy the view of The Shard from the moment you embark, and get ready to indulge in sweet and savoury classics.

This is one of the shorter city cruises, lasting 90 minutes, but it’s no less extraordinary. You’ll have an endless supply of tea, plus a selection of delectable finger sandwiches and cakes. You can even upgrade to a glass of bubbly. When you’re done dining, you’ll come back to where you started

Book yours with City Cruises London from £55.00 for adults and £45.00 for children aged two and up.

Thames Jazz Dinner Cruise

Liven things up with this Thames jazz dinner cruise for two. Ideal for couples, this nighttime London river cruise allows you to see the city twinkle while you dine over a three-course dinner. Experience three hours of awe-inspiring sunsets with vistas of The Shard and the Gherkin. Let the sounds of live jazz wash over you in this relaxing jaunt for lovers.

This tour starts and finishes at Westminster Pier, just a stone’s throw from our Charing Cross hotel. As you’d expect from an evening of high-class entertainment, there is a dress code. Maintain smart casual with no jeans or trainers and you’ll fit right in.

You can book it all from £99.00 and up – but it’s best to book fast as it sells out quickly.

Thames Sunset Cruise

For a romantic boat ride, London delivers again and again. The Thames Sunset Cruise offers panoramic views of the London Eye, The Shard and the HMS Belfast, great for winding down before a night out. 

Cruise between the hours of 6:30pm and 8:30pm in this stunning tour, watching London transition from day to night. You’ll get a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or a soft drink, plus snacks to keep you going. It sets sail from Tower Pier and returns there, during which you can have an informal gaze out over the landmarks with a loved one.

Enjoy a range of aperitifs including vegetarian and vegan options. Providing outstanding photo opportunities, this London evening boat cruise is available from £42.00, or £39.00 with a voucher.

Try all the best Thames boat trips with The Clermont

There’s nothing like a London boat ride to help you see all the sights in one. Let the river pass by slowly to the sound of live music, or take in a history lesson with a live commentary. Whichever you choose, you can guarantee an exquisite stay at The Clermont. Book your room today.