Thames River Boat Cruise

Please check the official site for schedule amendments.  Please note: From October 2021 there will be no services to/from Greenwich, services only between Westminster and Tower piers.

The best way to explore London, enjoy a 24-hr Thames river cruise with The London Pass, plus access to 80+ London attractions.  

Enjoy access to the Thames river cruise with the London Pass®

• Pay nothing at the gate, simply show your pass.
• Enjoy 24-hour access.
• Choose between two tour durations, 30 minutes, or three hours.
• Pass central London’s most iconic landmarks, including the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and Westminster.

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- About River Thames Boat Cruise

- River Thames Boat Cruise highlights

- River Thames facts 

- Don’t Miss

- Know before you go

- Getting in

- Make the most of your London Pass

- How to get there

About River Thames Boat Cruise

Today the river is a popular site for both travel and leisure. A Thames river cruise is, without doubt, one of the best ways to see London, meandering through the heart of the city, past so many of its most famous attractions. See and experience the sights and splendour of this great city from the relaxed comfort of City Cruises’ modern, all-weather boats with open upper decks and spacious lower saloons with panoramic windows.

Travel in style with the River Red Rover, all-weather boats, equipped with comfortable seats, hot and cold refreshments and spectacular views of London. In between the allocated stops, you’ll have access to a guided commentary of the many sights along the Thames. Whether you stay for the full ride or hop off at any of the stops, you’ll enjoy a fascinating tour of London in comfort.

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Thames River Cruise highlights

Float alongside some of the oldest and most impressive buildings London has to offer, such as:

• Houses of Parliament
• Westminster Abbey
• Big Ben
• The London Eye
• The Tower of London
• Tower Bridge
• Shakespeare’s Globe
• Tate Modern
• Cutty Sark
• Canary Wharf
• HMS Belfast battle-cruiser
• Millennium Footbridge

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River Thames facts

• The river Thames is the second-longest river in the UK, stretching 215 miles
• You’ll often find rowers and kayakers using the river to practice their water sports
• The name is derived from the Latin Tamesis referring to ‘dark’ and was called the Temese in Middle English
• The River Thames contains over 80 islands
• In the early 1600s the river Thames froze over, and a series of tents and amusements were set up over the water – including bowling on ice!

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Don’t miss

Westminster Pier

If you’re after some of London’s most historic landmarks, Westminster Pier is an excellent option to explore some of London’s most ‘Prestigious’ landmarks. Learn about England’s fascinating diplomatic history with a trip to the Cabinet War Room and Churchill Museum. View the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey, where today’s most crucial political decisions are made. View the iconic clock tower and listen out for Big Ben’s ring. Or visit the Queen’s official residence, Buckingham Palace.

Alternately, venture into Soho, Leicester Square, or Covent Garden and pop into any of the quirky restaurants and shops. Keep an eye out for street performers, in Covent Garden square ranging from street dance to live music. Or Visit Tate Britain to view centuries worth of British art.

London Eye Pier

Set along London’s famous Southbank area, you can immerse yourself in the “cultural heart” of the city. Stroll along the famous esplanade, past street performers and pop-up eateries to the more edifying landmarks. See London from a vantage point from the top of The London Eye. Experience one of the world’s most extensive aquariums consisting of, Sharks, Penguins, Rays and more, plus the world’s first whale sanctuary, at the London Aquarium.

The British Film Institute offers a world-class collection of films from classic and contemporary to independent releases. Alternately, The National Theatre, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Royal Festival Hall provide live performances, leading art exhibitions and literary events. Further along the river, you can find Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Tate Modern.

Tower Pier

Tower Pier is the most popular stop on the River Cruise. It allows you to explore the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, two of London’s most famous landmarks. Hop off to experience Tower Bridge’s iconic ‘Glass Floors’ and ‘Victorian Engine Rooms’ or view the Crown Jewels kept in the Tower of London’s ‘Jewel House.’

With close links to the financial city and Saint Katharine’s Dock, you have the Monument, HMS Belfast, the Great Fire memorial by Christopher Wren and the Design Museum all within easy reach. Step aboard the famous WWII battleship, HMS Belfast and learn about life on deck. Or see a 3D printer in action at the design museum.

Greenwich Pier (currently unavailable)

Slightly removed from busy Central London, Greenwich pier is great for experiencing the palatial grounds of Greenwich Park, as well as the independent shops the area has to offer. This relaxed part of the capital offers a host of attractions to visit and landmarks to see, including the Painted Hall, Queens House, and the Old Royal Naval College.

The newly refurbished Cutty Sark is open to explore and learn about its nautical past. Not far is the National Maritime Museum, the largest museum of its kind. Stop by the historic Greenwich Market for a collection of independent stalls selling arts & crafts, food, jewellery fashion and antiques. Stand on the historic Prime Meridian Line, where east meets west at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. 

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Know before you go

Be sure to check out the latest timetable here before your visit. 

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Getting in

Show your London Pass at Tower or Westminster piers to receive your cruise ticket.

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Make the most of your London Pass®

• Find out more about Thames City Cruises with our Interview with a Captain on the London Pass Blog.
• Opt for The London Pass with Oyster Travelcard option - your travel will be included in your package.

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How to get there

Underground
- Westminster station - District, circle and jubilee lines.
- Waterloo station - Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, Waterloo and City lines.
- Tower Hill station - District and Circle lines.
- Cutty Sark station – DLR line.

Train
- Waterloo station

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See all attractions

"The Only Way to Visit London! Last year three of us visited London and each had a three day London Pass. We found it good value for money and we certainly had our money's worth, managing to do two visits each day. We will definitely buy London Passes for our next visit and have recommended it to our friends."
Andrew from UK

Visiting Thames River Boat Cruise

Visiting Thames River Boat Cruise

• Thames River Boat Cruise Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment, London SW1A 2JH
• Closest Underground Station Westminster
• Closest Bus Stop Stop G: Route 12 53 159 453 N109 N155 N381
• Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Stops Red Route - Stop 18

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