Is a Thames river cruise worth it?
Yes: around £14 for an hour past Big Ben, St Paul's, the Tower and Tower Bridge is London's best-value sightseeing. Go one way to Greenwich on a clear afternoon.
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Our pick: Westminster to Greenwich · Free cancellation
Bottom line — is a Thames river cruise worth it?
Yes, at around £14 it's the best-value sightseeing hour in London. Take the Westminster to Greenwich route one way, sit on the open top deck, and build a Greenwich afternoon around it.
Quick Facts
- Departures
- Frequent daily sailings from Westminster Pier
- Route
- Westminster to Greenwich, about 1 hour each way
- Age suitability
- All ages
- Wheelchair accessible
- Yes, on most boats
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation (most tickets)
How we scored the Thames River Cruise
Our methodAround £14 to float past most of London's riverside icons is the cheapest great view in the city.
The Westminster to Greenwich stretch packs in Big Ben, St Paul's, Shakespeare's Globe, the Tower and Tower Bridge, with live commentary on sightseeing boats.
Boats are big and departures frequent. Midday summer sailings fill the top deck first; go off-peak for the best seats.
The best-value sightseeing hour in London, and a genuinely useful way to reach Greenwich.
Best time to visit the Thames River Cruise
Live forecastThames River Cruise is largely outdoor — slots below combine crowd levels with the live weather forecast.
- 6pm🌤️Mostly sunny, 23°CGreat
- 8pm☀️Clear, 23°CGreat
- 10pm☀️Clear, 22°CGreat
- 6pm🌤️Mostly sunny, 25°CGreat
- 8pm🌤️Mostly sunny, 24°CGreat
- 10pm☁️Cloudy, 21°CGreat
Typical hour-by-hour →
Cruise one way to Greenwich and make an afternoon of it: the Cutty Sark, Greenwich Park and the Royal Observatory are all a short walk from the pier. Heading downstream, the left side of the boat gets St Paul's and the Tower.
Best Thames River Cruise tickets, compared
All London attractions →| Ticket Type | What's Included | Price from | TripScore | Our Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
RECOMMENDED Westminster to Greenwich Classic sightseeing route |
| £14.00 per adult | 8.8 Best Overall | View tickets → |
Westminster to Tower Bridge Shorter city stretch |
| £13.00 per adult | 8.0 | View tickets → |
Uber Boat Hop-On Hop-Off River bus day pass |
| £11.00 per adult | 7.6 | View tickets → |
Dinner Cruise Evening with welcome drink |
| £81.00 per adult | 7.4 | View tickets → |
We compare prices from GETYOURGUIDE · KLOOK · VIATOR · TIQETS …
What visitors say
Visitor reviews currently unavailable for this attraction. See ticket options for partner-specific ratings.
Why the Thames River Cruise is worth it
- ✓The cheapest way to see most of London's riverside icons in one go.
- ✓Live commentary that is actually worth listening to on the sightseeing boats.
- ✓Doubles as transport: end the cruise in Greenwich and explore from the pier.
- ✓Frequent departures from Westminster Pier, so it slots around any itinerary.
Common Thames River Cruise mistakes
- ✗Doing a round trip when one way plus the DLR or Tube back is quicker and more varied.
- ✗Expecting commentary on Uber Boat river buses, which are transport rather than tours.
- ✗Braving the open deck in winter without layers: the river wind is biting.
- ✗Squeezing onto a midday summer sailing instead of a quieter morning or golden-hour one.
How the Thames River Cruise compares
Other top London attractions ranked by TripScore.
Worth it on day one as a moving overview of the landmarks, not as transport. Ride a full loop from the top deck in the morning, then switch to the Tube.
Yes, it's London's best immersive art experience and a perfect rainy-day plan. Timed entry keeps it calm, and you can stay as long as you like.
Thames River Cruise FAQ
Is a Thames river cruise worth it?▾
Yes. For around £14 the Westminster to Greenwich sightseeing cruise passes Big Ben, St Paul's, Shakespeare's Globe, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge in about an hour, with live commentary. Nothing else in London shows you as much for as little.
How long is the Thames cruise from Westminster to Greenwich?▾
About an hour each way. Most people cruise one way, spend the afternoon in Greenwich, and return by DLR or Tube.
Which side of the boat should you sit on?▾
Heading downstream from Westminster, the left (north) side faces St Paul's and the Tower of London; the right side gets the London Eye, the Globe and Tower Bridge's south bank. The open top deck sees everything, so board early for a seat there.
What's the difference between a sightseeing cruise and Uber Boat?▾
Sightseeing cruises are slower, with live commentary and open viewing decks. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is a fast river-bus service: cheaper and great for getting around, but with no commentary and commuter-style seating.
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Our pick · From
£14 · Westminster to Greenwich
Last reviewed · Editorial verdict by tickets.uk editorial team · Structured feed