On the water · RIVER CRUISES IN THE UK

River Cruises in the UK: Our 15 Best

24 tours  ·  from $16 a head

The 15 best river cruises in the UK you can book today, with the per-person price, how long you are aboard and who each one suits. Start at the top and work down.

London: Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise - Why the Thames is the right way to see central London
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London: Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise

1.Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22,836 reviews · 1 - 2 hours · from $22Our pick

Travel by boat from Westminster to Greenwich in about an hour, passing Parliament, the London Eye, Tate Modern, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. Expect lively English commentary from the crew, with a smartphone audio guide in six languages. Choose one way or return, then walk to Greenwich Market, the Cutty Sark, and the Royal Observatory.

“A great experience! The crew was amazing especially the live commentary they gave us.”

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London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise - Covent Garden to the Tower: London’s historic center
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London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

2.London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 10,803 reviews · 3 hours 35 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Ride Big Bus London’s open-top double-decker through three routes linking Buckingham Palace, Westminster, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s, Notting Hill, and the British Museum. Use the 24-hour or 48-hour pass to hop off at major sights, or stay aboard for the full circuit. Select options include a Thames cruise, walking tours, and an evening panoramic ride.

“Good tour - took us off the normal tourist path! Gave good history of city! Always fun on big bus! Take the bus 😃”

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London: Tootbus Hop-on Hop-off (Optional River Cruise) - Yellow and Blue routes: London’s main sights
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London: Tootbus Hop-on Hop-off (Optional River Cruise)

3.Tootbus Hop-on Hop-off (Optional River Cruise)

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 7,045 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $47

See London by Tootbus across 24, 48, or 72 hours, with open-top routes linking Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s, Soho, and more. Use the app for live bus locations, audio commentary, and self-guided walks. Add the one-way City Cruises trip between Westminster and Tower Pier for a fine river-level view of London.

“So easy! Guides were waiting to help you with any questions and give out maps etc. the route was perfect to see everything you needed to. We had 2 kids and the weather was 30 degrees so this was perfect for us all to enjoy the sites without them having meltdowns!”

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London: Westminster to Tower Bridge River Thames Cruise - The first stretch: Westminster to Embankment
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London: Westminster to Tower Bridge River Thames Cruise

4.Westminster to Tower Bridge River Thames Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6,127 reviews · 30 minutes - 1 hour · from $18

Board at Westminster Pier for a 25 to 30 minute Thames cruise past Parliament, St. Paul’s, Tate Modern, the Globe, and The Shard. Choose a one-way trip to Butler’s Wharf or return by changing boats there. Crew commentary is often funny and engaging, and boats have an open deck, indoor seating, and a bar.

“The tour guide announcer during the cruise was very useful and informative”

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London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour - Start at Stop 12 beside the London Eye
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London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

5.London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5,332 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $74

See London from three angles: an open-top Big Bus, the London Eye, and a Thames cruise between Westminster and Tower Pier. Use the bus to reach Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s, and more. Book your Eye time in advance, then let the Big Bus app guide your route and bus connections.

“We used the hop-on hop-off during the Underground strike. Although the drivers couldn’t get you from point A to point B quickly they were incredible in assisting you and worked well past the scheduled end time of 18:00.”

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Manchester: Canal & River Cruise - Starting under the blue and white Millennium Lift Bridge
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Manchester: Canal & River Cruise

6.Manchester: Canal & River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,638 reviews · 1 hour · from $16Best value

Spend one hour cruising from Salford Quays along the Manchester Ship Canal and River Irwell. An English commentary explains Manchester’s industrial past as you pass MediaCityUK, Old Trafford, Imperial War Museum North, Pomona Docks, Stephenson’s 1830 railway bridge, and Hulme Lock. Choose indoor or outdoor seating, with light refreshments and a toilet on board.

“Great value and I was expecting something very basic. Didn’t realise there was going to be tables and a reasonably priced bar on board. Lady behind the bar friendly and chatty which is also nice.”

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Liverpool: Sightseeing River Cruise on the Mersey River - Boarding at Liverpool Pier Head
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Liverpool: Sightseeing River Cruise on the Mersey River

7.Liverpool: Sightseeing River Cruise on the Mersey River

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 4,153 reviews · 1 day · from $17

Cruise from Liverpool Pier Head aboard the Colourful Dazzle Ferry or Royal Iris. In 50 minutes, you’ll see the Three Graces, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool Cathedral, and the Wirral while listening to free commentary in 10 languages. Bring headphones and a jacket. A café, toilets, indoor seating, and accessible main-deck access are available.

“Interesting and informative commentary. Comfortable safe seating facing outwards. Would of liked the cruise to have gone a bit further but overall a very pleasant activity.”

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London: Thames River Cruise with Optional London Eye Ticket - Westminster Bridge and the Palace of Westminster
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London: Thames River Cruise with Optional London Eye Ticket

8.Thames River Cruise with Optional London Eye Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,900 reviews · 45 minutes - 1.5 hours · from $20

Board beneath the London Eye for a relaxed 40-minute Thames cruise to Tower Bridge and back. An English-speaking guide such as Mitch, George, Ben, or Josh brings the landmarks to life with facts, jokes, and well-timed photo tips. Choose the London Eye option if you want both attractions.

“River cruise was very enjoyable. It was nice to sit drown a minute and relax. Josh was awesome. Funny and informative!”

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London: Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-off with Optional River Cruise - Red Route: the best introduction to central London
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London: Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-off with Optional River Cruise

9.Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-off with Optional River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 3,875 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $35

Use a one, 24, or 48-hour Big Bus ticket to visit London landmarks across three routes and more than 50 stops. Add a Thames cruise, guided Royal Walk, Harry Potter and Jack the Ripper tours, or a two-hour evening ride. Expect recorded commentary, helpful staff, heavy traffic, and fine upper-deck views.

“It was great and very useful to get to k ow the city in the first days”

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London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise - Starting at Coventry Street and Trafalgar Square
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London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise

10.London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3,834 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $53

You can tour London by double-decker bus on three routes covering Buckingham Palace, Westminster, St Paul’s, the Tower of London, museums, and Notting Hill. Use the app to track buses, listen to adult or children’s commentary, and add a Thames sightseeing cruise. Passes last one, two, or three days.

“Was a fabulous day with my daughter, all the bus crew were friendly and helpful. The river cruise interesting.”

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London: Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames - The food: a proper afternoon tea, with sensible expectations
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London: Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames

11.Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,274 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $53

Enjoy a 1.5-hour afternoon tea cruise from Tower Pier to the Houses of Parliament and back. You’ll get sandwiches, warm scones, cakes, unlimited tea and coffee, and commentary as London landmarks pass by. Seats are assigned, tables usually seat four, and panoramic windows help everyone see the sights.

“Had the best time! Food and tea aren’t as good as a high tea, but the views and experience were so worth it!”

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London: River Thames Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise - London Eye Pier and the South Bank
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London: River Thames Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise

12.River Thames Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,112 reviews · 1 day · from $33

Cruise central London and Greenwich aboard a wheelchair-friendly, all-weather City Cruises boat. Hop on at Westminster, London Eye, Tower, or Greenwich Pier, then ride as far as you like within 24 hours. Expect live historical commentary, open-air views, indoor seating, and a bar selling coffee, drinks, and snacks.

“Another good way of sight seeing London. Really t enjoyed would do it again. The commentary was awesome educational with a bit of bunter.”

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Westminster to Greenwich Sightseeing Thames Cruise in London - Shakespeare’s Globe and HMS Belfast change the mood
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Westminster to Greenwich Sightseeing Thames Cruise in London

13.Westminster to Greenwich Sightseeing Thames Cruise in London

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,969 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $22

Sail east from Westminster Pier to Greenwich in about an hour, passing Big Ben, the London Eye, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. Live commentary adds context, while a return ticket gives you time to visit the Cutty Sark, Royal Observatory, Greenwich Market, and more.

“This was a wonderful tour. Next time we would come earlier to spend more time in Greenwich. Loved the vantage point of the Thames River”

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London: River Thames Evening Cruise with Bubbly and Canapés - Canary Wharf turns the cruise modern
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London: River Thames Evening Cruise with Bubbly and Canapés

14.River Thames Evening Cruise with Bubbly and Canapés

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,493 reviews · 2 hours · from $37

Set sail from Tower Millennium Pier for a relaxed two-hour Thames cruise with one glass of sparkling wine or a soft drink, canapés, live chill-out pop, and views of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Canary Wharf, the London Eye, and the Houses of Parliament. Choose the indoor saloon or open-air upper deck.

“The entertainment was really enjoyable, the singer was very talented. The canapés were terrible. Almost un edible. Thank goodness there was only 5 tiny ones. That being said I would totally go again. Also maybe 2 glasses of bubbly instead of 1 would have been nice”

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London River Thames Lunch Cruise - A comfortable boat with views from every side
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London River Thames Lunch Cruise

15.London River Thames Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,014 reviews · 1h 45m · from $48

Board at Tower Pier beside the Tower of London for a 105-minute lunch cruise past Tower Bridge, the Shard, London Eye, and Parliament. You receive a reserved table, two-course meal, tea, and coffee, with drinks available to buy. Commentary may come from the captain or a live host and can be both informative and funny.

“Wonderful event and a great intro to the sights and vibe of London. We chose the lunch cruise for our 1st day in London and it was everything we hoped it would be. We relaxed while enjoying the sights, enjoying a wonderful meal and getting an excellent feel for the city. Highly recommended for your intro to wonderful London! Make it your first ‘Must do’ !”

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New in River Cruises in the UK

★ 4.8Oxford: Sightseeing River Cruise with Afternoon TeaFrom $78328 reviews
★ 4.5Harry Potter Walking Tour with Thames River CruiseFrom $36370 reviews
★ 4.870-Minute Thames Barrier Speedboat TourFrom $99308 reviews

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