The 7 Best Sightseeing Cruises in London

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

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

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 😃”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Tootbus Must-See Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3,653 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $52

Use Tootbus to see London’s major sights without mastering the Underground on day one. Ride open-top buses past Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s, and more, then hop off to explore. Your ticket includes a City Cruises Thames ride, child-friendly commentary, four walking tours, Wi-Fi, and an app with live bus locations.

“Practical and easy way to explore London highly recommended”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Westminster to Greenwich Sightseeing Thames Cruise in London

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

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”

Check availability →Read our full review