River Thames at a glance
The River Thames runs from Gloucestershire through countryside and towns to London and the estuary. Oxford, Windsor and Henley offer different river settings from the tidal water through London. Choose a stretch before choosing a boat: London river bus services and Oxford cruises serve different routes. A trip on the water can be paired with a walk or a visit ashore, provided you allow time for each part.
River experiences
Choose a flexible sightseeing pass or a single river bus journey. For a meal on the water, compare afternoon tea and dinner.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Dinner cruise with live music
- Live music
- Glass of sparkling wine
- Tea and coffee
A three-course dinner on the river, with optional dancing. Book this dinner cruise online in advance.
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50-minute Thames speedboat ride
- Guide onboard
- Life jackets
- Music onboard
A sightseeing ride with an experienced skipper.
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Central London afternoon tea cruise
- Selection of sandwiches
- Scones with clotted cream
- Unlimited tea and coffee
Traditional afternoon tea is served on a central London cruise. Champagne is part of the upgrade option.
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Westminster to Greenwich by river
- Live commentary in English
- Audioguide in 11 languages
A sightseeing trip to Greenwich with English live commentary.
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One-day river sightseeing pass
- Unlimited hop-on-hop-off
- Commentary in 14 languages
Use the pass at four piers for flexible sightseeing. Attraction entry is separate.
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Single river bus journey
- Comfortable indoor seating
- Covered outdoor areas
A one-way journey between eligible Central and East piers.
Check availability →River Thames
Compare river experiences and check the details for your date.
Boats, food and days beside the river
In London a sightseeing journey and a flexible pass meet different needs. Dinner and afternoon tea sailings centre on a meal, while a RIB ride offers a faster experience. Greenwich brings museums and the waterfront together; further west, gardens and palace visits can shape another day. At Oxford, a local cruise starts from Folly Bridge. For Windsor, check whether the selected excursion includes castle admission.
Explore the river
Tours
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River cruises
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Dinner cruise
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Afternoon tea
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Speedboat
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River bus
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Evening on the river
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History
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Greenwich
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Oxford
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Windsor
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Upper Thames
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Thames Path
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Thames Barrier
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When to visit
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Getting there
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Where to stay
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Things to do
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Good to know before you go
Start with the place you want to see and work backwards from its opening or departure time. A pier is a meeting point as well as a transport stop, and operators can use different names for nearby piers. The name on your own confirmation is the useful one. Check the directions and allow time to reach the boarding point. If your plans involve more than one sailing, look at the last departure that fits your route before you set out.
Think about how much time you want ashore. A quick view from the river and a visit inside a building are different experiences. Museum and attraction admission is separate unless the particular option says otherwise. If you want a flexible day, compare the ticket’s validity and participating stops with the timetable. Validity tells you when a ticket may be used; it does not describe the duration of a single sailing.
Tickets and practical choices
Before paying, read the route, starting point, direction and inclusions for the option you have selected. A single journey, a return and a pass give you different ways to travel. A meal, drink or attraction entry belongs to a booking only when listed for that option. Check the conditions for your own party as well, including any requirements for children and accessibility at the places you intend to use.
Bring a layer for time outside and consider where you will go after the trip. On a busy itinerary, leaving a little space between activities makes it easier to enjoy the river without rushing from one meeting point to the next. The published schedule for your date is more useful than assuming every service follows the same pattern. Check for changes before setting off, especially when your onward plans depend on a particular sailing.
Tower Bridge
The bridge is a landmark when planning a river route.
Big Ben & Houses of Parliament
The Westminster waterfront is another useful point of orientation.
Buckingham Palace
Plan a separate visit around its own opening arrangements.
Making the most of your time
Keep the journey and the visit at your destination in mind as separate parts of the day. A boat can be the main experience, a way to travel between places, or one part of a longer itinerary. Choose a direction that leaves you where you want to be afterwards. If you plan a return by water, check that the return sailing fits the time you want to spend on shore.
Compare the details for the people travelling with you, including the meeting point, access and the facilities you need. A flexible ticket helps when you want to stop along a route, but it still depends on the published service. A fixed departure is easier to fit around another reservation. For any meal or special option, read what is actually included before choosing.
More independent guides to London
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one London landmark.
Big Ben
The clock tower, the chimes, tours and the best views in Westminster.
Buckingham Palace
State Rooms tickets, the summer opening and Changing the Guard.
Houses of Parliament
Guided tours, free public galleries and Westminster Hall.
Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge Exhibition, the glass-floor walkways, bridge lift times and Thames views.
Frequently asked questions
How should I choose a ticket?
Compare the route, validity and inclusions of the option that fits your day.
Should I check the departure point?
Yes. Use the meeting point on your booking and allow time to reach it.
Are attraction tickets included?
Check the selected option and arrange any separate admission you need.
Is this an official website?
No. This is an independent guide to the river and its visitor experiences.