River Thames Things to Do: Boats, Lunch and Windsor

Plan the day around the water

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.

Explore Tours, River cruises, Greenwich, When to visit, Getting there.

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.