Compare Thames cruise tickets & London river itineraries
Compare Thames Cruise Guide experiences side by side. Find the best fit for your itinerary, interests and travel time, with clear advice before booking.
Which experience is right for you?
Start with what matters most. We’ll suggest a fit and explain the tradeoff.
Select a priority to see our recommendation.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
Choose the river bus when getting off to explore is the main aim. For one journey compare a single ticket; for several stops compare the pass against the actual journeys you will take.
Keep in mind: A river-bus ticket does not include the Tower of London or London Eye. Pass names and validity differ: confirm zones, start time, expiry and any excluded services in the exact option.
Read the guide and compare tickets →Thames sightseeing cruises
Choose a sightseeing cruise if the journey itself should explain the landmarks. Decide whether you need one-way transport, a return cruise or time ashore before comparing offers.
Keep in mind: A sightseeing return ticket is not necessarily a hop-on hop-off pass. Departure piers, operator and final destination must match the voucher, not just the attraction name.
Read the guide and compare tickets →Thames dinner cruises
Choose dinner on the river for a celebration or a relaxed evening together. Compare the menu, table arrangements and entertainment before the headline duration.
Keep in mind: A river-view table or sunset is not guaranteed unless your selected option explicitly promises it. The actual light depends on the date and departure time.
Read the guide and compare tickets →Thames afternoon tea cruises
Choose tea if you want the boat trip to be a restful part of the day. It works well after a morning attraction, provided you leave a generous boarding buffer.
Keep in mind: This is a fixed sailing, not a way to hop between sights. Confirm dietary options, children’s meals and what drinks are included in the ticket.
Read the guide and compare tickets →Thames lunch cruises
Choose lunch when daylight views matter more than an evening atmosphere. Build a morning and afternoon around one fixed sailing, without trying to use it as flexible transport.
Keep in mind: Menus and drinks vary by package. Do not assume that a cruise passing the Tower includes entry, a landing or the chance to leave the boat.
Read the guide and compare tickets →Thames speedboat rides
Choose a speedboat when excitement matters more than stopping at attractions or eating on board. Compare the route and full experience, not only the advertised maximum speed.
Keep in mind: Check the operator’s health, age and height restrictions before booking. This is not a suitable substitute for scheduled transport between piers.
Read the guide and compare tickets →Tower of London by river
Book the Tower as your main timed attraction and use the river to connect the rest of the day. One major attraction plus a boat journey is more comfortable than three rushed admissions.
Keep in mind: Tower admission is separate from Uber Boat unless a specific combined product includes both. Tower Pier and Tower Bridge Quay are different departure points.
Read the guide and compare tickets →London Eye by river
Choose the Eye as a second anchor only when you can leave a generous gap after the Tower and boat journey. Otherwise keep the South Bank as a flexible walk and book the Eye for another day.
Keep in mind: An Uber Boat ticket does not include an Eye rotation. London Eye River Cruise is also a separate product from London Eye admission.
Read the guide and compare tickets →Greenwich by river
Choose Greenwich when you prefer one neighbourhood explored properly. Compare a transport-only ticket with the pass and Painted Hall package if that interior is on your list.
Keep in mind: Greenwich Pier serves maritime Greenwich. North Greenwich Pier serves The O2 and is a different stop. Other Greenwich attractions are not automatically included in a Painted Hall package.
Read the guide and compare tickets →| Experience | Best for | Location | Planning allowance | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uber Boat by Thames Clippers | Flexible sightseeing with several stops | River Thames, London | Build your own day | Compare tickets → |
| Thames sightseeing cruises | Commentary and a sightseeing journey | Westminster to Greenwich | Allow space for both directions | Compare tickets → |
| Thames dinner cruises | A meal and an evening on the river | Central London | An evening | Compare tickets → |
| Thames afternoon tea cruises | Tea and sightseeing together | Central London | An afternoon | Compare tickets → |
| Thames lunch cruises | A daytime meal on the river | Central London | Lunchtime | Compare tickets → |
| Thames speedboat rides | A faster sightseeing experience | River Thames, London | A short activity plus check-in | Compare tickets → |
| Tower of London by river | History as the anchor of your day | Tower Pier, London | A substantial morning or afternoon | Compare tickets → |
| London Eye by river | A skyline finish to your river day | South Bank, London | A timed visit plus queues | Compare tickets → |
| Greenwich by river | A full riverside destination day | Greenwich Pier, London | Most of a day | Compare tickets → |
Detailed comparisons
Uber Boat vs Thames Sightseeing Cruise: Which Ticket Fits Your Day?
Choose Uber Boat for transport and time ashore. Choose a sightseeing cruise when commentary and the boat journey are the main event.
Read the guide →Uber Boat Single, Return or River Pass: How to Choose
Choose the ticket after sketching your route. Two useful boat journeys can be better than an unlimited pass you barely use.
Read the guide →
Thames Dinner Cruise vs Afternoon Tea: Which Should You Choose?
Choose dinner for your main evening plan, afternoon tea for a daytime pause, or lunch to keep the evening free.
Read the guide →
Save 5% on your first booking
Explore the first-booking offer and check eligibility before choosing your tickets.