Budget-conscious travelers wanting the classic sightseeing route
This provides the essential Westminster to Greenwich leg, covering the highest density of landmarks like the Tower of London and Cutty Sark at a low entry price.
Compare rows ↓Buying guide
When booking a Thames cruise, compare simple point-to-point sightseeing tickets against comprehensive bundles that include the London Eye or guided walking tours. For the most iconic views, the Westminster-to-Greenwich route is the gold standard, while combo tickets offer significant savings for those planning to visit multiple landmarks in one day.
This provides the essential Westminster to Greenwich leg, covering the highest density of landmarks like the Tower of London and Cutty Sark at a low entry price.
Compare rows ↓It bundles the river cruise with the London Eye and a hop-on hop-off bus, which is more cost-effective than booking these three major experiences separately.
Compare rows ↓This option pairs a professional walking tour with the cruise, ensuring you understand the historical significance of the waterfront before seeing it from the river.
Compare rows ↓Ticket module
Open a ticket type first. Seller cards stay sorted by official benchmark first, then price.
Fast partner checkout
Guided and hosted options

Fast partner checkout

Guided and hosted options

Fast partner checkout

Guided and hosted options

Fast partner checkout

Guided and hosted options
Tiqets GetYourGuide
Decision matrix
London: Sightseeing Cruise Flexible Ticket (Tiqets id: Tiqets Standard ticket)
Compare rows ↓02London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour (GetYourGuide id: GetYourGuide Standard ticket)
Compare rows ↓03London: Guided Walking Tour + River Cruise (Tiqets id: Tiqets Tours / guided tickets)
Compare rows ↓04Thames Cruise: Westminster to Greenwich (Tiqets id: Tiqets Combo or bundle)
Compare rows ↓05London: Westminster Guided Tour with Thames River Cruise (GetYourGuide id: GetYourGuide Skip-the-line / priority access)
Compare rows ↓06London: Sightseeing Cruise Flexible Ticket (Tiqets id: Tiqets Standard ticket)
Compare rows ↓Insider tips
FAQ
No. On the Thames, 'skip-the-line' or 'priority' typically only means you bypass the physical ticket office queue. All passengers must still join the boarding queue at the pier, which can be 20–30 minutes long during peak summer afternoons at Westminster or Tower Millennium piers.
As of 2026, all major operators including City Cruises and Uber Boat by Thames Clippers accept mobile vouchers. You simply show the QR code on your phone to the pier staff or scan it at the gate; however, ensure your phone is charged as piers rarely have public charging points.
For timed sightseeing cruises, tickets are generally valid only for the specific slot booked. While staff may allow you on the next available boat if there is space, this is not guaranteed during the busy May–September season; 'Flexible' or 'All Day' tickets are safer if your schedule is uncertain.
Children under 5 usually travel free but may still require a 'zero-value' ticket for capacity counting on sightseeing vessels. Residents with a Freedom Pass or Oyster 60+ card receive significant discounts on the Uber Boat (River Bus) but these discounts rarely apply to private sightseeing tours or dinner cruises.
Most piers have light security screening. Large suitcases and bulky luggage are often discouraged or prohibited on smaller sightseeing boats due to limited floor space; if you are traveling between hotels, use the larger Uber Boat (River Bus) which has dedicated luggage racks.
Seating is almost always first-come, first-served. To get a spot on the upper deck during May's pleasant weather, you should arrive at the pier at least 20 minutes before your departure time to be at the front of the boarding line.
Most cruises operate 'rain or shine' as boats have heated indoor cabins with large windows. Official tickets are often non-refundable, so if you want weather flexibility, book through partners like GetYourGuide or Tiqets which frequently offer 24-hour cancellation policies.