A visit to London isn’t complete without a cruise on the River Thames. Thames River Sightseeing operate regular services from five piers on the River Thames including Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier, Butler’s Wharf Pier (Tower Bridge) & Greenwich Pier. Thames River Sightseeing cruise 361 days a year & operate a fleet of all-weather vessels with spacious open decks perfect for the summer months & heated saloons with panoramic windows for the colder months. The vessels range from more traditional River Thames passenger boats (London Rose) to more modern vessels purposefully built for the River Thames (Thomas Doggett).
Passengers can embark at Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier, Butler’s Wharf Pier or Greenwich & take advantage of a range of ticketing options. Single tickets are suited for day trippers or passengers travelling in or out of London & return tickets allow passengers to disembark & explore before joining a return sailing later the same day. A 2 Day River Pass is the perfect option for anyone visiting London over multiple days. A River Pass allows unlimited travel on our services.
Thames River Sightseeing also offer excellent group rates & discounts which are perfect for families, tour companies or travel trade.
Why Choose Thames River Sightseeing?
- Modern & traditional sightseeing boats with open decks, heated saloons & toilet facilities.
- Regular Departures: Every 30 Minutes in the Summer & Every 40 Minutes in the Winter.
- Onboard Café Bars serving hot drinks, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks & light snacks. (Dependent on Availability)
- Scenic cruises between Westminster, Embankment, Festival, Bankside, Butler's Wharf & Greenwich.
Tickets can be booked direct through the Thames River Sightseeing Website, click the links below to find out more about our public cruises.
Destinations
Westminster Pier is located on the North shore of the River Thames in the City of Westminster. The pier is a short walk from the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament), Westminster Abbey & St. Margaret’s Church (A UNESCO World Heritage Site). Numerous museums & landmarks are within walking distance of Westminster Pier including the Banqueting House, Household Cavalry Museum, the National Gallery & the London Eye.
Embankment Pier is located on the North shore of the River Thames next to Charing Cross Railway Bridge and Embankment Station.
Embankment Pier is just a short walk from Westminster Pier, Villiers Street, the Strand and a number of famous landmarks.
Festival Pier is located on the south shore of the River Thames next to Royal Festival Hall in the heart of the Southbank Centre. The National Theatre, London Eye, OXO Tower Wharf, & County Hall (Home to the London Aquarium, London Dungeon, Shrek’s Adventure and more) are only a few minutes from Festival Pier. Festival Pier is popular with corporate & private charters, our daytime sightseeing cruises with Thames River Sightseeing also call at Festival Pier.
Bankside Pier is located on the south shore of the River Thames next to the Millennium Bridge within the London Borough of Southwark. Bankside stretches from Blackfriars Railway Bridge to the edge of London Bridge City & is one of London’s newer tourist hot spots. Bankside & the surrounding area is home to a variety of historical & contemporary attractions including Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, the Clink Prison Museum, Golden Hinde II, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tate Modern, Bankside Gallery & the Millennium Bridge. Bankside is also home to numerous riverside restaurants, pubs, bars & is just a short walk from London Bridge City, the City of London & the South Bank.
Butler’s Wharf Pier is located on the South shore of the river next to Tower Bridge. Butler’s Wharf is in the heart of Shad Thames with plenty of bars, restaurants & photo opportunities. The pier is a short walk from the Tower of London, HMS Belfast, London Bridge & the Shard.
Greenwich Pier is located on the South shore of the River Thames in Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The pier sits between the famous tea clipper Cutty Sark & Sir Christopher Wren’s Riverside Masterpiece, the Old Royal Naval College. Today the Royal Borough of Greenwich is an eclectic mix of historical & modern buildings. Greenwich town centre is home to a collection of museums, pubs, restaurants, markets & shops.