London Sightseeing Bus Tour
See tours

London from the water

Thames river cruise in London: four boats compared

A Thames river cruise in London on this site starts at $65 for 1.5 hours with afternoon tea: a pot of tea, sandwiches and cakes while you pass historic buildings, rated 4.4 on 3,960 reviews. A 3-hour dinner cruise with a 3-course meal, live performance and dancing past the illuminated landmarks costs $91. A private boat with its own crew is $1,968 for 2 hours. The $30 canal boat at Camden Lock is not on the Thames, but it is the cheapest boat here. Four boats, for anyone who wants the river sights with tea or dinner on board.

The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben lit up at night, three people in silhouette at a rail

Quick answer

The short answer. For the most reviews on the river, the afternoon tea cruise at $65 (3,960). For an evening out, dinner at $91. For the lowest price on any boat, the Camden canal ride at $30.

Thames cruises at a glance

Boats compared
4plus one combo ticket with a cruise
Lowest on the Thames
$65afternoon tea, 1.5 hours
Lowest on any boat
$30Camden canal, 1.5 hours
Longest
3 hoursdinner cruise, $91
Private boat
$1,9682 hours, 10 reviews
With the London Eye
$73combo with a hop-on hop-off bus

Boat by boat

Each Thames river cruise, and the canal boat

What each listing names, with its price, length and rating.

  • Afternoon tea on the Thames — $65, 1.5 hours

    A pot of tea with a selection of sandwiches and cakes past historic buildings; 4.4 on 3,960 reviews.

  • Dinner on the Thames — $91, 3 hours

    A 3-course meal, live performance and dancing past the illuminated landmarks; 4.3 on 2,526 reviews.

  • A private boat — $1,968, 2 hours

    Your own boat with a dedicated crew; the captain talks about the landmarks on the way. 4.7 on 10 reviews, and the price basis is on the listing.

  • Camden canal boat — $30, 1.5 hours

    Through Hampstead Road Lock past London Zoo, Camden Market and Regent’s Park with live commentary. It is on the canal, not the Thames; 4.6 on 1,322 reviews.

Cruise plus a ticket

Cruises sold inside combination tickets

London Eye and river cruise tickets come as one combo here, at $73: London Eye entry, a hop-on hop-off double-decker bus and a Thames river cruise, rated 4.4 on 6,768 reviews. Its listing gives no duration. It is the only listing here sold as London Eye and river cruise combo tickets; the $218 day below includes both as well.

For Tower of London and river cruise tickets, two full days include both. The $218 day takes 9 hours with a private Tower tour, St Paul’s Cathedral, a cruise and a London Eye flight (4.6 on 173 reviews). The $222 day takes 9.5 hours with Tower entry, a cruise and cream tea (4.5 on 35 reviews). The Tower on its own is in the Tower of London guide.

Every trip, current fare

Four boats and a combo, side by side

Price, listed length, what the listing names first, the price per hour and the rating with its review count.

TourLengthPriceWhat you getCost per hourRating
London: Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River ThamesSandwiches and cakes90 min$65Afternoon tea on the Thames$43.334.4 · 3,960
London: Dinner Cruise on the River ThamesLive performance and dancing3 h$913-course meal on the Thames$30.334.3 · 2,526
London: Canal Boat Ride on Camden LockPast London Zoo and Camden Market90 min$30Through Hampstead Road Lock$20.004.6 · 1,322
London: 2 hour private luxury Thames boat cruise / hireDedicated crew2 h$1,968Private luxury motor boat$984.004.7 · 10
London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus TourHop-on hop-off bus$73London Eye entry—4.4 · 6,768

Which one if…

Which boat to book

Matched on the listing facts only: price, length and what is served on board.

  • …you want the lowest price on any boat

    The Camden canal ride at $30, 1.5 hours.

  • …you want an afternoon on the Thames

    Afternoon tea at $65.

  • …you want an evening out

    Dinner with live performance and dancing at $91.

  • …you want the boat to yourselves

    The private boat at $1,968, 4.7 on 10 reviews.

  • …you would rather have tea on a bus

    Afternoon tea on a Routemaster costs $62 to $65; see the afternoon tea bus guide.

Worth it?

Is a Thames river cruise worth it?

The canal boat is cheapest per hour.

Per hour, the canal boat costs $20.00, the dinner cruise $30.33 with a 3-course meal, and afternoon tea $43.33. The private boat is $984.00 an hour, which only makes sense if the price covers your whole party; check on the listing.

On reviews, the tea cruise has 3,960 at 4.4 and the dinner cruise 2,526 at 4.3. The canal boat rates higher, 4.6 on 1,322. The private boat rests on 10 reviews.

Book direct

Book a Thames river cruise

Tea and dinner on the Thames first, then the canal boat, the private boat and the combo.

London: Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames
Sandwiches and cakes3,960 reviews
90 min

London: Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames

★ 4.4 · 3,960 reviews

  • 1.5 hours, Afternoon tea on the Thames
  • Sandwiches and cakes
  • Must book at least 5h in advance
  • Free cancellation
$65$43.33 / hour
Check availability→
London: Dinner Cruise on the River Thames
Bestseller2,526 reviews
3 h

London: Dinner Cruise on the River Thames

★ 4.3 · 2,526 reviews

  • Three hours, 3-course meal on the Thames
  • Live performance and dancing
  • Bestseller
  • Free cancellation
$91$30.33 / hour
Check availability→
London: Canal Boat Ride on Camden Lock
Past London Zoo and Camden Market1,322 reviews
90 min

London: Canal Boat Ride on Camden Lock

★ 4.6 · 1,322 reviews

  • 1.5 hours, Through Hampstead Road Lock
  • Past London Zoo and Camden Market
  • Live commentary
  • Free cancellation
$30$20.00 / hour
Check availability→
London: 2 hour private luxury Thames boat cruise / hire
Dedicated crew10 reviews
2 h

London: 2 hour private luxury Thames boat cruise / hire

★ 4.7 · 10 reviews

  • Two hours, Private luxury motor boat
  • Dedicated crew
  • Must book at least 2 days in advance
  • Free cancellation
$1,968$984.00 / hour
Check availability→
London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
Bestseller6,768 reviews

London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

★ 4.4 · 6,768 reviews

  • London Eye entry
  • Hop-on hop-off bus
  • Bestseller
  • Free cancellation

Common questions

Thames cruises in London, answered

How much is a Thames river cruise in London?

From $65 for 1.5 hours with afternoon tea and $91 for 3 hours with dinner. The private boat is $1,968 for 2 hours; whether that is per person or per boat is on the listing.

Is food included on the cruise?

On two of them it is the point: a pot of tea with sandwiches and cakes on the $65 cruise, a 3-course meal with live performance and dancing on the $91 one.

Is the Camden canal boat on the Thames?

No. It goes through Hampstead Road Lock past London Zoo, Camden Market and Regent’s Park, with live commentary, 1.5 hours for $30 (4.6 on 1,322 reviews).

Can I hire a private boat on the Thames?

Yes: 2 hours on a boat of your own with a dedicated crew and a captain who talks about the landmarks, $1,968, rated 4.7 on 10 reviews.

Where can I buy London Eye river cruise tickets?

The $73 combo sells them together with a hop-on hop-off bus. The Eye on its own and with other attractions is in the London Eye guide.

Are there cheap London Eye and river cruise tickets?

The lowest price for both here is $73, and the bus comes with it. The other listing with the Eye and a cruise is a 9-hour guided day at $218.

Can I get London Eye and Thames cruise tickets without the bus?

Not as a ticket: the $73 combo always includes the hop-on hop-off bus. The $218 guided day has the Eye and a cruise with the Tower and St Paul’s instead.

Want these next to the bus tours, day trips and food walks? All 68 tours on this site sit on the home page, sorted into six price bands; the tea and dinner cruises are in the $50–100 band.

68 tours compared→

Go deeper

More guides to London

London City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Bookable Extras

★ 4.3 · 8,774 reviews

$33our top pick Check dates→