London: 45-Min Speedboat Tour Tower Bridge & Parliament

Forty-five minutes on the Thames at full throttle, seeing London from the water.

You board at Embankment or Westminster Pier, spend 45 minutes on a high-speed boat seeing Parliament, Tower of London, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf with a live guide explaining what you're passing. Groups stay small, twelve people maximum, so you hear the commentary clearly even at full throttle. Lifejacket and poncho are included, and you're back on the pier before the afternoon really starts.

Step-by-step itinerary

London speedboat sightseeing tour

• Board speedboat at Embankment or Westminster Pier
• Hear guided commentary on Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
• Pass by London Eye with commentary
• View The Shard while listening to guide
• See HMS Belfast with guided insights
• Pass Tower of London and Execution Dock commentary
• Hear about Tower Bridge during the cruise
• Enjoy commentary on Canary Wharf
• Complete 45-minute speedboat tour

The experience

"Hold on, we're about to hit the throttle," the guide calls out as the speedboat pulls away from the pier. And then it does: the engine roars, the bow lifts, and suddenly Parliament and Big Ben are sliding past at a speed that makes the stone look like it's moving toward you instead of the other way around. The Houses of Parliament come first, their Gothic spires sharp against the sky, and the guide's voice cuts through the engine noise with facts about the building that actually stick because you're seeing it from an angle most people never do. Forty-five minutes sounds short until you're on the water and realize how much of London's history is stacked along this one stretch of the Thames.

The boat passes HMS Belfast next (a real warship, gray and heavy, sitting in the water like it's still on duty), and then the Tower of London appears, the medieval fortress where executions happened for four centuries, including Captain Kidd's. Tower Bridge comes into view, the bascule bridge everyone knows, and by then you've already passed The Shard catching the light and the London Eye turning slowly on the far bank. The guide keeps talking, pointing things out, and because the group stays under twelve people, you can actually hear him even at speed. The modern sound system helps, but mostly it's just that the boat isn't packed. You're not shoulder-to-shoulder with thirty other tourists trying to get a photo.

The route finishes at Canary Wharf, where the glass towers of the financial district rise up like something from a different city entirely. By then the Thames has shown you medieval fortresses, Georgian Parliament, Victorian engineering, and twenty-first-century money all in the same afternoon. You get a lifejacket and a plastic poncho if the weather turns (and on the Thames, it can), so you're not worrying about spray or sudden rain. The whole thing is forty-five minutes, which means you're back on solid ground before lunch, but you've covered more of London's waterfront than most people see in a week of walking.

What’s included

Your ticket includes the 45-minute high-speed speedboat cruise with live guide commentary, a lifejacket, and a complimentary plastic poncho if weather requires it. You'll pass the Houses of Parliament, London Eye, The Shard, HMS Belfast, Tower of London, Execution Dock, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf, with the guide explaining the history and significance of each landmark as you cruise at speed.

Options for this experience

2 options

Canary Wharf - WestminsterGuide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:50Canary Wharf Experience: a 45-minute trip to Canary Wharf and back, departing from Westminster Pier (Boarding Point F). Starting point: Westminster Pier, London SW1A 2JH, UK

Canary Wharf - EmbankmentGuide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:45Canary Wharf Experience: a 45-minute trip to Canary Wharf and back, departing from Embankment Pier (Boarding Point 1). Starting point: Embankment Pier, Victoria Embankment, WC2N 6NU, London WC2N 6PA, UK

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:50

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 13 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Thames Rib Experience

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to see London's main river landmarks in under an hour without walking or navigating between sites. The high speed and small group size mean you cover a lot of ground and hear the guide clearly, though it's not suitable if you have back, heart or spinal conditions, or if you're pregnant.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (3 to 13 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the minimum age for this speedboat tour?

Children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Children 14 and over can travel without an adult at parent or guardian discretion. All children must weigh at least 15kg (2.36 stone).

Where does the boat depart from?

You can choose either Embankment Pier or Westminster Pier as your starting point.

What happens if the weather is bad?

A complimentary plastic poncho is provided if weather dictates. The tour runs unless conditions are unsafe.

How many people are on the boat?

Groups are capped at 12 passengers to keep the experience personal and ensure you can hear the guide.

Is this tour suitable for people with back or heart problems?

No. Passengers with heart conditions, back problems, spinal injuries or pregnancy cannot travel on this tour.

What time should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time.

What's included in the ticket?

The 45-minute high-speed river cruise, lifejacket, complimentary poncho if needed, and guided commentary on the sights.

Can I change my booking?

Changes made after booking are subject to a £35 admin fee. If you miss the trip, refunds or reschedules are not offered.