Westminster to Greenwich Thames Cruise & Live Commentary

One Hour Down the Thames: Big Ben to Greenwich by Boat

You board at Westminster Pier and spend an hour on the Thames watching Big Ben, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral and the Cutty Sark pass by, with live commentary or an 11-language audioguide app explaining each one. The boat is wheelchair accessible, has toilets on board, and arrives at Greenwich near the museums and Royal Observatory. Choose a one-way ticket to explore Greenwich afterward, or round-trip to return the same route.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Houses of Parliament and Big Benpass by
2. London Eyepass by
3. Royal Festival Hallpass by
4. Tate Modernpass by
5. St. Paul's Cathedralpass by
6. Shakespeare's Globepass by
7. HMS Belfastpass by
8. Tower of Londonpass by
9. Tower Bridgepass by
10. Cutty Sark40m
11. Royal Observatory Greenwich1h
12. Greenwich1h
13. Old Royal Naval College1h
14. National Maritime Museum1h 30m

Thames cruise and Greenwich sightseeing

• Depart from Westminster Pier
• Pass Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
• Pass London Eye
• Pass Royal Festival Hall
• Pass Tate Modern
• Pass St. Paul's Cathedral
• Pass Shakespeare's Globe
• Pass HMS Belfast
• Pass Tower of London
• Pass Tower Bridge
• Visit Cutty Sark ship
• Visit Royal Observatory Greenwich
• Explore Greenwich Park
• Visit Old Royal Naval College
• Visit Greenwich Market
• Visit National Maritime Museum

The experience

You board at Westminster Pier and the boat pulls away from the Houses of Parliament within minutes. Big Ben rises behind you, and then the commentary starts: someone's voice explaining what you're seeing as it slides past the windows. The London Eye comes into view on the left bank, then St Paul's Cathedral across the water, its dome catching the light. It's a 1-hour journey downriver, and the pace is slow enough that you're not scrambling to take photos or missing what's being said.

The boat passes under Tower Bridge (you see the Victorian ironwork up close, the glass walkway where tourists stand looking down), and then HMS Belfast, the warship frozen in the water like a museum piece. Your audioguide app (available in 11 languages) or the live commentary on board keeps naming things as they appear. Shakespeare's Globe comes up on the south bank, the Tate Modern's brick chimney, the Royal Festival Hall with its brutalist concrete. You're seeing the Thames the way Londoners used to see it: as the main street, not a backdrop.

Greenwich arrives at the end of the hour. The boat pulls in near the Cutty Sark, the tea clipper that's been sitting here since 1869. From the pier you can walk straight to the National Maritime Museum, the Old Royal Naval College with its Painted Hall, or climb up to the Royal Observatory where the Prime Meridian line runs through the ground. The round-trip ticket means you can stay as long as you want and come back the same way, or you can hop off and explore on foot. Toilets are on board if you need them before arrival, and the boat's wheelchair accessible if that matters for your group.

This isn't a guided tour where someone herds you through a script. It's transport that happens to show you London's river landmarks in sequence, with enough explanation that you understand what you're looking at. Book the one-way if you're planning to spend the afternoon in Greenwich, or the round-trip if you want the river twice and a shorter day.

What’s included

• Your ticket includes the 1-hour river journey from Westminster Pier to Greenwich, live commentary on board, and access to the audioguide app in your choice of 11 languages.
• Toilets are available on board.
• If you book a round-trip ticket, you can return to Westminster on a later departure.
• Infants travel free on an adult's lap.

Options for this experience

2 options

One-wayGuide in English · 18 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 16:00Westminster to Greenwich, lasting 1 hour

Round-tripGuide in English · 18 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 16:00Lasting 2 hours, return trip from Westminster to Greenwich and back to Westminster

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day18 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 16:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 200

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Thames River Sightseeing

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see London's riverside landmarks in one smooth hour without walking between them or arranging separate transport. The boat does the moving, the commentary does the explaining, and you stay in one seat the whole way.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years). Under 5: 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.

How long is the cruise from Westminster to Greenwich?

The journey takes 1 hour. Round-trip tickets allow you to return on a later departure.

What languages is the audioguide available in?

The audioguide app is available in 11 languages. Live commentary is also provided on board.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the boat is wheelchair accessible. Toilets are available on board.

Can I bring a pram or stroller?

Yes, infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the journey.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are permitted on board.

Where do I board the cruise?

The cruise departs from Westminster Pier, near the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

What landmarks will I see on the cruise?

You'll pass Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe, the Tate Modern, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, and arrive at Greenwich near the Cutty Sark and National Maritime Museum.

Is this suitable for people with limited fitness?

Yes, the cruise is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You remain seated on the boat throughout the journey.