Thames River Cruise — Westminster to Greenwich
River CruiseCultural Experience1 hour
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Why we love it
This is genuinely one of the best ways to understand London's geography. The commentary is informative without being cheesy, and arriving at Greenwich by river — seeing the Naval College and the Cutty Sark from the water — is one of the city's great approaches.
Best for
First-time visitorsFamiliesPhotography enthusiastsAnyone tired of walking
Our tips
- Sit on the right-hand side heading downstream for the best views of the South Bank and Tower Bridge
- The open upper deck is best in good weather; the lower deck has better commentary speakers
- Combine with a visit to the Royal Observatory or the Cutty Sark at Greenwich
- Contactless/Oyster card river bus services cover the same route cheaper — but without the commentary
In detail
The Thames was London's main transport artery for centuries before the Tube existed, and seeing the city from the river gives you a completely different understanding of how it was built and why things are where they are. The Westminster to Greenwich route is the best introduction.
You'll board at Westminster Pier, directly beneath the Houses of Parliament, and head downstream. The first stretch passes the South Bank cultural complex — the Royal Festival Hall, the National Theatre, the Tate Modern in its repurposed power station — before you reach Tower Bridge. Most boat services slow down here to let passengers photograph what is genuinely one of the world's great bridges.
Past Tower Bridge, the river opens up. You'll see the old Wapping warehouses that once held half the world's traded goods, the glittering towers of Canary Wharf rising from what was the West India Docks, and the entrance to the Greenwich foot tunnel. The contrast between old and new London is nowhere more visible than from the river.
The approach to Greenwich is the highlight. The Old Royal Naval College, designed by Christopher Wren, is one of the finest architectural set pieces in England. Arriving by river — as it was designed to be approached — with the Queen's House framed perfectly between the twin domes, is one of London's great visual moments.
Once at Greenwich, you can explore the town, visit the Royal Observatory (where GMT was established), or simply take the boat back. It's a genuinely practical and scenic way to cover a large stretch of London without fighting the Tube.
What's included
Included
- One-way river cruise from Westminster Pier to Greenwich Pier
- Live English commentary throughout the journey
- Access to open-air upper deck and enclosed lower deck
Not included
- Return journey (can be purchased separately or use TfL river bus)
- Food and drinks (snack bar available on board)
- Entry to Greenwich attractions
Frequently asked questions
No. The TfL Thames Clipper is a commuter river bus service that covers a similar route and accepts Oyster/contactless payment — it is cheaper but has no commentary. This is a dedicated sightseeing cruise with narrated commentary, which makes it much better for first-time visitors who want to understand what they are seeing.
Absolutely — and we recommend it. Take the cruise one way to Greenwich, explore the town (the Royal Observatory, the Cutty Sark, Greenwich Market), and return by DLR from Cutty Sark station. It is a satisfying full half-day.
Yes. Children under 5 typically travel free, and the open upper deck keeps them entertained. The journey is only an hour, which is a manageable attention span. Bring snacks — the onboard prices are steep.
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