Best Boat Tours in Reading - practical guide with honest advice and local tips for 2026.
Affiliate links: This page contains affiliate links. If you book through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we genuinely believe in. Read our full disclosure policy.
Cruise the Thames through Reading and surrounding countryside on leisure boats and river trips. We reviewed 5 options ranging from £22 to £35. Best for: couples, families, photographers.
Most boat tours in Reading cost £15-35 per person. Difficulty ranges from easy. Group sizes are typically 2-40. Book online in advance for the best prices.
A gentle two-hour cruise from Caversham Bridge that navigates through working locks and passes meadows, woodlands, and riverside villages.
Price: £22 | Duration: 2 hours | Difficulty: easy
Best for: those seeking relaxing countryside views
A hybrid 1.5-hour tour that splits between the Thames and the Kennet & Avon Canal, showcasing Reading's dual waterway heritage.
Price: £18 | Duration: 1.5 hours | Difficulty: easy
Best for: canal enthusiasts and engineering fans
A 2.5-hour evening cruise departing at sunset, offering views of Reading's waterfront and bridges illuminated against the dusk sky.
Price: £28 | Duration: 2.5 hours | Difficulty: easy
Best for: romantic evenings and special occasions
A one-hour boat tour designed for families with young children, departing from Rivermead Leisure Complex.
Price: £15 | Duration: 1 hour | Difficulty: easy
Best for: families with young children
A 2.5-hour daytime cruise combining a two-course meal with scenic Thames countryside views.
Price: £35 | Duration: 2.5 hours | Difficulty: easy
Best for: food lovers and special celebrations
Best season: Tours run year-round, but May to September when abbey ruins and riverside walks are most enjoyable, plus Reading Festival happens in August is most comfortable for outdoor boat tours.
Cancellation: Most operators offer free cancellation 24 hours before; non-refundable within 24 hours.
Watch out: Expecting major tourist attractions - Reading offers modest historical sites better suited to half-day visits
Compare prices across multiple platforms before booking. GetYourGuide, Viator, and direct operator websites often have different rates.
Best for: food lovers and special celebrations
Best for: families with young children
Best for: romantic evenings and special occasions
Best for: canal enthusiasts and engineering fans
Best for: those seeking relaxing countryside views
Live availability from our partner Viator