Whether it’s your family’s first visit to London or your fifteenth, tours of the River Thames offer adventures for all.
For parents looking to make the most of their visit to London, a River Thames Cruise blends fun and learning for a great way to show your kids the sights and sounds of the capital.
Is a London Thames River cruise worth it?
A River Thames cruise is worth it as it offers a fresh view of London’s iconic landmarks, even if you’ve seen them before.
Unlike tour buses stuck in traffic or the city’s busy streets, a Thames cruise lets you relax and enjoy the sights at a comfortable pace and in the open air.
There are a wide variety of River Thames tours available. Here are our top picks for families wanting to make the most of their time in London.
Best afternoon tea on the Thames
Afternoon tea cruises offer a unique combination of afternoon tea and sightseeing.
Afternoon Tea Cruise
Tickets from £55.00: Afternoon Tea Cruise
This tour lets your family have your cake and literally eat it as you take in the highlights of central London while enjoying a traditional English afternoon tea.
Sights covered: Tower of London, London Eye, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, The Shard, HMS Belfast, St Paul’s Cathedral
Reviews: 4.2/5 from 22 reviews on Fever
Minimum age: 2 years+
What’s included in the Afternoon Tea Cruise
This cruise departs from the London Millennium Pier and takes your family on a relaxed tour through the heart of London.
This includes commentary on landmarks like the Tower of London, London Eye and The Shard. Depending on the day, this can be more educational, entertaining or a bit of both!
You’ll also enjoy afternoon tea favourites like sandwiches, pastries and fresh scones with clotted cream and jam. Even the most picky of little eaters will find something to enjoy!
Unlimited tea or coffee is provided throughout the journey for parents and any younger tea drinkers in your family.
How long is the Afternoon Tea Cruise?
An afternoon tea cruise is a relaxed experience. It starts at 3:30 pm and lasts about 90 minutes—perfect for keeping most kids engaged and entertained.
The cruise will finish back at the London Millennium Pier.
Ticket prices for the Afternoon Tea Cruise
Adult ticket prices start from £55, while children’s tickets start from £45.
Where to book the Afternoon Tea Cruise
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: Afternoon Tea Cruise.
Best Thames lunch cruises
Looking to make a meal out of your family’s tour of the Thames?
Two-Course Lunch Cruise
Tickets from £55.00: Two-Course Lunch Cruise
This tour from River Thames Cruises lets you treat your family to both great views and great food.
Sights Covered: Tower of London, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, London Eye, The Shard, Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast
Reviews: 4.5/5 from 783 reviews on Viator
Minimum age: All ages welcome (Children under 2 go for free!)
What’s included in the Two-Course Lunch Cruise?
The name says it all – the centrepiece of this cruise is a two-course meal.
The main dish is chicken with mushroom sauce. For vegetarians, there’s a mushroom cassoulet, but you need to request it when booking. Dessert is a baked rose water and strawberry cheesecake.
As good as the food is, the dishes might be too complicated for the simpler palates of very young children or picky eaters.
The tour takes the same route as the afternoon tea cruise. It heads west into Central London, passing the Houses of Parliament, Canary Wharf and Tower Bridge.
For those looking to get the best views or wanting to take some memorable family photos, the upper deck offers a 360° view of the London skyline.
How long is the Two-Course Lunch Cruise?
Just like the afternoon tea cruise, this lunch cruise takes roughly 90 minutes.
The boat sets off at around 11:45 and arrives back at London Tower Pier at 13:15. This makes a Two-Course Lunch Cruise ideal for breaking up a big family day out, giving you plenty of time to see or do things in the afternoon.
Ticket prices for the Two-Course Lunch Cruise
Adult prices (ages 13 and up) start from £55, and child prices (ages 2-12) start from £41. Entry is free for children aged under 2.
Where to book the Two-Course Lunch Cruise
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: Two-Course Lunch Cruise.
High-speed Thames cruises
High-speed cruises let you and your family explore London from a perspective – and at a speed – you wouldn’t normally experience!
High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London
Tickets from £59.95: High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London
This cruise takes your family on a 12-person speedboat for a fast-tracked tour of the Thames.
Sights Covered: London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Gherkin, The Shard, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and HMS Belfast
Reviews: 5/5 from 3,473 reviews on Viator
Minimum age: 1 year+
What’s included in the High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London?
‘Entertainment’ is the name of the game here.
Not only will you and your family be shooting down the Thames at speeds up to 35 miles per hour, but you’ll also have commentary from professional actors and comedians.
When the guide isn’t talking about London’s landmarks, you can enjoy singalong hits on the on-board sound system. Who doesn’t love a family singalong?
The boat starts by the London Eye and travels east past St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe and Canary Wharf.
Life vests are provided as standard all the way down to infant sizes. Of course, what teens and tweens find exciting will likely be scary for little children. We would therefore recommend this tour for children aged 10+ years.
How long is the High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London?
High-Speed Thames River Speedboat aims to give you and your family a complete tour of London’s must-sees within 50 minutes, ending back at the London Eye Pier.
Ticket prices for High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London
Children’s tickets (for ages 1-14 years) start from £49.95 and adult tickets start from £59.95.
Where to book High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London.
Sightseeing Thames cruises
Looking for a simple, low-cost way to see the sights of the Thames with your family? A classic sightseeing Thames cruise is for you.
Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the Thames
Tickets from £26.00: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise
Make your family’s visit to London your own – This unique tour allows you to chart a sightseeing journey of the Thames at your own leisure.
Sights Covered: Canary Wharf, O2 Arena, Thames Barrier, The Shard, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, HMS Belfast, City Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe, Millenium Bridge, London Eye, Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey
Reviews: 4/5 from 1,111 reviews on Viator
Minimum age: All ages welcome (Free for children under 4)
What’s included in a Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the Thames
Instead of rushing to make boarding times, this cruise lets you board any City Cruises sightseeing boat from any of the four piers. These are Westminster Pier, London Tower Pier, London Greenwich Pier and the London Eye Pier.
This makes a hop-on hop-off cruise a more relaxed option than navigating London’s busy streets or the Underground if you have places to be.
On board, you can enjoy food and drinks from the saloon and listen to commentary from the crew.
All boats are wheelchair accessible and have disabled toilets.
How long is the Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the Thames?
You can make the cruise as long or as short as you like! Start at Greenwich Pier and cruise to Westminster Pier, or fit shorter trips around your other activities. You and your family set the pace.
One ticket lets you hop on and off as many times as you want within 24 hours.
Ticket prices for the Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the Thames
Child tickets (ages 5-15) start from £18, while adult tickets (ages 16+) start from £26. Infants (aged 0-4) can travel for free.
Where to book the Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the Thames
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the Thames.
London River Cruise and Standard London Eye Ticket
Tickets from £46.00: River Cruise and Standard London Eye Ticket
Sights Covered: Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, HMS Belfast, Shakesheare’s Globe, Millennium Bridge
Reviews: 4.5/5 from 1,246 reviews on Viator
Minimum age: All ages welcome (Free for children under 2)
Combine one of London’s best views from above with one of London’s best views from the Thames with this two-in-one family experience.
What’s included in the London Eye River Cruise and Standard London Eye Ticket?
Your family experience starts with the cruise at your chosen timeslot, embarking from the nearby London Eye Waterloo Pier. Key landmarks are picked out and explained by a guide, with pre-recorded audio guides also available in up to 10 languages.
Depending on the time of year, the cruise will be on either an all-weather boat or an open-air craft. Refreshments are available from an on-board bar.
After seeing the best of central London, your family will get to ride the London Eye for a birds-eye view. Of course, this might not be the best attraction for adults or children who don’t do well with heights. This London Eye ticket can also be redeemed up to 90 days after the cruise.
How long is the London Eye River Cruise?
The cruise itself is 40 minutes long, and the accompanying rotation of the London Eye takes 30 minutes.
Ticket prices for the River Cruise and Standard London Eye Ticket
Tickets are £46 for adults (aged 16 years+), £42 for children (aged 3-15 years) and free for infants (aged 0-2 years).
Where to book the River Cruise and Standard London Eye Ticket
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: River Cruise and Standard London Eye Ticket.
Best of London Tour
Tickets from £79.00: Best of London Tour
Experience some of London’s must-see attractions up close with this education three-in-one package.
Sights Covered: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, The Shard, London Bridge, The Gherkin, St Paul’s Cathedral, London Eye, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster, Buckingham Palace
Reviews: 4.5/5 from 750 reviews on Viator
Minimum age: All ages welcome (Free for children under 3)
What’s included in the Best of London tour?
The first stop is a guided tour of the Tower of London early in the day before the crowds can build up. Depending on your ticket choice, your family will also get to watch the Opening Ceremony of the Tower.
A leisurely tour of the Thames from Tower Pier to Westminster Pier comes next. Your family will be treated to both a new perspective on the attractions you’ve just explored and a wonderful view of the waterfront, accompanied by detailed commentary.
Based on the tickets you have purchased, your family will then get to experience either a guided tour of Westminster or the impressive Changing of the Guard.
How long is the Best of London Tour?
One of the longer experiences on our list, this experience takes approximately 4 hours between the tours and the Thames cruise.
Ticket prices for the Best of London Tour
Tickets for adults (aged 15 years+) start at £79 and tickets for children (aged 5-14 years) start at £79, while infant tickets (aged 0-4 years) are free of charge.
Where to book the Best of London Tour
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: Best of London Tour
London in a Day Tour
Tickets from £169.00: London in a Day Tour
Just because your family only has a day in London doesn’t mean you have to skip sights – This tour covers as much ground as possible for a complete family day out.
Sights Covered: Parliament Square, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Shard, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge, Tower of London
Reviews: 5/5 from 401 reviews on Viator
Minimum age: All ages welcome (Free for children under 2)
What’s included in the London in a Day Tour?
This tour starts off with an early-morning tour of Westminster Abbey before heading to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guard. Your family will then watch the equally impressive Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall, stopping for lunch at Trafalgar Square.
Afterward, your family can relax on a river cruise heading to Tower Pier. This is accompanied by insightful commentary.
This busy day of sightseeing ends with an end-to-end tour of the Tower of London.
While not wheelchair accessible, the entire tour is suitable for prams and pushchairs.
How long is the London in a Day Tour?
Altogether, the London in a Day Tour takes approximately 8 hours (including the 30-minute river cruise).
Between the long day, the amount of walking and the early start of 9 am, this tour might not be the best option for very young children.
Ticket prices for the London in a Day Tour
Adult tickets (ages 18+) are £169, children’s tickets (ages 6-17) are £159 and infants (ages 0-5) go free.
Where to book London in a Day Tour
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: London in a Day Tour.
Which Thames cruise to choose for your visit to London
This depends both on the age of your children and the type of trip you’re planning.
Between the time of day you and your family embark, the endless hot drinks and the sweet treats available, an afternoon tea cruise is a great way to unwind after visiting one of London’s other attractions. We recommend it for families with children aged 2 years+.
A two-course lunch cruise is a great way to break up a big family day out. You’ll have time to explore the area around the Tower of London before enjoying lunch and sightseeing on the river. Plus, you’ll still have plenty of time in the afternoon for more adventures.
The complex meals offered on these cruises make them better suited for families with children aged 4 years+.
The High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London is the most exciting cruise on our list. It’s almost like a rollercoaster, making it perfect for families with children aged 10 and up.
The Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise offers great value and convenience. If you’re planning a long day in London, this cruise lets you see most of central London’s top sights at a leisurely pace. It’s a good choice for families with children of all ages.
The London Eye River Cruise offers a jam-packed experience with a range of available time slots, which means it can break up a longer day out like the two-course lunch cruise. All ages will find something to enjoy here.
The Best of London Tour has a lot to offer young history buffs or older children, but most younger kids might struggle to remain engaged. We would recommend this cruise for children aged 8 years+.
Last but not least, the London in a Day Tour is an unforgettable experience that lets your family make the most of even a single day in the city. However, the fact that it involves a lot of walking, starts early in the day and takes up to 8 hours to complete means this is most suited for children aged 10+.
