Thames River Sightseeing Ticket: Flexible One-Way Cruise Between Westminster, Tower Bridge and Greenwich
Quick answer
The Thames River Sightseeing ticket costs $18 and covers one one-way cruise on the day you choose, with no departure time to pick.
You board at Westminster, Tower Bridge or Greenwich; Westminster to Greenwich takes about 1 hour, and GetYourGuide rates it 4.4/5 from 31+ reviews.
Thames River Sightseeing
Flexible One-Way Thames River Cruise Ticket
4.4 (31) · from $18
The Thames River Sightseeing ticket is a flexible one-way cruise pass for $18: you choose a date, not a time, and board any scheduled boat between Westminster, Tower Bridge (Butler's Wharf) and Greenwich. It is the cheapest way I know in this city's list to ride a crewed sightseeing boat for a single leg.
The detail that changes the decision is the commentary. The operator says live commentary runs on the Westminster to Tower Bridge and Westminster to Greenwich routes, so a leg that starts at Greenwich or Tower Bridge may not have it. The listing, by contrast, promises live commentary on the ticket as a whole.
| Operator | Thames River Sightseeing (sold on GetYourGuide) |
|---|---|
| Boat | Crewed river sightseeing boat with open decks, heated indoor saloons, toilets and a licensed bar |
| Price | $18 per person (about GBP 13.50); the operator's own adult price starts at GBP 13.50 and child at GBP 9.25 |
| Validity | One day, one one-way leg; you pick the date and board any scheduled departure |
| Journey time | Westminster to Greenwich 1 hour; Westminster to Tower Bridge and Tower Bridge to Greenwich 30 to 40 minutes each |
| Piers | Westminster Pier, Butler's Wharf Pier, Greenwich Pier |
| Commentary | Live crew commentary and app audio in several languages; live commentary is stated for the Westminster routes |
| Languages | English, Spanish, Chinese, German, Italian and French |
| Accessibility | Toilets and wheelchair access on all vessels, per the listing and operator |
| Cancellation | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before |
| Rating | 4.4/5 from 31+ reviews on GetYourGuide |
What is the Thames River Sightseeing ticket and how does it work?
It is a one-way ticket for a scheduled public sightseeing boat, bought for a date but not a time. You board at one of three piers and get off at another, and the operator says tickets are accepted at any time on the same date if you miss a boat.
- Buy the ticket on GetYourGuide and choose the date.
- Pick a pier among Westminster, Tower Bridge (Butler's Wharf) and Greenwich.
- Arrive 15 minutes before the boat you want, with the e-ticket on your phone.
- Ride one leg, then get off at the pier you chose.
It is not a hop-on, hop-off pass. The operator sells a separate 1-day pass that stops at six piers, so check which one you need.
Where are the piers and how do you reach them?
Westminster Pier is beside Westminster station, Greenwich Pier is by Cutty Sark, and Butler's Wharf Pier is on the south bank by Shad Thames. The first two walk times come from OpenStreetMap foot routing.
| Pier | Address | Nearby | Map |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster Pier | Victoria Embankment, SW1A 2JH | Westminster station, 250 m (3 min) | Westminster Pier |
| Butler's Wharf Pier | Shad Thames, SE1 2YE | Tower Bridge view; the operator links it to the Tower of London across the river | Butler's Wharf |
| Greenwich Pier | King William Walk, SE10 9HT | Cutty Sark DLR, 137 m (2 min) | Greenwich Pier |
Walk from Westminster Pier to Westminster station · Walk from Greenwich Pier to Cutty Sark DLR
For fares to Westminster or Greenwich, use Transport for London. The operator says Oyster and contactless cards do not work at its boarding gates, so keep the e-ticket ready.
How long does each leg take?
A full Westminster to Greenwich ride takes about an hour, and the shorter legs take 30 to 40 minutes. These times come from the operator's FAQ, and the listing's range of 25 minutes to an hour is looser.
| Leg | Time | Commentary stated by operator |
|---|---|---|
| Westminster to Greenwich | about 1 hour | Live commentary |
| Westminster to Tower Bridge | 30 to 40 minutes | Live commentary |
| Tower Bridge to Greenwich | 30 to 40 minutes | Not stated for this leg |
1 hour is how long the operator says a one-way ride from Westminster Pier to Greenwich Pier takes.
That makes the ticket a transport-plus-sightseeing option for Greenwich: an hour on the water instead of an Underground ride, which the operator itself admits can be faster underground.
What does the timetable look like this autumn and winter?
Boats run roughly from 10:00 to the late afternoon, and the timetable changes on 2 November 2026. From now to 1 November the "low summer" timetable applies; after that the winter one has fewer sailings.
| Period | Westminster departures | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| 7 September to 1 November 2026 | 10:00 to 16:00, plus 16:30 to Tower Bridge only | every 30 minutes |
| 2 November to 31 December 2026 | 10:20 to 15:40 | every 40 minutes; no service 24 to 26 December |
| 2 January to 12 February 2027 | 10:20 onwards, winter pattern | see the operator's timetable |
The first boat back from Greenwich leaves at 11:10 in the low summer timetable and at 11:30 in winter. A few late sailings are one-way only, which the operator marks with asterisks, so a late return may not exist.
What is on board?
You get a crewed boat with open decks, indoor heated saloons, toilets and a licensed bar, according to both the listing and the operator. Prices at the bar are not given.
- Decks: open-air seating and heated indoor saloons.
- Bar: snacks, alcoholic and soft drinks sold on board.
- Toilets and access: on all vessels, with wheelchair access.
- Languages: app audio in several languages; crew commentary as above.
- Tips and food: not included in the ticket.
The operator says the crew points out over 40 landmarks, and its list opens with Parliament and the London Eye and runs through Tate Modern, a warship museum and Tower Bridge.
How does it compare with other London river cruises?
It is the lowest-priced crewed Thames ticket in our London set, because it sells one leg rather than a loop. The table lines up the river-cruise listings.
| Option | Price | Format | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible one-way ticket (this page) | $18 | One leg, any boat that day | 30 to 60 min |
| London Eye river cruise | $21 | Circular cruise from County Hall | 45 min to 1.5 hours |
| Evan Evans Crown Jewels tour | $158 | Guided coach tour with a 30-minute cruise | 4 hours |
| Lunch cruise on the Thames | $70 | Meal cruise | 105 min |
For loop cruises, dinner boats and party boats, see the full river cruise in London page.
Is the Thames River Sightseeing ticket worth it?
It is worth it as a cheap, no-booking-pressure ride that doubles as transport to Greenwich. It is not the best pick if you want a round trip or fixed seats in good weather.
- Flexible plans: no time to choose, and a missed boat is covered the same day.
- Greenwich day: one leg out by boat, then the DLR or another route back.
- Budget: $18 against $21 for the loop, so a loop is only $3 more.
- One leg only: a return needs another ticket, so price it before booking.
When is the best time to go?
Spring and early autumn give the best mix of dry days and long sailing hours, and the boat runs through the winter on a reduced timetable. The tables use 2025 weather and 2026 sunsets for central London.
| Month | 2025 avg high | 2015-2024 avg high | Rain days 2025 | What it means for this trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6.6°C | 7.8°C | 13 | Cold; stay in the heated saloon, winter timetable |
| Feb | 7.8°C | 9.2°C | 10 | Cold and wet; winter timetable |
| Mar | 12.7°C | 11.0°C | 3 | Mild and dry; a good quiet month |
| Apr | 17.5°C | 13.8°C | 3 | Fresh; deck with a jacket |
| May | 20.0°C | 17.4°C | 8 | Warm and mostly dry; a strong pick |
| Jun | 24.5°C | 20.9°C | 8 | Warmest; long evenings, shade inside |
| Jul | 24.4°C | 22.6°C | 9 | Warm; busy decks, board early |
| Aug | 23.5°C | 22.4°C | 7 | Warm; busiest season |
| Sep | 18.8°C | 19.7°C | 11 | Pleasant; low summer timetable starts |
| Oct | 14.9°C | 15.5°C | 9 | Cooler; layers, the low summer timetable applies until 1 November |
| Nov | 11.7°C | 11.0°C | 16 | Wettest in 2025; winter timetable, saloon seats |
| Dec | 9.7°C | 9.3°C | 10 | Cold; last boat at 15:40 near sunset |
| Month | Sunset |
|---|---|
| Jan | 16:22 |
| Feb | 17:16 |
| Mar | 18:06 |
| Apr | 19:58 |
| May | 20:47 |
| Jun | 21:21 |
| Jul | 21:13 |
| Aug | 20:25 |
| Sep | 19:17 |
| Oct | 18:09 |
| Nov | 16:13 |
| Dec | 15:53 |
Nager.Date lists Christmas Day (25 December 2026) as the next holiday, and the operator runs no service on 24 to 26 December 2026.
What do passengers say about the ticket?
The eight snippets I can read are short and positive, and several are bare star ratings, so the sample says little about detail. The listing shows 4.6/5 for the guide and 4.7/5 for transportation.
- Sights: passengers like the landmarks, and one used the ride to reach the Cutty Sark in Greenwich.
- Length: one passenger thought the trip lasted longer than an hour, perhaps two.
- Groups: one party of 15 enjoyed it together.
- Detail gap: few comments mention the bar, the seats or commentary quality.
Who should skip this ticket?
Skip it if you need a loop, a meal or an assured seat time. The London boat tours page has fixed-time cruises.
- Return-trip planners: one-way only.
- Dinner seekers: look at the dinner cruises instead.
- Late-day travellers in winter: the last boats leave in the mid afternoon.
- Anyone relying on Oyster: the card does not work at the boarding gates.
Other cities are on the Harbour Advisor home page.
How do you book the Thames River Sightseeing ticket?
The Thames River Sightseeing ticket is $18 per person: you pick a date, then board any scheduled boat on one leg between Westminster, Tower Bridge and Greenwich.
Check availabilityI earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions about the flexible Thames ticket
Is the Thames River Sightseeing ticket one way?
Yes. It covers one one-way leg between Westminster, Tower Bridge (Butler's Wharf) and Greenwich. The operator sells other tickets for return travel and hop-on, hop-off.
Do you have to choose a time for the flexible ticket?
No. You choose only the date and board any scheduled departure from your chosen pier that day.
How long does Westminster to Greenwich take?
About 1 hour one way, according to the operator's FAQ. Westminster to Tower Bridge takes 30 to 40 minutes.
Where do Thames River Sightseeing boats leave from?
From Westminster Pier on Victoria Embankment, Butler's Wharf Pier on Shad Thames and Greenwich Pier on King William Walk, the three piers on this ticket.
Can you use an Oyster card on this cruise?
No. The operator says Oyster and contactless cards are not accepted at its boarding gates, so use the e-ticket.
What if you miss your boat?
The operator says the ticket is accepted at a different time on the same date.
Is there a bar and a toilet on board?
Yes. The listing and the operator both mention toilets and a licensed bar with snacks and drinks.
Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?
The listing says wheelchair access is provided on all vessels. Ask the operator about the pier you plan to use.
Are there child prices?
The operator lists children under 5 as free and a child price of GBP 9.25 from its site. Check the age bands when you book.
Can you cancel the ticket?
Yes. GetYourGuide offers a full refund when you cancel up to 24 hours before your travel date.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing and reviews; Thames River Sightseeing, flexible one-way cruise; Thames River Sightseeing timetable; Thames River Sightseeing FAQs; Transport for London; Open-Meteo archive, Frankfurter (ECB rates), sunrise-sunset.org and OSRM foot routing, all fetched 2026-10-17.
