Thames River Sightseeing

What it’s like

A river boat ride past Tower Bridge, the Shard and Cutty Sark, with a crew commentary that does the explaining for you.

This is a boat trip, not a cruise ship, so don't expect much beyond a deck, a bar and a view, but the view is the whole point. You get Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, St Paul's, the Shard and Cutty Sark going past the window while a crew member gives you the commentary, which takes the pressure off you having to explain any of it to a curious seven-year-old. There's open-air deck space if the kids want the wind in their hair and enclosed seating if it's chucking it down, so a grey day doesn't wreck the plan.

The full Westminster to Greenwich run is an hour, which is about right for most kids before the fidgeting starts. The shorter hops, Westminster to Tower Bridge or Tower Bridge to Greenwich, are 30 to 40 minutes and probably the safer bet with a toddler in tow. Under-5s travel free, which takes the sting out of a family day where everyone else is paying £9.40 to £10.90 a leg. The 1-Day River Pass at £16.50 throws in a second day of hop-on hop-off travel free, and there's a family pass at £49.90 if you want the whole lot sorted in one go.

There's a bar on board selling snacks and drinks, both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic kind, though you're only allowed to bring your own small bottles of water or soft drinks rather than a packed lunch and definitely not your own beer. Pushchairs are fine and there's said to be plenty of room for them, and most boats are wheelchair accessible, though electric wheelchairs aren't allowed on board, which is worth knowing before you turn up with one.

Booking online is the sensible move since walk-ups at the ticket office aren't always guaranteed a spot, and they want you there 15 minutes before your boat goes. If you fancy getting off at Greenwich to look around before heading back, you can, just check with the crew what time the last boat is so you're not stranded.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

Good from babies up, with under-5s travelling free

Booking

Online booking recommended. Walk-ups accepted at ticket offices but not always available

How long to allow

1 hour (Westminster to Greenwich)

Pushchairs

Welcome, plenty of room on board

Wheelchairs

Majority of boats wheelchair accessible

Dogs

Guide dogs welcome. No other information about dogs provided

Worth knowing

1-Day River Pass includes free second consecutive day of unlimited hop-on hop-off travel

• Aim to arrive 15 minutes before your boat leaves.
• Student discount is only available at the ticket office, not when booking online.
• Carers and disabled passengers, including Freedom Pass holders, get 50% off the normal fare.
• Only small bottles of water or soft drinks are allowed if you're bringing your own, no outside alcohol.

Plan your visit

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