Riverboat

For something more romantic, there is no shortage of dinner cruises, offering dancing, music and fine food against a spectacular backdrop.

Travelcard holders can get discounts on many standard routes and you can download a free Riverboat Services Guide from Transport for London. Schedules vary according to season.

Accessibility Information

All piers are wheelchair accessible. River cruises typically last between 45 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes.

Most riverboats are accessible, and newer river craft typically have dedicated wheelchair spaces. You should check with individual service operators about the level of accessibility on their boats.

Staff are always on hand to offer help with boarding and disembarking from river craft. However, it is advisable for people with mobility impairments who are travelling as a group to provide advance notice to the operator concerned, to ensure a smooth journey. For further information, please call Transport for London on +44 (0)20 7941 2400.

Eastward Along the Thames

Bateaux London

Bateaux London is a service specialising in restaurant cruises.

London Eye - River Cruise Experience

An award-winning, 40-minute circular sightseeing cruise from Waterloo Pier near the London Eye.

Crown River: Circular Cruise

These sightseeing tours from Crown River run from Westminster Pier to St Katharine's daily. Calling variously at Embankment, Bankside and London Bridge City Piers.

City Cruises

Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing cruises with commentary, between Westminster, Waterloo (London Eye), Tower and Greenwich piers. City Cruises also operate the London Showboat Dinner Cruise.

Thames Clippers

Serving both as scheduled commuter and tourist boats, Thames Clippers' services are great value and fast. They run from Savoy Pier (Embankment) to Woolwich, via Canary Wharf, stopping at Tate Modern, London Bridge, Tower of London, Hilton London Docklands Riverside and Greenwich. River Roamer (hop-on hop-off day ticket) is available.

The company also operates the Hilton Docklands to Canary Wharf ferry route plus the popular Tate to Tate boat between Tate Britain and Tate Modern.

Westminster Pier (Thames River Services)

Cruises linking Westminster Pier and Greenwich, passing Shakespeare's Globe, stopping at the Tower of London and continuing under Tower Bridge.

Thames Executive Charters: River Taxis

These services link Putney to Blackfriars via Chelsea Harbour, Cadogan and Embankment.

Woolwich Free Ferry

A free service between Woolwich and North Woolwich.

Westward along the Thames

Thames River Boats - Westminster Passenger Service Association (WPSA)

The WPSA boats go upriver from Westminster Pier during the summer. It's an enjoyable excursion although the journey does take a while (up to 90 minutes to Kew or 3 hours to Hampton Court). The main destinations are the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Hampton Court Palace.