See prices From 20.4 EUR · Free cancellation available
Contents
Thames river cruise tickets span a wide price range because “Thames river cruise” covers several genuinely different products, not one fixed experience. Here’s what I’d do first: figure out which type of trip you actually want, sightseeing, flexible hopping, a meal, or speed, since that decision narrows eight ticket types down to the one or two that fit your budget and your day.
I’ll break every ticket type down by price, route length and what’s included, so you’re comparing like for like instead of just picking whichever number looks lowest.
How Much Do Thames River Cruise Tickets Cost?
Prices on this river run from EUR 18.38 for the shortest combo ticket up to EUR 93.67 for the full dinner cruise, with most standard sightseeing tickets landing between EUR 20 and EUR 30. The gap is driven almost entirely by what’s bundled in beyond the boat ride itself, a meal, live entertainment, or unlimited multi-pier travel.
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I’d book the Westminster to Greenwich ticket first if price per minute of sightseeing is what matters most to you. Every other ticket on this table is really a variation built around a specific need rather than a straightforwardly better version of the base experience.
Why Is the London Eye Combo Cheaper Than a Standard Cruise?
Because it’s a shorter route built to pair with a London Eye visit rather than stand on its own. The 40-minute circular trip only goes as far as Tower Bridge and back, covering noticeably less ground than the one-way Westminster to Greenwich run.
I’d only pick this ticket specifically if you’re already booking the London Eye. Otherwise the standard sightseeing cruise gives you more river for a similar price, and my best Thames river cruise comparison walks through exactly when each ticket type earns its price.
Does the Hop-On Hop-Off Ticket Cost More Because of the Boat or the Flexibility?
The flexibility, entirely. At EUR 29.59 it costs roughly 9 euros more than the standard one-way cruise for access to the same general route plus the right to get off and back on at four piers over 24 hours. You’re not paying for a nicer boat; you’re paying for the option to split your sightseeing across a full day.
I’d only pay the extra for that flexibility if your actual plan touches more than one of its four piers. My full hop-on hop-off guide breaks down exactly who the day pass suits and who it doesn’t.
Why Do the Dining Cruises Cost So Much More?
Because you’re buying a meal and an occasion, not just a boat ride. The afternoon tea cruise at EUR 58.10 includes a full tea service with unlimited tea and coffee, the lunch cruise at EUR 62.85 adds a hot 2-course meal, and the dinner cruise at EUR 93.67 bundles a 3-course dinner, a welcome glass of sparkling wine and live music into a 3-hour evening.
I’d pick the dining tier based on which meal and which time of day actually suits your trip, rather than assuming the most expensive option is automatically the best one. Lunch, in particular, gets a hot sit-down meal for noticeably less than dinner, over a shorter, more flexible midday slot.
Is the Speedboat Tour Overpriced for Its Length?
Not in my view, though I’d frame it differently from the rest of this table. At EUR 77.02 for a 50-minute ride, it costs more per minute than any sightseeing cruise, but you’re not paying for duration, you’re paying for an experience built around speed: up to 30 knots, a comedian guide, and the highest-rated river activity on this site.
I’d book it only if the thrill itself is the point. If you want to see the most landmarks for your money, the standard sightseeing cruise still wins comfortably on price per minute of actual sightseeing.
Do Prices Change With the Season?
A little, yes. These prices move with demand, and every figure on this page was checked on the date this guide was published, so I’d treat the table as a strong starting point rather than a locked quote. I’d always confirm the current fare at checkout, especially heading into a busy summer weekend when a handful of listings nudge upward.
Are There Any Discounts for Children or Groups?
Several tickets on this river offer free travel for very young children, with the Westminster to Greenwich cruise waiving the fare for under-5s as one example. Older children typically pay a standard child rate shown at checkout rather than a fixed discount percentage, so I’d check the exact age cutoffs on your specific listing rather than assume the same rule applies across every ticket type.
I wouldn’t assume group discounts are standard either. Most of these tickets price per person with no automatic group rate, so a larger party should expect to pay the per-adult and per-child rates shown at checkout rather than a bulk discount.
If you’re still weighing whether to spend any of these amounts on a river cruise at all, my honest look at whether a Thames river cruise is worth it covers the cases where I’d actually say no before covering why I think most visitors should say yes.
How Does Cancellation Differ Across Ticket Types?
This is genuinely worth checking before you pay. The day sightseeing cruises and the speedboat tour generally allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, while the three dining cruises need 3 days’ notice instead, since the operator pre-orders a fixed meal count for each sailing.
I’d lock in a dining cruise earlier for exactly that reason. The longer cancellation window cuts both ways: a late change of plan costs you more on a dinner booking than on a standard sightseeing ticket, so I’d only commit to one once your evening plans are genuinely settled.
My Honest Recommendation
If you want the best value per minute of sightseeing, book the Westminster to Greenwich ticket at EUR 20.40. If flexibility across multiple piers matters more to your day, pay the extra for the hop-on hop-off pass. Save the dining tickets for when the meal and the occasion matter as much as the view, and the speedboat tour for when speed itself is what you’re after. My complete Thames river cruise guide covers every route these tickets connect to, and my City Cruises London guide is worth a read if you want to know more about the operator behind several of these standard sightseeing fares. Whichever ticket fits your day, you can check London boat tour availability and compare live prices before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cheapest Thames river cruise ticket?
The London Eye river cruise combo, from EUR 18.38, though it’s a shorter 40-minute circular route built to pair with a London Eye visit.
What’s the most expensive Thames river cruise ticket?
The Thames dinner cruise, from EUR 93.67, which includes a 3-course meal, a welcome drink and live music over a 3-hour evening sailing.
Do Thames river cruise prices include tips?
No, tips are optional and not included in any of the listed ticket prices, though some listings note them as appreciated.
Can I get a discount on Thames river cruise tickets?
Several tickets waive the fare for very young children, but standard group discounts are not common. Check the exact terms on your specific listing at checkout.
Westminster to Greenwich Thames River CruiseFrom €20.4
