The Westminster to Greenwich Thames River Cruise is the river's best-known sightseeing trip, carrying passengers past the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London before ending at historic Greenwich. It is the single most reviewed river cruise in London, and for good reason: at around 20 euros for a one-way ticket, it covers more of the city's skyline in an hour than almost any other activity.

Is the Westminster to Greenwich Thames cruise worth it?

Yes, especially if this is your first time on the river. The one-hour route runs past more major landmarks per minute than any other Thames cruise, and the live English commentary explains what you are looking at as it passes. Tickets include skip-the-line boarding, so you walk straight to the boat instead of queuing at a ticket office.

What will you see on the Westminster to Greenwich cruise?

The boat leaves Westminster Pier and heads east, passing the London Eye, the Royal National Theatre, and the Millennium Bridge before reaching Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. The most dramatic stretch comes next: The Shard, the Tower of London, and then under Tower Bridge itself. After that the scenery shifts to the glass towers of Canary Wharf before the boat arrives at Greenwich Pier, within easy walking distance of Greenwich Market, the Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum, and the Royal Observatory.

Who should book this Thames cruise?

This is the right choice for first-time visitors who want an efficient overview of London from the water, and for anyone planning to spend the rest of the day in Greenwich. Families will appreciate that children under 5 travel free. If you would rather stay flexible and hop on and off at multiple piers through the day, the hop-on hop-off cruise is a better fit. If you specifically want to pair the river with the London Eye, look at the London Eye river cruise combo instead.

What's included and how much does the Westminster to Greenwich cruise cost?

Prices start at around 20 euros for a one-way ticket and include the cruise itself, skip-the-line boarding, live English commentary, and a downloadable audio guide covering 11 languages. Tips and extra food or drinks from the onboard bar are not included. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

Where do you board, and how do you get to Westminster Pier?

Boarding is at boarding point B on Westminster Pier, on the Victoria Embankment next to the Houses of Parliament. The nearest Underground stations are Westminster (Jubilee, Circle, District) and Embankment, both a short walk away. Arrive around 15 minutes before your departure time to allow for boarding.

What's the best time to take this cruise?

Exact departure times vary with the tide and river traffic, so check the schedule on your booking confirmation rather than assuming a fixed timetable. Earlier departures tend to have shorter queues and calmer water, while a late afternoon sailing gives better light for photos of Tower Bridge. The audio guide needs a charged smartphone, so top up your battery before you board.

How does this compare to other Thames cruises?

This is the standard sightseeing benchmark on the river: cheaper and faster than a dining cruise, and more scenic than the shorter Westminster to Tower Bridge run alone. If you want food included, compare it against the afternoon tea cruise or the dinner cruise. If you want speed and adrenaline instead of commentary, the Thames speedboat tour covers similar ground in half the time. The river itself has carried Londoners past these same landmarks for centuries, and the Port of London Authority's own history of the River Thames is worth a short read before you board.