The River Thames flows through the center of London, acting as a historic lifeline and a lively path for discovering the city. Nowadays, you can board a boat and experience London from a fresh perspective! Whether you’re a resident seeking a picturesque commute or a tourist eager to take in the views, Thames boat services provide options for all—from quick trips to relaxing cruises.
For centuries, the Thames has been central to London life. Back in Roman times, it was the main route for travel and trade. Fast forward to the busy 17th and 18th centuries, and the river was bustling with watermen ferrying people and goods. While we now have trains, buses, and bridges, the river’s passenger boats have surged in popularity, letting millions each year enjoy London from the water.
Schedules generally run every 20 minutes from Monday to Friday, and every 20 to 30 minutes on weekends. However, various operators have their own specific times and guidelines.
Typically, you should purchase your ticket at a pier ticket office prior to boarding the boat. However, if the ticket office happens to be closed, you can buy your ticket on the boat instead.
If you use a Travelcard, you can get a third off most River Bus fares. Oyster pay as you go is accepted on Thames Clippers services, and it gives you a 10 per cent discount on most single journeys.
Several companies keep the Thames lively with different types of river journeys. Here are the main ones:
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is the city’s go-to river bus service. These modern, high-speed boats run between Putney and Woolwich, stopping at great spots like Westminster, Embankment, London Bridge, Canary Wharf, and North Greenwich.
City Cruises is perfect if you want to sit back and soak up the scenery. Boats depart regularly from top piers like Westminster, Tower, and Greenwich, with fun commentary to point out the sights.
Want to try something different? You can rent a boat for a party, join a jazz cruise, or try a wildlife or history tour. There’s a river adventure for every occasion, whether you’re celebrating or just looking for something new.
Boat services connect lots of piers and neighbourhoods, making river travel easy and fun. The different routes of the River Thames boat services are illustrated on the Tfl London River Services map.
For visitors the key stretch of river is between the London Eye and Tower Pier in the shadow of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. The popular London hop-on, hop-off open top sightseeing tours also include a river cruise in their tickets on this stretch of water.
This popular stretch takes you past many of London’s top sights, from the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye all the way to historic Greenwich, home to the Cutty Sark and Royal Observatory.
Modern high-rises and old shipping docks come together in this lively district. Boats connect Canary Wharf with North Greenwich where you’ll find The O2 arena and IFS Cloud Cable Car, the City, and more great for dodging crowded trains!
Head west for a more peaceful ride through leafy neighbourhoods and under the beautiful Hammersmith Bridge, with a chance to pop off at charming riverside pubs.
This route is perfect for exploring East London’s up-and-coming areas and connects to the Woolwich Ferry, the IFS Cloud cable car, and the Excel Centre.
From April to October there are at least two services a day in each direction for the three-hour scenic trip to Hampton Court. The schedule indicates that there isn’t sufficient time to complete the river trip in both directions while also allowing sufficient time to enjoy and explore Hampton Court itself.
If you wish to spend additional time at Hampton Court, it would be wise to arrange a local hotel or separate transportation back to London.
The Westminster to Hampton Court service has many stops including Kew Gardens, Richmond and Kingston (the latter are major suburban shopping centres). If you intend to spend a full day at Hampton Court Palace it’s best to get the underground out to Richmond then catch additional services for the one-hour trip on to Hampton Court.
Alternatively, trains run regularly from London’s Waterloo Station to Hampton Court, taking much less time than the boat. It’s just a short 10 to 15-minute walk from Westminster Pier, where the boats depart.
Most riverboats are designed so everyone can enjoy the ride—there’s step-free access at main piers and onboard facilities for comfort. Some older boats may have limitations, so it’s worth checking ahead. You’ll usually find refreshments, toilets, and Wi-Fi onboard.
London’s popular open top hop-on, hop-off tour buses all offer a free cruise as part of their standard tour ticket. This covers a river cruise in the centre of London giving a different and informative perspective to London’s delights.
These buses offer comprehensive coverage covering nearly all the main sights in London and operate at very high frequencies. In the peak summer months just stand at any of the key attractions and there will probably be one in sight.
Visit our Hop-on, Hop-off bus Tour page for more information.
London is working towards greener, cleaner river travel. Many boats are switching to hybrid or electric engines to help reduce emissions. Plus, new piers and better facilities are always popping up along the river.
Boating on the Thames isn’t just about getting from A to B it’s a memorable London experience. Whether you’re gliding through the city’s historic heart, discovering Greenwich, or watching the sunset over the skyline, you’ll see London in a fresh and unforgettable way. As river travel continues to grow and go green, there’s never been a better time to hop aboard and enjoy the journey.