The river Thames is the perfect vantage bespeak for some of London'south nigh iconic sites. From sightseeing trips with good guides to fun dining experiences, discover out about some of the best river cruises and canal tours in London.

1. City Cruises hop-on hop-off bout

Travel to tourist hotspots including the Houses of Parliament, the London Heart and Belfry Bridge on one of Urban center Cruises' regular sightseeing boats. Explore the city at your own step and hop on and hop off as oftentimes as you like with a 24-hour pass offering unlimited access.

Volume a Metropolis Cruises hop-on hop-off tour now

2. City Cruises Thames cruise afternoon tea

Two people sitting in a City Cruises boat with sandwiches and scones on the table.

Satisfy your desire for London afternoon tea with this Thames prowl. Afternoon tea is served with jam, a generous dollop of cream, plus plenty of finger sandwiches and cakes, and a welcome glass of champagne. Settle back and relax aboard this river cruise, and be part of this British tradition.

Volume a Thames cruise afternoon tea with City Cruises now

iii. Bateaux London Silver Dinner Cruise

A Bateaux London Silver Dinner Cruise is more than just a cruise; it's an feel. Accept a ride on the sleek, all-glass boats, and relish uninterrupted 360-caste views of some of London's biggest sights, including the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and The Shard. Tuck into a three-course dinner, enjoy live entertainment and dance forth the Thames on a river boat.

Book a Bateaux London Silver Dinner Cruise at present

iv. London Dinner Cruise

One of the best nights out in the capital is aboard the London Dinner Prowl on the river Thames. Get your glad rags on and dance the night away on this "London Showboat" cruise, with top tunes from a live performer and a free glass of champagne on arrival. Take a suspension from the dance floor and enjoy a succulent iv-form dinner, including the likes of smoked salmon mousse to start, and roast chicken wrapped in Parma ham for the master.

Volume a London Dinner Prowl now

5. I-24-hour interval River Roamer boat trip ticket with Uber Gunkhole by Thames Clippers

The Uber Boat by Thames Clippers river bus floats along the river Thames past the Old Royal Naval College.

River gunkhole operators Uber Gunkhole past Thames Clippers get out every 20 minutes from piers all forth the Thames, and so you're never too far away from a departure bespeak. Buy a river roamer boat trip ticket for unlimited river travel, and combine your ticket with entry to riverside attractions, such every bit Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the Tower of London.

Book a I-24-hour interval River Roamer boat trip ticket with Thames Clippers now

6. Thames Lunch Cruise with City Cruises

Enjoy dejeuner on the Thames aboard this fine river cruise. Accept a relaxed mini voyage through the middle of London and encounter Large Ben, London Span and other important London landmarks, while listening to audio commentary. Enjoy a two-course lunch that includes roast chicken supreme with creamy leek sauce or roast pumpkin hotpot, and a dessert of chocolate truffle block. Stroll on the deck afterwards and take advantage of the fully stocked bar.

Book a Thames Luncheon Prowl with City Cruises now

7. Clipper and cable car

One of the Emirates Air Line cable cars rises high above the Thames at sunset, with The O2 in the background.

Travel on an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers River Roamer to North Greenwich pier before taking to the skies in an Emirates Air Line cable car for stunning views of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, The O2 and the iconic city skyline.

Volume Emirates Air Line and Uber Boat by Thames Clipper River Romer at present.

8. Thames speedboat tours

Get the adrenaline flowing with an exciting London speedboat experience. Whizz along to the soundtrack of James Bail on a Thames RIB Experience, or feel the wind whip through your hair on a Thames Rockets or Thamesjet ride that is sure to induce FOMO amongst your friends!

9. Tate Boat

If you're planning a cultural day out, take a leisurely Thames boat ride between Tate Modern and Tate United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland on the Tate Boat (likewise known as Uber Boat by Thames Clippers' RB2 service).It's a relaxing alternative to the Tube and a handy way to see some of London's finest classic and modern artworks in i day. Await out for other landmark buildings en road.

x. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers to Greenwich

Cutty Sark exterior, with a glass structure surrounding the hull and the original ship on top.

You can also venture outside of the metropolis eye by gunkhole. Travel to Greenwich via one of the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and make it in appropriately nautical style at the historic maritime expanse. Download its app to make use of an audio guide during the thirty-minute journey from central London.

11. Turks Launches bout

Turks Launches riverboats have been travelling the Thames for 300 years. Cruise by picturesque stretches of south-due west London, during a round-trip between Kingston and Richmond. Pass historic Hampton Court Palace as y'all meander along the river, without getting off.

12. Thames River Sightseeing

A white boat on Thames in front of Tower of London.

Marrying style with insight, Thames River Sightseeing provides tours along the river on spacious boats such every bit the 524-seat Thomas Doggett. Soak up some history with a multilingual sound system, which delivers commentary about iconic landmarks along the leisurely route from Westminster to Greenwich.

13. Canal boat bout

Discover a different waterway route due north of the Thames on a narrowboat trip along Regent's Canal. Begin at Jason's Wharf in Little Venice and find yourself in lively Camden's Lock Market place by the stop of the gentle hour-and-a-half-long render cruise.

14. Kayak tour

Navigate your own path and paddle on the Thames or around London's canals via kayak with theLondon Kayak Co. Led by qualified instructors, navigate your way between Battersea and Greenwich at day or night, embark on a round trip from Greenwich to the Thames Bulwark, or take a leisurely trip between Poplar and Belfry Bridge.

Booking London river cruise tickets

Pre-booking tickets is the best mode to guarantee a place on board your river Thames prowl, and some operators now require you to do and then as part of new procedures in place following the easing of coronavirus restrictions.

You can pick up tickets at pier ticket offices for some services, while other operators require pre-booking via an app or contactless payment when boarding  – if you lot accept a Travelcard, you tin go a third off some fares. Affect in and out with your pay as yous go Oyster card for a discounted fare on Uber Gunkhole by Thames Clippers services.

Browse through the London river cruises in the "All River Tours" link beneath, or observe out how to use river omnibus services.