The Westminster to Greenwich River Cruise: A Practical Guide
Big Ben, the London Eye and Tower Bridge all line up along one stretch of water, and the Westminster to Greenwich river cruise lets you take in the whole run without a single step. Here's what the ride actually covers, what waits for you in Greenwich, and how to time it right.
About This Tour
Cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
Lock in your sailing time today and pay closer to your travel date.
About 60 minutes one-way; closer to two hours if you book the return sailing.
The Westminster to Greenwich river cruise leaves from Westminster Pier, a short walk from Big Ben.
A downloadable audio guide narrates the landmarks, and many sailings add live crew commentary.
You'll pass the London Eye, Shakespeare's Globe and the Tower of London before gliding under Tower Bridge into Greenwich.
Check Live Availability & Prices
See today's sailing times and current fares before you book.
Why Ride the River Instead of the Tube
London's river tells a different version of the city than its streets do. Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul's dome and the Tower of London line up along the water in an order you would never walk in one afternoon, and the Westminster to Greenwich river cruise covers close to seven miles of that view while you sit down and let it come to you.
The ride works best slotted in after a morning of walking rather than treated as a stand-alone outing. It pairs naturally with our two-day plan for London, since Greenwich makes a satisfying final stop before heading back into the center for dinner.
Think of the boat as transport with a view rather than an attraction on its own. The real payoff waits at the other end, in Greenwich's market lanes and the climb up to the Observatory.
What You'll See
The route runs past a string of landmarks that most visitors only ever see one at a time from land. Expect a steady hour of sightseeing with plenty of chances to switch sides of the boat for photos.
- The London Eye
- South Bank's restaurants and arts venues
- Shakespeare's Globe
- The Millennium Bridge
- St Paul's Cathedral's dome on the skyline
- The Shard
- HMS Belfast
- The Tower of London and Tower Bridge
What's Included (and What's Not)
Every ticket covers the essentials of the ride itself:
- ✓ Your seat on the Westminster to Greenwich sailing, one-way or return as booked
- ✓ A downloadable audio guide with landmark commentary
- ✓ Onboard seating, both covered lower deck and open-air upper deck
- ✓ Arrival at Greenwich Pier, steps from the Cutty Sark
Not included:
- ✗ Entry to Greenwich attractions such as the Cutty Sark or the Royal Observatory
- ✗ Food and drinks beyond what's sold onboard
- ✗ Return transport, unless you've booked the round-trip sailing
How the Cruise Unfolds
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14:45
Arrive at Westminster Pier
Board 15 to 20 minutes before departure; the pier sits right below Big Ben.
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15:00
Depart Westminster
The boat pulls away and Parliament and the London Eye fall behind you.
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15:15
Pass the South Bank and Millennium Bridge
Shakespeare's Globe and St Paul's dome come into view on alternating sides.
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15:35
Round the Tower of London
The boat slows slightly here, the best window for photos before Tower Bridge.
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15:40
Pass under Tower Bridge
The river opens out and the city skyline gives way to Docklands.
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16:00
Approach Greenwich
The Cutty Sark's masts appear ahead as the boat slows for the pier.
-
16:05
Arrive at Greenwich Pier
Step off directly into Greenwich, with the market and the Observatory a short walk uphill.
Know Before You Go
Not suitable for
- Anyone who gets queasy on gentle boat motion, even though the Thames swell is mild
- Visitors who need full step-free access at every pier without confirming in advance
- Travelers wanting a fully enclosed, climate-controlled ride, since open-deck sections are exposed to wind
What to bring
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, or both, glare off the water is stronger than it looks
- A light jacket even on a warm day, the river breeze picks up quickly
- A charged phone or camera
- Some cash for onboard snacks
Not allowed
- Large suitcases or bulky luggage
- Pets, other than registered assistance animals
- Smoking in covered or indoor seating areas
Insider Tips
A few things that make the ride worth planning around:
- Sit on the open stern deck, port side, for the clearest views of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge
- Sailings between 3:30pm and 4:30pm catch the best afternoon light on the water
- Use the boat as one-way transport and return to central London by DLR from Cutty Sark station; the return sailing repeats the same view
- Budget two to three hours in Greenwich for the Observatory climb, the market, and the Cutty Sark
- In winter, check the time of the last return sailing before you commit to a full day out
Where You're Headed
Who It's For
This ride fits certain trips better than others:
- First-time visitors who want an easy overview of the river landmarks without walking
- Families who'd rather sit down for an hour than trek between sights
- Travelers already heading to Greenwich who want the journey itself to be part of the sightseeing
- Anyone taking a break from a heavy walking day
Not ideal for
- Travelers short on time who need to see Greenwich and get back within an hour or two, since the sailing alone takes most of an afternoon
- Anyone hoping for a fully guided, docent-led tour rather than an audio guide plus scenery
Westminster to Greenwich River Cruise FAQ
How long does the Westminster to Greenwich river cruise take?
The one-way sailing takes about 60 minutes. If you book a return ticket, budget closer to two hours in total, including boarding.
Where does the boat depart from?
Boats leave from Westminster Pier, a short walk from Big Ben and Westminster Underground station.
What will I see along the way?
The London Eye, South Bank, Shakespeare's Globe, the Millennium Bridge, St Paul's dome, the Shard, HMS Belfast, and the Tower of London before passing under Tower Bridge.
Is there commentary onboard?
Yes. Every ticket includes a downloadable audio guide, and many sailings add live commentary from the crew as well.
How much time should I plan for Greenwich once I arrive?
Two to three hours covers the Cutty Sark, the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich Market, and the climb to the Royal Observatory.
Should I book one-way or return?
Many travelers treat it as one-way transport and return to central London by DLR from Cutty Sark station, since the return sailing mostly repeats the same view.
What Travellers Say
The commentary made sense of everything we passed, and stepping off right by the Cutty Sark felt like arriving somewhere completely different from where we started.
We sat up top and got cold fast, so bring a jacket even in June, but the view of Tower Bridge from the water was worth it.
An easy way to see so much of the river without walking a step, and Greenwich Market made for a perfect afternoon on the other end.