Frequently Asked Questions
TRS Routes and piers
Click here to check the timetables to find out when your boat is due to leave.
At this moment, we are opening seven days a week and our services run between 10:00 and 17:00.
Please visit the Timetable page for more details
The Thames is chock-a-block full of London landmarks, including the iconic Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and Cutty Sark, as well as modern attractions like the London Eye and the Shard. Rest assured your skipper will point out all the points of interest in an entertaining and informative commentary.
- Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment, London, SW1A 2JH
- Embankment Pier, Victoria Embankment, London, WC2N 6NU
- Festival Pier, Riverside Walk, London, SE1 9PX
- Bankside Pier, Bankside, London, SE1 9PD
- Tower Bridge (Butler’s Wharf Pier), Shad Thames, London SE1 2YE
- Greenwich Pier, King William Walk, London, SE10 9HT
The Thames River Sightseeing 1-Day River Pass + 1 Day Free Hop On Hop Off route stops at six of the city’s most popular riverside locations, providing seamless travel directly between major London landmarks:
- Westminster Pier: Located just steps from Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament.
- Embankment Pier: Situated right next to Embankment Station and a short walk from Covent Garden, The Strand, and Trafalgar Square.
- Festival Pier: Located on the vibrant Southbank, directly adjacent to the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, and the London Eye.
- Bankside Pier: Perfectly placed for visiting Tate Modern, Borough Market, and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
- Tower Bridge (Butler’s Wharf Pier): Located on the south side of the river, offering spectacular close-up views of Tower Bridge and easy access across to the Tower of London.
- Greenwich Pier: Conveniently situated right next to the Cutty Sark, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich Market, and the Royal Observatory.
Yes. Always confirm with ticket office or crew as to the time of the last boat.
It depends on the route chosen. Please see below the different routes and times:
Westminster Pier to Greenwich Pier one-way takes 1 hour
Westminster Pier to Tower Bridge (Butler’s Wharf Pier) one-way takes 30-40 minutes
Tower Bridge (Butler’s Wharf Pier) to Greenwich Pier single takes 30-40 minutes
We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure. London transport can be busy, so if you are planning your route to the piers via Tube or bus, you can review our London Journey Planner.
A direct voyage from Westminster Pier to Greenwich Pier takes approximately 60 minutes. While public transport like the London Underground (the Tube) may move faster through subterranean tunnels, a Thames River Sightseeing cruise offers a scenic, stress-free alternative. Instead of navigating crowded train stations, our hop-on hop-off passes allow you to travel comfortably above ground with unobstructed 360-degree views of London’s skyline.
Prices and Ticketing
Yes, you can return your tickets and get a refund if you contact us up to 24h before your trip. Please contact us at info@thamesriversightseeing.com providing your booking number.
Yes. We have a student discount available, but only at the ticket office and is not available online. Students must present a valid identity card when buying the tickets.
Yes. We offer a 50% discount for one carer per disabled person. Please click here for more info.
Yes. We offer a 50% discount on the normal fare for Freedom Pass holders, wheelchair users or any other disabled people with a valid disability badge. Please click here for more info.
No, it is not necessary to book a ticket for a child under 5 as it is free of charge.
Yes, you can change the date of your booking any time by contacting us at bookings@thamesriversightseeing.com (Monday to Friday) or by phone at +44 (0) 20 3778 0700 (Saturdays and Sundays).
Yes, your ticket will be accepted at any time on the same date.
Yes, you can. You just need to select the day you wish to visit the attraction when making the booking.
Yes, we welcome groups from schools. Click here for more details.
Yes, click here for more details.
As we operate a hop-on hop-off service, you can disembark at any pier and continue your journey later.
- Infant (free of charge): Under 5 years old
- Child: between 5 and 15 years old
- Adult: between 16 and 59 years old
- Senior: 60 years old and over
No. E-tickets are accepted and recommended. Just show the ticket on your phone when boarding.
Yes, you can prebook online. We strongly advise booking tickets online.
We advise booking your tickets online. If you cannot book in advance, you can turn up at any of our piers and buy tickets from one of our ticket offices.
Yes. We often have discounts, special offers and money-saving sightseeing packages. Check out our Special Offers and Sightseeing Packages pages for details.
As we have two routes to choose from, a range of sightseeing packages, as well as special offers, there is no easy answer to this question. Visit the Ticket Info page for more details.
We offer two main flexible ticket options designed to fit your sightseeing schedule without locking you into a strict timetable:
- 1-Day River Pass + 1 Day Free | Hop On Hop Off: Our most popular option includes a second consecutive day entirely free. This “1-Day Pass + 1-Day Free” ticket gives you 48 hours of unlimited hop-on hop-off travel across all six of our piers.
- The Flexible One-Way Cruise: Perfect for a single journey between any of our piers (such as Westminster to Greenwich). You only select the travel date when booking, allowing you to board any scheduled departure that day rather than being tied to a specific hour.
Both options make exploring the Thames incredibly easy and cost-effective compared to rigid, fixed-time tours.
No, Transport for London (TfL) Oyster Cards and contactless payment cards cannot be used directly at our boarding gates, as Thames River Sightseeing operates specialized tourist sightseeing voyages rather than commuter public transit. To secure the best rates, we recommend booking your hop-on hop-off river passes in advance online via our website.
It depends on the ticket type you select. For standard single or return tickets, you will choose a specific departure time during booking. However, if you want complete flexibility, we offer two open-schedule options where you only choose your travel date, not a specific hour:
- The 1-Day River Pass (Hop-On Hop-Off): Valid for unlimited boarding all day long (plus a second consecutive day free), allowing you to arrive at any of our six piers whenever it fits your schedule.
- The Flexible One-Way Cruise: Allows you to board any scheduled departure on your chosen date from your selected pier.
This flexibility makes our passes an excellent alternative to rigid, fixed-schedule tours or formal dining cruises in London.
TRS Boats
Yes, we have a fully licenced bar onboard where you can purchase hot and cold drinks as well as snacks.
Only a small bottle of water or soft drink is allowed. Alcoholic beverages can only be purchased in our bar on board.
Yes. In fact we’re well-known for our entertaining live commentary. We also have an audio commentary service available in a number of languages via smartphones – English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin.
Yes. Visit our Groups page for more details.
Yes. There are indoor lounges with panoramic windows on all of our boats so you can enjoy your sightseeing cruise whatever the weather.
Yes. Dogs are allowed on board as long as they are not dangerous and are kept on a lead.
Yes, there’s plenty of room.
Yes. In fact all dogs are welcome on TRS cruises.
Yes, all our boats have open decks in addition to heated lounges which have panoramic windows, giving you the choice of sitting inside or outside, depending on the weather.
All our sightseeing boats have slightly different facilities. Check the Our Boats page for details.
Yes, the majority of our boats are wheelchair accessible. Check with staff at the ticket office or visit Our Boats for details of which ones are accessible by wheelchair.
Every Thames River Sightseeing cruise features a choice between engaging live commentary delivered by our experienced crew or multi-lingual audio guides accessible right from your smartphone (available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Mandarin). For year-round comfort, our modern fleet provides spacious open-air viewing decks, fully heated indoor lounges with panoramic windows, passenger toilets, and a fully licensed onboard bar serving a variety of drinks and snacks.
Absolutely. Our sightseeing cruises are fully family-friendly and designed to comfortably accommodate multi-generational groups. Unlike navigating standard London buses or trains, our vessels provide plenty of open space to move around, secure areas for pushchairs and buggies, and a smooth, relaxing ride that keeps children safely entertained by the sights.
General
No. All lost property is handed in to the crew and then kept safe until it is claimed.
Sorry, we do not have parking facilities available. Check our journey planner for details of public transport.
We run our services all year round, even in poor weather. Our boats have heated indoor lounges which means you can enjoy the sights of London even in the winter rain! Disruptions and cancellations to our service are unusual, but if, for whatever reason, our service is affected, we will update the website and share the information across our social media channels.
We believe that exploring London from the river should be just as memorable as the landmarks themselves. Guided by our passion for the Thames, we focus on delivering a classic, welcoming, and truly authentic London sightseeing experience. Here is what sets us apart:
Over 50 Years of River Tradition: We are a family-spirited operator with over half a century of heritage on the River Thames. For us, welcoming visitors onto the river isn’t just a business—it’s a long-standing tradition that we are incredibly proud of.
Our Legendary Local Skippers: Our boats are commanded by highly experienced, local skippers who know every historical secret and story of the river. They deliver live, entertaining commentary packed with genuine warmth and lighthearted British humor, creating a friendly, personal atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else.
Purpose-Built for Sightseeing: Our vessels are designed for ultimate comfort and viewing. They feature spacious open top-decks for unobstructed 360° photography, alongside cozy, fully heated indoor lounges with large panoramic windows so you can enjoy the sights comfortably, whatever the weather.
The Freedom to Explore (or Relax): Our flexible tickets give you complete freedom. You can hop on and off to explore iconic sights like Westminster, Tower Bridge, and Greenwich at your own pace, or simply stay on board for a continuous, stress-free round-trip cruise.
Onboard Bars & Relaxed Comfort: We invite you to sit back, relax, and take your time. Every boat features a fully licensed onboard bar serving hot and cold drinks as well as snacks, allowing you to raise a glass to London’s skyline in a comfortable, unhurried setting.