London Cruise

A London cruise is more than transport. It is a way to relax while the skyline or coastline unfolds around you. From short sunset sails to multi-hour voyages, cruises create an experience that blends leisure and sightseeing. MakeMyTrip has over 4025 cruise experiences in London for 2025, offering both budget-friendly and luxury options. Onboard, travellers can enjoy dining, live music or cultural shows that make the journey just as exciting as the destination. Open decks are perfect for photography and sea breezes, while indoor lounges provide space to sit back in comfort. Cruise booking prices start from INR 264 on MakeMyTrip and give access to a variety of packages. This December, set out on a cruise trip in London and see the city from a completely new angle.

London Cruise: The Thames, Towers and City Lights

Introduction

London has always been tied to the Thames. The river once carried cargo and soldiers, and today it carries visitors who want to see the city from a calmer angle. From the water, the skyline rearranges itself: Big Ben looming above the embankment, the London Eye turning slowly, Tower Bridge lifting its arms like a gate to the east. A cruise here is less about distance and more about perspective. Streets are noisy, pavements crowded, but the river slides on at its own pace.

A London cruise on the Thames comes in many forms. Some are short, hopping between Westminster and Tower Pier, while others stretch further to Greenwich, where the city thins and history feels older. Lunch boats let you sit at a table as landmarks pass the windows, while speedboats push hard against the current and treat the river like a racetrack. Whatever the choice, the Thames always frames it, grey on some days, silver on others, golden at sunset, carrying London’s story in every bend. So, you can board a cruise from the London cruise terminal or any other boarding points, and embark on a journey of a lifetime.

Types of Cruises in London

Sightseeing Cruises: Quick rides between central piers that show the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s, and Tower Bridge from the water. This type of London cruise tour is the simplest way to take in the city without a tight schedule.

Extended Routes: Trips that run further east to Greenwich. Along the way you see Canary Wharf, the Cutty Sark, and the shift from old London to the newer skyline.

Lunch and Dinner Cruises: Boats that turn sightseeing into a meal. Plates arrive as the river drifts past, with windows framing the views. This is among the best London cruise options.

Adventure and Speed Cruises: For those who prefer adrenaline to commentary, speedboats race along the Thames at full throttle, turning the cruise into an amusement ride.

Popular Cruises in London

Tower Bridge River Sightseeing Cruise from Westminster

The most central option, this ride is short but full of views. Boats leave from Westminster, slide past Big Ben and the London Eye, then head east toward Tower Bridge. Along the way you pass under old stone arches and newer steel spans, with audio commentary adding context in multiple languages. The highlight, of course, is gliding beneath Tower Bridge, looking up at its twin towers before circling back.

Duration: Around one hour (round trip), half an hour one way
Timings: Frequent departures through the day
Route highlights: Big Ben, London Eye, St Paul’s in the distance, Tower Bridge
Inclusions: Audio commentary in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin
Starting price: From INR 1,527 per person
Boarding point: Westminster Pier

Westminster to Greenwich Sightseeing Thames Cruise

This route stretches further, linking two historic parts of the city. Starting from Westminster, the boat carries you eastward past St Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard, and under Tower Bridge before reaching Greenwich. This London cruise shows the city’s layers: medieval, industrial, and modern glass towers rising side by side. At Greenwich, you step into a quieter district known for the Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory.

Duration: About one hour each way
Timings: Departures run regularly through the day
Route highlights: Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, Cutty Sark, Greenwich
Inclusions: Audio commentary, open and indoor seating
Starting price: From INR 1,864 per person
Boarding point: Westminster Pier

Lunch River Cruise on the Thames with 2-Course Meal

This London cruise offers a slower journey, designed around the meal. Boarding begins late morning, with tables set beside wide windows. As the boat moves between Tower Pier and Westminster, courses are served, starters, mains, and tea or coffee. The food is simple but filling, and the real draw is eating while the Shard, the London Eye, and Big Ben slide by in the background. Drinks can be bought from the bar if you want to linger longer over the view.

Duration: About two hours
Timings: This London cruise timings includes boarding at 11:30 am, and departure at 11:45 am
Route highlights: London Eye, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the Shard, city skyline
Inclusions: Two-course meal with tea or coffee, sightseeing from deck or window
Starting price: From INR 5,751 per person
Boarding point: Tower Pier or Westminster Pier

High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London

For a very different experience, speedboats turn the Thames into an adventure ride. Groups of up to twelve strap in, the skipper opens the throttle, and the boat rockets down the river at up to 35 miles an hour. Landmarks blur: Big Ben, St Paul’s, the London Eye, Tower Bridge. A guide adds bits of history between bursts of speed, but the focus is on the adrenaline. Spray kicks up, this London cruise bounces off its own wake, and the city rushes past in minutes. It surely among the most fun-filled activities.

Duration: About 50 minutes
Timings: Multiple runs daily, especially afternoons
Route highlights: Big Ben, London Eye, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s, riverside skyline
Inclusions: High-speed ride with skipper and guide, small-group format
Starting price: From INR 7,342 per person
Boarding point: Central London pier

What to Consider When Booking

Itinerary

Short sightseeing rides are easy to fit between other plans. Longer London cruise to Greenwich needs more time but gives you a different side of London.

Budget

Simple London cruise options start around INR 1,500. Lunch cruises cost more, while speedboats sit at the top range. For groups, standard sightseeing often works out best.

Deals and Packages

On MakeMyTrip, some cruises include meals or optional returns. Consider whether a one-way ticket is more convenient for your schedule.

Amenities

Covered seating helps on cold or rainy days. Families may want to confirm child-friendly menus or stroller access. Speedboats, while fun, aren’t ideal for very young children.

Where to Book on MakeMyTrip

• MakeMyTrip provides multiple options for a cruise ship London, making comparisons simple.
• Each option shows inclusions clearly: meals, commentary, or high-speed formats.
• Payment is simple, a confirmation lands in your email within minutes.
• You can simply make the payment using methods like UPI, debit/credit cards or net banking.