Britain · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

Boat Trips in Britain: 15 Days on the Water

90 tours  ·  from $13

A Thames hop, a Mersey ferry, a loch cruise under Urquhart Castle. The 15 below range from twenty minutes to a full day, each priced and clear about whether it is transport or a proper trip.

London: Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise - Parliament and the London Eye set the tone
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London: Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise

1.Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22,836 reviews · 1 - 2 hours · from $22Our pick

See London from the Thames on a one-way or round-trip cruise from Westminster to Greenwich. Your English-speaking crew points out Parliament, the London Eye, Tate Modern, Tower Bridge, and more. Use the open deck for photos, then explore Greenwich Market, the Cutty Sark, and the Royal Observatory on foot.

“On the boat ride to Greenwich, there was a live commentary about the sites as we passed Central London. The guide said they were not professionals but boat crew. He did a great job. I had booked a return ticket. Return boats to Westminster left every 20 minutes so there was lots of time for me to explore Greenwich before I had to return. The weather was dodgy so I started on the upper deck and was able to go down below when it got too cold and rainy. Everything was as expected. I wouldn’t suggest any changes.”

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London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise - Route One: royal London, Trafalgar Square, and the Tower
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London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

2.London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 10,803 reviews · 3 hours 35 minutes (approx.) · from $39

See London from an open-top double-decker on three routes covering Buckingham Palace, the Tower, St. Paul’s, Kensington, and the British Museum. Your pass includes recorded commentary in seven languages and free Wi-Fi. Choose 24 or 48 hours, with a one-way Thames cruise included on those options. The 48-hour ticket adds walking tours and a selected evening tour.

“Worst experience we had in London!! Do NOT do one of these tours. This company left a family of 5 stranded in the London freezing weather as we waited for 45 minutes for the bus to come pick us up at their required spot (#13) near the London Eye. Noone showed up so we were forced to spend more money for a cab to get us home. I placed a formal request for a refund and it was denied. Unbelievably poor customer service. Do NOT waste your money!!!”

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London: Westminster to Tower Bridge River Thames Cruise - Boarding at Westminster Pier
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London: Westminster to Tower Bridge River Thames Cruise

3.Westminster to Tower Bridge River Thames Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6,127 reviews · 30 minutes - 1 hour · from $18

Board at Westminster Pier for a 25 to 30 minute Thames cruise past Parliament, St. Paul’s, Tate Modern, the Globe, and The Shard. Live English commentary comes from the crew, with guides such as David adding humor and local detail. Continue to Butler’s Wharf or return after changing boats.

“It was such a lovely and enjoyable activity — we truly had a wonderful time”

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Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise - Glencoe: beauty with a darker story
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Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise

4.Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6,022 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $84

Travel from Edinburgh in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with an English-speaking driver-guide. Stop at Callander, Glencoe, Fort Augustus, Spean Bridge, and Pitlochry, then cruise Loch Ness for 50 minutes. Guides such as Jim, Kenny, Shea, and Andrew are praised for lively stories, music, humor, and thoughtful pacing.

“Please don’t worry, if you are solo. The driver cares about you. You can’t bring hot foods inside bus, but you have time to grab hot foods during each stops. Because it was cold and wet day, I needed to warm me up,”

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London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour - Starting at the London Eye and Westminster
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London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

5.London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5,332 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $74

See London from three useful angles: an open-top Big Bus, a 40-minute Thames cruise, and the London Eye. You can board at stops near Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, and St Paul’s, then hop off when a sight catches your eye. The 48-hour ticket adds Royal, Jack the Ripper, and Harry Potter walking tours.

“The buses always come. You don’t have to wait for long to take them. Thank you for your service”

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London: Tootbus Hop-on Hop-off with optional River Cruise - The routes and the sights you will see
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London: Tootbus Hop-on Hop-off with optional River Cruise

6.Tootbus Hop-on Hop-off with optional River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 4,327 reviews · from $41

See London’s main sights by open-top bus with a 24, 48, or 72-hour ticket. Use live tracking, audio commentary in 10 languages, child-friendly guides, and four self-guided walks. Add the one-way City Cruises trip between Westminster and Tower Pier for a fine river-level view of London.

“Everyone was exceptionally helpful and friendly. London was so cold and rainy that day and it was a perfect option to warm up between sights.”

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London: Thames River Cruise with Optional London Eye Ticket - Westminster and Big Ben from the river
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London: Thames River Cruise with Optional London Eye Ticket

7.Thames River Cruise with Optional London Eye Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,900 reviews · 45 minutes - 1.5 hours · from $20

Cruise from the London Eye Pier to Tower Bridge and back in about 40 minutes, passing Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe, and the Tower of London. An English-speaking guide provides live stories and jokes, with optional audio commentary in eight other languages. Add a London Eye ticket if availability suits your plans.

“Took my two kids Ny daughter thout it maybe a little boring but overall she was very impressed and we all enjoyed it including the eye to which im not a fan of hegits but that was quite chilled”

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London: Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-off with Optional River Cruise - The Red Route, London’s essential sightseeing loop
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London: Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-off with Optional River Cruise

8.Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-off with Optional River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 3,875 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $35

Use a one, 24, or 48-hour Big Bus ticket to tour London across three routes and more than 50 stops. Expect recorded commentary, open-top views, and optional Thames cruising. The 48-hour ticket adds Royal Walk, Harry Potter, and Jack the Ripper tours, while the evening option shows London’s landmarks lit up after dark.

“It was a great way to see the major points of interest in a short period of time. The route systems were well laid out that gave customers many options to get on and off. The audio feature was very informative. The validation of the ticket was very smooth.”

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London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise - The central circuit reaches London’s biggest sights
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London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise

9.London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3,834 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $53

See London from an open-top double-decker bus across three routes covering Buckingham Palace, the Tower, St Paul’s, museums, Notting Hill, and more. Your pass also includes a Thames sightseeing cruise, adult and children’s audio commentary, and app-based bus tracking. Choose a one, two, or three-day pass.

“It was not a “live” tour. We had difficulty connecting to the description and it didn’t seem like the tour description was customized. It became a way to get around versus a tour.”

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Manchester: Canal & River Cruise - Starting at Salford Quays beside The Lowry
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Manchester: Canal & River Cruise

10.Canal & River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,761 reviews · from $16Best value

Board under the blue and white Millennium Lift bridge by The Lowry Theatre for a one-hour cruise through Salford Quays and along the Manchester Ship Canal. English commentary covers the city's industrial past as you pass MediaCity, Old Trafford, Stephenson's 1830 railway bridge, Imperial War Museum, and Hulme Lock.

“Amazing value for money to see the sights of Salford and Manchester from a different angle, would highly recommend”

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London: Tootbus Must-See Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Cruise - Yellow and blue routes: the main sightseeing circuit
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London: Tootbus Must-See Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Cruise

11.Tootbus Must-See Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3,653 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $52

Use a 24, 48, or 72-hour Tootbus pass to see London by open-top bus and Thames boat. Hop off for the Tower, Westminster, St. Paul’s, Soho, or Borough Market, then track the next bus in the app. Commentary comes in 10 languages, with child-friendly English and French options.

“It was a fantastic experience. All the staff were so helpful and supportive. Especially Christina, one of the HOP-ON HOP-OFF BUS drivers was just outstanding. A big shout out for you Christina”

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Liverpool: Sightseeing River Cruise on the Mersey River - Boarding at Liverpool Pier Head
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Liverpool: Sightseeing River Cruise on the Mersey River

12.Sightseeing River Cruise on the Mersey River

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,427 reviews · from $17

Sail from Liverpool Pier Head on a classic Mersey Ferry with recorded commentary, indoor and outdoor seating, toilets, and a café bar. You’ll see Albert Dock, the Three Graces, Liverpool’s cathedrals, shipyards, and possibly Everton’s new stadium, while hearing Beatles and maritime stories.

“Our trip was very good. The facilites on the boat were good, and the commentary was informative and funny!”

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London: Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames - Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, and The Shard
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London: Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames

13.Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,274 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $53

Board a City Cruises boat at Tower Pier for a 90-minute Thames round trip. Enjoy sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, cakes, and unlimited tea and coffee while passing Tower Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, The Shard, the London Eye, and the Houses of Parliament. Commentary adds history and humor.

“Lovely staff - good commentary about London as we sailed - good great scones were warmed - tea replenished and cocktails and champagne (extra cost) good quality 👍🏻 thumbs up from us ❤️”

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Ghost, Ghouls and Gallows Tour : Guided Tour with Boat Ride - Berkeley Square and London’s most haunted house
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Ghost, Ghouls and Gallows Tour : Guided Tour with Boat Ride

14.Ghost, Ghouls and Gallows Tour : Guided Tour with Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,212 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $29

Meet near Green Park for a 2.5-hour evening tour covering Berkeley Square, royal parks, St. James’s Palace, and a 25-minute Thames boat ride to Tower Hill. Guides such as Marvin, Arne, Murray, and Eddie are known for lively storytelling, but the ghost content and guide quality can vary.

“The tour was just as expected and as advertised. Martin, our guide was the BEST storyteller and very knowledgeable about the history of the city and all the destinations visited.”

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London: River Thames Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise - Westminster to the London Eye: London’s grand opening scene
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London: River Thames Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise

15.River Thames Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,112 reviews · 1 day · from $33

Use a 24-hour City Cruises ticket to ride between Westminster, the London Eye, Tower Pier, and Greenwich. Expect all-weather boats, open-deck photo views, a bar serving drinks and snacks, and live commentary with history and humor. You can hop off for the Tower of London or Greenwich, then reboard later.

“My family really enjoyed seeing Greater London from the view point of the river. We learnt so much from the commentary and it was delivered in an amusing and easy way to learn about the various iconic buildings. The ferry was roomy and the staff were very helpful. The facilities were clean as well.”

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New in Cruises & Boat Tours

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★ 4.7Cornwall: Guided Seal Safari by BoatFrom $3763 reviews
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★ 4.5Oxford Sightseeing River Cruise Along The University Regatta CourseFrom $29652 reviews
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Explore Britain

Start with a city, a castle or a coastline.

Castles and crowns

Castles & PalacesRoyal Days OutWindsorStonehengeCathedrals & Abbeys

Screen and song

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After dark

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Beyond the cities

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