
Official Tower of London River Tour Sightseeing River Cruise
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 187 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Official Tower of London River Tour Sightseeing River Cruise worth booking?
Official Tower of London River Tour Sightseeing River Cruise is a 0.7-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $14 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 187 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (187)
- Duration
- 0.7 hours
- From
- $14 per person
We offers a unique and unforgettable perspective on London's rich history and iconic landmarks. Departing from Tower Bridge Quay, this premium experience will take visitors on a 40-minute circular trip along the River Th
What you get
- Guaranteed seat
- Live commentary on board by a fully trained guide
- Indoor and outdoor observation decks on the UK's first electric tour boat
- Sail past and learn about iconic London landmarks such as St Paul's Cathedral, The Globe and more
- Guaranteed entry and your allotted time
About this experience
We offers a unique and unforgettable perspective on London's rich history and iconic landmarks. Departing from Tower Bridge Quay, this premium experience will take visitors on a 40-minute circular trip along the River Thames. The tour is expertly curated by Historic Royal Palaces, written by co-creator of BBC’s TV series Ghosts, and delivered by live guides to bring passengers fascinating stories and secrets of London's landmarks. A truly enchanting and entertaining experience for visitors of all ages. Historical - Expertly curated by Historic Royal Palaces Premium - Luxurious custom-built boat built in the UK by superyacht specialists Unparalled - Panoramic views of London's iconic landmarks Entertaining - Written by Martha Howe-Douglas (co-creator of BBC's Ghosts) Sustainable - The UKs first electric tour boat
What's included
Included
- Guaranteed seat
- Live commentary on board by a fully trained guide
- Indoor and outdoor observation decks on the UK's first electric tour boat
- Sail past and learn about iconic London landmarks such as St Paul's Cathedral, The Globe and more
- Guaranteed entry and your allotted time
Not included
- Food and Drinks (available for purchase)
- Entry to the Tower of London
What you'll see and do
Tower of London
Behold the Tower of London, a 1,000-year-old riverside fortress that has served as a palace, prison, and home to the Crown Jewels.
Pass by without stopping
Tower Bridge
Glide under the iconic bascules of London's most famous and impressive Victorian bridge.
Pass by without stopping
The Monument to the Great Fire of London
Spot the gilded orb atop Sir Christopher Wren's towering column, a memorial to the Great Fire of 1666.
Pass by without stopping
The Shard
Gaze over at the striking, glass-clad skyscraper that dominates the modern London skyline.
Pass by without stopping
HMS Belfast
Get a waterside view of the last remaining Second World War Royal Navy cruiser, now a floating museum.
Pass by without stopping
Tate Modern
View the imposing former power station, now a world-renowned gallery of international modern and contemporary art.
Pass by without stopping
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
See the faithful reconstruction of the open-air playhouse where many of Shakespeare's greatest plays were first performed.
Pass by without stopping
St. Paul's Cathedral
Admire the magnificent dome of Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece, a symbol of London's resilience and faith.
Pass by without stopping
Look for the famous art deco tower with its distinctive windows that once advertised the well-known brand.
Pass by without stopping
Waterloo Bridge
Cruise under the "Ladies' Bridge," so-named for the women who built it during WWII, offering acclaimed city views.
Pass by without stopping
Houses of Parliament
Witness the majestic heart of UK democracy, a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture on the riverbank.
Pass by without stopping
Big Ben
The Elizabeth Tower also known as Big Ben: Hear the chimes and see the world's most famous clock, the iconic Elizabeth Tower, standing proudly beside the Houses of Parliament.
Pass by without stopping
London Eye
See the London Eye, a modern marvel of engineering that acts as the city's giant revolving viewpoint for an unparalleled bird's-eye perspective of London.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Depart from Tower Bridge Quay, our private pier directly next to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. A short walk from the Tower of London.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Depart from Tower Bridge Quay, our private pier directly next to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. A short walk from the Tower of London.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Tower of London River Tour
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Where we have stated at the time of booking that a particular vessel will be used for your tour, we will try to make sure your tour is on that vessel. However, this cannot be guaranteed as we may need to change the vessel because of operational, safety or security reasons.
- Tours will leave at the time stated on the ticket, please ensure you arrive in time for departure
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 202 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
202 verified traveler reviews for Official Tower of London River Tour Sightseeing River Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Good trip
Despite the weather, a nice & informative trip down the Thames
via Tripadvisor
Great Experience
The boat itself is fantastic - lots of seating inside and out and there is also a really nice bar area. Great commentary from the guide who was very knowledgeable with lots of interesting facts about London’s rich history, All in all a great experience and would definitely recommend
via Tripadvisor
Pleasant, informative way to see historical sights of London
Enjoyed this river boat trip as an add on to a visit to Sky Garden. Seats comfy, commentary interesting. Delightful way to see London. Shout out too to Mike at Customer Services was really helpful with a query. Would recommend this an excursion for families, friends and couples.
via Tripadvisor
A really enjoyable cruise.
We saw this offer on Travel Zoo which would allow you to buy half price tickets for the Tower Of London River Tour. With this in mind four off us booked up for Friday 28 August at 16:30. What I will say in advance is that we missed our booking as we had a real problem finding the location to board the boat. By the time we had located the jetty it was too late and the boat had sailed. We were told to come back at 17:30 and we could join the next cruise which we did. I thought I had worked out exactly where this jetty was prior to our cruise so was quite annoyed with myself for making such a pigs ear of locating this place. Basically it is right next to Tower Bridge on the East side. We followed signs from the tube station which to be quite honest sent us everywhere else except this location. Finally we asked and were then steered in the right direction. The cruise itself was excellent. We found the boats guide very informative as he enlightened us all on a number of views, sights and things of note. We sat in the bar area and sampled a few drinks while we enjoyed the cruise. Drinks are not cheap as a 300ml bottle of Prime Ale will set you back £8 and a small glass 125ml of Pinot Grigio will set you back £6:75. Anyway what choice do you have but pay the price they ask but I do feel they miss a trick here as 99% of the passengers never bought a drink and at these prices I can see why. We would highly recommend the cruise and the half price deal if you can get it makes the cruise even sweeter. The cruise takes around 45mins and the boat leaves promptly at every quarter to the hour.
via Tripadvisor
Great way to spend 45 mins
Really enjoyed this boat trip after our day at the Tower of London. The ‘guide’ was informative but fun and made it a really lovely, relaxing little trip. Highly recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 0.7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $14 to $24
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 65
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Official Tower of London River Tour Sightseeing River Cruise: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Official Tower of London River Tour Sightseeing River Cruise cost?
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Prices start at $14 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Official Tower of London River Tour Sightseeing River Cruise take?
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Plan for about 0.7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is Official Tower of London River Tour Sightseeing River Cruise worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 187 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Official Tower of London River Tour Sightseeing River Cruise?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Official Tower of London River Tour Sightseeing River Cruise suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Official Tower of London River Tour Sightseeing River Cruise?
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Around 65 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 0.7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Official Tower of London River Tour Sightseeing River Cruise start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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