Royal London Guided Sightseeing Tour and Thames River Cruise in London
London, United Kingdom

Royal London Guided Sightseeing Tour and Thames River Cruise

Outty Ranking 53 3.9 · 31 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $55

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$55
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Outty Ranking

53/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.9/5

Based on 31 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Royal London Guided Sightseeing Tour and Thames River Cruise worth booking?

Royal London Guided Sightseeing Tour and Thames River Cruise is a 3-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $55 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 3.9/5 rating across 31 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
53 / 100
Rating
3.9/5 (31)
Duration
3 hours
From
$55 per person

This fantastic half-day tour provides the perfect introduction to London's major landmarks. See the best bits of London in only half a day and learn all about London's history with your Expert Tour Guide. Plus, watch the

What you get

    About this experience

    This fantastic half-day tour provides the perfect introduction to London's major landmarks. See the best bits of London in only half a day and learn all about London's history with your Expert Tour Guide. Plus, watch the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace, an event steeped in tradition and ceremony. Enjoy a River Cruise after your guided tour and see the sights of London from a different angle.

    What's included

    Included

    • Live commentary
    • One way Thames River cruise ticket (approximately 40-45 minutes)
    • Superior Coach incl. Wifi & USB charging on board
    • Expert guide
    • Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace or Horse Guards Parade
    • Panoramic tour of London

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Hotel pick-up and drop off

    What you'll see and do

    1. Buckingham Palace

      Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of the UK's sovereigns since 1837 and today is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Trafalgar Square

      Trafalgar Square is a public square in the City of Westminster, Central London, built around the area formerly known as Charing Cross. Its name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars with France and Spain that took place on 21 October 1805 off the coast of Cape Trafalgar.

      Pass by without stopping

    3. Westminster Abbey

      A royal church in the centre of London offering daily services for all and a World Heritage Site with over a thousand years of history.

      Pass by without stopping

    4. Houses of Parliament

      The Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Big Ben

      Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London and is usually extended to refer to both the clock and the clock tower.

      Pass by without stopping

    6. Changing of the Guard

      Changing the Guard – also known as Guard Mounting – is the iconic ceremony which is seen by millions of people each year at Buckingham Palace. If there is no changing of the Guard, we will instead see the Changing of the Horse Guards at Horse Guards Parade.

      45 minutes here

    7. Parliament Square

      Parliament Square in Westminster is next to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. The square was created in the 1860s and contains statues of well known statesmen including Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela.

      Pass by without stopping

    8. Thames River

      At the end of our tour, make your way down to Westminster Pier and hop on the next available boat for a scenic cruise down the River Thames. Enjoy a unique view of London and its beautiful waterfront as you head from Westminster Pier to Tower Pier next to the formidable Tower of London.

      40 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    London

    Victoria Coach Station, Evan Evans Counter - Gate 1 - 5

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Near Victoria Station

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    de, ko, cmn, ja, en, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 9 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Evan Evans Tours

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • For a wheelchair user : Please inform us in advance if you intend to bring wheelchair.
    • Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace currently takes place on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
    • If there is no Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace we see the Changing of the Guard at Horse Guards Parade instead
    • Thames River cruise is from Tower Pier to Westminster Pier or Westminster Pier to Tower Pier (open dated, can use tickets any time during stay in London)
    • Please note that there is no transfer included for the Thames River Cruise.

    Photos

    Buckingham PalaceRoyal London Guided Sightseeing Tour and Thames River Cruise in London, photo 3Westminster AbbeyBuckingham PalaceBuckingham PalaceThames River Cruise

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 31 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    7 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    4 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    31 verified traveler reviews for Royal London Guided Sightseeing Tour and Thames River Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    19
    4 star
    2
    3 star
    3
    2 star
    2
    1 star
    5
    Sort
    Bruce_H · August 2025

    Great Experience

    Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and thorough and our driver was safe, overall a great experience.

    Response from the operator: Dear Bruce_H, Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re glad to hear that our guide’s knowledge and thoroughness, along with our driver’s safe driving, contributed to a great overall experience. Your satisfaction means a lot to us. We hope to welcome you on another Evan Evans tour in the future. Warm regards, The Evan Evans Team

    via Viator

    676jayeshu · October 2024

    Best Tour In London

    The tour guide Sheila was amazing. She kept us all very engaged with very good information about the tour. We also did the Stonehenge and Bath Tour with Sheila. She is a very good tour guide. 100% recommended her.

    Response from the operator: Dear 676jayeshu, Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful time on the Stonehenge and Bath tour with Sheila as your guide. It’s fantastic to know that she kept everyone engaged with her knowledge and enthusiasm—she truly brings each location to life! We appreciate your recommendation of Sheila and are thrilled she made your tour memorable. We hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable adventures with us in the future! Warm regards,

    via Tripadvisor

    FoyeEllis_D · October 2024

    The changing of the guards

    Our tour guide was amazing. I cannot remember her name unfortunately. She knew all the history of the Royals and the landmarks around London. One of the best tours ever.

    Response from the operator: Dear guest, Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience with our tour guide and that her knowledge of the Royals and London’s landmarks made your tour memorable. We strive to provide insightful and engaging experiences for our guests, and we’re delighted to know that this tour ranked among the best you’ve ever taken. Thank you for choosing Evan Evans Tours, and we hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure soon! Best regards, The Evan Evans Team

    via Viator

    988damarism · May 2024

    Expensive

    You can do this on your own and save lot of money on a city tour, we missed the meeting time because the weather and they didn’t even let us meet up with the group, they give one way cruise and you have to find your way back, we did more ourself didn’t need to pay ridiculous money, everything is right there in the city just get a map and hop on and off city bus make sure to get the red not the blue bus

    Response from the operator: Dear 988damarism, Thank you for getting in touch with us. We are sorry, that the tour didn't meet your expectations. Unfortunately, we cannot delay our coaches as we are restricted by Victoria Coach station rules. As we state on our website the river cruise tickets are one way tickets only. If you need any further assistance please send us an email at reservations@evanevanstours.co.uk. Best wishes, Evan Evans Team

    via Tripadvisor

    September_T · April 2024

    Boat tour is not automatic

    Tour guide was knowledgeable and passionate about London history. However, tour does not include a scheduled boat tour. Received 2 passes for water and you have to go online and schedule it yourself. Since I only scheduled one day in London, that was not feasible.

    Response from the operator: Dear September_T, Thank you for your feedback. We're glad to hear that you found the tour guide knowledgeable and passionate about London history. We apologize for any inconvenience regarding the boat tour passes, however we do offer the option to book river cruise tickets, if you choose to do so. Thank you for your feedback. If there's anything else we can assist you with or if you have any further feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out. We want to ensure that all aspects of our tours meet our guests' expectations. Thank you again for your feedback, and we hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in London. Best regards, Evan Evans Team

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $55 to $60
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    11
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 53

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)43
    Review evidence (18% weight)46
    Booking momentum (14% weight)38
    Value for money (12% weight)93
    Listing quality (10% weight)70
    Local standing (8% weight)0
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Royal London Guided Sightseeing Tour and Thames River Cruise: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.

    How much does Royal London Guided Sightseeing Tour and Thames River Cruise cost?

    +

    Prices start at $55 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 Royal London Guided Sightseeing Tour and Thames River Cruise take?

    +

    Plan for about 3 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 Royal London Guided Sightseeing Tour and Thames River Cruise worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.9/5 across 31 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 Royal London Guided Sightseeing Tour and Thames River Cruise?

    +

    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 Royal London Guided Sightseeing Tour and Thames River Cruise suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Royal London Guided Sightseeing Tour and Thames River Cruise?

    +

    Around 11 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?

    +

    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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Royal London Guided Sightseeing Tour and Thames River Cruise start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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