You haven't truly seen London til you've taken a look at its biggest landmarks from the water. The Thames has been the lifeblood of London since ancient times, carrying goods and people right into the city's bustling heart. Massive attractions like Big Ben and the House of Parliament are best seen from the water, allowing you to appreciate their intricate architecture. Pass under Tower Bridge and you'll see a London icon in action. Or gaze upon more modern additions like National Theatre and London Eye, with gorgeous lighting that comes into its own as the sun begin to set.
There are a bewildering array of ways to explore the Thames. You can zip down it on a speedboat, climb aboard a tourist vessel or join the commuters on a packed clipper. Or splash the cash on a fancy boat trip with food and entertainment thrown in. Whatever you opt for, there's no doubt that London’s top attractions are best seen from the water – so get your camera ready.
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Bring your waterproofs, because the slick RIB (rigid inflatable boat) operation offers a high-speed ride on the Thames. It's a great way to discover how exhilarating it can be to swoop along the Thames at almost 30 knots – that’s nearly 35 mph, nautical novices! We're not sure how much you'll actually be able to see, but there are plenty more leisurely-paced tours for that sorta thing.
Want to see the city in style? City cruises operate on a hop-on, hop-off basis and run from Westminster, Waterloo, Tower and Greenwich Piers with commentary along the way. All the departure points are convenient for the city’s various sights, with Greenwich Pier ideal for the Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory.
Instead of a usual tour’s drab history lessons and endless stream of tedious facts, why not try something a little more thrilling? The Thames RIB Experience is more like a rollercoaster than a classic sightseeing tour, and sees passengers jetted across the water at an impressive 45mph. Lifejackets and waterproofs are provided (fortunately), leaving you free to enjoy whizzing around in figure-eights in open water between Tower Bridge and the Isle of Dogs. Try and take in some sights as the high winds reshape your face.
Thames River Boats take you all the way from the Palace of Westminster upriver to Hampton Court Palace. It’s a pretty leisurely 22-mile journey: in 90 minutes you’ll be at Kew; in another 90, you’ll be at Hampton Court. But this westward route is a lovely way to appreciate the Thames, as the banks get greener, less cluttered with high-rise buildings and the river buses are replaced by rowers.
You don't have to pay big bucks to glide down the Thames on a boat, taking in gorgeous views of London's biggest attractions. Thames Clipper has been running an affordable river bus service since 1999, with speedy catamarans servicing both commuters and travellers, as well as offering a pocket-friendly way for tourists to zip across the city.
In 2020, Uber partnered with Thames Clippers, rebranding the service as Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. But don't be fooled by the name: unlike taxis, these boats run on a regular timetable, with services running about once every half an hour, both east and westbound. It's integrated into the TfL network, meaning you can pay by Oyster pay as you go as well as contactless. You can also get a River Roamer day pass that'll let you hop on and off boats to your heart's content.
Services run between Putney Pier to the west and Barking Riverside Pier to the east, with stops at key spots including Battersea Power Station, London Eye, Canary Wharf and Greenwich.
Why choose between the road and the river when you can have both? First up on this guided tour you'll be driven round the capital in a routemaster (that's the old red double decker bus), before boarding a Thames Cruiser to view the sites from the water. Sail past landmarks like Shakespeare's Globe and Tower Bridge, before getting back on the bus for a photo op at her Maj's residence: Buckingham Palace. There's also the option to add a ticket for the London Eye or fish and chips on this package.
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