Which Is the Best Boat Tour in London?
The best London boat tour for you: speedboats for a thrill, canal boats for a slow afternoon, the river bus on a budget, the hot tub boat for a story, a private yacht for an occasion (October 2026).
The best boat tour in London depends on who you are: for a thrill, the Thames Rockets speedboat, the highest-rated big seller at 4.9; for a first visit on a budget, a sightseeing cruise or the river bus; for a slow, green afternoon, a canal boat through Camden. Here is how each kind of boat matches each kind of traveller, with ratings and prices as listed in October 2026.
The short answer, by traveller
| If you are | Best pick | From (October 2026) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| On a first visit and want a thrill | River Thames Speedboat Tour | US$70 | 4.9 from 1,045 reviews: the landmarks slowly, then 30 knots to Canary Wharf |
| On a first visit and want the story | Westminster to Greenwich Cruise | US$23 | the most reviewed boat trip in London, an hour of commentary |
| Counting every pound | Uber Boat river bus | £6.20 | contactless, the same landmarks, no commentary |
| A group who want to steer | GoBoat on the Regent's Canal | US$127 a boat | up to eight on board, and you can bring a picnic |
| Marking an occasion | Private luxury yacht | US$1,997 | two hours with crew for up to eight |
| Out on a Saturday night, September to May | Illuminated River Boat Tour | US$27 | 40 minutes under nine lit bridges |
| With small children, or back for a second visit | Canal Boat Ride on Camden Lock | US$31 | any age, walking pace, a working lock |
| After a story to tell | Hot tub boat | US$60 | 75 minutes in a warm tub in the docks, from age 12 |
GetYourGuide prices and review counts as listed in October 2026, not a quote; the Uber Boat figure is Thames Clippers' off-peak contactless single. They change with the date and the group size.
Best for a first-timer
For most first visits, a sightseeing cruise is the safe choice and the speedboat the memorable one. The cruise from Westminster to Greenwich is the most reviewed boat trip in London, with more than 25,000 reviews at 4.5, and it gets you to Greenwich at the end. The speedboat scores higher, 4.9, and its reviews read like people who had fun rather than people who were informed. If you can do one thing on the river, ask which you would rather tell people about afterwards.
Best on a budget
The Uber Boat river bus, from £6.20 with contactless (October 2026), sees the same landmarks as a cruise boat without the commentary. For a guided trip, the Westminster to Greenwich Cruise at US$23 is the cheapest. The Uber Boat guide explains the fares.
Best for a group
The GoBoat on the Regent's Canal costs US$127 for a boat of up to eight that you drive yourselves, about US$16 each with eight on board, and you can bring a picnic. For a bigger occasion, a private luxury yacht for up to eight costs US$1,997 for two hours with crew and soft drinks (October 2026).
Best at night
The Illuminated River Boat Tour sails from Tower Pier on Saturdays at 21:30 from September to May, 40 minutes under nine lit bridges with a City of London and Westminster guide, from US$27. In summer, the sunset speedboat with a drink is the livelier evening.
Best with children
The canal boats suit any age; the main Thames speedboat takes babies from six months; the hot tub boat starts at 12. The children’s guide has every rule. For journey times, see the journey times guide, and for prices, the price guide.
The calendar below is for the River Thames Speedboat Tour from the London Eye Pier:
The Highest-Rated Boat Ride in London
Of London's big-selling boat trips on GetYourGuide, the River Thames Speedboat Tour has the best rating: 4.9 from 1,045 reviews. Fifty minutes from the London Eye to Canary Wharf and back, from US$70 a person as of October 2026.
Check Speedboat Dates