Thames cruises from Westminster Pier
Westminster Pier is on Victoria Embankment, postcode SW1A 2JH, in the Central fare zone. It sits a short walk from Parliament Square and the Elizabeth Tower, the tower that holds the bell called Big Ben. A ramp serves wheelchairs and pushchairs. Parliament warns that ramps can be steep and that a manual wheelchair may need help.
Two types of boat call here. The river bus is public transport on the water, with a ticket for each trip or a day ticket. The sightseeing cruise is built for visitors, with commentary and stops at Westminster, the London Eye, the Tower and Greenwich. This site is independent and does not run boats or sell tickets. Fares below are 2026 figures from the operators and can change.
River bus or sightseeing cruise
The same river, two different products. Adult prices in 2026.
| Question | River bus (Thames Clippers) | Sightseeing cruise (City Cruises) |
|---|---|---|
| Stops | Many piers along the river, Westminster is one of them | Westminster, London Eye, Tower and Greenwich |
| Commentary | – | Live or recorded English, with a multilingual audio guide on offer |
| Single fare, Central zone | £9.90 off-peak and £11.90 peak with Oyster or contactless; £11.70 online or in the app; £16.40 at the pier | Adult tickets from £14.50 in one tourism listing; check the operator's price for your route |
| Day ticket | Hop-on hop-off 1 day: £29.30 online, £32.60 at the pier | 24 Hour Hop-On Hop-Off River Pass |
| Children | Ages 5 to 15 pay 50 percent, with exceptions; up to 2 children aged 4 and under travel free per ticket holder | Ages 5 to 15 child fare; ages 0 to 4 free; adult fare from 16 |
| Refunds | – | Unused standard sightseeing tickets are not refundable |
The river bus fares above are the pay-as-you-go table, listed until 31 October 2026. Check the new table before a November trip. The table has peak and off-peak bands, so look up the exact hours on the operator's site before you plan around them.
Our picks: Thames cruises
Two sightseeing cruises from Westminster Pier and a bus and boat combination.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Hop-on hop-off bus, river cruise and London Eye
A 24 or 48-hour bus ticket on three routes, London Eye entry and a single river cruise. Audio commentary and headphones are included, hotel transfer is not.
Check availability →
Thames cruise from Westminster to Greenwich
One to two hours on the river with a fast-track boarding ticket, live English commentary and an audio guide in eleven languages.
Check availability →Thames cruise from Westminster to Tower Bridge
A 30 to 60-minute sightseeing cruise with audio commentary and an app audio guide in six languages. Food and drinks are extra.
Check availability →Thames cruises and river tours from Westminster
Sightseeing cruises, evening trips and combined tickets, with live prices and availability.
Times, boarding and journey lengths
What to expect at the pier.
River bus boarding
Boarding depends on capacity. Arrive at least 5 minutes before the departure. A ticket alone does not guarantee a place on one particular boat. The pier ticket office is listed as open 10:00 to 18:00, and the hours can change. That is a counter schedule, not the running time of all boats.
Sightseeing cruise timetable
The first departure from Westminster is at 10:00. The shoulder-season timetable runs from 7 September to 25 October 2026 and the winter timetable from 26 October 2026 to 22 March 2027. Boarding starts 10 minutes before departure. The shoulder-season table shows departures about every 40 minutes, while the operator's FAQ mentions 30 minutes. Check the current timetable before you go.
How long does it take
The operator lists Westminster or the London Eye to the Tower at 40 minutes one way and 80 minutes for the return. Greenwich is 70 minutes one way, and the full return trip is listed at 180 minutes. Some trips involve a change of boat at Tower Pier.
Safety on the river
The Port of London Authority advises against swimming in the tidal Thames. It describes swimming as acceptable only above Putney up to Teddington. Westminster is not a place to swim.
Step-free access
Westminster Pier has a ramp. One undated notice lists Millbank Pier as not step-free because of unplanned maintenance and names Westminster and Vauxhall as alternatives. Look at the operator's service alerts on the day.
Which boat suits which plan
Pick by what you want from the trip.
You want to get somewhere
Use the river bus with Oyster or contactless. The off-peak fare is the lowest listed single. If you ride several times in a day, compare the day ticket with the number of singles you expect.
You want a commentary
The sightseeing cruise comes with English commentary and an audio guide in several languages. It is the better fit if you want to understand what you pass, from the Palace of Westminster to the Tower.
Read the history of the tower →You already have a London Pass
The pass includes the City Cruises 24 Hour Thames River Pass. It does not include a free river bus ride. Read the details before you plan your days.
London Pass compared →You want the best photos
The boat is one way to see the Palace of Westminster from the water. From land, the bridge and the South Bank give good views of the tower.
Best views of Big Ben →Plan the rest of your day
Sights within reach of the pier.
Thames river cruise: frequently asked questions
Where do the boats leave from near Big Ben?
From Westminster Pier on Victoria Embankment, SW1A 2JH. The Westminster Underground station is on the Circle, District and Jubilee lines.
How much is a Thames river cruise?
It depends on the boat. In 2026 the river bus single in the Central zone is £9.90 off-peak and £11.90 peak with Oyster or contactless. The day ticket is £29.30 online. A sightseeing cruise ticket for adults starts from £14.50 in one listing.
Can I book a fixed departure?
For the river bus, boarding depends on capacity, so a ticket does not hold a seat on one particular boat. For the sightseeing cruise, follow the timetable and be at the pier 10 minutes before departure.
Can I cancel a sightseeing cruise ticket?
Unused standard sightseeing tickets are not refundable. An optional ticket assurance has its own terms. Do not assume free cancellation.
How long is the trip to Greenwich?
The operator lists 70 minutes one way from Westminster, and 180 minutes for the full return trip. Plan a long day if Greenwich is your goal.
Is this site run by a boat operator?
No. This is an independent guide with no link to the operators, Parliament or any attraction. Book on the operator's own pages.