Booking choice: The Thames lunch cruise, from $72 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
London has four easy ways to eat on the river by day: City Cruises' lunch cruise and afternoon tea cruise from Tower Millennium Pier, Tea on the Thames' afternoon tea from Butler's Wharf Pier, and afternoon tea at the Clipper Lounge, a floating lounge at Embankment Pier that does not sail.
Here is how they compare, which ones suit children, and which ones explain what you are looking at.
The quick answer
For a proper meal with commentary, the 90-minute lunch cruise at 11:45am. For scones and unlimited tea, the 90-minute afternoon tea cruise at 3:30pm, with child menus. For a Tower Bridge start and a lively guide, Tea on the Thames. For tea without leaving the pier, the Clipper Lounge, but it is non-refundable.
How do the daytime Thames dining cruises compare?
The lunch cruise is the most reviewed; the afternoon tea cruise is the cheapest; the Clipper Lounge is the only one that stays put.
| Option | Pier, time | Food | Commentary | Cancellation | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch cruise | Tower Millennium, 11:45am, 1.5 h | 2 courses, tea or coffee | Live or recorded | 3 days | $72 |
| Afternoon tea cruise | Tower Millennium, 3:30pm, 1.5 h | Sandwiches, scones, cakes, unlimited tea | Live or recorded | 3 days | $54 |
| Tea on the Thames | Butler's Wharf, 90 min | Afternoon tea | Live guide, say guests | 24 hours | $74 |
| Clipper Lounge | Embankment Pier, 1 h, moored | Afternoon tea for two, Champagne or G&T | None | Non-refundable | $61 |
Want a full meal by day? The lunch cruise comes with commentary.
Check dates for the Thames lunch cruiseThames lunch cruise: best for a proper meal
A 90-minute loop from Tower Millennium Pier to Westminster and back at 11:45am, with a 2-course lunch (main and dessert), tea or coffee, and live or recorded commentary.
Rated 4.5 from 1,107 reviews, it is the best-reviewed City Cruises meal. Guests praise the food and the crew's commentary, often delivered with humour. Other drinks are extra, and one group arrived three minutes late and missed the boat, so be early.
City Cruises afternoon tea cruise: best value for tea
A 90-minute cruise from Tower Millennium Pier at 3:30pm with sandwiches, scones, cakes and unlimited tea or coffee, plus commentary.
Many guests love it; the complaints are about heat in the saloon on warm days, slow service and paying extra for water (one guest reports £8.50). Champagne is extra from the bar. Child menus are available, which makes it the easiest family pick. If a window seat matters, guests advise choosing that option when you book.
After scones with a view? Unlimited tea and commentary, with child menus for the family.
Explore the afternoon tea cruiseTea on the Thames: best for a guided tea
A 90-minute afternoon tea cruise from Butler's Wharf Pier, beside Tower Bridge.
It is rated 5.0 from its first 30 reviews, and guests single out the guide's narration. It is not suitable for under-5s, diets need 72 hours' notice, and it cancels free up to 24 hours before. The pier is a 7-minute walk from London Bridge station, but one guest's taxi from Mayfair took almost an hour, so allow time.
The Clipper Lounge: tea without the cruise
Afternoon tea for two at a floating lounge on Embankment Pier: an hour of scones, sandwiches, cakes and tea, finished with a glass of Champagne or a gin and tonic.
It does not sail, but it sits right on the river, and one guest notes a slight bob if you get seasick. You choose classic, vegetarian or vegan sandwiches. Its listing says it is wheelchair and stroller accessible. It is also the only one that is non-refundable and cannot be changed.
Which is best with kids?
The lunch and afternoon tea cruises: both welcome children, and the tea cruise has child menus. The dinner cruises are not for under-13s.
Tea on the Thames' afternoon tea is not suitable for under-5s, and its dinner option is adults only. The London Showboat is sold for ages 13 and over. The daytime cruises are also short enough for younger attention spans, at 90 minutes.
Bringing the family? The afternoon tea cruise has child menus and commentary.
Check dates for the afternoon tea cruiseWhich cruises have commentary?
City Cruises' lunch and afternoon tea cruises have live or recorded commentary, and Tea on the Thames guests praise a live guide.
Commentary depends on the crew: some guests rave about a funny, knowledgeable host, others got a recording. The evening and dinner cruises have none. For a guided view plus the London Eye, the London Eye river cruise has live commentary.
Lunch, afternoon tea or the Showboat?
Lunch or tea for daylight views, commentary and children; the Showboat for an adults' night out with the city lit up.
- First day in London, want the sights explained: the lunch cruise.
- A classic British treat: the afternoon tea cruise or Tea on the Thames.
- Mobility needs or a stroller: the Clipper Lounge.
- A special night out: the London Showboat dinner cruise. See Thames dinner cruises compared.
Saving the river for the evening? The Showboat sails at 7:45pm from Westminster.
Check dates for the London ShowboatFrequently asked questions
Can children go on a Thames afternoon tea cruise?
Yes. City Cruises' afternoon tea cruise has child menus. Tea on the Thames' afternoon tea is not suitable for under-5s.
Are drinks included on the lunch and afternoon tea cruises?
Tea or coffee is included (unlimited on the afternoon tea cruise). Wine, beer, champagne and, guests report, even water are extra.
Is the Clipper Lounge a cruise?
No. It is a floating lounge moored at Embankment Pier. You get the river view and a slight bob, but you do not sail.
Which daytime cruise is longest?
The City Cruises lunch and afternoon tea cruises and Tea on the Thames' afternoon tea all last about 90 minutes; the Clipper Lounge tea is about an hour.
Ready to book
Choose your cruise
Free cancellation on every option except the Clipper Lounge tea: 3 days before on City Cruises, 24 hours on the others. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the date.
Thames Lunch Cruise with 2-Course Meal
Daylight views, commentary and lunch
Tea on the Thames: Dinner or Afternoon Tea
- Dinner option: 2.5 hours, two-course meal and live music (adults only)
- Afternoon tea option: 90 minutes with sandwiches, scones and sweets
- Departs Butler's Wharf Pier, 7 minutes' walk from London Bridge
