County Hall SE1 7PB
Hourly cruises from 10.45am – 4.45pm daily
Tube: Westminster, Waterloo Overground: Waterloo
40 mins
All
from £11 pp
About the London Eye River Cruise
Want to rest your legs but still tick off loads of iconic sights? The London Eye River Cruise is your answer. This 40-minute boat ride sails past Big Ben, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s and Shakespeare’s Globe, with fun live commentary that somehow keeps even the wriggliest kids interested.
You can sit inside or out, so it works whatever the weather – and yes, there’s an onboard bar for drinks and snacks (essential when someone’s suddenly starving five minutes in). The cruise departs from the pier right beneath the London Eye, making it super easy to combine the two for a full day out.
Teens will love snapping skyline selfies, little ones can wave at passing boats and spot landmarks, and grown-ups can enjoy someone else doing the tour guiding for once. It’s chilled, scenic and surprisingly fun – a great way to see the city without anyone moaning about walking.
Top tip from the KidRated Team:
Book the Eye and Cruise combo online to save money and skip queues. More fun, less faff. Win-win.
The cruise starts and ends at the London Eye Pier, right beneath the London Eye on the South Bank. Super central and easy to find, even with kids in tow.
It lasts about 40 minutes from start to finish – just enough time to see the sights without anyone asking, “are we nearly done yet?”
On a dry day, the open-air upper deck is unbeatable for views and family selfies. If the weather’s a bit grim, the lower deck has large windows and comfy seats, and it’s still a great ride.
Absolutely. The best views (and pics!) are of Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Sit on the right-hand side (starboard) when boarding for the best angles.
There’s a multilingual audio guide, not specifically made for kids. The live commentary is lively and packed with fun facts – even teens might learn something without rolling their eyes.
Definitely. It’s gentle, safe, and short enough to keep everyone’s attention, plus it gives tired feet a break while still ticking off big London landmarks.
Yes, there are loos on board the boat, which is a lifesaver if someone suddenly needs to go mid-cruise. They’re clean and well maintained, but worth a pre-trip visit just in case.
Not really. Outside food and drink aren’t allowed on the boat, but there is a small bar on board selling snacks, drinks, and treats. Handy for grumbly tummies.
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