The Westminster and Greenwich piers are two of London\u2019s busiest. On sunny weekends and school holidays the ticket-office line can reach 10\u201330 minutes<\/strong>, and boarding queues swell around 11:00\u201315:00<\/strong>. The easy win is a mobile e-ticket <\/strong>you buy in advance: go straight to the pier\u2019s boarding gate<\/strong> for scanning and skip the ticket desk<\/strong>. You\u2019ll still join the short boarding line, but you avoid the slowest queue entirely.<\/p>\r\n\r\n 1) Sightseeing cruise (City Cruises\u2013style)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n Timed mobile ticket, live or recorded commentary, indoor lounge plus open top deck.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t Choose one-way Westminster \u2192 Greenwich<\/strong> or return<\/strong>. Great if you want narration and photos.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n 2) Fast, frequent commuter boats (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n Think river metro: very frequent, tap-in\/ticket scan, minimal commentary.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t Best for speed<\/strong> and avoiding crowds at peak times.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n 3) 24-hour hop-on hop-off river pass<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n Board any time, multiple piers, commentary on most legs. Good value if you\u2019ll cruise more than once that day.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n Book a mobile ticket<\/strong> and head straight to the boarding gate<\/strong> at Westminster Pier<\/strong> or Greenwich Pier<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early<\/strong>; earlier for the last boats or big events.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t Sail before 11:00<\/strong> or after 16:00<\/strong> for smaller crowds and softer light.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t If the boarding queue looks long, check the live board for the next departure, <\/strong>boats are frequent and the next one is often quieter.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the London Eye, Victoria Embankment, St Paul\u2019s, Tate Modern, Shakespeare\u2019s Globe, the City skyline, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge<\/strong>, the Tower of London, Canary Wharf, then Cutty Sark<\/strong> and the classic terraces of Greenwich<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n One-way to Greenwich:<\/strong> cruise east, then explore Cutty Sark<\/strong>, National Maritime Museum<\/strong>, Greenwich Market<\/strong>, Royal Observatory<\/strong> and the park. Return by boat or by DLR\/rail.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t Return:<\/strong> sit on the opposite side for different views and stay flexible with time.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n Seats are unassigned<\/strong>; open deck fills first, board early for top-deck views.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t Audio commentary\/app<\/strong>: download before boarding; some boats have live guides.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t Weather<\/strong>: cruises run rain or shine; bring a layer for the breeze on deck.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t Strollers\/wheelchairs<\/strong>: most boats accept folded buggies; wheelchair access varies with tide and vessel, ask staff at the pier if you need assistance.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t Bar and toilets<\/strong>: available on most sightseeing boats.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t Photography<\/strong>: move between decks, best shots of Tower Bridge are from the bow as you pass beneath.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n Ticket-office lines<\/strong>: moderate to long on weekends, holidays and sunny afternoons.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t Boarding lines<\/strong>: move quickly but spike at midday; far shorter early morning and late afternoon.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t With a mobile ticket<\/strong> you skip the ticket office<\/strong> and usually board on the next or following departure.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","author":3,"attraction_name":"Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise","attraction_type":[77],"attraction_opening_hours":"Daily: Departs every 40 minutes from 10am from Westminster Pier, London Eye Pier, Tower Pier and Greenwich Pier. Times may differ seasonally. Duration 1 - 2 hours","attraction_video_main":"","discount_for_homepage":"","cancellation_policies":"Free cancellation - Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund","attraction_affiliate_widget_1":"The best ways to ride a London Cruise without waiting<\/h2>\r\n
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How to save time on a London Cruise?<\/h2>\r\n
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What you\u2019ll see en route in London<\/h2>\r\n
One-way or return?<\/h2>\r\n
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Practical tips on a London Cruise that save time<\/h2>\r\n
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Are the lines long?<\/h2>\r\n
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