Hi
I am traveling with a family of 5. We will be visiting the Tower on Saturday in July... i would like to follow the RS guide and take a boat to Westminster Abby for the afternoon tours.. but i looked online and i cannot get tickets on an afternoon boat. The City Cruise says their are not tickets available. Is this the case? What are the chances to get on this boat day of? What are our other options?
We anticipate based on the RS book to take a picnic lunch and boat mid day....
nichole
Posted by
84 posts
Check out the river services of the tfl. There are boats that operate like buses on the river with fixed stops. They are more expensive than the usual tubes, but cheaper than tours/cruises. http://content.tfl.gov.uk/river-services-map.pdf
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17560 posts
Just take a regular Thames Clipper (transport line) as suggested above. Here is the full website:
https://www.thamesclippers.com
No narration, it thT is unnecessary. It is slightly more expensive than a Tube trip, but much less than a cruise. And your Oyster or Travelcard will get you a discount.
We loved riding these boats when we were in London for three weeks.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Hi all
Thanks for the insight - but as this is our first trip to London we were hoping for a cruise with some narration. What about the Circular Cruise - can you catch this near Tower at noon and take to Westminster? Do you need to reserve a time slot for this or is your ticket good for all day? What are the chances of boat being full and not being able to get on ... Saturday in July.
is it best to buy tickets in advance?
Thanks again
nichole
Posted by
USA
281 posts
I was hoping to use this one (link below), the next time that I go to London. It seems to be the easiest with the discount on the the Tower too. My daughter's uncle lives in Essex, and they had a good time with it. I would imagine a Saturday in July could be the very busiest it could get. Is there any chance of doing this plan on a weekday? Hope you have fun :) -Alison
https://www.londonpass.com/london-attractions/thames-river-boat-cruise.html
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14818 posts
I'll just add a comment regarding where you mentioned the possibility of catching the ferry at Noon. I would not want to try this time frame as even if you get to the Tower at 9A when it opens you might be hard pressed to see what you want to see there plus walk out of the Tower and queue up at the dock for the boat trip. Even if you just did the Crown Jewels and maybe the free Yeoman Warder tour I think it will take longer than this on a crowded July weekend.
Posted by
FL
80 posts
I agree strongly with Pam. Both the Tower and Westminster take time, especially on a Saturday and in July. Relax and spend some quality time at the Tower, then if there is time left in the day do a quick tour, perhaps the All Hallows Church near the Tower, or maybe the park across the street where so many were beheaded. If you try to see the Tower AND Westminster Abby on one Saturday, you may wind up not enjoying either. The Abby, especially, will be shoulder-to-shoulder on Saturday. Only go on Saturday if that is your only option.