Great Trips Along the Thames from London

Just arrived in the UK capital? Grab a Gatwick airport taxi to your accommodation then get ready to explore! A great way to enjoy a very different view of the city is from on-board a boat cruising along the famous River Thames. It’s certainly a relaxing experience, but what will you get to see while on a river boat cruise? Everything!

Hop-on, Hop-off Convenience

What’s amazing about exploring London by boat is just how much you can see. Choose a tour that allows you to alight at certain places so you can explore the sites on foot as well as see them from the water. For instance, there are stops that allow visitors to get a closer look at the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, or St. Paul’s Cathedral. What’s more, there are various cruises available, ranging from quick two-hour journeys to those that allow you an entire day for optimum leisure. Then you can just cap it off by enjoying an early dinner at a restaurant somewhere along the riverbank.

Something for Everybody

Different boat cruises along the Thames will cater to different tastes, budgets and senses of adventure. A common option one where you sit back, relax and watch the city glide by at leisure, while a learned guide provides commentary along the way. Often, such cruises include gourmet meals, a great selection of wines and some form of entertainment. The premium cruises may even feature a live jazz band on board, playing classic tunes while you drift past the sights. However, if that seems a little slow for you, there's a faster, more exciting alternative: a speedy ride on a ridged inflatable boat (RIB)! You'll be equipped with all the specified safety gear, such as a life jacket, waterproof jacket and eye goggles, and if cruising is leisurely, the RIB is its exact opposite - when we say it is fast and thrilling, we mean it! The RIB can zip along the Thames at 30 knots, zigzagging wildly while the crew keep you entertained with a fun commentary.

How to Get There

Because London is a popular tourist destination, transportation in and around it is very well-established. You can take a Gatwick airport taxi directly to your accommodation, and this can also be pre-booked, ensuring there'll be no waiting around. As an aside, your Gatwick airport taxi driver will be a very valuable source of local information, so don’t be afraid to ask for tips. There are also Black Cabs, mini cabs, buses and, of course, the ubiquitous Tube, all of which are accessible all over the city.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for a Gatwick airport taxi, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.