riverboat cruises york

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City cruises york - sightseeing cruises.

Enjoy York's No. 1 sightseeing tour; an entertaining and informative cruise on the River Ouse!

• Min. 45-Minute Sightseeing Cruise
• Live Captain's Commentary
• On-Board Bar With Local Snacks & Beverages

Pre-Booking Advised! We advise pre-booking your cruise on our website - it's a great way to plan your visit to York!

Step on-board and take a seat on the top deck or wrapped up warm in our enclosed saloon - wherever you sit you will have a great view to uncover the history of our ancient city and the immense impact the River Ouse has had on its development. From the impact of flooding over the centuries to its prosperity as an inland port, bringing precious goods from across the globe into York, including the humble cocoa bean, that super-charged York’s world-famous chocolate industry.

You’ll discover more about all this history, as well as picking up some local knowledge, thanks to live, on-board commentary from our home-grown skippers. During your cruise, treat yourself at our on-board bar, stocked with a selection of beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks, hot drinks and snacks.

Walk-Ups Welcome! We reserve tickets for walk-ups... Visit us at Lendal Bridge or King's Staith Landing !

There are four guaranteed cruises from each of our landings:

King's Staith Landing: 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:00. Lendal Bridge Landing: 10:40, 12:10, 13:40, 15:10.

Many more trips operate, usually every 30-45 mins... Times are displayed at the landings and online! Also from City Cruises York... Evening Sightseeing with our Early Evening Cruise and Floodlit Evening Cruise ! Dining Cruises , take your pick from Lunch, Afternoon Tea and Evening Dinner! We WON a TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award 2021. We WON Visit York's Visitor Attraction of the Year 2019. We were NOMINATED for a York Press Business Award 2021. We are ACCREDITED by AA's Covid-19 Confident. We are ACCREDITED by Visit Britain's 'We're Good To Go'. We are MEMBERS of the Good Business Charter.

We create amazing experiences and will take great care of you from boarding to disembarking!

Opening Times

Up-to-date timings are on the City Cruises website ...

• On-Site Refreshments
• Live Tour Guide
• Baby Changing Facilities
• Covid-19 Precautions
• Mobile Ticketing
• Instant Confirmation
• Families Welcome
• Partially Wheelchair Accessible
• Facilities For Educational Visits
• Groups Welcome
• Facilities For Corporate Hospitality
• Nearby Parking (With Charges)
• Well-Behaved Dogs Accepted
• Regional Tourist Board Member
• Coach Parties Accepted

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York City Cruise | City Cruises™

Are your cruises accessible.

City Cruises welcomes everyone! We’re committed to making your river cruise safe, enjoyable, and accessible.

• Accessible Boat: Our fully-equipped River Duchess operates on a set schedule. To confirm timings for your visit, simply contact us beforehand.
• Accessibility Information: For detailed accessibility information, please review our Accessibility Statement before your cruise.

Have questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out! Call us at 020 77 400 400 or email [email protected] .

Where do the daytime sightseeing cruises depart from?

Our Daytime Cruises depart from two landing stages: Kings Staith and Lendal Bridge.

What facilities are on board the daytime sightseeing cruises?

On all of our boats, you’ll find both a bar and restroom facilities available.

Can I pay by card at the quayside and at the bar?

We accept both cash or a card as a form of payment.

Do you provide a Carer ticket on the daytime sightseeing cruises?

Passengers with health conditions or impairments sail with us at the normal adult rate. However, each passenger may have one carer sail with them free of charge on our Sightseeing Cruises. Carers are required to display some form of ID or other relevant proof of entitlement such as a blue badge or a Personal Independence Payments letter (issued by the DWP benefit office).

To redeem a Carer’s ticket please make the booking for the whole party except the carer. Following the booking please email [email protected] with the booking number and request the carer’s ticket to be added.

Can I use the York Pass on the daytime sightseeing cruises?

While the York Pass is accepted for our Daytime Sightseeing Cruises, it is not accepted for the Early Evening Cruise. However, you can receive a discounted price for the Floodlit Cruise with the use of the York Pass.

How long are the daytime sightseeing cruise?

The length of our York City Cruises is either 45 minutes or 1 hour, depending on the weather and demand. If you purchase your ticket online, it will be valid for the specific duration of the cruise that we are operating on the day of your visit.

What time do your daytime sightseeing cruises sail?

We offer frequent sailings throughout the day, starting with the first cruise departing from Kings Staith at 10:30am and from Lendal Bridge at 10:40am. The final guaranteed sailing leaves at 3pm from Kings Staith and at 3:10pm from Lendal Bridge. However, between April 1st and September 24th, the last guaranteed sailing departs at 4pm from Kings Staith and 4:10pm from Lendal Bridge.

Can I book a large group on the daytime sightseeing cruise?

For bookings of less than 20 people, please make your reservation online. However, for groups of 20 or more, kindly send an email to [email protected] .

What is the York City Cruise?

Experience the York City Cruise, a unique 45-minute sightseeing tour that showcases the captivating history and culture of York as you journey along the scenic River Ouse.

What can you see on the York City Cruise?

During the tour, you will have the chance to witness some of York’s most renowned landmarks, including the York Minster, Clifford’s Tower, and the historic city walls. Additionally, you can observe the local wildlife, such as swans and ducks, along the way.

Will there be a commentary on the York City Cruise?

The York City Cruise provides live commentary on board, giving you fascinating insights into the history and culture of York.

What should you wear on the York City Cruise?

To ensure your comfort during the cruise, we suggest wearing comfortable clothing and footwear. It is also advisable to bring along a light jacket or sweater in case of cooler temperatures.

Is the York City Cruise suitable for children?

We warmly welcome children on board and are pleased to offer complimentary admission for those under 5 years old.

Can I bring my pet on the York City Cruise?

We happily welcome well-behaved dogs on board our Daytime Sightseeing Cruises, River Bus Service, and Self Drive Boats, at no additional cost, as long as they are kept on a leash. Please note that only Guide/Hearing Dogs are permitted on our Dining Cruises and Santa Experience.

What are some nearby places to visit in York?

While visiting York, there are numerous attractions to discover in the vicinity, including the iconic York Minster, the Jorvik Viking Centre, and the National Railway Museum. Moreover, you can leisurely walk along the renowned city walls or explore the charming shops and cafes located in the Shambles.

Is the York City Cruise wheelchair accessible?

Two of our boats are wheelchair accessible, namely the River Palace and River Duchess. Additionally, the River Duchess features a wheelchair-accessible restroom. However, kindly note that wheelchair access is only available at our King’s Staith Landing.

To obtain directions to our King’s Staith Landing, please click here. If you would like to verify the sailing times for the River Palace or River Duchess, please contact our office at 020 77 400 400, or consult with one of our Quayside Managers on the day of your visit.

Do you sell Gift Vouchers for the daytime sightseeing cruises?

Digital Gift Cards are the perfect way to give someone an experience that lets them schedule their adventure at their convenience! A City Experiences digital gift card can be purchased anytime and is valid on all City Experiences, City Cruises, Walks, and Devour Tours experiences that take place in the US and in the UK. Gift cards can be used to pre-purchase experiences and upgrades online or through our contact center but cannot be redeemed for on-board/in-experience purchases.

Do you sell Gift Vouchers for the self-drive boats?

What happens if the river is in flood.

In York, there may be occasional instances of elevated river levels, which could affect our regular sailings. Nonetheless, we will strive to continue our voyages as long as it is safe to proceed. However, our smallest boat may face limitations and be unable to pass beneath the bridges at a certain point.

In such cases, our Lendal Bridge Landing may have to be closed, and we may operate solely from our Kings Staith landing, depending on the river’s level. We will endeavor to keep our customers informed through our website and advertising boards located at our moorings.

Do you accept the York Gift Card?

Yes, however we are only able to accept the Digital E-Card – we are unable to accept a physical card.

To redeem your York Gift Card, please present the digital card at the Boarding Point or at the On-Board Bar.

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