Water activity

York: River Ouse City Cruise

Activity provider: City Cruises York
Water activity

York: River Ouse City Cruise

Activity provider: City Cruises York

From US$ 17.12 per person

Spend a relaxing hour on the River Ouse and see the sights of York from a different perspective. With the flexibility of an anytime ticket, you'll enjoy the entertaining and informative commentary of a live guide at the time of day of your choice.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 45 minutes
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights
  • Admire York’s historic sites from a different perspective with an anytime ticket
  • Enjoy the informative and entertaining live commentary
  • Sip your favorite drink, available at the fully stocked bar on board
Full description
The York City Cruise provides an entertaining and informative tour of the historic city as seen from the River Ouse. Enjoy the sights from a different perspective as a friendly and knowledgeable team guides you leisurely up and downstream. Your cruise departs from the King's Staith landing. Admire the scenery from the comfort of the enclosed saloon or the upper deck and treat yourself to a refreshing drink from the bar. The duration of the cruise is either 45 minutes or 1 hour and is determined by the weather on the day and by demand. Your ticket will be valid for whatever duration is offered on the day of your visit. Typically the 1-hour cruise follows a route that heads upstream to Clifton Bridge on the northern outskirts of York city and then downstream as far as the Millennium Bridge on the city’s southern outskirts, before returning back upstream to the original landing stage. The 45-minute cruise operates in the same area without going quite as far in either direction, passing through the center of the walled city. During the cruise, the captain will keep you entertained with live commentary about the sites you pass. Learn about York’s history of flooding and its prosperity as an inland port, as you sail along the river that brought the Romans and the Vikings to this site. You’ll sail on a vessel that features an enclosed and heated saloon, restrooms, and a fully stocked bar serving beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks.
Includes
  • River cruise
  • Live commentary
  • Access to on-board facilities (bar, restroom)
  • Food and drinks

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Join the boarding queue and present your ticket at City Cruises York King's Staith Landing (across from the Queen's Hotel and outside the King's Arms and Lowther public houses). Nearest car parks: • St. George's Field car park (YO10 4AB) • Castle car park (YO1 9SR) From the train station: Turn left out of the station and follow the road under the city walls. Walk straight ahead onto Rougier Street, and turn left at the T-junction onto Bridge Street. Walk across the Ouse Bridge. The landing is down the steps on the right-hand side of the bridge, near the King's Arms pub.

Open in Google Maps ⟶
Important information

Know before you go

  • Please note that the River Ouse in York can occasionally rise to levels that can have an impact on this cruise's daily operations after periods of heavy rainfall in the catchment area upstream
  • The local operators will always attempt to sail, so long as it is safe to do so. There can come a point where the smallest boat can no longer fit underneath the bridges
  • Depending on the height of the waters, they may not be able to sail at all. In this instance, you will either be eligible for a full refund or your ticket(s) will happily be accepted on another date during your stay if sailing is possible
  •  Otherwise, your ticket is valid on one York Sightseeing Cruise departing on the named date sailing between 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 1124 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.6/5
  • Transportation
    4.6/5
  • Service
    4.6/5
  • Organization
    4.6/5

Sort by:

Traveler type:

Star rating:

Had a great cruise with Fraser and crew. Very informative about the history of York, with a few jokes thrown in for good measure too - all excellent value for money! Throughly recommend for anybody looking to do something different while visiting York.

March 25, 2023

Lovely trip we had the boat to ourselves apart from one other couple . Be careful though if booking through Get Your Guide they will give you a specific time and then if you click on your tickets and look at the sailings the timings are completely different! The company allowed us to catch the next boat as it was quiet so we were ok - but I imagine during busy summer times this could be a big problem - you can pay in the queue on the day as well easily . I get the impression we were not the first with this issue from the comment the representative made . Otherwise informative and relaxing.

Read more

March 25, 2023

Fantastic cruise trip all staff very friendly. I asked if the skipper could announce my friends birthday which he did and all on board sang happy birthday. Would highly recommend this fantastic trip. Staff couldn’t do enough to make our trip enjoyable. Especially the skipper.

March 25, 2023

Product ID: 103859