Nestled along the banks of the River Ouse, the historic city of York offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore its rich heritage from the comfort of a leisurely river cruise. The York: River Ouse City Cruise provides an immersive experience, weaving live commentary with stunning views of the city’s iconic landmarks. Whether you opt for the 45-minute or 1-hour tour, you’ll be captivated by the stories that unfold before you as you glide through the heart of this captivating destination. But as you’ll soon discover, this is just the beginning of what the city has to offer.
This experience made our list of the 13 Best Cruises And Boat Tours In York.
Key Points
- The River Ouse City Cruise offers a 45-minute or 1-hour boat tour with live commentary highlighting York’s history and landmarks from a unique waterfront perspective.
- The cruise features an enclosed and heated saloon for a comfortable experience, along with an on-board bar for refreshments during the journey.
- Passengers can choose between an upstream/downstream 1-hour cruise or a 45-minute trip through the center of the walled city.
- The cruise departs from the City Cruises York Kings Staith Landing, with nearby car parking and easy access from the train station.
- The cruise operator ensures passenger and crew safety, with refunds or ticket exchanges available in case of cancellations due to river conditions or weather.
Activity Overview
The River Ouse City Cruise in York offers visitors a 45-minute or 1-hour boat tour with live commentary highlighting the city’s history and landmarks.
The cruise takes guests on an immersive journey, providing a unique perspective of York’s iconic sites.
The enclosed and heated saloon on the boat ensures a comfortable experience, while the on-board bar allows passengers to enjoy refreshments during the tour. Restrooms are also available for added convenience.
Whether you choose the shorter or longer cruise, you’ll be treated to an entertaining and informative exploration of York’s rich past from the comfort of the water.
Want to dig deeper into York? We've also reviewed these city tours
Cruise Highlights
Visitors can admire York’s historic sites from a different perspective during the River Ouse City Cruise, offering an entertaining and informative live tour along the way. The on-board experience allows guests to enjoy drinks and refreshments from the bar while learning about the city’s landmarks.
Highlights | |
---|---|
Admire York’s historic sites | from a different perspective |
Entertaining and informative live tour | of the city’s history and landmarks |
Opportunity to enjoy drinks and refreshments | from the on-board bar |
The cruise routes offer a choice between a 1-hour upstream and downstream journey or a 45-minute trip through the center of the walled city, providing flexibility to suit different interests and time constraints.
Cruise Routes
Cruise passengers can choose between two distinct routes to explore the River Ouse:
- A 1-hour upstream and downstream journey
- A 45-minute trip through the center of the walled city
The 1-hour cruise travels upstream to Clifton Bridge and then downstream to the Millennium Bridge, allowing passengers to admire York’s historic sites from a different perspective.
Alternatively, the 45-minute cruise offers a shorter route that navigates through the heart of the city.
Both options provide an entertaining and informative live tour, with a knowledgeable guide sharing insights into York’s rich history and landmarks.
Regardless of the chosen route, passengers can enjoy drinks and refreshments from the on-board bar throughout the journey.
Meeting Point
Passengers can conveniently access the River Ouse City Cruise from the City Cruises York Kings Staith Landing, located near several nearby car parks.
The closest options are the St. George’s Field and Castle car parks.
For those arriving by train, the meeting point is an easy walk from the station. Simply turn left, follow the road under the city walls, turn left at the T-junction onto Bridge Street, and cross the Ouse Bridge to reach the landing.
The River Ouse’s water levels can impact daily operations, but the operators will attempt to sail as long as it’s safe to do so.
In the event of a cancellation, customers will receive a full refund or be able to use their ticket on another date.
More Great Thing To Do NearbyTransportation Options
Getting to the River Ouse City Cruise is straightforward, with convenient car parking options nearby and a short walk from the train station.
The tour departs from the City Cruises York Kings Staith Landing, located just a few minutes’ walk from the following:
- St. George’s Field car park
- Castle car park
- Ouse Bridge, which is accessible from Bridge Street after crossing under the city walls from the train station
- A pleasant riverside stroll from the city center
With these transportation options, visitors can easily reach the departure point and enjoy the scenic River Ouse City Cruise, taking in York’s historic landmarks from a unique perspective.
Ready to set sail again? More boat adventures we've reviewed in York
Cruise Safety and Operations
The River Ouse’s water levels can sometimes impact daily cruise operations, especially after heavy rainfall. Operators will always attempt to sail as long as it’s safe to do so, with the safety of passengers and crew being the top priority.
In the event of cancellations, customers will receive a full refund or be able to use their ticket on another date.
The City Cruises York team closely monitors the river conditions and weather forecasts to ensure smooth sailing whenever possible.
While occasional disruptions may occur, the operators are committed to providing an enjoyable and secure experience for all visitors exploring the historic city of York from the River Ouse.
Ticket Information
Cruises depart from the City Cruises York Kings Staith Landing, with nearby parking available at St. George’s Field and Castle car parks.
From the train station, visitors can follow the directions to reach the embarkation point – turning left, going under the city walls, turning left at the T-junction onto Bridge Street, and walking across the Ouse Bridge.
Ticket options include:
- 45-minute cruise through the center of the walled city
- 1-hour cruise upstream to Clifton Bridge and downstream to Millennium Bridge
- Opportunity to enjoy drinks and refreshments from the on-board bar
- Live commentary on York’s history and landmarks throughout the journey
Contact Details
Customers can contact City Cruises York for additional information or to make reservations by calling the dedicated telephone number, 01904 612 191.
Alternatively, they may visit the company’s website at citycruisesyork.com to learn more about the River Ouse City Cruise and other available offerings. The website provides detailed information about cruise routes, schedules, and pricing. Customers can also use the online booking system to purchase tickets.
For those with specific questions or requests, the company encourages contacting their friendly and knowledgeable customer service team, who are available to assist Monday through Sunday.
With multiple contact options, City Cruises York aims to make booking and planning the River Ouse City Cruise as seamless as possible for all customers.
Recap
The York: River Ouse City Cruise offers an engaging way to discover the historic city from a unique perspective.
With live commentary, refreshments, and a choice of routes, the cruise caters to various interests and time constraints.
The convenient meeting point and transportation options make it easily accessible, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for visitors to explore York’s iconic landmarks and rich history.
You can check if your dates are available here:More City Tours in York
More Boat Tours & Cruises in York
More Tour Reviews in York
- Europe’s Most Haunted City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of York
- The Best of York Private Walking Tour: Landmarks & Hidden Gems
- Mad Alices Bloody Execution Tour – Morning Tour
- The Full Hoot Distillery Tour & Guided Hooting Owl Experience
- Private Half-Day North York Moors National Park Tour From York or Harrogate
- Complete Tour of York
Not for you? Here's more things to do in York we have recnetly reviewed
- 13 Best Cruises And Boat Tours In York
- 3 Best Christmas Experiences In York
- 3 Best Food Tours In York
- Immersive Treasure Hunt Adventure in York – Outdoor Escape Room
- Private Tour: Lake District From York in 16 Seater Minibus
- Private Half-Day Yorkshire Dales National Park Tour From York or Harrogate
- Full-Day Heartbeat Locations Tour From York
- 7 Best Drinking & Pub Tours In York
- Private Tour: North Yorkshire Moor and Whitby From York in 16 Seater Minibus
- Whitby – Home of Captain Cook and Count Dracula
- Immersive City Treasure Hunt in York
- 25 Best Tours In York