Aboard · CANAL CRUISES

The 15 Best Canal Cruises in the World

25 tours  ·  from $15 a head

Canal boats are low, slow and usually covered, which makes them the one trip that works in bad weather. The 15 below cover Amsterdam, Venice, Bangkok and the rest, with prices, running times and which ones come with a drinks tray.

Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option - From the Jordaan to the Prinsengracht
Amsterdam Boat Tours, Boat Tours, Canal Cruises, Canal Cruises in Amsterdam, Canal Cruises in the Netherlands, Netherlands Boat Tours, Party Boat Cruises, Party Boat Cruises in Amsterdam, Party Boat Cruises in the Netherlands, Tour Reviews, VIP

Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option

1.Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30,518 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $18Our pick

Spend about an hour on Amsterdam’s canals aboard a small electric boat, with live English commentary from guides such as Sophia, Arnoud, or Stef. Pass the Jordaan, Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Skinny Bridge, and 15 Bridges. Choose the drinks and bites option carefully, since inclusions vary by departure.

“Stef and care were awesome tour guides, very informative answered many questions we had, hospitality easily a 15/10, 100% recomend booking at 4:15 for more money as you see the canals in day light and night light, thank you both for making our night we truly enjoyed every aspect”

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Amsterdam: Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite - The First Views: Old Canal Houses and the Museum Quarter
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Amsterdam: Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite

2.Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21,431 reviews · 1 - 1.5 hours · from $18

See Amsterdam from its canals on a quiet electric boat with a live English-speaking skipper and host. You’ll pass the Anne Frank House, Skinny Bridge, Hermitage Museum, Amstel Hotel, and Golden Bend. Choose unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and a small snack portion.

“Good Craic over all and they gave me a free drink for winning one if their quizzes”

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Amsterdam: 75 Minute City Canal Cruise with Audio Guide - Prinsengracht and Westerkerk: the classic canal view
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Amsterdam: 75 Minute City Canal Cruise with Audio Guide

3.75 Minute City Canal Cruise with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 19,938 reviews · 1h 15m · from $18

Cruise Amsterdam’s historic canals for 75 minutes, passing the Anne Frank House, Westerkerk, Magere Brug, Rijksmuseum, NEMO, and more. Choose a snackbox, use audio commentary in 19 languages, or give children the Fresh Water Pirate story and booklet. Captain Brian may add lively local commentary.

“Lovely boat trip. Seeing Amsterdam from the canal is a must”

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Amsterdam: City Centre Canal Cruise including Audioguide - What you see along the one-hour route
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Amsterdam: City Centre Canal Cruise including Audioguide

4.City Centre Canal Cruise including Audioguide

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 16,901 reviews · 1 hour · from $17

See Amsterdam from the water on a one-hour city-centre cruise with audio commentary in 19 languages. Choose from four departure points near Central Station, Anne Frank House, Leidseplein, or the Rijksmuseum. Heated boats, evening sailings, and friendly captains make this an easy first look at the city.

“We enjoyed this cruise in the evening time. Very kind and courteous guides who gave us lots of insight as we went. Was good at night but would also like to do the same cruise in the day time as well. This cruise if worth your time and money!”

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Copenhagen: Canal Cruise with Guide - Starting at Ved Stranden in the city center
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Copenhagen: Canal Cruise with Guide

5.Canal Cruise with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9,115 reviews · from $26

Spend one hour on Copenhagen’s harbor and canals with an English or Danish guide. From Ved Stranden, you pass Christiansborg, Amalienborg, the Opera House, the Little Mermaid, and the old Stock Exchange. Guides such as Peter, Ali, and Tony add humor and local history.

“The guide was amazing, I do not remember his name, he was working alongside captain Oscar. The guide was funny, energetic and enthusiastic. The captain was excellent and was able to maneuver the long boat in small space very easily. Overall, an amazing trip and would definitely recommend you guys to take this cruise. I wish I remembered the tour guides name.”

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Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride - The canal lock: the tour’s biggest variable
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Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride

6.Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,909 reviews · from $37

Meet your English-speaking guide near Wat Pho, cross the Chao Phraya by traditional longtail boat, and cruise Thonburi’s canals. You’ll stop at Baan Silapin, pass Wat Arun and Wat Paknam’s giant Buddha, and return after about two hours. Departure times include morning and afternoon options.

“Great value. Saw a lot of the city. Knowledgeable guide. Learned a lot about the city and culture. Would recommend.”

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Amsterdam: Covered Canal Booze Cruise with Unlimited Drinks - Choosing between the two drink packages
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Amsterdam: Covered Canal Booze Cruise with Unlimited Drinks

7.Covered Canal Booze Cruise with Unlimited Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 5,435 reviews · 1 hour · from $18

Join a maximum of 26 people on a covered Amsterdam canal boat, with a skipper and English-speaking host. Choose two drinks or unlimited beer, wine, and soda, then cruise past the Amstel, Seven Bridges, Herengracht, and Prinsengracht.

“Laurens and Yelly were superb, excellent knowledge and a few jokes here and there. Highly recommend 👍”

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Amsterdam: City Canal Cruise and Heineken Experience Ticket - Start at the Heineken Experience
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Amsterdam: City Canal Cruise and Heineken Experience Ticket

8.City Canal Cruise and Heineken Experience Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,367 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Start with a 75-minute canal cruise past Amsterdam’s historic bridges, museums, and modern waterfront, then visit the Heineken Experience at your reserved time. The brewery visit is mostly self-guided, interactive, and includes two drinks. Both activities are for ages 18 and up.

“The staff was amazing. We loved jordaan and Luca! Super friendly and helpful!!”

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Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Unlimited Drinks Option - What you see from Westerkerk to the Jordaan
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Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Unlimited Drinks Option

9.Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Unlimited Drinks Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,976 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $21

See Amsterdam from a small electric boat with a captain-guide at the wheel. You’ll pass Westerkerk, Jordaan canals, the Hermitage Museum, bridges, and historic canal houses. Guides such as Detrik, Luuc, Matt, and Anthony are praised for their stories. Add unlimited drinks if you want a more social ride.

“Brilliant, fun and informative. The guide was very good. We enjoyed every minute. We learnt a lot and had a laugh as well”

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Amsterdam Newest Canal Cruise with local guide and small group - Saint Nicholas Basilica and Amsterdam’s maritime identity
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Amsterdam Newest Canal Cruise with local guide and small group

10.Amsterdam Newest Canal Cruise with local guide and small group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,735 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $21

Cruise Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canal ring for about an hour in a small boat carrying up to 28 people. Local skippers such as Mark, Alfred, JJ, and Eddie explain the city’s landmarks, while blankets, ponchos, umbrellas, and optional drinks help in changing weather.

“Really enjoyed our trip . Mark was a great tour guide. This tour is really worth it. Would definitely recommend”

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Manchester: Canal & River Cruise - Starting beneath the Millennium Lift Bridge
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Manchester: Canal & River Cruise

11.Canal & River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,638 reviews · 1 hour · from $16Best value

Board at Salford Quays for a one-hour cruise along the Manchester Ship Canal and River Irwell. Expect views of MediaCityUK, Old Trafford, Pomona Docks, Hulme Lock and Stephenson’s 1830 railway bridge, with English commentary, indoor and outdoor seating, toilets and a small bar.

“Beautiful day! Staff really helped us as my dad is partially disabled, they were very patient and helpful. Much appreciated all the kindness.”

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Milan: Navigli Canal Boat Cruise - Boarding at Alzaia Naviglio Grande 4
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Milan: Navigli Canal Boat Cruise

12.Navigli Canal Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 4,502 reviews · 50 min · from $25

Board a small electric boat at Alzaia Naviglio Grande for a 50-minute cruise through Milan’s Navigli district. An Italian and English-speaking host helps you board, while a QR-code audio guide covers the canal’s landmarks in five languages. Sunset departures offer the best light.

“The boat trip was prefer from start to finish for a relaxing view of the canal. Not too crowded and the staff were friendly and lovely”

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Bangkok: Longtail Boat Canal Cruise - Meeting near Wat Pho and Maha Rat Road
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Bangkok: Longtail Boat Canal Cruise

13.Longtail Boat Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 4,076 reviews · 2 hours · from $36

Spend two hours on Bangkok’s canals with an English-speaking guide such as Ken, Bella, Pam, or Neo. Ride a long-tail boat past Wat Arun and Wat Paknam, photograph the giant Buddha, then walk through Khlong Bang Luang and its 200-year-old Artist’s House.

“loved seeing the canals and big golden budda and the art house.”

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Prague: Canal Cruise Around Charles Bridge - Starting at the Charles Bridge Museum
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Prague: Canal Cruise Around Charles Bridge

14.Canal Cruise Around Charles Bridge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,986 reviews · 45 min · from $26

Spend 45 minutes on a traditional boat from the Charles Bridge Museum, with views of Prague Castle, the National Theatre, Rudolfinum, and Devil’s Channel. Your ticket includes an audio guide in 19 languages, a drink, a seasonal snack, and museum entry. Boats leave every 15 minutes.

“Definitely a highlight of our trip. The audio guide was great and lovely to get a drink and ice cream as a little extra. The boat itself was comfortable and the tour it took was really informative and just the right time length.”

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Amsterdam: Van Gogh Museum Ticket and City Canal Cruise - Inside the Van Gogh Museum at Museumplein
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Amsterdam: Van Gogh Museum Ticket and City Canal Cruise

15.Van Gogh Museum Ticket and City Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,899 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Start at the Van Gogh Museum for a timed visit through the artist’s life and work, then use your open ticket for a 75-minute Blue Boat canal cruise. Audio commentary comes in 21 languages, and the covered boat works well in changeable weather. Snack boxes are available with selected options.

“Loved the museum I wasn’t met at my meet pint so made my own way to location”

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New in Canal Cruises

★ 4.12-Hour Canal Tour by Teak BoatFrom $222,212 reviews
★ 5.0Group Canal Cruise Including Snacks and DrinksFrom $722,526 reviews
★ 5.0Amsterdam Canal Cruise With Live Guide and Unlimited DrinksFrom $202,573 reviews
★ 4.2Heated Canal Cruise Including AudioguideFrom $152,773 reviews

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