WORLDWIDE · CANAL CRUISES

15 Canal Cruises Worth Flying For

191 river trips  ·  from $9 a head

Canals are slower, narrower and far closer to the buildings than any river. These 15 cover Amsterdam and the Dutch villages, Bruges, the Bangkok klongs and the Venetian back routes, with prices and a note on which boats have a roof.

Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option - The route through Jordaan and Prinsengracht
Amsterdam River Cruises, Canal Cruises, Canal Cruises in Amsterdam, Canal Cruises in the Netherlands, Luxury River Cruises, Luxury River Cruises in Amsterdam, Luxury River Cruises in the Netherlands, Netherlands River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

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

Cruise Amsterdam’s canals for about an hour on a quiet electric boat with a live English-speaking guide. The route may include Jordaan, Prinsengracht, the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Magere Brug, Bloemenmarkt, and the Bridge of 15 Bridges. Boats range from open summer vessels to covered or enclosed boats in cold weather. Unlimited drinks and bites are an optional package.

“The staff were knowledgeable and friendly. The boat was clean and in good condition and the trip itself was worthwhile”

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Amsterdam: Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite - What you see during the 1 to 1.5-hour route
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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

Settle into a heated, fully electric boat for a 1 to 1.5-hour Amsterdam canal cruise. A local guide such as Sophia, Chris, or Michael explains the city as you pass the Anne Frank House, Skinny Bridge, Hermitage Museum, Amstel Hotel, and Golden Bend. Choose unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and a small snack.

“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 - Boarding and choosing the right departure
Amsterdam River Cruises, Audio Tours, Canal Cruises, Canal Cruises in Amsterdam, Canal Cruises in the Netherlands, Netherlands River Cruises, River Cruises, River Cruises with Audio Guide, River Cruises with Audio Guide in Amsterdam, River Cruises with Audio Guide in the Netherlands, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

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

See Amsterdam from its canals on a 75-minute Blue Boat Company cruise. Pass Westerkerk, the Anne Frank House area, Magere Brug, the Amstel, Rijksmuseum, and modern waterfront sights. Choose audio commentary in 19 languages, including a kids’ pirate story, and add a snackbox with sweet and savory treats plus a drink.

“We has a very nice experience. Very relaxed and nice view of the city both in the daytime and the advent of evening.”

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Amsterdam: City Centre Canal Cruise including Audioguide - Choosing the right departure point
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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 its canals on a one-hour sightseeing cruise departing near Central Station, Anne Frank House, Leidseplein, or the Rijksmuseum. Your heated boat carries you past Golden Age houses, Magere Brug, Westerkerk, and the Amstel, while audio commentary is available in 19 languages. Captains may add local stories and humor.

“Wonderful cruise, there was lots of information given and lots to see. The boat was clean and comfortable.”

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Copenhagen: Canal Cruise with Guide - Ved Stranden and the first look at Christiansborg
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Copenhagen: Canal Cruise with Guide

5.Canal Cruise with Guide

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

Cruise Copenhagen’s harbor and canals for one hour with an English or Danish guide. You’ll pass Christiansborg, Amalienborg, the Opera House, the Little Mermaid, and the Stock Exchange. Guides vary, but past departures have included Peter, Ali, Tony, Kristian, and Deborah. Boats may be open, so bring a light layer.

“Absolutely amazing! couldn't recommend this tour enough! absolutely worth the money!”

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Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride - The longtail boat ride through Thonburi
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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 and cross the Chao Phraya River by traditional longtail boat. Over about two hours, you’ll cruise Thonburi’s canals, visit Baan Silapin, and stop for photos of Wat Paknam’s giant Buddha. Morning and afternoon departures are available, with guides such as Joe, Fern, Bella, Yohan, and Neo reported on different departures.

“This was a great tour that I would highly recommend. It’s a great introduction to Bangkok culture especially if you’re a little bit jetlagged and you’re looking to start your adventure but not overdue.”

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Amsterdam: Covered Canal Booze Cruise with Unlimited Drinks - Choosing between two drinks and the open bar
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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

Spend one hour on a covered canal boat with a skipper and English-speaking host. Choose two drinks or unlimited beer, wine, and soda, then cruise from the city center through the Red Light District, Amstel, Seven Bridges, Herengracht, and Prinsengracht. Guides such as Diana, Edward, Sabrina, and Yannis keep the ride social and informative.

“The tour guides were absolutely hilarious. Told lots of stories and facts about the city. Perfect length and route”

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Amsterdam: City Canal Cruise and Heineken Experience Ticket - Start at Stadhouderskade 78 for 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

Pair a 75-minute Blue Boat canal cruise with a timed Heineken Experience visit at Stadhouderskade 78. You’ll see Amsterdam’s old canals, modern bridges, the IJ, Magere Brug, and Museum Quarter, then explore Heineken’s brewing story with interactive displays and two drinks. The cruise uses audio commentary in 19 languages.

“I loved having chosen this plan, The Heineken Experience is spectacular, in front of the building are the boats that you can take, the boat ride is very nice. I am very satisfied with having chosen this and would recommend it 100%.”

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Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Unlimited Drinks Option - Small canals, bridges, and the value of an open boat
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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

Spend about an hour on Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canals in a sleek electric boat, passing Westerkerk, Jordaan waterways, the Hermitage Museum, bridges, and historic canal houses. Guides such as Luuc, Matt, Detrik, and Jaro are praised for friendly stories. Choose the drinks option, but confirm how self-service beverages work before departure.

“Very comfortable on the boat. It even started to rain and they had large umbrellas available for us to use. Our captain was great at maneuvering the boat in busy "traffic" and some sharp corners.”

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Amsterdam Newest Canal Cruise with local guide and small group - Through the UNESCO-listed canal ring
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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 no more than 28 people. Local guides such as Marc, Mark, JJ, Alfred, and Eddie share history and city stories while you pass leaning canal houses, the Amstel, Oude Kerk, Sea Palace, and smaller waterways. Open or half-open boats depend on the weather.

“Interesting, laid back experience. I enjoyed the smaller boat (there were only a few of us on it as well) and the personalized attention. Igor was knowledgeable and personable.”

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Manchester: Canal & River Cruise - Boarding beside The Lowry at Salford Quays
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Manchester: Canal & River Cruise

11.Manchester: Canal & River Cruise

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

Board under the blue and white Millennium Lift Bridge beside The Lowry for a one-hour English-language cruise along the Manchester Ship Canal and River Irwell. You’ll pass MediaCity, Old Trafford, Imperial War Museum North, Pomona Docks, Stephenson’s 1830 railway bridge, and Hulme Lock, with indoor and outdoor seating, toilets, and light refreshments on board.

“This cruise is amazing, definitely recommend if you are coming to visit Manchester!”

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Milan: Navigli Canal Boat Cruise - From Naviglio Grande to the old working-class homes
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Milan: Navigli Canal Boat Cruise

12.Milan: Navigli Canal Boat Cruise

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

Cruise Milan’s Naviglio Grande aboard a small electric boat for 50 minutes. You’ll pass San Cristoforo, Vicolo dei Lavandai, Canottieri Olona, Darsena, and Leonardo da Vinci’s Conchetta. A host helps with boarding, while a QR code opens audio commentary in five languages. Choose a sunset departure for the prettiest light.

“Smooth ride along the Navigli canal especially with the friendly accommodations. It made our last day in Milan memorable watching as the sun sets and lights lit up. Highly recommended!”

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Bangkok: Longtail Boat Canal Cruise - Seeing Wat Paknam’s giant Buddha from the water
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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, Neo, Pam, or Bella. Ride a traditional long-tail boat, pass Wat Arun and Wat Paknam, photograph the giant Buddha, and walk through Khlong Bang Luang’s wooden community and Baan Silapin, the 200-year-old Artist’s House.

“I absolutely loved this outing. I saw so much and learnt a lot from our wonderful guide. It is definitely worth doing. You won’t regret going on this Boat Canal Cruise.”

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Prague: Canal Cruise Around Charles Bridge - Finding 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 circling Charles Bridge, passing Prague Castle, the National Theatre, Rudolfinum, and the narrow Devil’s Channel. Your ticket includes a drink, gingerbread or summer ice cream, audio commentary in 19 languages, and entry to the Charles Bridge Museum. Boats leave every 15 minutes.

“amazing experience, that you must to do!! tickets include the boat trip and the museum. in the price we had aswell ice cream and a drink that was a nice treat for our trip.. very friendly staff.. recommended”

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Amsterdam: Van Gogh Museum Ticket and City Canal Cruise - What you will see inside the museum
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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

See Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, and The Potato Eaters at a timed museum entry, then take a flexible 75-minute canal cruise from the Hard Rock Café or Heineken Experience. The museum audio guide costs extra, while the boat provides commentary in 21 languages and free earphones.

“Friendly and knowledgeable Captain Learnt a lot from the tour”

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Just added to Canal Cruises

★ 3.9Groningen: Informative city canal cruise + drinks & cookiesFrom $278 reviews
★ 4.7Groningen: Open Boat City Canal CruiseFrom $27250 reviews
★ 4.8Groningen: City canal cruise (with unlimited drinks)From $2729 reviews
★ 4.3Gouda: Historical Canal CruiseFrom $18158 reviews
★ 4.3Grand Canal Boat Tour & MuranoFrom $530 per boat (seats 6)4 reviews
★ 4.1Canal Cruise & lake Tour & Sightseeing VillageFrom $16105 reviews
★ 4.81 Hour Canal Cruise in Village With Coffee/TeaFrom $1113 reviews
★ 4.4Canal cruise Giethoorn village and lakeFrom $12220 reviews
★ 3.8Ghent: Guided Walking Tour and Canal Boat TripFrom $32128 reviews
★ 4.8Giethoorn Sightseeing Tour and Canal CruiseFrom $33022 reviews
★ 4.8Giethoorn Guided Day Trip with Canal CruiseFrom $80335 reviews
★ 4.7Elblag Canal Boat CruiseFrom $52710 reviews
★ 4.7Dubai: Private Creek Harbour and Water Canal CruiseFrom $201 per boat (seats 9)36 reviews
★ 4.6Dublin: Grand Canal Cruise with DinnerFrom $79143 reviews
★ 4.4Durban Point Waterfront: Luxury Canal Boat CruiseFrom $9298 reviews

Other lists on this water

Canal Cruises in Amsterdam102Canal Cruises in the Netherlands120Canal Cruises in Bangkok15Canal Cruises in Italy9Amsterdam River Cruises106Netherlands River Cruises126
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