York Sightseeing Cruises

From chilling underground scares to sun-soaked river views, experience York’s best in one day.

• Everything you get at York Dungeon: Timed entry for a 75-minute immersive journey through 2,000 years of history. Experience 10 live shows featuring professional actors, theatrical sets, and special effects that bring York’s most infamous characters and dark legends to life.
• Everything you get on the York Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a 45-minute relaxing cruise along the River Ouse with live, entertaining commentary from a local skipper. Head to the open-top deck for panoramic views, stay warm in the heated indoor saloon, and enjoy a fully stocked bar for buying local drinks and snacks.
• Why choose this combo: Save 5% on admission while enjoying two iconic attractions located just a 2-minute walk apart, offering the perfect balance of thrills and relaxation.

Inclusions #

The York Dungeon

• Timed entry to The York Dungeon
• Access to 10 immersive live shows

York Sightseeing Cruise

• 45-min River Ouse sightseeing cruise
• Boarding from King's Staith Landing
• Live on-board commentary
• Knowledgeable local skipper
• Onboard bar (local beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks)
• Semi-open boat

Exclusions #

The York Dungeon

• Food and drinks
• Hotel transfers
• Souvenirs

York Sightseeing Cruise

• Food and drinks

What to bring

York sightseeing cruise

• Bring your booking confirmation (printed or digital) to present at the boarding point.
• Dress appropriately for the weather, as the upper deck is open-air. Consider bringing a light jacket or sweater, especially in cooler months.

What’s not allowed

The York Dungeon

• Safety is a priority, so this experience is restricted for guests under the age of 5 years.
• Photography is strictly prohibited at the venue.

York sightseeing cruise

• Outside food and drinks are not permitted on board.
• Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not allowed on the vessel.

Accessibility

The York Dungeon

• This experience is partially wheelchair accessible.
• Due to constraints of the building's historic structure and layout, The York Dungeon is unable to accommodate electric wheelchairs. However, they offer a manual wheelchair available to borrow throughout your visit. Please note that only one wheelchair can be accommodated per hour.
• People with severe claustrophobia, epilepsy, sensitivity to flashing or low lights and loud noises, or those who dislike jump scares are restricted from participating in this experience.
• The York Dungeon uses flashing and strobe lights, which may impact visitors with photosensitive epilepsy. If this affects you, inform a staff member immediately so they can brief you on the areas where strobe lighting is used and provide an alternative route if needed.
• Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.

York sightseeing cruise

• The River Palace and River Duchess boats are wheelchair accessible. Additionally, the River Duchess features a wheelchair-accessible restroom.
• Wheelchair access is available at the King’s Staith Landing. Please call 01904 628324 before your visit to confirm the sailing times of wheelchair-accessible boats.
• For your convenience, your guide dogs are welcome to join you.

Additional information

The York Dungeon

• This experience is recommended for ages 8+.
• Guests under the age of 16 have to be accompanied by someone over the age of 18.
• Please arrive a few minutes before your time slot to ensure smooth entry.
• If you need to leave the experience at any point, please inform a member of staff or an Actor immediately. They can assist you with a temporary pause backstage, or the Duty Manager will facilitate your exit.
• Guest participation is central to the experience, with audience members often selected at random. If you prefer not to participate, please request a yellow sticker from the Admissions team upon entry and place it visibly. You can remove the sticker at any time if you change your mind during the tour.
• While actors may come close or engage with you as part of the performance, they will not touch you during your tour, and you are asked not to touch them. Failure to comply with this request may result in your immediate ejection from the attraction without a refund.
• Facilities: restrooms, gift shop

York sightseeing cruise

• The cruise operates subject to river conditions. In the event of high water levels or adverse weather, sailings may be cancelled for safety reasons.
• The duration of the cruise may vary between 45 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the day’s conditions and demand.
• On rare occasions, cruise times may change by up to 15 minutes. If this occurs, the operator will contact you using the email address or phone number provided at the time of booking.
• There are four guaranteed cruises from King's Staith Landing: 10:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. Many more trips operate, sometimes departing every 30-45 mins - times are displayed at the landings and online!
• If you book a ticket for an 11am, 11:10am, 12:30pm, 12:40pm, 2pm, 2:10pm, 4pm or 4:10pm sailing, departure may be up to 15 minutes later to suit operational requirements.
• Well-behaved dogs are welcome on board the daytime sightseeing cruises at no additional cost as long as they are kept on a leash.
• Facilities: restroom onboard

See York’s historic heart from the River Ouse with lively, live commentary and flexible boarding.

• Starting point: City Cruises York King's Staith Landing, right by the King's Arms pub
• Everything you get: Flexible anytime ticket for a 45–60 min river cruise, live entertaining commentary from your captain, access to a fully stocked bar for drinks and snacks, and a relaxing way to see York’s highlights from the water.
• Sights covered: York Minster, Clifford’s Tower, Millennium Bridge, city walls, and riverside landmarks
• Why choose this: Enjoy York’s best views with real-time stories, a friendly crew, and the freedom to join any cruise between 10:30am–3pm.

Inclusions #

• 45-min River Ouse sightseeing cruise

• Boarding from King's Staith Landing

• Live on-board commentary

• Knowledgeable local skipper

• Onboard bar (local beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks)

• Semi-open boat

Exclusions #

• Food and drinks

What to bring

• Bring your booking confirmation (printed or digital) to present at the boarding point.
• Dress appropriately for the weather, as the upper deck is open-air. Consider bringing a light jacket or sweater, especially in cooler months.

What’s not allowed

• Outside food and drinks are not permitted on board.
• Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not allowed on the vessel.

Accessibility

• The River Palace and River Duchess boats are wheelchair accessible. Additionally, the River Duchess features a wheelchair-accessible restroom.
• Wheelchair access is available at the King’s Staith Landing. Please call 01904 628324 before your visit to confirm the sailing times of wheelchair-accessible boats.
• For your convenience, your guide dogs are welcome to join you.

Additional information

• The cruise operates subject to river conditions. In the event of high water levels or adverse weather, sailings may be cancelled for safety reasons.
• The duration of the cruise may vary between 45 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the day’s conditions and demand.
• On rare occasions, cruise times may change by up to 15 minutes. If this occurs, the operator will contact you using the email address or phone number provided at the time of booking.
• There are four guaranteed cruises from King's Staith Landing: 10:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. Many more trips operate, sometimes departing every 30-45 mins - times are displayed at the landings and online!
• If you book a ticket for an 11am, 11:10am, 12:30pm, 12:40pm, 2pm, 2:10pm, 4pm or 4:10pm sailing, departure may be up to 15 minutes later to suit operational requirements.
• Well-behaved dogs are welcome on board the daytime sightseeing cruises at no additional cost as long as they are kept on a leash.
• Facilities: restroom onboard