How much is a Seine river cruise in Paris?

A one-hour daytime sightseeing cruise starts from £15. Evening lights cruises start from around £20 to £21, and dinner cruises with three or four courses start from £97 to £98.

Which Seine cruise is best for couples?

The evening lights cruise, from around £20, is the most romantic. Being on the water when the Eiffel Tower sparkles on the hour is a classic Paris moment.

Is a Seine dinner cruise worth it?

For a special occasion, yes. The food is good and the setting is memorable. For a casual night it is expensive compared with a £20 evening lights cruise.

When is the best time to do a Seine cruise?

Daytime cruises are best for sightseeing and commentary. Evening cruises are best for atmosphere, especially timed so you are on the water when the Eiffel Tower lights sparkle.

Which Seine River Cruise Is Worth It in Paris?

From a £15 daytime cruise to a £98 dinner sailing, here is which Seine cruise is worth your money and which to skip.

Updated: 25 July 2026

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A sightseeing boat on the Seine passing Paris landmarks

The short answer: a Seine cruise is one of the best-value things you can do in Paris, and almost everyone enjoys it. The daytime sightseeing cruise is the smart budget pick, the evening lights cruise is the most romantic, and the dinner cruise is a genuine special-occasion splurge rather than an everyday choice. Here is how to match the cruise to your trip.

The daytime sightseeing cruise: best value

A one-hour Seine cruise departing from the Eiffel Tower starts from £15, and it is the easiest win in Paris. You glide past Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay and back, with audio commentary explaining what you are seeing. It is short, cheap, and it gives you the city from its best angle: the water. For families and first-timers this is the one to book.

Check live prices for the 1-hour Seine cruise →

The evening lights cruise: most romantic

Paris earns its nickname, the City of Light, after dark. An evening river cruise with music starts from £21, and an evening lights cruise with the legendary Bateaux-Mouches starts from £20. Watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour from the middle of the Seine is one of those simple, unforgettable Paris moments. For couples and anyone who wants atmosphere over commentary, the evening sailing is worth the small step up in price.

Paris landmarks lit up at night seen from a Seine evening cruise

The dinner cruise: special occasion only

A three-course dinner cruise on the Seine with live music starts from £98, and a Bateaux-Mouches four-course dinner cruise starts from £97. These are lovely, but be clear about what you are paying for: it is a full dinner-out budget combined with the cruise. For an anniversary, a proposal or a milestone birthday, it is worth every pound. As a casual evening it is expensive next to the £20 lights cruise, and the food is good rather than gourmet. Book it for the occasion, not just to see the city.

How to choose

On a budget or with kids: the daytime sightseeing cruise from £15.
Couples wanting romance: the evening lights cruise from £20.
Marking a special occasion: the dinner cruise from £97.
Want the tower sparkle: any evening option, timed to be on the water on the hour.

The verdict

Almost everyone should do a Seine cruise, and most people should do the cheap one. The one-hour sightseeing cruise from £15 delivers the classic Paris view at an unbeatable price, and the evening lights cruise from £20 is the upgrade that turns a nice hour into a memory. Save the dinner cruise for the night that deserves it.

Compare Seine river cruises in Paris →