🕛Timings: 10 am to 10.30 pm
🎗️Duration: 1 to 3 hours
✔️Best Season: Shoulder Season (October to March)
⛴️Best Time of the Day: Early Morning
Seine River Cruises are a must-do, but timings and duration of the Cruise can be tricky.
During peak season, Cruises depart every 30 minutes while the shoulder seasons with modified timetables, we’ve got you covered.
Want to take a short sightseeing trip? Most Cruises take one to two hours.
Are you craving a nice meal on the water? Dinner Cruises last around 2.5 hours.
Here’s a sneak glimpse at popular operators’ schedules and offerings!
Seasonal Timings
The schedules of Seine River Cruises vary depending on the kind of trip you take.
Peak Season (April to September): Cruises will operate very frequently during this busy period. Depending on the operator, you can expect departures every 30 minutes to an hour, ranging from 10 to as late as 10.30 pm.
Shoulder Season (October to March): During the off-season, Cruises depart generally every 45 minutes. Timings may also be slightly adjusted, with some operators starting around 10.30 and finishing earlier in the evening around 10 pm.
Low Season (November to February): Compared to peak season, November to February might start a little later, around 10.45 am, and finish earlier in the evening, around 9 pm to 10 pm. Expect them to operate every hour.
Quick Glance
| Season | Months | Departure Time |
|---|---|---|
| Peak | April to September | Every 30 minutes between 10 am and 10.30 pm |
| Shoulder | October to March | Every 45 minutes between 10.30 am and 10 pm |
| Low | November to February | Every hour between 10.45 am and 10 pm |
Special Timings
Weekends and holidays are often in higher demand, so there will be more frequent departures for sightseeing Cruises.
During special events such as Paris Fashion Week or the Tour de France, Cruise companies will change timings to accommodate the increase in demand.
On December 24, 25, 31, and January 1 all the Cruise operators change the time according to crowds and weather conditions.
For instance, the Seine River Sightseeing Cruises departures are between 10 am and 10 pm during the spring, summer, and French school holidays.
Their regular departures are between 10.30 am and 9 pm during Autumn and Winter, but on July 14, the last departure is at 4 pm.
For Christmas, the Seine River has special opening hours. On December 24, the first departure will be at 10 am and the last departure will be at 5.30 pm.
The timings for December 25 and January 1 will be at 10.40 am for the first departure and 10 pm for the last departure. On December 31, the last departure is at 9.30 pm.
Best Operators Cruises: Timings & Duration
Here are the top Cruise operators, their services, and operating hours:
Bateaux Parisiens
Bateaux Parisiens’s operator offers a variety of Cruises:
The sightseeing cruises run from 10 am to 10.30 pm, lasting for one hour.
For a luxurious experience, consider their dinner cruise departing at 8.30 pm and lasting 2.5 hours.
Their lunch cruise set sail at 12.45 pm for a 2-hour journey.
Vedettes de Paris
This operator is popular for offering themed Cruises in the evenings. They run from 7.30 pm to 11 pm and last for one hour.
They also offer sightseeing cruises throughout the day, from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm (one hour), and live guided cruises at 3.30 pm for one hour on selected days.
Bateaux Mouches
They offer sightseeing cruises that depart frequently between 10.15 am and 10.30 pm, lasting one hour and ten minutes.
You will also find themed cruises on select evenings at 7.30 pm, lasting for three hours.
Batobus
Batobus provides a hop-on, hop-off service, allowing you to explore the city at your own pace.
Their Cruises operate from 10 am to 7 pm, and tickets are valid for one or two days.
Visite Paris En Bateau
The Cruises offered by this operator cater to those seeking a more private experience.
They offer customizable Cruises departing anytime between 9.30 am and 9.30 pm, lasting for one and a half hours.
Tips to Navigate Timings
To successfully native the Seine River Cruises timings, follow these tips:
- Opt for morning Cruises around 10 am to 11:30 pm to savor the city’s waking and avoid crowds.
- Take a trip in the afternoon, about 1 pm, to see the sites from a fresh angle with sunshine soaking them.
- Take a late afternoon sail around 4 to 5 pm to see the city bathed in a warm light, ideal for taking wonderful shots.
- Evening Cruises after 6 pm to see the spectacular Parisian skyline, perfect for a romantic adventure.
- If you want to see the city’s views and architecture, take Cruises between 10 am and 5 pm.
The first thing you need to do after choosing your preferred time is to pre-book your tickets.
Keep in mind to arrive at the departure point at least 20 minutes before your scheduled departure to avoid missing the Cruise.
Contents
FAQs
1. What time should I arrive for my Seine River Cruise?
It is better to arrive at least half an hour before the scheduled departure time for your Seine River Cruise. This allows sufficient time for boarding procedures and ensures a smooth experience
2. Are Seine River Cruises available year-round?
Yes, Seine River Cruises are available year-round, but the frequency and types of Cruises offered will vary depending on the season.
3. How late do Seine River Cruises operate in the evening?
The latest departure times for Seine River Cruises vary according to the kind of Cruise you take:
- Sightseeing Cruises – 10.30 pm
- Dinner Cruise – 8.30 pm
- Lunch Cruise – 12.45 pm
- Themed Cruise – 11 pm
- Hop-on and Hop-off Cruise – 7 pm
- Private Cruise – 9.30 pm
4. What time do Seine River Cruises start in the morning?
The Seine River Cruises usually start at 10 am.
5. Are there any special schedules for Seine River Cruises during the holidays?
- The Seine River Cruises departures are between 10 am and 10 pm during the spring, summer, and French school Holidays, 10:30 am to 9 pm during Autumn and Winter
- On July 14, the last departure is at 4 pm
- On December 24, the first departure will be at 10 am and the last departure at 5.30 pm
- On December 25 and January 1, the first departure is at 10.40 am, and the last departure is at 10 pm, but on December 31, the last departure is at 9.30 pm
6. What is the duration of a typical Seine River Cruise?
There are duration options ranging from short sightseeing trips to extended dinner Cruises.
- Sightseeing Cruises – lasts for one to two hours
- Lunch Cruises – last for two hours
- Dinner Cruises – lasts two to three hours
7. Can I extend the duration of my Seine River Cruise?
Unfortunately, you can’t extend your Cruise on the same boat. Most Cruises have set durations.
If you want to take more time to explore Paris on a Cruise, you can simply opt for Hop-on and Hop-off Cruise, as it is valid for one or two days.
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