Although the large double-deck red and white sightseeing cruise is a really popular activity in York, we both decided that the self-drive little red boats would offer up a much more memorable and enjoyable experience on the water.
If you’ve already seen them chugging up and down the River Ouse, chances are you’ve come to a similar conclusion!
After our week in the historic northern English city, we can happily confirm that heading out for a drive on the water in one is definitely one of the best things to do in York in the summer or even on a sunny spring or autumn day.
In this short post, we've shared everything you need to know to book + drive a little red boat in York.
In a rush? Find a timeslot and book your boat here.
Self-Drive Red Boats in York | The Essentials
The hire boats operate from 1st April to 31st October, running from 10 am to 5 pm in the summer months (last departure at 4 pm, earlier if conditions are poor).
Holding groups of up to 8 people, they’re really really easy to drive.
It's simply a single pedal for 'go', a throttle handle to adjust the speed with your right hand, and a little steering wheel to navigate. Neither of us had driven a boat before and were pleasantly surprised at how simple it was to navigate (even Emily managed it).
You’ll pick it up in no time at all!
The self-drive experience follows a set loop route along the Ouse, bringing you under several bridges, through the centre of the city and out into verdant countryside scenes. Each rental period is fixed at 60 minutes, which is plenty of time to complete the route at an enjoyable pace; you have a map on board in case you get confused but you really won’t get lost.
The experience starts and ends at the jetty in Tower Gardens (here on Google Maps). It's just a minute's walk from Dyls cafe and a few minutes from the York Castle Museum & Clifford's Tower - if coming from the centre of York, we recommend giving yourself about 15 minutes to walk it.
People hiring and driving the red boats must be at least 18 years old, and you may be asked for ID to prove this. This age requirement may sometimes be lifted to 25 so, if you’re in that age-range (or look it), it’s best to bring some proof regardless.
The boats are a family-friendly activity, but kids under 10 years old do have to wear a life-jacket and must act appropriately on the river. Also, note that although they hold groups of up to 8, we'd personally not want to go beyond a group of six if everyone's an adult.
Costs & How To Book A Red Boat in York
You pay per boat, rather than per person, and the total cost varies according to where you book and time of departure.
With CityCruise it's £40 for the pre-12 pm slots and 45 for the post-12 pm slots in summer, but prices can increase to £45 and £50 respectively on peak days.
Therefore, the best place to book online is here as it's a £40 flat rate regardless of timeslot. You also get free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund, and it's easy to change your timeslot too.
For early spring and late autumn trips, hire prices can reduce by about £10 but conditions may not be as enjoyable, so have a look at the forecast.
It’s best to book your red boat in advance online, especially if the forecast is good or you’re visiting the city in summer. For all online bookings, you simply have to select a specific start-time (listed in 15-minute increments from 10 am) and arrive at the jetty a few minutes beforehand to get your briefing.
Groups or individuals with online advance bookings also get to skip the queue as there’s a priority line.
It is possible to just walk-up and pay in person on the day, but this will cost you more, availability is not guaranteed, and you'll have to wait in line behind others who haven't booked. As there’s only a fleet of 14 red boats at present, demand will outstrip supply on a sunny day. Further, you pay more if walking up, with rates at time of writing being £45 / hour in comparison to what you can get online.
Therefore, for convenience and to save a bit of cash, we'd definitely recommend doing what we did and booking on GetYourGuide (the specific page to book a red boat in York is here).
One area of confusion and potential inconvenience is the £40 cash deposit (also referred to as the 'security bond'). We were told to bring this and so made a point of going to an ATM on the way, but then it wasn't requested. Perhaps it was because we'd booked online but, regardless, we still recommend bringing this cash deposit with you just in case (especially if doing a walk-up).
The deposit may be deducted or kept if you return the boat 10 minutes late without a valid reason or it’s damaged / excessively dirty.
Is It Worth It?
Definitely.
The only sticking point is that the cost per person is an awful lot steeper when doing the red boat as a couple (£20 per person) vs. as a group of six friends (£6.60 per person)! We did it together and loved it, but do appreciate that it may take a hefty chunk out of your total York travel budget if it's just the two of you.
However, if you're willing to sacrifice a few pints or other things to do in York, you will not regret heading out for a drive along the River Ouse when the sun is shining.
We only wish we could have stayed out for longer as it was so fun to be on the river and able to actually drive a boat for the first time.
Safety, Rules, and Responsibilities on The River
It's imperative that anyone driving the red boats in York understands their responsibility and acts in accordance with the rules of the River Ouse; the waterway sees a lot of traffic (rowers, geese, large sightseeing boats, ice-cream barges, and personal pleasure crafts) and there has been a collision in the past.
There’s a short in-person safety and driving brief before you get on at the jetty, but a few key things to note ahead of time are:
You cannot drive the boat if under the influence of alcohol, and people under the influence of alcohol are not permitted on board.
Drive on the right hand side, giving space to other boats and river users.
When passing under bridges with three-arches, you should go under the central arch.
Always be aware of oncoming boat traffic and those attempting to overtake you.
Be aware of your surroundings and drive / act responsibly on the river.
Soft drinks and food can be taken on board, but no alcohol.
You have to stick to the route and cannot park or get off the boat anywhere on the river except the start / end point jetty.
Book your red boat in York here!
Still planning? Check out our 13 Wonderful Things To Do in York.
