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Boat cruises on the Riverwalk are an amazing way to see the river and downtown San Antonio.  The tours are operated by Go Rio Cruises and take place from 10am to 10pm, 365 days a year.  The tour of the main Downtown area lasts about 35 to 40 minutes and is a wonderful way to learn about the origins of the river and our downtown history.  Go Rio offers 3 convenient ticket and boarding locations at various positions on the River Walk. You can also pre-purchase your boat tour tickets on their website at www.GoRioCruises.co m .

Don’t miss out on taking a boat cruise on the Riverwalk on your next visit!

Go Rio Cruises Riverwalk Tours

Riverwalk Boat Tours From Go Rio Cruises

Go Rio Cruises narrated river tours can be accessed from several different locations along the Riverwalk.  The costs of the tours are below.

• Adults: $14.50 + Tax $1.20 = Total $15.70
• Children (ages 1-5): $8.50 + Tax .70 = Total $9.20
• Local Residents of Bexar County Texas: $12.50 + Tax $1.03 = Total $13.53
• Senior Citizen (65 & older) and Military: $11.50 + Tax .95 = Total $12.45 Hours of operation: Daily, 10am to 10pm

Spanish language tours are available Monday through Thursday at 10:30, 11:30am and 12:30pm at their Historia ticket and boarding location across from the Hilton Palacio del Rio Hotel.

Prices shown on purchase tickets page include the 8.25% San Antonio/Texas sales tax. Tickets are sold by Trusted Tours & Attractions, an authorized Go Rio Cruises ticket reseller.

Go Rio Cruises Ghost Tours

Get ready for a thrilling experience! Dive into the eerie and mysterious side of the San Antonio River Walk as you journey through downtown, and uncover chilling ghost stories and legends on a captivating one-hour tour. Available dates:

Tours are being offered on the following dates: October 11,12,13,18,19,20,26,27,28,29,30,31.

Ticket Purchase Locations For Go Rio Cruises Narrated Tours

• Under the Market Street Bridge and Alamo Street (across from the Hilton Palacio del Rio)
• The Shops at Rivercenter – Rivercenter Mall (Commerce Street and Bowie)
• Aztec Theatre (St. Mary’s and College Streets)

Go Rio Cruises River Shuttle Services

Riding the River Shuttle

Just trying to get from place to place as you explore San Antonio attractions? Look for the GO RIO Shuttle signs that are located along the River Walk downtown and on the Museum Reach. Boats are labeled with GO RIO Shuttle signs. Shuttles run approximately every 60 minutes. Shuttle service begins at 12 noon. Tickets also available for purchase on the boat or at any GO RIO Ticket booth.

Go Rio Cruises Shuttle Passes One Day Shuttle Pass $20.50 3 Day Shuttle Pass $29.50

Monthly Pass Local Bexar Residents $28.50

Lunch and Dinner Cruises Lunch and dinner cruises are done on a charter basis. There are currently no Riverwalk restaurants that offer reservation based “community” type lunch or dinner cruises where you can join others on a boat for a meal.  To book a charter lunch or dinner cruise, you first contact a Riverwalk restaurant and they will assist you in chartering the boat and cater the meal for you. Chartered dinner and lunch cruises seat a maximum of 20 guests but most recommend 16 to 18 people for comfort.  It is a wonderful and charming way to see the Riverwalk. If you would like more information about a private, chartered dinner, lunch or cocktail cruise, email us here .

Cocktail Cruises Cocktail cruises are also done on a charter basis and catered by any number of Riverwalk restaurants. They can seat a maximum of 30 to 40 guests and can be configured for drinks and appetizers.

For more information on dining and cocktail cruises click here .

Chartered Narrated Tours If you are part of a group coming to San Antonio, there is no better way to see the Riverwalk than with a private, chartered narrated tour. These private narrated tours can seat up to 40 people.

Looking for a great restaurant or bar on the River Walk? Visit our restaurant page!

A Complete Guide to the San Antonio Riverwalk Boats: Are Go Rio River Cruises Worth It?

Second only to the Alamo, a Go Rio River Cruise down the famed San Antonio Riverwalk is one of the most popular tourist attractions (and one of the best things to do ) in San Antonio. These brightly colored barges provide a great way to experience the river and see quite a bit of the downtown area of San Antonio at the same time, which is why they appeal to tourists.

But just because they hold tourist appeal doesn’t mean they are total tourist traps. If you are interested in taking a Go Rio River Cruise but want to know if it is worth your time, read on!

I have all the information and details you need to know to make your river cruise more than just an activity, but a great memory of your time in the Alamo city.

We’re Kelsey and Sara , two local foodies with a combined 29 years of eating in San Antonio, two travel books , and millions of blog readers. We adore local spots, rarely visit chain restaurants, and we aren't afraid to tell you the truth. After spending thousands of our own $$$ at hundreds of local hot spots, we're sharing the best with you.

What are my options for taking a Go Rio River Cruise on the San Antonio river?

You have two options for taking a river barge through downtown San Antonio – a narrated river cruise or a river shuttle . Both are operated by Go Rio but serve different purposes.

Go Rio narrated river cruises are 35-40 minute long boat tours of the downtown part of the San Antonio Riverwalk . You and a number of other guests will be ferried throughout downtown while your boat captain shares information about San Antonio, its history, and the buildings you are seeing. Rides begin and end at the same point of departure.

River shuttles, on the other hand, function more like taxis on the river. There are 15 stops between downtown and the Museum Reach part of the river, and you can get on and off to explore, as you please. Just look for Go Rio shuttle stop signs along the river level of the Riverwalk.

Shuttles run both northbound and southbound on a set schedule from 12pm to 8pm daily. A one day unlimited ticket runs $20.50/person, and a three day ticket is $29.50. Go Rio also offers a monthly pass for local residents for $27.50.

When do the river boats operate?

Narrated cruises run daily between 10am and 10pm and river shuttles operate between 12pm and 8pm.

Boat operations are suspended any time there is a major downtown event (like a river parade) or inclement weather, so keep an eye on Go Rio’s website and Instagram for info on closures or service suspensions.

When is the best time to take a Go Rio narrated river cruise?

The absolute best time to take a narrated river cruise is between Thanksgiving and New Years when the Riverwalk holiday lights are lit . Cruise guides will also decorate their boats with holiday lights, and it is an absolutely magical experience to float down the SA river underneath thousands of twinkling lights. This is far and away my most favorite thing to do in San Antonio!

But if you cannot come during Christmas, you will still be able to enjoy your river cruise during other times of the year. That said, given the punishing heat of San Antonio summers and the fact that cruises are often in direct sunlight with little to no breeze, I recommend avoiding a river cruise between the months of June and September . You will be way more comfortable once temps dip below 90°.

If you have to make your visit during the summer, try to take your Go Rio River Cruise during the coolest hours of the day between 10am and noon, or 7pm and 10pm. Be sure to bring a hat, sunglasses, water, and sunscreen.

How much does a narrated river cruise cost?

Narrated river cruises (which are available in both English and Spanish), run $14.50/adults and $8.50/kids. Senior and military discounted tickets are available for $11.50, and local SA residents can ride for $12.50/person with an ID. 

Go Rio River Cruise tickets can also be purchased as a combo with the Tower of the Americas (you must purchase these in person at a Go Rio Ticket Booth), or as part of the San Antonio Citypass .

Where can I buy tickets for a Go Rio River Cruises?

Tickets can be purchased online , or in person at a Go Rio ticket booth.

Where can I a board narrated river cruises?

There are three river-level departure points for narrated river cruises. The first, and busiest, departs from the Rivercenter Mall at 809 E. River Walk. The second busiest departure point is the Historia Ticket Booth, located at 706 River Walk. And the third location is the Aztec Ticket Booth, located at 731 River Walk.

To board, head to the river-level for one of the three departure points, and look for the Go Rio sign and boarding line. Boats run continuously throughout the day.

What to expect on a Go Rio River Cruise?

First, expect there to be a line to board. Tickets are neither date nor time stamped and there aren’t reserved time slots. You simply buy your tickets and get in line to board. Typically, the lines move very quickly and if you avoid riding during weekends (which are crazy busy – even more so if they conflict with school holidays), you are unlikely to wait more than 15-20 minutes. ( Protip – board from the Aztec ticket booth to further mitigate lines ).

The San Antonio river is all of about 3 feet deep and doesn’t particularly flow, so don’t anticipate a wild boat ride . It’s exceedingly smooth and even the people most prone to motion sickness are unlikely to have any trouble with the motion of the boat.

Upon departure, your boat ride will take you through the busiest part of the Riverwalk’s downtown loop . You’ll run by a number of prominent buildings and hotels including the Rivercenter Mall, Hilton Palacio del Rio, Briscoe Western Art Museum, and more. 

Just don’t plan on being able to see the Alamo from your Go Rio River Cruise. The Alamo isn’t on the Riverwalk, nor is it visible from any part of the river, so you’ll have to make your way there at a later time. (But if you choose to depart from the Rivercenter Mall, just head outside the back part of the mall, and you’ll walk right out onto Alamo Plaza.)

Are there any special cruise options or events?

Yes! Go Rio offers both seasonal cruise events and special cruise options . These include sunset cocktail cruises, Oktoberfest beer tasting cruises, ghost tours, and holiday river parade viewing parties. 

You can also rent a Go Rio river barge and driver for dinner cruises, Christmas caroling cruises, or other private charters. Private rental is limited by date/time and can be requested online.

Are Go Rio River Cruises Worth It?

Absolutely! I’ve lived in SA for the last 21 years and still enjoy taking the occasional cruise. It is a great way to see the city’s architecture, learn about San Antonio’s history, and to just get the lay of the land as you begin your vacation.

And given how short the narrated cruises are, they don’t take a ton of time away from anything else you may want to do while you are here. I highly encourage all visitors to SA, or locals who have just been too cool for school and avoided it, to give it a go and take a Go Rio River Cruise.

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Narrated Cruises

Tour duration: 35 minutes.

Hours: Operating Daily 10 am - 10 pm

GO RIO's 35-minute San Antonio River Walk boat tour connects you to the city's culture, history, architecture, and timeless charm.

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Unique Cruises

GO RIO Cruises offers a unique San Antonio River Walk experience for every occasion.

We’re adding new cruises throughout the year – follow us @GoRioCruises for the latest!

Dinner Cruises

Tour Duration: 2 Hours Minimum

Seating: 2-20 Passengers

Take in the sights and sounds along the iconic San Antonio River Walk while enjoying food and drinks from your favorite River Walk restaurant.

Private Charters

Tour Duration: Approximately one hour

Seating: Approximately 37 passengers

Want to create an unforgettable experience? Charter any GO RIO boat and customize your special event.

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