London Eye

The basics

A 30-minute ride in one of the 32 glass capsules offers 360-degree views over London highlights such as St Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. One rotation takes 30 minutes, with the structure rotating at a fairly slow speed, meaning visitors are free to walk about their capsule and take photos from all sides.

The Eye’s more than 3.5 million annual visitors make the lines often quite long. Pre-book a fast-track London Eye ticket to maximize your time. Travelers with a penchant for luxury can opt to sip champagne while they ride. Many London Eye tours combine wheel rides with afternoon tea, a Thames River cruise, or bus tours. City tours cover the Eye and top sites, including the Tower of London and London Dungeon.

Things to know before you go

• Take a spin on the London Eye at the start of your vacation to orient yourself and grasp the layout of the city.

• On a clear day, it may be possible to spy Windsor Castle on the horizon from one of the capsules.

• If gray skies threaten rain, nearby indoor activities abound. Visit the SEA LIFE® London Aquarium, the BFI IMAX cinema, or Shrek's Adventure to stay entertained during a storm.

• The London Eye is the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel.

How to get there

The wheel rises up over the water on the south bank of the River Thames. Waterloo is the nearest tube station, serviced by the Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo, and Waterloo and City lines. Visitors traveling on the District or Circle lines can disembark at Westminster, check out Westminster Abbey, and walk across Westminster Bridge. Surrounding the Eye are street performers, food stalls, and fairground attractions in Jubilee Gardens.

When to get there

Look out for special themed events. The London Eye has hosted flash mobs, pop-up dining events, romantic Valentine's Day dinners, and even weddings. Plus, the Eye is a main feature in London's famous New Year's Eve fireworks display.

Unlucky 13

It's no accident that the London Eye has 32 capsules—each one represents one of the city's 32 boroughs. However, observant visitors will notice that the last capsule is actually No. 33. The creators skipped pod No. 13, deeming it unlucky.

Ways to explore

A ride in one of the London Eye’s 32 glass capsules offers 360-degree views over London highlights from St. Paul’s Cathedral to Buckingham Palace. One rotation takes around 30 minutes, with the structure rotating at a fairly slow speed, meaning visitors are free to walk around their capsule and take photos from all sides.

The Eye’s more than 3.5 million annual visitors make the lines often quite long—prebook a fast-track London Eye ticket to maximize your time Travelers with a penchant for luxury can opt to sip Champagne as they ride, while many London Eye tours combine visits with afternoon tea, Thames River cruises, or bus tours. City tours cover the Eye and top sights including the Tower of London and London Dungeon.

Accessibility

The London Eye is fully accessible; wheelchair users are recommended to reserve a wheelchair time slot in advance

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, baby carrier if visiting with an infant

What to wear

The London Eye does not have a dress code, but you may be waiting outside and should dress for the weather.

Not allowed

Non-folding strollers or prams, hot food, outside alcoholic beverages

Amenities

On-site Eye Lounge, free Wi-Fi, gift shop, luggage storage, restrooms

Address

The London Eye is located on the South Bank of the River Thames, just a few minutes from London Waterloo, one of the city’s major transit hubs. It’s easy to get there via public transit and riverboats, as well as taxi or rideshare services. Some tours also include transit.

Driving

You can drive to the London Eye, but central London traffic and congestion charges make it a less-than-ideal choice. Paid parking is available at the nearby Q-Park Westminster lot or National Theatre, if you do decide to brave it behind the wheel.

Public transportation

To get to the London Eye via public transportation, take mainline trains—or the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, or Waterloo and City lines of the London Underground—to Waterloo Station, located just 5 minutes away on foot. You can also take riverboat services to London Eye Waterloo Pier.

Best times to visit

For a quieter experience of the London Eye, time your visit either for early in the morning or later in the evening. Sunset is a popular time to visit the attraction.

Best days to visit

Weekends are generally the busiest time at the London Eye. Aim for a weekday if you’d like a slightly calmer experience.

Best months to visit

Expect the London Eye to be especially busy during the summer and during school holidays, with the fewest crowds during the winter low season.

Special events

The London Eye is particularly special during the festive season, when it hosts wine-tasting events, a Christmas lights experience, and offers a dazzling front-row seat to London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks show.