{"id":13271,"date":"2024-10-14T21:03:34","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T21:03:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citiestotravel.com\/london-eye-is-it-worth-it\/"},"modified":"2026-08-10T18:58:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T18:58:59","slug":"london-eye-is-it-worth-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citiestotravel.com\/en\/london-eye-is-it-worth-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Visiting the London Eye: Is It Worth It?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Would you like to visit the London Eye? The Ferris wheel on the River Thames is one of London\u2019s most famous attractions and attracts millions of visitors every year. But is a ride on the London Eye really worth it?<\/p>\n

In this blog, I share my experiences and tell you what you can expect during a visit. I also give practical tips, so you can decide for yourself whether the London Eye is a good choice for your city trip to London<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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What is the London Eye?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The London Eye is a large observation wheel on the south bank of the River Thames. The wheel was designed by architects David Marks and Julia Barfield and was built to celebrate the new millennium. Construction began in 1998, and in March 2000, the London Eye opened to visitors for the first time.<\/p>\n

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The observation wheel is 135 metres high and has 32 glass capsules. Each capsule can accommodate several visitors. During a full ride, the wheel slowly makes one complete rotation, which takes about 30 minutes. Because the capsules are largely made of glass, you have a clear view of London along the way.<\/p>\n

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On a clear day, you can see far across the city from the London Eye. You can see famous landmarks such as Big Ben, Westminster, Buckingham Palace<\/a> and the Tower of London<\/a>. How far you can actually see, of course, depends on the weather and visibility.<\/p>\n

The London Eye was originally intended to be a temporary attraction. However, its success was so great that the observation wheel remained in place and has since become one of London\u2019s most famous landmarks<\/a>. In its early years, the attraction was also often called the Millennium Wheel.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Is the London Eye Worth Visiting?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Over the past fifteen years, I have visited London several times. During several of these visits, I also took a ride on the London Eye. I especially enjoy the view over the city. From high above, you look out over the River Thames and get to see London from a completely different perspective.<\/p>\n

I will be honest: a ride on the London Eye is not cheap. Nevertheless, I think the attraction is particularly worthwhile on your first visit to London. You see the city in a way that you cannot experience from street level. For me, a ride on the London Eye is therefore part of a first introduction to London.<\/p>\n

That does not mean I would recommend the attraction to everyone. If you have little interest in viewpoints, are travelling on a limited budget, or the weather is bad, you can easily skip the London Eye. You can, of course, still see the attraction from the outside.<\/p>\n

What makes the London Eye worth visiting?<\/h3>\n

The biggest advantage, in my opinion, is the view. During the slow rotation, you have plenty of time to look at different parts of London. You can see the River Thames, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, among other landmarks. The glass capsules give you a wide view in all directions.<\/p>\n

The London Eye is also interesting for photography. The capsules move slowly, and a full rotation takes about 30 minutes. This means you do not have to rush to take photos.<\/p>\n

When would I skip the London Eye?<\/h3>\n

The price is the biggest disadvantage for many visitors. Especially when travelling with several people, a visit can become quite expensive. It can also take a long time before it is your turn during busy periods.<\/p>\n

The weather also plays a major role. On a clear day, you can see much more of London than on a rainy or foggy day. In dense fog, the view can even be so limited that you can barely see the famous buildings on the other side of the River Thames.<\/p>\n

My advice is therefore to check the weather forecast if you are unsure and not necessarily plan your visit for a fixed day. If the weather is poor, you may be better off spending your time and money on another attraction.<\/p>\n

Cheaper alternatives for views of London<\/h3>\n

Would you mainly like to enjoy the view over London but find the London Eye too expensive? There are also other options.<\/p>\n

A well-known option is the Sky Garden. This is an indoor garden high above the city with views over London. Admission is free, but you need to book in advance.<\/p>\n

Horizon 22 is another interesting option. This free viewing platform offers panoramic views of London. Here too, you need to reserve a time slot in advance.<\/p>\n

These alternatives are particularly interesting if you are mainly visiting for the view and place less value on the experience of taking a ride on the London Eye.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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What can you expect during a ride on the London Eye?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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A ride on the London Eye is calm and involves no sudden movements. During the rotation, you have plenty of time to look around, take photos and enjoy the view over London.<\/p>\n

Boarding the London Eye<\/h3>\n

Before you enter the London Eye, you will go through a security check where your bag is inspected. You then wait until it is your turn to board.<\/p>\n

The capsules continue to move slowly while passengers are boarding. You therefore do not have to wait for the entire wheel to come to a stop. Boarding is calm, and the capsules are large enough for you to move around freely during the ride.<\/p>\n

What is the ride like?<\/h3>\n

A full rotation on the London Eye takes about 30 minutes. The wheel moves so slowly that you barely notice that you are going up and then back down.<\/p>\n

Inside the glass capsule, you can walk around and look outside from different sides. There are also seats if you would rather sit down for a while. The capsules are enclosed and climate-controlled, so you can remain comfortable in both cooler and warmer weather.<\/p>\n

Because the London Eye moves so slowly, you have plenty of time throughout the entire ride to enjoy the view. You therefore do not have to worry about having only a few minutes to take photos.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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The View from the London Eye<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe view is one of the main reasons for me to ride the London Eye. From the highest point, you are about 135 metres above London, looking out over the River Thames and the city\u2019s buildings. Because the London Eye is located on the South Bank, you get a different view throughout the rotation.

On the opposite side of the River Thames are the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. You have a particularly good view of them from the higher parts of the wheel. Westminster Abbey<\/a> is also located just behind the Houses of Parliament and is easy to recognise by its large towers.

When conditions are good, you can see further across central London. To the west, you can see Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park, among other landmarks. Trafalgar Square and Nelson’s Column can also be seen from the London Eye.

On the other side of the River Thames, the view changes and you get to see more of London’s skyline. The dome of St Paul’s Cathedral<\/a> stands out among the city’s buildings. The Shard<\/a> is also clearly visible from the London Eye. On a clear day, you can even spot the Tower Bridge<\/a> further away.

Exactly what you can see depends heavily on the weather. On a clear day, the view is much more impressive than when there is fog, rain or low cloud. This is something to keep in mind when you want to book a ticket for the London Eye.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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London Eye Tickets and Prices<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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There are several different tickets available for a visit to the London Eye. You can choose a standard admission ticket, but there are also combination tickets with other activities in London. For example, you can combine a London Eye ticket with a hop-on hop-off bus tour or a boat trip on the River Thames.<\/p>\n

I usually buy a standard ticket for the London Eye. However, if you are visiting London for the first time and only have a limited amount of time, a combination with a bus tour or boat trip can be interesting. This allows you to see a large part of the city in a short amount of time.<\/p>\n

I have also taken these tours myself. I especially enjoy a boat trip on the River Thames<\/a> as a way to see London from the water. A hop-on hop-off bus tour is particularly useful if you want to see several attractions without spending too much time using public transport.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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London Eye Admission Ticket<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Powered by GetYourGuide<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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London Eye: Priority Access<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Don’t want to spend too much time waiting during your city trip to London? Then you can choose a ticket with priority access. This means you don’t have to wait in the regular queue for visitors with a standard ticket.<\/p>\n

On busy days, the regular waiting time at the London Eye can be between 30 and 60 minutes, and sometimes even longer than an hour. With priority access, you can significantly reduce this waiting time. However, you do pay more than for a standard ticket.<\/p>\n

Priority access can be particularly useful if you are only spending a few days in London and already have a busy itinerary. If you have enough time and would rather save money on your ticket, a standard ticket is probably the better choice.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tView Priority Access Ticket<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The London Eye Champagne Experience<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Would you like to make your visit to the London Eye a little more special? Then you can choose the Champagne Experience. During the ride, you can enjoy a glass of champagne while looking out over London from the capsule.<\/p>\n

This option is particularly suitable for a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, but it can of course also be fun if you want to do something extra during your city trip.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tView Ticket for the London Eye Champagne Experience<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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London Eye with a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour or Boat Trip<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Powered by GetYourGuide<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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When is the best time to visit the London Eye?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The time of day you visit the London Eye can make a big difference. Not only because of how busy it is, but also because of the view. Personally, there are two times I enjoy most: early in the day and around sunset.<\/p>\n

To avoid the crowds<\/h3>\n

Want to avoid the biggest crowds as much as possible? Then I would visit the London Eye early in the day. Especially on weekdays, you generally have a better chance of a shorter waiting time than in the middle of the day.<\/p>\n

Visiting in the morning has another advantage. You then have the rest of the day to explore other attractions in London. However, make sure to check the current opening hours in advance, as they can vary by day and season.<\/p>\n

For the best view<\/h3>\n

My favourite time is around sunset. You can see London in daylight and gradually watch the city light up. Especially on a clear day, this can be a beautiful experience and provides opportunities for some great photos.<\/p>\n

Keep the season in mind. In summer, the sun sets much later in London than in winter. A visit around sunset therefore takes place much earlier in the day during winter. So check the sunset time and the final boarding times for the day you want to visit.<\/p>\n

What is the best season?<\/h3>\n

A good time to visit London<\/a> is spring or early autumn. During these periods, it can be pleasant to walk around the city, and it is often less busy than during the most popular summer months.<\/p>\n

However, I would not choose the season as the main reason for planning your visit to the London Eye. The weather remains the most important factor when it comes to the view. A clear day during a busy summer period can provide a much better view than a foggy day during a quieter period.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Visiting the London Eye with Children<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Yes, in my opinion. When I visited the London Eye with my own children, they also thought it was a fun experience. The large Ferris wheel immediately made an impression, but they were especially interested in the view. From high above, they could try to recognise famous buildings and places in London.<\/p>\n

The London Eye moves very slowly, so the ride is calm. Even for young children, the movement does not feel fast or frightening. The spacious, enclosed glass capsules also allow children to walk around and look outside from different sides.<\/p>\n

A fun idea is to turn it into a small game during the ride. Who can spot Big Ben, Buckingham Palace or the River Thames first? This way, children are actively engaged with the view instead of simply looking outside.<\/p>\n

Tips for visiting with children<\/h3>\n

Book your tickets in advance. Especially on busy days, the waiting time can become quite long. With a ticket booked in advance, you know when it is your turn and avoid having to wait at the ticket office first.<\/p>\n

Consider priority access. If you are travelling with young children who do not like waiting for a long time, a ticket with priority access can be useful. However, you do pay extra for this.<\/p>\n

Combine the London Eye with other attractions. There are several attractions near the London Eye that are great for families. SEA LIFE London Aquarium<\/a> is nearby, and you can also visit Shrek’s Adventure! London. A playground nearby can also be useful if the children need to burn off some energy after the ride.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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What is the London Eye 4D Experience?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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When visiting the London Eye, you can also experience the 4D Experience. This is a short film of around four minutes that introduces you to London in a unique way. The film is shown at the cinema at County Hall, close to the London Eye.<\/p>\n

You see London from the perspective of a bird flying over the city. The images are in 3D, and various sensory effects are used during the film. This means you are not only watching the images but also experiencing the film in other ways.<\/p>\n

What makes the London Eye 4D Experience special?<\/h3>\n

When you enter, you are given 3D glasses. Various effects are added during the film. For example, you can feel wind and experience light splashes of water. In some scenes, mist, snow and soap bubbles are also used.<\/p>\n

The film ends with a fireworks display. Sensory effects are also used during this scene to make it feel even more realistic.<\/p>\n

Is the 4D Experience included with your ticket?<\/h3>\n

The 4D Experience is included with your London Eye ticket. You therefore do not need to buy a separate ticket.<\/p>\n

You can watch the film before or after your ride. Most visitors choose to experience the 4D Experience beforehand, so they can then continue directly to the London Eye.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Where is the London Eye located?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The London Eye is located on the South Bank of the River Thames, opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. The Ferris wheel is part of County Hall, the former town hall of London.<\/p>\n

The location is convenient if you want to visit several attractions during your city trip. From the London Eye, you can walk to Westminster Bridge, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey in a short time. Other famous places along the South Bank are also nearby.<\/p>\n

The London Eye is also located directly beside the River Thames. This means that during the ride, you not only have views of London’s skyline but also look out over the river and the Westminster area.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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