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Why book London Eye and Thames cruise tickets

✔️ Two icons, one pier

The London Eye and Thames River Cruise both depart from London Eye Pier, just a two-minute walk apart, making it effortless to fit both into one morning or afternoon.

✔️ Two views of London

Experience London from two vantage points. The Eye offers 360-degree views of the skyline, spotting landmarks from above, while the Thames cruise glides past famous sights at water level.

✔️ More views, less spend

Buying combined tickets works out cheaper than booking each attraction separately. Save up to 10% when you bundle the London Eye with a Thames River cruise.

✔️ One ticket, less hassle

Combining these tickets streamlines your travel plans, cutting down on separate bookings and back-and-forth scheduling, so you can spend more time simply enjoying London's views.

✔️ Easy for the whole family

This combo suits all ages, with wheelchair and pram access, ramps at the Eye and the cruise pier, and guide dogs welcome, for an easy family outing.

What's the best way to go about it?

AspectSeparate ticketsCombo tickets

Cost

London Eye from £28.88, Thames Cruise from £15, booked apart

From £44.61 (Eye + Cruise) or £77.43 (Eye + Cruise + Tower of London), one price covering more than one experience.

Availability

Each ticket sold and checked separately

One booking covers entry to both attractions

Timeslots

Entry times booked independently, with no guarantee they line up

Slots arranged together, so your day flows without gaps

Convenience

Two bookings, two confirmations, two queues

One booking, one confirmation, less standing around

Flexibility

Full control over when you visit each attraction

Fixed pairing, though you can still pick your cruise pier

Best for

Independent travellers who want to set their own pace

Visitors who'd rather have the day planned out for them

Things to know before booking the London Eye and Thames cruise tickets

  • What's included: The standard combo ticket includes timed entry to the London Eye, a 30-min ride, a one-way Thames River sightseeing cruise, live English commentary, and recorded commentary in multiple languages.
  • Fast-track upgrade: Want to skip the wait? Upgrade to the London Eye with fast-track entry for priority boarding through a dedicated fast-track entrance, a 40-min cruise, and an audio guide in 13 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, and Spanish.
  • Add the Tower of London: Bundle in a third attraction for entry to the Crown Jewels, the White Tower, the battlements and the Bloody Tower, alongside your London Eye ride and Thames cruise.
  • Proximity: The London Eye and the Thames River Cruise both depart from London Eye Pier, just a 2-minute walk apart, making them easy to combine in a single morning or afternoon.
  • Boarding options: You can board the cruise from Westminster, London Eye, Greenwich, or Tower Pier, with the Westminster to London Eye leg taking just 10 minutes and other legs averaging around 40 minutes.
  • Accessibility: The London Eye and Thames Cruise are fully wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible, with ramps and guide dogs welcome; the Tower of London is partially accessible, with carer tickets available on the day upon proof of documentation.
  • Age restrictions: Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult (18+) at the London Eye. Children under 2 can enter for free but still require a ticket.
  • Wait times: Standard London Eye entry can involve a 30–60 minute wait; the Fast-Track upgrade bypasses this.
  • Tower of London entry: Your ticket is valid for one entry only, with no re-entry, so arrive within 30 minutes of your assigned time slot.

Making the most of your experience

Book a combo early

Combo tickets can sell out during peak season and school holidays, so booking at least 2-3 weeks ahead helps you lock in your preferred time slot for both the Eye and the cruise.

Plan your combo day

Allow 1–2 hours for the London Eye, including boarding, then walk 2 minutes to board your Thames cruise from London Eye Pier. The full combo comfortably fits into 3–4 hours.

Upgrade your experience

Add Fast-Track entry to skip the standard wait, or bundle in the Tower of London for a third experience on the same ticket.

Top highlights covered

  • London Eye: 360° skyline views, Big Ben, St. Paul's Cathedral.
  • Thames Cruise: Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament.
London Eye with Big Ben and Houses of Parliament at sunset.
  • London Eye hours: Runs 11am–6pm for most of the year, extending to 10am–8:30pm on weekends, school holidays, and daily from May through September.
  • Thames Cruise timings: Boarding is flexible, with departures roughly every 20–40 minutes from all four piers.
  • Start with the Eye: Ride in the morning for shorter queues, then take the cruise later in the day.
  • Consider the golden hour: Late-afternoon light (around 5–6pm) gives the best photos from both the wheel and the water.
  • Crowd levels: Weekends and school holidays are busiest at both; weekday mornings are quietest.

Both experiences board from London Eye Pier, on the South Bank between Westminster Bridge and Hungerford Bridge.

  • Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB | Find on maps
  • By tube: Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, Waterloo & City lines), a 5-minute walk; Westminster (Jubilee, District, Circle lines), a 7–8 minute walk across Westminster Bridge.
  • By train: Waterloo Station (South Western Railway), a 5-minute walk.
  • By bus: Routes including 3, 11, 12, 59, 76, 77, 148, 159, 211, 381, and 453 stop near York Road and Westminster Bridge Road.
  • By car: Parking is limited nearby; Q-Park Westminster and the National Theatre Car Park are within a 7–10 minute walk.
Wheelchair user boarding bus via accessible ramp.
  • Wheelchair accessibility: Both the London Eye and the Thames Cruise are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible, with ramps for boarding.
  • Service animals: Guide dogs are welcome at both experiences.
  • Carer tickets: The London Eye offers a free carer ticket for visitors with accessible needs, subject to valid documentation.
Family enjoying view of Big Ben from London Eye capsule.
  • Pick a top-deck seat: For the best photos on the cruise, head to the open-air deck rather than the heated saloon.
  • Travel light: Security checks at the London Eye are strict, so avoid large bags, rucksacks, or tripods.
  • Watch the weather: The Eye runs in most conditions, but may pause in high winds; the cruise's heated saloon is a good backup on cold days.
  • Time it for sunset: Late-afternoon slots on both the Eye and the cruise catch the city in golden light.
  • Check boarding piers: The cruise lets you board from Westminster, London Eye, Greenwich, or Tower Pier, so pick whichever fits your day's route best.
  • Mind the age rules: Under-15s need an accompanying adult at the London Eye, so plan group tickets accordingly.

Highlights of your London Eye River Cruise

Statue of Richard I of England in the Houses of Parliament

Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament, officially known as the Palace of Westminster, house both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The oldest element of this neo-Gothic structure originates from the mid-19th century.

River cruise boat on the Thames passing the London Eye and Big Ben, part of the London Sightseeing Cruise.
Millennium Bridge over River Thames with St. Paul's Cathedral in London background.
Tate Modern viewed from Thames sightseeing cruise in London.
St Paul's Cathedral with Golden Tours 24Hrs London Hop On Hop Off bus in foreground.

Frequently asked questions about London Eye and Thames cruise tickets

You absolutely can visit both attractions separately and buy individual tickets for each. However, booking a combo ticket is highly recommended as it provides a more seamless and often more economical experience. Combo tickets typically save you money compared to buying individual admissions and streamline the booking process, reducing the hassle of managing multiple reservations.