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Top things to do in London

Buckingham Palace with colorful flower gardens and visitors in London.

Buckingham Palace

from

£14

Stage performance of Come Alive Westend

London Theatre Tickets

from

£6.25

Tower of London with four turrets by the River Thames, England, UK.

Tower of London

from

£18.50

Stonehenge under a clear blue sky, part of London to Stonehenge tours.

London To Stonehenge Tours

from

£58.66

Draco Malfoy costume in Slytherin common room on Harry Potter London tour.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London Tickets

from

£85

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Madame Tussauds London

from

£23.63

Westminster Abbey exterior with tourists in London.

Westminster Abbey

from

£27.13

The Shard skyscraper in London at sunset with cityscape and river views.

The View from The Shard

from

£24

Visitors observing a sea turtle in the tunnel at SEA Life London.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

from

£24.50

Windsor Castle with visitors walking along the Long Walk path, England.

London To Windsor Castle Tours

from

£32

White car with artistic designs in Moco Museum London gallery.

Moco Museum London

from

£18.32

Stone statue of a hooded figure at London Dungeon, London.

London Dungeon

from

£23.63

Visitors exploring immersive art installation at Frameless London.

Frameless London

from

£26

Child holding Paddington Bear toy, smiling with adult and costumed guide at Paddington Bear Experience.

Paddington Bear Experience

from

£34

Tower Bridge spanning the River Thames in London, featuring its iconic twin towers.

Tower Bridge

from

£15.80

Christmas lights and angel decoration on Regent Street, London.

Christmas in London

from

£25

Visitors climbing the O2 Arena roof in London with safety gear.

Up At The O2 Climb

from

£37

Mother and daughter on train from Heathrow Airport, child holding tablet.

Heathrow Airport Transfers

from

£7

St Paul's Cathedral dome in London against a blue sky.

St. Paul's Cathedral

from

£24

Visitors exploring Emirates Stadium in London.

London City Passes

from

£54

National Express bus in front of the London Eye, England.

National Express Tickets

from

£5.50

Victorian glasshouse and colorful tulip garden at Kew Gardens, London.

Kew Gardens

from

£17

Hampton Court Palace entrance with red brick towers and Union Jack flag, London.

Hampton Court Palace

from

£29

Highclere Castle, iconic setting for Downton Abbey, with a flag atop its tower.

Downton Abbey

from

£130.50

Statue of Winston Churchill with Westminster Palace in London.

Churchill War Rooms

from

£29.75

Visitors posing with Shrek at Shrek's Adventure in London.

Shrek's Adventure

from

£18.38

Clink Prison Museum entrance in London, showcasing historical prison artifacts.

The Clink Prison Museum

from

£10

Why combine London Eye and Thames river cruise?

✔️ Steps away from each other

The river cruise departs from a pier that sits right beneath the London Eye itself, so there's zero travel time between the two. You simply step off one and straight onto the other.

✔️ Two views, one river

Ride high above the city on the Eye for beautiful panoramas, then drop down to river level for a closer, more intimate look at the same landmarks. Together, they show you London from every angle.

✔️ More sights, one route

Your cruise glides past Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Tower Bridge while a live guide fills you in on the stories behind them. It's a moving tour that adds context to what you just saw from above.

✔️ Better value, less hassle

Booking both together usually works out cheaper than buying tickets separately. You skip the back-and-forth of two bookings and lock in your plans in one go.

✔️ Perfect for a first visit

If you're short on time, this combo covers two of London's biggest highlights in a single outing. It's an easy way to tick off the essentials without overplanning your day.

What's the best way to go about it?

AspectSeparate ticketsCombo tours

Cost

Standard London Eye tickets range from £29–£39, while Thames cruise tickets typically cost £13.50–£15, depending on the ticket type and travel date.

Combo tickets start from £44.13, bundling both experiences into a single booking. It's a value-packed way to experience two of London's top attractions without juggling separate reservations.

Availability

You'll need to check availability for each experience separately, and one may sell out before the other during weekends, holidays, and sunset slots

A single booking secures both experiences, making it easier to plan your day and avoid mismatched availability.

Timeslots

The London Eye requires a timed entry, while Thames cruises operate on scheduled departures, so you'll need to coordinate both.

Your London Eye entry is pre-booked, and the cruise can be scheduled around it for a smoother sightseeing experience.

Convenience

Two bookings, two confirmations, and separate planning.

One booking, one confirmation, and a hassle-free way to experience both attractions.

Flexibility

You can book each attraction on different dates and at different times

Most combo tickets include a fixed London Eye entry time, while the Thames cruise can often be taken within its validity period.

Best for

Travellers who want complete control over their itinerary.

First-time visitors and anyone looking for a simple, well-planned way to see London's highlights.

Making the most of your experience

Plan your combo day

Allow 30 minutes for your London Eye rotation and 60 minutes for the cruise. Since both leave from the same pier, you can comfortably fit everything into 2–3 hours, including queue time.

Upgrade your experience

Add Fast Track entry to skip the standard queue for the Eye, or choose a Champagne experience for a more indulgent ride. Both pair easily with your river cruise slot.

Top highlights covered

  • London Eye: 360° views, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and St Paul's Cathedral.
  • Thames Cruise: Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, live guide commentary.
River cruise boat on the Thames with London skyline, including the Gherkin, in the background.
  • London Eye hours: Typically 11 am–6 pm on weekdays, extending to 10 am–8:30 pm on weekends and in summer (June–August). Last boarding is 30–45 minutes before closing.
  • Thames Cruise hours: Departs roughly every hour from around 10:45 am, with the last sailing in the early evening. Times shift seasonally.
  • Start with the Eye: Ride early to get your bearings from above, then take the cruise to see the same landmarks up close.
  • Best for sunset: Late afternoon slots on the Eye catch golden light over the skyline, and an early-evening cruise lets you watch the city lights come on over the water.
  • Avoid the midday rush: Late morning and weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds at both.

Both experiences are located on the South Bank, directly beside Westminster Bridge and across the river from the Houses of Parliament.

Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB | Find on Maps

Since the cruise pier sits right beneath the Eye, there's no separate journey between the two — you simply move from one to the other on foot.

  • Tube: Waterloo (Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo lines) is the closest station, about a 5-minute walk. Westminster (Circle, District, Jubilee) is a 7-minute walk over Westminster Bridge.
  • Train: Waterloo Station is the nearest mainline terminus.
  • Bus: Routes 211, 77, and RV1 stop near the South Bank.
  • Car/parking: The London Eye has no on-site parking; nearby options include NCP Westminster Bridge Road. Public transport is strongly recommended given central London traffic and congestion charges.

London Eye

  • Wheelchair access: Step-free boarding, accessible capsules, lifts, and accessible restrooms are available. Up to 2 wheelchair users per capsule and 8 at any one time are accommodated with advance booking.
  • Mobility assistance: One complimentary carer ticket is available for eligible guests.
  • Service animals: Registered assistance dogs are welcome.
Plan your visit

Thames River Cruise

  • Wheelchair access: Ramp boarding, wheelchair lift, accessible seating, and accessible restrooms are available on the sightseeing boats.
  • Service animals: Assistance dogs are permitted on board.
  • Sensory considerations: Indoor seating is available for visitors who prefer a quieter environment or shelter from the weather.
Thames Cruise
Person booking tickets online with a laptop and credit card at home.
  • Book early: Weekend, holiday, and sunset combo tickets are the first to sell out.
  • Choose the upper deck: Sit on the open deck for the best views and photographs during the cruise.
  • Time it for sunset: Pair an afternoon London Eye ride with an evening cruise for spectacular skyline views.
  • Travel light: Large luggage isn't permitted at the London Eye, and smaller bags make security checks quicker.
  • Explore the South Bank: Spend time at Jubilee Gardens, browse nearby cafés, or visit SEA LIFE London Aquarium before or after your experience.
  • Arrive early: Reach both the London Eye and the cruise boarding point at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time.
  • Check the forecast: Clear weather offers the best visibility from the London Eye, while calm evenings make for beautiful river views.
  • Keep your booking confirmation handy: You'll need to present your ticket when boarding both the London Eye and the Thames cruise.

Frequently asked questions about the London Eye and Thames cruise experience

Yes. Both attractions can be booked separately, but a combo ticket lets you arrange both experiences in one booking, making planning simpler and more convenient.