Visit London Eye | Info About Location, Timings, Tips & More

Getting to the London Eye

Closest station: Waterloo

The Waterloo Tube Station, in Zone 1, is five minutes from the London Eye. It is connected to the Bakerloo Line (brown), Jubilee Line (grey), Northern Line (black), and Waterloo and City Line (turquoise). The Embankment, Charing Cross, and Westminster Tube Stations are also close to the London Eye.

Closest station: Waterloo

The Waterloo train station is five minutes from the London Eye. You can take exit 6 for the South Bank and follow the signs leading to the London Eye. The Charing Cross train station is also close. You can reach it after walking for 15 minutes.

Closest station: London Eye

1, 12, 59, 68, 76, 77, 139, 148, 159, 168, 176, 188, 211, 243, 77, 381, 507, and 521 are the buses stopping at the London Eye. The attraction is also connected to the RV1 route, which connects to the Tate Modern, Covent Garden, and other attractions in London.

Closest stop: London Eye Pier

Boats and cruises from the O2, Bankside, Embankment, Blackfriars, London Bridge, Tower of London, Canary Wharf, Hilton Docklands, Masthouse Terrace, Greenwich, Royal Arsenal Woolwich, St. Katherine's, and Westminster Piers stop at the London Eye Pier. The ferry terminal is next to the London Eye.

The London Eye is part of the Congestion Charge Zone. You can drive to the attraction and park at the Q-Park Westminster car park for a small fee. The car park is a short walk from the London Eye.

Itineraries at the London Eye

Child enjoying view of Big Ben and Houses of Parliament from London Eye capsule.

For families

Start mid-morning and ascend the London Eye for panoramic views, allowing ample time for photos and identifying landmarks. After your descent, stroll along the South Bank. Consider lunch at one of the family-friendly eateries overlooking the Thames, followed by a visit to SEA LIFE London Aquarium, conveniently located next door, for an aquatic adventure.

Visitors taking a selfie on the London Eye with cityscape views.

For couples

For an unforgettable evening, book your London Eye tickets approximately 30-60 mins before sunset. This allows you to witness the city's transformation from golden hour to twinkling night lights. Combine your ride with a Champagne Experience for a special touch. Afterwards, enjoy a romantic dinner at one of the many restaurants on the South Bank, soaking in the illuminated skyline.

Guide overlooking the London Eye and Thames River on a city walking tour.

For budget travellers

Maximize your London experience with a combo ticket! Begin your day at the London Eye. Post-ride, hop over to Shrek's Adventure! London for an interactive walk-through experience. Or delve into London's darker history at the London Dungeon. Finish your day with a stroll across Westminster Bridge, admiring Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament illuminated against the evening sky.

Couple enjoying a boat tour on the Thames with the London Eye in the background.

For solo travellers

Book your London Eye tickets for mid-afternoon, allowing for a relaxed morning. After your rotation, enjoy a relaxed treat at one of the South Bank's many cafes or ice cream parlours. Then, embark on a Thames River Cruise from a nearby pier. Seeing the city's landmarks from the water provides a unique perspective, complementing your aerial views, and offers a comfortable way to relax while still sightseeing.

Know before you go to the London Eye

Guide assisting tourists with London Eye tickets at kiosk.

Book your tickets early: Booking your London Eye tickets online is the best option because it allows you to book your tickets several months in advance. Advance booking allows you to plan properly and select the time slot that suits your needs and gives you the best chance to avoid long queues.
Get fast-track tickets: Ensure you book fast-track tickets as they allow you to skip the lines at the attraction’s entrance. With flexi fast-track tickets, you can enter the London Eye at any time of the day with all the fast-track ticket’s benefits.
Visit early in the morning: The London Eye generally opens at 10am, depending on the season. Try visiting the London Eye as soon as it opens, as it is the best way to avoid long queues. Fewer visitors are around in the morning, allowing you to enjoy the attraction peacefully.

The London Eye has two boarding queues.

Standard entry: The Entrance A queue provides regular entry to the London Eye for standard entry ticketholders.
Fast-track entry: The fast-track queue at Entrance F offers express entry to the attraction.

Climate-controlled capsules: The London Eye pods are climate-controlled, making them extremely comfortable.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi service is available in all 32 pods of the London Eye.
Toilets: The London Eye Ticket Office has male, female, and accessible toilet facilities for your comfort. No toilets are available inside the pods.
Baby-changing rooms: The London Eye Ticket Office also has baby-changing rooms.
First aid facilities: The London Eye staff have basic first aid assistance training.
Luggage: You can leave your luggage at the main ticket office in County Hall and peacefully visit the London Eye.
Food and drinks: You can purchase food and beverages at the London Eye gift shop at the exit of the attraction.
Gift shop: The London Eye gift shop sells souvenirs and products to remember your experience by.

Physical disabilities: A faster boarding process is available for guests having issues with queues due to a physical disability or learning/emotional impairment. These guests can enter via the London Eye’s fast-track entrance by showing their access card or other approved documentation.
Wheelchair availability: Wheelchairs are also allowed inside the London Eye pods, while mobility scooters with having width less than the boarding gate are also permitted.
Visual impairment: The London Eye offers a braille guide, ensuring guests with visual issues can experience the attraction. Talk to a staff member at the entrance, and they will provide you or your guest with a braille guide.

You can visit the London Eye with your family and enjoy an intimate time as you marvel at the London skyline. Here are a few family-friendly facilities at the London Eye:

Strollers: Strollers and baby carriers are allowed inside the pods.
Baby changing rooms: Baby changing rooms are available at the London Eye’s ticket office.
Foods and beverages: You’ll find food and beverage options at the London Eye exit.

London Eye capsules against a blue sky, part of the river cruise experience.

Timed entry: Your ticket will have a designated time slot, which marks your queue entry time. You generally cannot join the queue before this time.
Accompaniment of minors: Children aged 15 years and younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 years or older.
Prohibited items: For safety and security reasons, large bags and luggage, weapons and sharp objects, flammable or explosive items, alcohol or other substances, outside food and drink, skateboards, scooters, drones, and photography equipment are not allowed on the London Eye.
Pets: No pets are allowed, except for service animals.
Appropriate attire: All guests must be fully clothed, including wearing shirts and shoes.
No smoking/vaping: Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaping, is strictly prohibited.
Buggy/pushchair policy: Buggies and pushchairs are allowed on the London Eye but must be fully folded inside the capsule.

London Eye capsule with passengers against a clear blue sky.

If you’re short on time, choose fast-track tickets. They provide express entry to the attraction and save 30-60 mins.
Tickets allow you to book your slot. Ensure you factor in the travel time before booking your slot. Visit the London Eye early in the morning to avoid queues. Also, ensure you arrive at least 15 mins before your slot.
The London Eye is close to many tube and train stations. You can board a tube or train affordably and quickly reach the attraction.
There’s no dress code for the London Eye. However, the weather in London is unpredictable. Check the forecast beforehand and dress accordingly.
The London Eye pods do not have a toilet. Hit the loo at the exit before jumping on the pod.
Ensure you grab your food and beverages at the ticket office before or after getting on the pod to avoid jitters.

London Eye gift shop: Buy London Eye-related souvenirs, merchandise, etc. It has the same opening hours as the London Eye.
Build-A-Bear Workshop - Westminster Bridge: Toy apparel, accessories, stuffed animals, etc. Open from 10am to 6pm on weekdays and 10am to 7pm on weekends.
London Souvenir: A good place to buy gifts near the London Eye. Open 24 hours.
The Stock Shop: Women's clothing, homewares, etc. Open from 8am to 5:30pm on weekdays.

Nearby

Honest Burgers South Bank: Hamburger restaurant offering quality burgers. Open from 11:30am to 11pm.
La Cucina Di Mamma: Italian restaurant known for its pizza and pasta. Open daily from 12pm to 11:30pm
Gillray's Steakhouse & Bar: Located on Westminster Bridge Road, offering great ambiance and cocktails. Open daily from 7am to 10pm.
Atrio Restaurant & Bar: An excellent place to enjoy Italian cuisine. Open daily from 12pm to 10:30pm.

Two double beds in a Fairmont Hotel room with elegant decor and warm lighting.

Nearby

Budget hotels: The Steam Engine (from £45 | 850 m), Travelodge London Central Waterloo (from £70 | 890 m), Point A London, Westminster (from £78 | 660 m), The Z Hotel City (from £80 | 130 m)
Mid-range hotels: ibis London Blackfriars (from £110 | 1 km), Novotel London Waterloo (from £127 | 950 m), Park Plaza London Waterloo (from £115 | 690 m), Marlin Waterloo (from £122 | 620 m)
Luxury hotels: Hyatt Regency London Albert Embankment (from £212 | 1.3 km), The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place (from £232 | 450 m), Radisson Blu Hotel, London Leicester Square (from £244 | 1 km), London Marriott Hotel County Hall (from £316 | 240 m)

Big Ben: Few tower clocks worldwide are as iconic as the Big Ben. It is famous for its architecture, accuracy, and massive bell. The tower was formerly called St. Stephen’s Tower but was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012.
Westminster Abbey: A World Heritage Site, Westminster Abbey is where coronations and other ceremonies of national significance are held in London.
SEA Life London Aquarium: Home to 40 species of marine creatures, the SEA Life Centre London Aquarium is among the largest aquariums in Europe.
Palace of Westminster: The Palace of Westminster is where the two Houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (the House of Lords and the House of Commons) meet daily.

Frequently Asked Questions about visiting the London Eye

Do I need to book London Eye tickets in advance?

Yes, it is highly recommended to book your tickets online in advance. This guarantees your entry, allows you to choose your preferred time slot, and often secures a cheaper price than buying on the day. On-the-day tickets can sell out, especially during peak seasons.

How far in advance can I book my London Eye tickets?

Tickets for the London Eye are usually released several months in advance. Booking as early as possible, especially for specific dates, times (like sunset), or peak seasons, is highly recommended to ensure availability and potentially secure better prices.

How do the time slots work? What time should I arrive?

Your ticket's designated time slot indicates when you can join the queue. It's advisable to arrive at least 15-30 mins before your booked time to allow for security checks and finding the correct queue (standard or fast-track). You generally won't be allowed to join the queue before your booked slot.

What's the difference between standard and fast-track tickets?

Standard tickets require you to join the regular queue, which can be long, especially during busy periods. Fast-track tickets allow you to skip most of the general queue, significantly reducing your waiting time and getting you into a capsule much quicker. Fast-track is highly recommended if you're on a tight schedule or visiting with young children. Flexi fast-track tickets offer the added benefit of allowing you to visit at any time during the day.

How long does a visit to the London Eye typically take?

The rotation itself lasts approximately 30 mins. However, you should allocate 1 to 2 hours for your entire visit, accounting for queueing and security checks.

What exactly happens during the security checks?

All visitors and their bags will go through airport-style security checks before boarding the London Eye. This involves walking through metal detectors and having your bags scanned. Prohibited items (like large bags, weapons, or food/drink) will need to be surrendered or left in a paid luggage facility.

Is the London Eye open on holidays?

The London Eye is generally open daily throughout the year but closes on Christmas Day (December 25) and for a period in January for annual maintenance. Opening and closing times can also vary for other public holidays or special events. Always check the official website for specific operating hours on your planned visit date.

Does the weather affect the London Eye experience or its operation?

The London Eye operates in most weather conditions, including rain, wind, and even light snow. Views can be clearer on bright, sunny days, but even on cloudy or rainy days, London's landmarks remain impressive. Only in extremely severe weather conditions (e.g., high winds exceeding safety limits) would the Eye temporarily close. It's always best to check the weather forecast for London on your planned visit day.

Are there any restrictions on what I can wear?

While there's no strict dress code beyond requiring shirts and shoes, it's advisable to dress comfortably and consider the weather. Layers are often a good idea, as London weather can be unpredictable, and it can feel cooler at height, even inside the climate-controlled capsules.

Are there places to eat or drink near the London Eye?

Yes, the South Bank area where the London Eye is located is bustling with a wide variety of cafes, restaurants, pubs, and snack stalls. You'll find options ranging from quick bites to sit-down meals, suitable for all tastes and budgets, perfect for before or after your ride.