Ride the London Eye

The London Eye is an iconic part of London’s cityscape. It’s a giant ferris wheel, built in 2000 to commemorate the new millennium. It’s made up of 32 large glass capsules that move slowly, allowing riders to get a great view London’s most famous sights. To ride the London Eye, you’ll need to find your way there, find the right package for your needs, and know some of its security and logistical characteristics.

Steps

Booking Your Ride on the London Eye

1. Choose your package. The London Eye offers a variety of experiences at different prices. Standard tickets put you in a capsule with around 20 other people, where you can ride the Eye for about 30 minutes. There are quite a few packages beyond the standard ticket, including:
   • Fast track tickets, which let you jump ahead of the queue and board the Eye more quickly.
   • Flexi tickets let you visit the London Eye at any time of day rather than booking a specific time in advance.
   • Combination packages let you save money by combining London Eye tickets with passes for other London attractions, such as the London Dungeon or Madame Tussauds.
2. Book your ticket online. Visiting the London Eye’s official website will let you buy your ticket ahead of time, saving a bit of wait time. Additionally, you’ll be able to save 10% on the ticket price by paying online. After choosing your package, you’ll be able to pay online with a credit card or PayPal.
   • After buying your ticket, you’ll have the option to print your ticket at home or collect it at the London Eye. The former will save you more wait time.
3. Pay on the spot. While it’s more convenient to book tickets online, it’s also possible to queue up at the London Eye for your ticket. You’ll have directions on site as to where to line up to buy your ticket.
   • Note that while this is possible, it’s usually best to pre book for the London Eye, especially with more exclusive packages.

Finding Your Way to the London Eye

1. Take the tube or train. There are a few train stations near the London Eye, which are accessible by train or by using the subway. The closest station is Waterloo, which is about a five minute walk from the London Eye if you follow signs for the South Bank. Alternatively, you can reach the London Eye from the Embankment and Charing Cross stations; you’ll need to cross the Hungerford Bridge to reach the London Eye from these stations.
2. Get on the bus. There are three bus lines that can take you directly to Waterloo station, close to the London Eye. The bus line you take depends on your starting point.
   • The 211 bus line travels between Hammersmith Bus Station and the Waterloo station.
   • The 77 line also has its final stop at Waterloo station, although it starts from Tooting Station.
   • The 381 is your last option, and starts from Peckham Bus Station.
3. Take a taxi. The fare will vary depending on where you’re leaving from, but the London Eye has a dedicated drop off location for taxis at the end of its landscape. They also tend to congregate there, ready to take you back to a hotel or to your next destination.
   • If you opt for using Uber instead of a taxi, you’re usually looking at a minimum fare of £14, ($18.13) with rates of £0.08 ($0.10) per minute and £0.75 ($0.97) per mile.
4. Park your car at Q-Park Westminster car park. Whether you’re picking up a rental car or driving with a local, this is the best place to park and the London Eye can get you a 15% discount. From there, it’s a 5 minute walk to the London Eye, across either the Westminster Bridge or Lambeth Bridge.
   • Note that the London Eye is situated in the London Congestion Zone. This means you’ll be charged £11.50 ($14.89) for driving to the London Eye on a weekday between 7am and 6pm.

Getting on the Eye

1. Know what you can and can’t take with you. The London Eye has an important list of restricted items. Many of these will be taken from you at a security check before entry, and returned to you once you disembark. This list includes, but is not limited to:
   • Sharp objects, from knives to nail files.
   • Replica or toy guns.
   • Large bags or rucksacks.
   • Skateboards and rollerblades.
2. Prepare to wait in line. It can take at least 45 minutes to board the London Eye, with wait times increasing during peak times, especially on weekends and holidays.
   • It’s suggested that you arrive at least 30 minutes before your booked time; this will allow you sufficient time to collect your tickets and join the queue.
   • If you have a standard entry, you’ll enter the capsule through the standard queue. The Fast Track queue can only be accessed if you have a Fast Track ticket and allows for shorter queue times.
3. Move about the capsule for the best view. The London Eye capsules offer a full 360 degree view, and it moves slowly enough to guarantee a you’ll catch all of London’s sights. While the capsule can hold up to 28 people, you should still be able to move around and get a good view. The ride takes about 30 minutes, so make sure to keep your eyes open.

Warnings

• The London Eye rotates continuously at a slow pace. If you have any mobility difficulties, let the staff know so they can stop it for you.

Related Articles

• Fit in when Visiting London
• Move to England
• Pack for a Trip to London
• Get Around London Easily
• Get to London From Heathrow
• Survive Taking the London Underground

Sources and Citations

See also

• Survive Taking the London Underground
• Dress Like a Londoner
• Fit in when Visiting London