Best Views From the London Eye Wheel (Visitor’s Guide)
Want to ride the London Eye? Wondering what kind of views from the London Eye you will see?
Perfect! My family just had the opportunity to jump on this millennium wheel and experience London from an aerial view! We can give you a glimpse of what to expect when you go on one of the world tallest observation wheels and what views of London you will see.
In this post, I am going to help you navigate your way to the London Eye, get your tickets booked, and show you some of the views from the London Eye that make this experience amazing!
Let’s learn all about the London Eye and what the best London Eye views you will see!
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Merlin Entertainment did provide my family with tickets, however, all opinions are my own.
Where is the London Eye Located?
The London Eye is located next to the London Pier on the South Bank of the River Thames in central London.
The address is: Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB, UK
London Eye Closest Tube Station
The closest train station to the London Eye is Waterloo. If you are taking the train you will want to get off at the Waterloo Station. It is about a 5-minute walk from the train to London Eye.
Embankment and Charing Cross Stations are on the North side of the River Thames. If you get off at these stations you will be walking 10-15 minutes across the Hungerford Bridge.
Westminster Station is another option if you want to see the Westminster Bridge, Big Ben and the House of Parliament up close before you head to the London Eye. It is only an 8-minute walk from the train to London Eye.
London Hop on Hop off Bus Tour
Another option if you are already in the city is to jump on a London Hop on Hop off bus as there is a stop near the London Eye.
Tickets and Admission to the London Eye
You will want to book your tickets to the London Eye ahead of time. When you book your tickets you will book a reservation for a specific time you will arrive.
Should I Book London Eye Tickets in Advance?
Yes! There are lots of ticket options. If you book online you will save a lot of money! The offical website standard ticket price is 29 pounds per adult online. If you book at the gate is closer to 42 pounds per adult.
If you are looking for the best deal be sure to ask me in my Facebook Group. I love working with Merlin Entertainment and they often send me special discount codes and offers.
Attractions Near the London Eye
There are some fun activities located next to the London Eye such as the Shrek Adventure, Sea Life Aquarium London, and the London Dungeon. You can purchase a discounted London Eye ticket that includes some or all of these attractions.
You can get family tickets for London Eye that include more than one attraction as well.
We did the London Eye, Shrek Adventure, and the Sea Life Aquarium.
Book London Eye Tickets
I highly recommend booking your tickets ahead of time so that you can arrive and immediately go on. If you buy tickets the day of, they will most likely tell you to come back in an hour or two.
How Long Does it Take to Ride the London Eye?
The London Eye experience takes about 30 minutes to complete its way around. This slow pace allows you to see the heart of London and many tourist attractions.
Keep in mind, that your entire experience may take longer as you will most likely be waiting in line to board the London Eye Wheel. There is also a security bag check before you can get on.
As you wait in line, a photo op with professional photographers, is something you can take advantage of for an additional fee.
When is the Best Time to Go on the London Eye?
If you want to beat the crowds going earlier in the day or right before closing is the best time. During holidays or school breaks you can expect longer lines. Sunny days are preferable to rainy days but both are still great!
Is There a Priority Fast Track Entry?
Yes, there are certain tickets that have a fast track and VIP option. These tickets will save you time in the boarding process. On busy days your wait time in line is cut by half with fast track boarding.
Are There Seats on the London Eye?
Yes, there is a middle section where you can sit down and enjoy all the breathtaking views from the London Eye.
Is the London Eye Worth It?
Yes, I was kind of nervous because this London Eye observation wheel is 442 feet in the sky. I might have a slight fear of heights. But it isn’t scary and you can see some amazing views of London and its famous landmarks. It is a London Icon!
I think the panaromic views are totally worth the experience!
How Many People are Loaded in each London Eye Glass Pods?
A maximum of 25 people can fit in an entire pod. When we went I don’t think they filled it to capacity. There was plenty of room to walk around and it did not feel too crowded.
View From the London Eye
There are lots of cool views of the city of London and all of the London tourist sites that you can see from the London Eye. It is the ultimate way to see London!
We are going to list some of these major London Eye views so you will know what to look for when you are on the London Eye.
Enjoying the Views From the London Eye
The London Eye does give a little information while you ride so you can see some of the most famous attractions in London.
The main reason I wanted to write about the views from the London Eye was because not being super familiar with London landmarks I didn’t exactly know what I was looking at!
I had to go back and do a little research to know, this hopefully will help you know what to be on the lookout for.
1. Hungerford Bridge
One of the first views from the London Eye will be of many London bridge options across the River Thames.
The Hungerford Bridge runs across the River Thames and will be visible immediately as you start to ascend. It is a pedestrian bridge as well as railway bridge.
In the background, you will see the Golden Jubilee Bridge. Getting a good look at the River Thames and seeing the bridges is a highlight of the many views from the London Eye!
The Shard is the tallest building in London. It offers 360-degree views of London. It is a little taller than the London Eye, so if you want to get another ariel view of London, you should make a trip there. It is a remarkable part of the London skyline.
There is the famous Shangri-La Hotel is located inside. As well as office space, residences, and award-winning restaurants.
Admission
You can book a ticket for the Shard. A lot of people like to book a walking tour that includes the Shard or a city pass that also has multiple entries to various attractions.
The view from the London Eye is incredible!
St. Paul Cathedral is a magnificent building. It is famous for the wedding of King Charles and Princess Diana. It was also the place of the funeral of Winston Churchill.
We went on a big bus tour and looking at it up close is even better than the views from the London Eye. You can book a ticket or it is often included in the city passes. It is open Monday – Saturday for sightseeing.
It is still really cool to see if from the London Eye. You can get an idea of where it is located and see the dome from a higher view of London!
Big Ben is one of the most iconic sites in London and is a symbol of its parliamentary democracy. The best views of Big Ben is on the London Eye.
As an American, I can easily identify this famous clock tower without hesitation so I image you will know exacty what you are looking at as well.
One thing I didn’t know was that the Palace of Westminister is where parliament meets. It is often called the Houses of Parliament.
The view from the London Eye is awesome! You have a lot of time to take pictures as the wheel comes down from the very top.
5. The Royal Horseguards Hotel and the White Hall Palace
White Hall is a symbol of the UK government.
The building you will see from the London Eye is the Royalgaurds Hotel as well as the White Hall Palace which was used as a former Royal residence.
If you are a Harry Potter fan White Hall was filmed as the Ministry of Magic. it is fun to check out all the fun buildings!
Buckingham Palace is a super popular London attraction but from the View from the London Eye is hard to distinguish. We were able to get a glimpse but didn’t really know if which building was which until we did a little more research.
Buckingham Palace is closed to the public except during the summer months when guided tours can be purchased of the State rooms.
The Changing of the Guard is available to view at 11:30 am every morning during summer and every second morning during winter.
Westminster Abbey is super difficult to spot unless you know exactly where to look.
First, you will look and Big Ben and the Parliament Building. Now look behind that. This is where Westminster Abbey is!
It is just beyond Big Ben!
You can book a ticket for Westminster Abbey Monday – Saturday, starting at 29 pounds per Adult. There are lots of tours of Westminster Abbey!
Are the Views from the London Eye Worth it?
I think the views from the London Eye are totally worth it! The London Eye itself is a really cool way to see London.
London Eye Review
There is plenty of space to walk around and get some excellent shots. One thing I think is silly but I totally loved was seeing the big red double decker buses on the street from the London Eye.
My London Eye review would be positive and I would say you should go on it at least once. We really liked it and I know you will too! Just be sure to get your tickets ahead of time so you don’t have to worry.
I love seeing the World from a different perspective!
London Eye Tip
Sometimes the city passes will include the London Eye (You will have to double-check for your dates.) If you plan to visit more than one location it could be worth it to you.
Are you Ready to See the Views From the London Eye?
Hopefully, this post will help you know exactly what to look for when you ride the London Eye.
We loved all the views from the London Eye. It was cool to get a view of London from up above! The London Eye ferris wheel is one of the top things to do in London, you will love it and should totally add it to your European family vacation!
Facebook Group
If you have any questions come join me in my private Facebook Group. This group is a place where you can ask any question about your upcoming trip and help others plan their trips. It is also a place where I put travel deals.
