London Eye, London

Located on London’s Southbank, the London Eye is the world’s tallest cantilever wheel and an iconic figure in the London sky. This wheel attracts nearly 4 million visitors every year, making it a popular destination among tourists and locals alike. If you're planning a trip to Europe, consider including the London Eye in your itinerary as part of our exciting Europe tour packages.

Wheel consists of 32 capsules which are made of glass. On a clear day one can see up to 40 km from the wheel. There are multilingual guides giving a commentary on the details of the spectacular view of the city. Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and other famous London landmarks can be seen from the London Eye.

The slow rotation of the wheel enables one to take pictures of the famous landmarks. Apart from the stunning view, another major attraction is a 4D show that forms a part of your London Eye experience. Over the past 19 years, it has become an important feature of the London skyline.

You can also look out for special themed events like pop-up dining events, Valentine day celebrations or an anniversary dinner. London Eye is one of the major attractions in London’s New Year day firework celebrations. Seeing London at a glance should definitely be a part of your London itinerary. 

The wheel was dedicated to the public in 2000. It was originally planned to be in public service for only 5 years. However, its popularity made it a permanent feature in the tourist map of London. Tourists love the experience of the thrilling ride on the wheel and observe the breathtaking view of the London city over the River Thames.

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• Explore London’s tallest overhung observatory with 32 air-conditioned glass capsules or pods offering panoramic 360-degree bird’s eye view of the city.
• Witness London’s remarkable landmarks from your capsule, including the House of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and more.
• Experience 30-minutes of enjoyment in a state-of-the-art glass pod or capsule.
• Get a free London Eye Guide app that provides an alternative 360-degree view of London and gathers information about different buildings and landmarks.
• You can also take an entry into the London Eye 4D Cinema Experience where you can watch a 4-minute video of a little girl wanting to explore London and it shows tangible effects in the cinema hall like if it’s windy in the movie, it’s windy in the cinema hall.
• One can also upgrade their London Eye ride experience and get access to the Eye Lounge where they can sit back, relax and sip a glass of wine or champagne while the Eye slides through.

There are various transport facilities available to a tourist to reach London Eye. Some are listed here:

By Bus: Bus 211, 77, and 381 ply to London Eye. The London Eye is on most sightseeing, touring buses on the map.

By Tube: Waterloo, Charing Cross, Embankment, and Westminster are the underground stations from which the London Eye falls within walking distance. Out of these Waterloo stations are the closest and it is just a 5 minutes walk from there. Embankment and Charing Cross stations are on the north side of the River Thames. Both the tube-stations are fifteen minutes walk from the London Eye. On the other hand, Westminster station is closest to the Houses of Parliament and just 10 minutes walk from the London Eye.

By Rail: Waterloo and Charing Cross are near to the London Eye. While Waterloo is just five minutes’ walk from the London Eye, Charing Cross is about fifteen minutes walk.

Boat: You can also reach London Eye by River Thames. Avail the services from the O2, Bankside, Embankment, London Bridge, Canary wharf and many more. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi and visit the spot but this is rather expensive.

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The best time to visit London Eye is during the mornings and evenings of spring and summer season, from March to August. The city experiences a mix of rain and sunshine, making it the perfect time to visit the city. The sky remains clearer and the sun shines bright, making it perfect to go sightseeing and experience the London Eye.

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River Cruise of the London Eye

Much of London’s tourist attractions lie on the banks of the River Thames. So the River Cruise is a popular addition in the itinerary of the tourists visiting the London Eye. While on the London Eye you get to see the city from above, here in the cruise you get the added benefit of live commentary. 

Taking a tour on the River cruise will make you see them from close quarters. The London Eye River Cruise is a 40 minute circular sightseeing tour. The tour starts from London Eye pier and on the route you can see the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge and return to the London Eye pier.

Apart from these tourist attractions, you will also see Sea Life London Aquarium, Big Ben, and National Theatre on your journey. There will be a running commentary as you pass through the historical and present day monuments, highlighting the importance of these landmarks in the history of the great city.

There are multilingual audio guides available to make this cruise enjoyable. The commentary is both factual and entertaining and you get to learn a lot about the monuments. For the tourists, the River Cruise is the easiest way of sightseeing in London. The Cruise runs all year round, irrespective of the weather and it is free for children under the age of four.

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Places To Visit Near London Eye

1. Sea Life London Aquarium: The Sea Life Aquarium is home to 5000 species of sea animals from around the world. You get to see sea horses, sharks, giant conger eels, starfish, and piranhas. Experience the underwater world with London’s flagship aquarium. It is a 2 minutes walk from the London Eye. You can checkout best offers on Sea Life London Aquarium Tickets!
2. Whitehall: Head towards Whitehall to see the Official residence of the British Prime Minister on 10 Downing Street. The street is also known as the centre of British govt. and there are many government buildings and departmental stores on both sides of the street. This is just a 5 minutes walk from the London Eye.
3. Westminster Bridge: The Westminster Bridge will give you a stunning view of the Parliament, Whitehall, and South Bank. This bridge lies between the Parliament and Country Hall and is located on the River Thames. This bridge is just 5 minutes walk from London Eye.
4. Big Ben: Big Ben is an iconic structure which is attached to the Parliament and is a very well-known landmark of London city. It is just a 7 minutes walk from the London Eye.
5. Shrek’s Adventure: This is a walk-and-ride adventure on the South Bank. You get to ride a magical 4D bus where a donkey would be your guide. Inside the bus you get to see ten live-fairytale shows. You also get a chance to check your fortune through the crystal ball. This is just 2 minutes walk from the London Eye.

Travelers’ Tip before visiting London Eye

Before you plan a trip to the London Eye, get to know certain things which will prevent any last minute hitch. 

- To avoid a glare in your selfie snap, get as close to the glass as you can.

- If you want to really enjoy the view, try to avoid peak times. It is busiest between 11 am to 3 pm during holidays. 

- You have an option to pay a bit extra to get to skip to the front of the line. That is a bonus because you cut through the crowd and get to embark quickly.

- Always try to buy tickets online. That saves time and you also get time to reach the wheel.

- Try to travel by train as Waterloo station is closest to London Eye.

Suggested Read: Places To Visit In London