The London Eye is the giant observation wheel on the South Bank of the Thames, opposite the Houses of Parliament. A rotation on the London Eye takes about 30 minutes in an enclosed glass capsule, and on a clear day the view takes in Westminster, the river bends, St Paul's Cathedral and the towers of the City. It is one of the easiest ways to get your bearings on a first trip to London.
Why ride the London Eye
Built to mark the millennium, the wheel opened in 2000 and was meant to be temporary, but it quickly became a permanent part of the skyline. It moves slowly enough that it rarely stops for boarding, and the capsules are large enough to walk around, so everyone gets a turn at the best side of the view.
What sets it apart from London's tall buildings is the position. You are right on the river, beside Westminster Bridge, so the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are close and detailed rather than distant shapes on the horizon.
Getting to the London Eye by Tube
Waterloo is the nearest station, served by the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City lines, as well as national rail. From the station it is a walk of five to ten minutes, following signs for the South Bank and the London Eye. Westminster on the Jubilee, District and Circle lines is the other good option: come up by Big Ben and walk across Westminster Bridge, which gives you a classic view of the wheel on the way.
- Embankment station is also close; cross the river on the Golden Jubilee footbridges and the wheel is just downstream.
- River boats stop at the London Eye Pier, which can be a scenic way to arrive.
- Pay with contactless or Oyster on the Tube and buses.
London Eye tickets
Tickets are sold for timed entry slots. Booking online in advance on the official website, londoneye.com, is generally cheaper than buying on the day and guarantees your slot. Standard tickets mean queuing for boarding, while fast-track and flexible tickets cost more but save time at busy periods. Combination tickets with other attractions run by the same operator, such as the nearby SEA LIFE aquarium, are also offered.
Bags go through a security check before boarding, and large luggage is not allowed. Opening hours change through the year and the wheel occasionally closes for maintenance, so check the official site before travelling.
Best time to ride and how long it takes
Weekday mornings are usually the quietest. School holidays, weekends and summer afternoons bring the longest queues. For the photos, late afternoon around sunset is popular, and a ride after dark shows the city lit up, although reflections on the glass can make photography harder. Clear days after rain often give the sharpest long-distance views.
The ride itself is about 30 minutes. With security and boarding, allow roughly an hour in total, longer at peak times without a fast-track ticket.
Tips for a better ride
Pick your side
The capsule rotates slowly, so you will see everything. Still, the best views of Parliament come on the way up and at the top, so stay near the Westminster side early in the ride.
Check the weather
Low cloud or heavy rain can cut the view to a few hundred metres. Flexible tickets can be worth it if your schedule allows.
Visit the riverside
The wheel looks great from the ground too. Walk the Albert Embankment south or Westminster Bridge for photos with the wheel and the river together.
Nearby on the same stop
Waterloo puts you on the South Bank, one of the liveliest walks in London:
- SEA LIFE London Aquarium: in County Hall right next to the wheel.
- Southbank Centre: concert halls, galleries, the book market under Waterloo Bridge and free events along the river.
- Jubilee Gardens: a green space beside the wheel, useful for children to run around before or after the ride.
- Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey: a short walk across Westminster Bridge.
To see more places around this station, open the London Eye on Around the Metro, or browse the London Tube map.