The London Eye, one of the world's tallest overhung observation wheels, offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city. This gorgeous and unique observational wheel, also known as the Coca-Cola London Eye has 32 high-tech glass capsules or pods inside which you can stand and whirl like a large Ferris wheel.
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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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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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.
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Private pod allows 3 to 25 guests and provides priority boarding. You may add a bit of thrill to the ride by choosing to have champagne or canapés served on board. You can also enjoy the 4D cinema experience.
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The London Eye is the perfect place to propose to your sweetheart. You can book a proposal pod for this very special occasion. You may book this just for the two of you or have a group of friends to share this special occasion. Enjoy the moment with musicians and champagne.
As the name suggests, there are pods dedicated to you and your close ones. This is a perfect place to organize a family gathering, to celebrate anniversaries or just be together to enjoy a special day. The number of guests is restricted to 15 only.
Share a special moment with your special friend in this pod. Enjoy the ride with champagne or a luxury box of Hotel Chocolat Pink champagne Truffles, served by your own personal host.
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The London eye takes about 30 minutes to complete one rotation. It moves approximately 0.26m/s to enable the passengers to get in and get out as well as to have a better view. At once nearly 1600 hundred people can ride it in the 32 capsules on the wheel. As it moves in slow motion, you get a very good chance to see the panoramic view.
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Tickets can be categorized into different groups.
- Standard Tickets: Costs around £27
- Fast Track Tickets: Costs around £37
- Flexi Fast Track Tickets: Costs around £44
- London Eye +1 more attraction: Costs around £45
- Family Standard Ticket: Costs around £26
- Champagne Experience: Costs around £41
- London Eye + River Cruise: Costs around £45
- Student Ticket: Costs around £16
- Children below 3 are admitted free. Different categories carry different features. It is always advisable to buy tickets online to avoid long queues and also to save time.
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A ride on the London Eye takes about 30 minutes. It gives you a spectacular view of the city and when the weather is clear you can see up to 40 km. You can take pictures of the city as you move around. You may enjoy a glass of champagne served by a London Eye host. If you book a private pod for your exclusive use, you can invite your family and friends and have a party, host a dinner or propose your GF/BF, the list is endless.
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London Eye, formerly known as the Millennium wheel is on the South Bank of the River Thames. It has an overall height of 443 feet (135m.) and is regarded as the tallest wheel. This is a famous landmark and has attracted tourists from all across the globe. From the wheel you can have a spectacular view of the city of London and many important buildings and monuments.
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The distance between London Eye and Buckingham Palace is just 1 mile. You can reach London Eye from Buckingham Palace through a tube which operates a vehicle every 5 minutes. The ticket costs around £5 or else you can take a leisurely walk and have the pleasure of seeing Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and other landmark places. You may take a taxi which will cost you around £6 and will take about 4 minutes. You can ride a bus and the journey takes about 5 minutes.
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The London Eye is the world’s tallest cantilever wheel. Not only that, it is supported on only one side. This is the city’s most iconic structure and has huge glass capsules that carry thousands of people with it. Each time it rotates, tourists get an amazing view of the city from high above. You get to see the Houses of Parliament, the Tower Bridge, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. The 4D cinema experience also provides additional attraction.
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The best time to visit London Eye is during summer (June, July, August). In mid-June you get a clear sky and that is the best way you can observe the city from the London Eye. On a clear sunny day, the best time to visit is during sunset. During sunsets you get a panoramic view of the city and that is the best view of all. Be sure to buy tickets beforehand.
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As such, you cannot have meals as it is not allowed on the London Eye. However, “Dining at 135” lets you enjoy a three course meal. This is an exceptional dining experience with family and friends, exclusively meant for tourists who buy tickets for this purpose. You are allowed to invite 8 guests on board and have a gala time.
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