London Eye
BEST FOR
Ages 0+
ENTRY
from £29
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
London
What it’s like
A slow 30-minute loop 135 metres above the Thames, with Big Ben and Buckingham Palace picked out along the way.
You get one big rotation, about 30 minutes, in a glass capsule that holds up to 28 people, so unless you've paid for a private pod you'll likely be sharing the ride with strangers. The pace is gentle rather than thrilling, which suits small kids who want to press their nose to the glass and older ones who'll enjoy spotting Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace as the city tips slowly below you. On a clear day the site reckons you can see up to 40 kilometres, as far as Windsor Castle, though London weather being what it is, don't count on that.
Booking online rather than turning up on the day makes a real difference to the price. An adult ticket is £29 online against £39 if you just walk up, and it's the same story for kids at £26 online. There's no need to book ahead if you fancy your chances, but the site is upfront that queues run 20 to 30 minutes at busy times, so turning up without a ticket at peak season is a gamble with a toddler in tow.
Under-2s go free, and there's no minimum age otherwise, so it works for a pushchair-and-baby day as easily as a family with older kids chasing landmarks. The capsules are fully wheelchair accessible, which is one less thing to worry about if you're navigating the South Bank with a wheelchair or buggy. It closes earlier on weekdays, 6pm, and stays open to 8:30pm on weekends and school holidays, with entry cut off 30 to 45 minutes before that, so an evening slot in summer gets you a ride with the lights of London coming on. It shuts entirely through January for maintenance and on Christmas Day, so this isn't a New Year's Eve stopgap.
If you want to push the boat out there are combo tickets with Madame Tussauds or SEA LIFE for £49, and a Champagne Experience for the same price online, which nudges to £59 if you leave it to the day.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- No minimum age, works for buggies and toddlers as much as older kids
- Last entry
- Entry closes 30-45 minutes before closing time
- Booking
- Book online in advance to save up to 26%
- Wheelchairs
- Full wheelchair accessibility available
- Book online rather than on the day, an adult ticket is £10 cheaper than walk-up
- January is a write-off, it's closed for annual maintenance
- Evening slots on summer weekends run to 8:30pm if you want it lit up after dark
- Each capsule takes up to 28 people, so it's rarely a private moment unless you pay for a pod
Plan your visit
How long does the ride actually take?
One full rotation, around 30 minutes. It's a slow, steady loop rather than a quick spin.
How much are tickets?
£29 for an adult and £26 for a child online. Walk up on the day and it jumps to £39 for an adult, so booking ahead saves you real money.
Do we need to book in advance?
You don't have to, but queues can run 20 to 30 minutes at busy times and walk-up tickets cost more anyway.
Is it suitable for a toddler or baby?
There's no minimum age and under-2s go free. It's a gentle ride with no loops or drops, so it works fine with little ones.
What can you actually see?
Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace are the headline spots, with views stretching for miles on a clear day.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes, full wheelchair accessibility is available across the capsules.
What time does it close?
6pm on weekdays and 8:30pm on weekends and school holidays, though last entry is 30 to 45 minutes before that.
Is it open all year round?
It shuts for the whole of January for annual maintenance and on Christmas Day, otherwise it runs through winter as normal.
Can we combine it with other attractions?
There are combo tickets pairing it with Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE or a river cruise, all around £49 online.
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