When you buy London Eye tickets, a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the Thames that offers panoramic views of central London. Also known as the Millennium Wheel, it’s not just a tourist trap—it’s the single most popular paid attraction in the UK, with over 3.75 million visitors a year. You’re not just riding a wheel. You’re getting a 30-minute slow-motion tour of London’s skyline, from the Houses of Parliament to Tower Bridge, all from a climate-controlled capsule that doesn’t stop moving.
What most people don’t realize is that London Eye tickets, the entry pass that grants access to the observation wheel. Also known as London Eye admission, it comes in different tiers. The basic ticket gets you on the wheel. The fast-track option skips the 45-minute queue. The champagne experience adds a glass of bubbly and priority boarding. And the 4D cinema experience? That’s a 5-minute film about London’s history played inside the capsule before you even board. Most visitors don’t need the extras. But if you’re short on time or visiting in summer, fast-track is worth every pound.
The London Eye, a 135-meter-tall Ferris wheel opened in 2000 to celebrate the new millennium. Also known as Millennium Wheel, it sits right next to the Thames River, the tidal river that runs through London and shapes the city’s layout and history. Also known as River Thames, it—so you can see the Houses of Parliament, the Gothic Revival building housing the UK’s government and home to Big Ben. Also known as Palace of Westminster, it and Tower Bridge, the iconic bascule and suspension bridge over the Thames, built in 1894. Also known as London Bridge (though technically different), it clearly from above. You’ll spot the Trafalgar Square, the public square with Nelson’s Column and the National Gallery. Also known as London’s living room, it in the distance, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch the Big Ben, the nickname for the Great Bell inside the Elizabeth Tower at the Houses of Parliament. Also known as Elizabeth Tower, it chiming as you rise.
Booking online saves you time and money. Walk-up tickets cost £32.50. Online? £29.50. And if you book a sunset slot—between 6 and 8 PM—you get golden light over the city, fewer people, and a quieter ride. No one tells you this, but the best time to go is actually Tuesday or Wednesday morning. Weekends are packed. Rainy days? The glass capsules stay clear, and the mist makes the city look like a painting.
There’s no hidden trick. No secret code. Just one simple rule: if you’re going to London, you need to see it from the Eye. Not because it’s fancy. Not because it’s Instagrammable. But because it’s the only place in the city where you can look down on Big Ben, the Shard, and the London Dungeon all at once—and realize how small the whole place really is.
Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve been there—what they wished they knew before buying tickets, which time of day gave them the best views, and why some of them went back twice.
Learn how to visit the London Eye without the crowds, delays, or stress. Get insider tips on timing, tickets, nearby spots, and what to expect-perfect for London residents and visitors alike.