London Eye Tickets

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the monarch, appears among the rooftops beyond St James's Park as the capsule climbs higher. The palace and its royal parkland form a broad green break in the dense grid of streets, recognisable by the long frontage and the Victoria Memorial at its gates. Clear conditions make the building straightforward to pick out, set in line with The Mall.

St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral rises over the City of London skyline, its great dome standing out against the cluster of glass towers in the financial district. The baroque cathedral designed by Sir Christopher Wren keeps one of the most identifiable shapes on the horizon from the London Eye, even as taller modern buildings surround it. The dome reads most clearly on bright days, when its pale stone separates from the darker office blocks nearby.

The Shard

The Shard rises further along the river, its tapering glass spire reaching 310 metres as the United Kingdom's tallest building. From the London Eye the tower marks the London Bridge district, a sharp modern counterpoint to the historic domes and spires closer to the wheel. Its mirrored surface catches the changing light through the day, which makes it an easy reference point across the wider panorama.

Tower Bridge and the Tower of London

Tower Bridge and the Tower of London sit together further down the Thames, marking the far end of the central view from the wheel. The Victorian bascule bridge, with its twin towers and high-level walkway, stands beside the medieval fortress that has guarded the river for almost a thousand years. Both landmarks lie near the limit of comfortable viewing distance, so clear air helps, though their distinctive outlines stay recognisable on most days.

The Thames and the skyline

The River Thames threads through the entire panorama, linking the bridges and landmarks into a single 360-degree view that reaches up to 40 kilometres on clear days. Beyond the central core, the capsule reveals the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and, on exceptionally clear days, Windsor Castle at the far edge of visibility. After dark the same scene transforms, as floodlit monuments and lit bridges turn the skyline into a field of reflections on the water.

London Eye River Cruise opening hours

The London Eye River Cruise operates daily. The cruise schedule changes throughout the year, with standard sessions running from 10:45 until 16:45, and extended summer operations running until 19:45.

Boats depart from the pier at 45 minutes past each hour. Each tour lasts approximately 40 minutes. Final boarding takes place 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time, which requires passengers to arrive early for ticket verification and security checks.

Closing days & special dates

The London Eye and the London Eye River Cruise operate throughout the year but observe scheduled closures. Both attractions cease operations on December 25th in observance of Christmas Day. In addition to this holiday closure, management suspends London Eye services annually to perform maintenance. This maintenance period requires the wheel to remain closed to the public throughout the month of January. The London Eye River Cruise adjusts its sailing schedule alongside these maintenance pauses.

Visitors must consult the booking calendar to verify availability and secure timeslots during these restricted periods.

How to get

The London Eye and the cruise meeting point share the location on the South Bank of the Thames at County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB, opposite the Houses of Parliament. The river cruise departs from the London Eye Pier situated beside the wheel.

Waterloo station provides Underground and rail services within a five-minute walk, while Westminster, Embankment, and Charing Cross stations require a ten-to-fifteen-minute walk. Bus routes 77, 211, and 381 stop near the facility, and river boat services call at the pier. Passengers must arrive at the pier prior to the departure time because the cruise leaves on schedule.

Entrances

London Eye visitors collect and present tickets at the ticket office inside County Hall, the building beside the wheel. County Hall features two entrances, where Entrance 1 provides step-free access. From the ticket office, the boarding area divides according to ticket type. Standard Entry holders proceed to Entrance A at their booked time, while Fast Track holders use Entrance F.

River Cruise passengers board separately at Boarding Point 2 on the London Eye Pier. Security personnel conduct a check, including a bag search, prior to boarding.