VERDICT: WE GAVE 4 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!
This guide forms part of our complete UK Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across the United Kingdom.
This article is part of our London Guide series. See our 3 Days in London: Ultimate Guide and our 24 Hours in London Guide for lots of ideas on what to see and do in this capital city.
Our First Ride on London’s Famous Observation Wheel | Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Thames Below
Once we arrived in central London, we headed straight for the London Eye. Despite visiting London many times over the years, this was one attraction we had never experienced before.
We knew it would provide a fantastic photo opportunity, but more importantly, we wanted to see some of London’s most famous historical landmarks from an entirely different perspective.
We took the Tube to Westminster Station, which is served by the Jubilee, District and Circle lines. From there, we walked across Westminster Bridge, enjoying one of London’s classic views along the way. Once across the Thames, we turned left onto the South Bank, and within about 5–10 minutes we were standing beneath the enormous London Eye.
You certainly can’t miss it.
Our First London Eye Experience
We had purchased our tickets in advance, which we would definitely recommend. However, advance tickets don’t necessarily mean you’ll avoid waiting.
The London Eye is extremely popular with visitors, and despite already having our tickets, we still encountered a fairly long lineup. Eventually, it was our turn to board.
We stepped into one of the large glass viewing capsules, the doors closed, and the enormous wheel continued its slow journey upwards.
135 Metres Above London
The London Eye stands 135 metres, or 443 feet high, above the South Bank of the River Thames.
Opened in 2000 to celebrate the new millennium, it was originally known as the Millennium Wheel. What began as a modern addition to a city filled with historic landmarks has since become one of the most recognizable features of the London skyline.
The wheel has 32 glass capsules, representing London’s 32 boroughs.
Rather than feeling like a traditional Ferris wheel, the experience is remarkably smooth. The Eye moves slowly enough that passengers can comfortably walk around the capsule, take photographs and enjoy the constantly changing views.
A complete rotation takes approximately 30 minutes.
The Views Begin to Open Up
As we climbed higher, London gradually opened up around us.
Being almost completely surrounded by glass means there isn’t really a bad place to stand. We could move around the capsule depending on which landmark we wanted to photograph.
Almost immediately, the River Thames and Houses of Parliament became major features of the view. Then came the unmistakable Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben.
From higher up, London’s combination of ancient buildings and modern architecture becomes particularly obvious.
What Can You See From the London Eye?
Once near the top, the panoramic views were excellent.
We could pick out many of London’s most famous landmarks, including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and St Paul’s Cathedral, while the Thames wound its way through the city beneath us.
On particularly clear days, visibility can extend for around 40 kilometres, with Windsor Castle potentially visible in the distance.
For visitors who have just arrived in London, the experience provides a fantastic overview of how the city fits together.
Landmarks you’ve been travelling between by Tube suddenly appear surprisingly close to one another when viewed from 135 metres above the Thames.
And naturally, we took plenty of photographs.
Pausing at the Top
One of our favourite moments came when our capsule reached the highest point.
During our ride, the wheel paused briefly while we were near the top, giving us additional time to enjoy the view and capture photographs. We weren’t complaining!
Standing 135 metres above central London with the Thames, Parliament and some of Britain’s most famous buildings spread out beneath us was exactly the experience we had hoped for.
It also gave us a completely different perspective of places we had already explored at street level.
Standard Ticket or Champagne?
We chose the standard London Eye experience, which was perfectly adequate for what we wanted.
However, visitors can upgrade their experience.
One of the more indulgent options is the Champagne Experience, combining London views with a glass of bubbly during the rotation.
There are also ticket options designed to provide faster entry, something we might seriously consider on another visit after experiencing how busy the attraction can become.
If you’re working with a tightly scheduled London itinerary, reducing the amount of time spent waiting could be worthwhile.
Back Down to the Thames
After approximately 30 minutes, our capsule gradually descended towards the South Bank.
The wheel moves slowly during normal operation, allowing passengers to step off as the capsule reaches the boarding platform.
And just like that, we were back at ground level. The experience had gone surprisingly quickly.
After looking at the London Eye from across the Thames on previous visits, it was great to finally experience the view from the other side of the glass.
Our London Eye Experience
For us, the London Eye lived up to its reputation. Yes, it is busy. Yes, you may have to wait even if you’ve purchased tickets in advance. But the reward is one of the best panoramic views in central London.
Seeing Big Ben, Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and the River Thames from above provides a completely different perspective of the capital.
We particularly enjoyed the slow rotation. There was plenty of time to move around the capsule, identify landmarks and take photographs without feeling rushed.
For first-time visitors to London, we think the London Eye is an excellent way to get an overview of the city. For repeat visitors like us, it provides an opportunity to see familiar landmarks from an entirely new angle.
Highly recommended.
🎡 London Eye
A First-Time Visitor’s Guide
For many first-time visitors, the London Eye is the moment London truly comes into focus. Rising gracefully above the South Bank, this giant observation wheel offers a slow, panoramic introduction to the city, combining sightseeing, orientation, and unforgettable views in one smooth rotation.
👀 What You’ll See as You Go Around
A full rotation takes about 30 minutes, giving you plenty of time to move around the capsule and take photos.
As you ascend:
- Big Ben & Houses of Parliament directly across the Thames
- Westminster Abbey just behind Parliament
- The River Thames winding through the city
At the top:
- St Paul’s Cathedral
- Buckingham Palace
- The Shard
- On clear days, views can extend as far as Windsor Castle
On the descent:
- Trafalgar Square
- The South Bank cultural district
- St James’s Park and central London landmarks
Because the wheel moves slowly, there’s no rush, this is sightseeing at a relaxed pace.
🎟️ Admission & Ticket Options (Approximate)
- Standard adult ticket: £30–£36
- Children (3–15): £26–£32
- Under 3: Free
Optional upgrades:
- Fast Track tickets (skip most queues)
- Private capsules (premium experience)
- Combination tickets with river cruises or nearby attractions
🎧 Free digital guides are available via smartphone.
⏱️ How Long Does It Take?
- Ride time: ~30 minutes
- Total experience: 45–60 minutes (including boarding)
- Add extra time if queues are long
🚇 Nearest Tube Stations
- Westminster (Jubilee, Circle, District) – simply cross Westminster Bridge
- Waterloo (Northern, Bakerloo, Jubilee, Waterloo & City)
Both stations are well signposted to the Eye.
🚀 How to Avoid Long Lineups (Tour Guide Tips)
- Book online in advance – cheaper and faster
- Choose early morning or late evening slots
- Visit midweek if possible
- Upgrade to Fast Track during peak season (summer, holidays)
Avoid weekends after 11am if you’re short on time.
📸 Best Photo Tips & Angles
- Capsule windows are curved, so step slightly back to reduce reflections
- Best light:
- Morning: Westminster & Parliament
- Late afternoon: City skyline
- Sunset/night: bridges, river, illuminated landmarks
- For exterior shots:
- Stand on Westminster Bridge
- Walk along the South Bank toward Hungerford Bridge
Night rides are especially popular for photography.
🎯 Is the London Eye Worth It?
For first-time visitors: yes.
The London Eye:
- Gives instant orientation
- Requires minimal effort
- Works in any weather
- Delivers iconic views in one experience
It pairs perfectly with nearby sights like Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, river cruises, and South Bank dining.
Continue exploring London
Nearby London attractions
Planning your trip?
Before you go, don’t forget to book the essentials:
- 🏨 Hotels & unique stays
- 🚗 Rental cars
- 🎟️ Top-rated tours & attractions
- 📶 eSIMs for easy connectivity
- 🛡️ Travel insurance
- 🎒 Packing Lists
- 🎒 Travel gear from The Venturio
With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.
