Sights · Our pick in London
London Eye
A half-hour turn above the Thames
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © User:Diliff · CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout London Eye
The London Eye opened on the South Bank in 2000 and quickly became one of the city’s landmarks. Its glass capsules turn slowly, and a full rotation takes about 30 minutes, with views over the Houses of Parliament, the river and, on clear days, far beyond. Tickets are sold for timed slots, so book ahead online, and pick a clear day or the hour before sunset.
Why it's on our list
- About 30 minutes per rotation
- 360-degree views
- Book a time slot
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with London Eye before you go.
Hotels nearby
The closest hotels in our guide to London Eye, as the crow flies.
- Corinthia London0.3 mi5 min walk
- Raffles London at The OWO0.3 mi6 min walk
- The Savoy0.5 mi9 min walk
- Strand Palace Hotel0.5 mi11 min walk
- One Aldwych0.6 mi12 min walk
What’s nearby
Distances from London Eye are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest stations
- WaterlooJubileeNorthernBakerlooWaterloo & CityNational Rail0.2 mi5 min walk
- WestminsterDistrictCircleJubilee0.3 mi5 min walk
- EmbankmentDistrictBakerlooNorthernCircle0.3 mi6 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Cab Road0.3 mi7 min walk
- Taxi rank, Station Approach Road0.4 mi7 min walk
Black cabs can also be hailed in the street: a lit yellow TAXI sign means the cab is available.
Key sights
- Westminster Abbey0.4 miWalk 9 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Trafalgar Square0.5 miWalk 10 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Covent Garden0.6 miWalk 12 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Leicester Square0.7 miWalk 13 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Buckingham Palace1.0 miWalk 20 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 10 min
- The British Museum1.2 miWalk 23 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 12 min
- The Shard1.4 miWalk 29 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 14 min
- Harrods1.9 miWalk 38 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 17 min
- Tower of London1.9 miWalk 38 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 17 min
Main rail terminals
- Waterloo0.2 miWalk 5 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Charing Cross0.4 miWalk 9 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Victoria1.1 miWalk 23 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 11 min
- London Bridge1.5 miWalk 30 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 14 min
- Euston1.8 miWalk 37 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 17 min
- Liverpool Street1.9 miWalk 38 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 17 min
- King’s Cross St Pancras1.9 miWalk 38 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 17 min
- St Pancras International (Eurostar)2.0 miWalk 40 minCycle 13 minCar or taxi 18 min
- Paddington2.5 miCycle 16 minCar or taxi 22 min