The London Eye is a 135 m (443 ft) observation wheel on the banks of the Thames: a full rotation takes about 30 minutes and official tickets start at £29 online. It closes on 25 December and for the whole of January for maintenance. We calculated sunset time for each month and compared it with the opening hours, so you will know when you can watch London light up from a capsule. For the rest of your stay, see our guide to visiting London.
Our travel deals for London Eye
Affiliate links: we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
FlightsKiwi.comCompare flights and airline combinations to London Eye.Compare flights- Tickets and toursTiqetsEntry tickets and guided tours to book online; compare with the official price.See tickets
- City passGo CityMulti-attraction pass at a fixed price: worth it only if you visit a lot.See passes
- eSIMAiraloData plan to install before you leave (eSIM-compatible phone).See plans
Key facts: London Eye
- Opening hours: variable; 11 am–6 pm on 15 October 2026; generally 10 am–8:30 pm at weekends, during school holidays and from May to September.
- Closures: 25 December and the whole of January (annual maintenance).
- Last boarding: access generally stops 30 to 45 minutes before closing.
- Price: from £29 online (standard ticket); Fast Track and premium experiences cost more.
- Booking: recommended; the time on your ticket is your time to join the queue, with waits of up to 45 minutes at peak times.
- Duration: about 30 minutes for the rotation, plus the wait.
- Information checked on 15 October 2026 on londoneye.com (official website) — prices may change, check before you go.
Tickets: official vs resellers
The official website guarantees its best price online (« best price guaranteed »), with tickets from £29 on 15 October 2026. It offers a standard ticket, a Fast Track ticket (dedicated queue), experiences with champagne and private capsules, and combined tickets with other attractions from the same group. Resellers and tourist passes also sell the London Eye: compare with the official price for the same day and check whether a time slot is included.
Important point: the time printed on the ticket is your time to join the queue, not your boarding time. At peak times the official website warns that the wait from there can reach 45 minutes (20 to 30 minutes in busy periods for standard entry, according to its FAQ).
Opening hours and closures
The London Eye has no fixed schedule through the year: the official website displays the day’s hours (11 am–6 pm on 15 October 2026) and says that opening is generally 10 am to 8:30 pm at weekends, during school holidays and public holidays, and from May to September. It closes on 25 December and for the whole of January for maintenance. Access is generally stopped 30 to 45 minutes before closing.
Best time: sunset from a capsule
To see London at sunset, the sun has to set before the last boarding. The table combines the calculated sunset time with the official « typical » hours:
| Month (15th) | Sunset | Sunset visible from the wheel? | Average high |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4:20 pm | ❌ Closed (maintenance) | 8.4 °C (47 °F) |
| February | 5:14 pm | ✅ Possible if open until 6 pm or later | 9.0 °C (48 °F) |
| March | 6:04 pm | ✅ Possible if open until 6 pm or later | 11.7 °C (53 °F) |
| April | 7:56 pm | ✅ Possible if open until 6 pm or later | 15.0 °C (59 °F) |
| May | 8:45 pm | ❌ After closing (8:30 pm) | 18.4 °C (65 °F) |
| June | 9:19 pm | ❌ After closing (8:30 pm) | 21.6 °C (71 °F) |
| July | 9:11 pm | ❌ After closing (8:30 pm) | 23.9 °C (75 °F) |
| August | 8:24 pm | ❌ After closing (8:30 pm) | 23.4 °C (74 °F) |
| September | 7:16 pm | ✅ Possible (summer hours) | 20.2 °C (68 °F) |
| October | 6:08 pm | ✅ Possible if open until 6 pm or later | 15.8 °C (60 °F) |
| November | 4:11 pm | ✅ Possible if open until 6 pm or later | 11.5 °C (53 °F) |
| December | 3:51 pm | ✅ Possible if open until 6 pm or later | 8.8 °C (48 °F) |
In practice, late afternoon from October to March, and September, are the best windows for a sunset from the wheel; from May to August the sun sets after closing. In clear weather, the official website claims a view of up to 40 km (25 mi), as far as Windsor Castle. For the weather, see our page on the best time to visit London.
London Eye or free viewpoints?
If what you want is the view rather than the wheel, London has free viewpoints (park hills, terraces on some buildings, sometimes by reservation). The London Eye keeps its advantages: a view of Westminster and Big Ben a few hundred metres away, a slow 30-minute rotation and full accessibility. We have not checked the access conditions of each free viewpoint on the same date: check their websites before you go.
Which ticket to choose? A decision tree
- Outside school holidays, on a weekday → standard online ticket, at the lowest price shown.
- Weekend, school holidays or summer → Fast Track if you want to limit the wait (up to 45 minutes after your ticket time at peak times).
- Special occasion → premium experiences or a private capsule offered by the official website.
- Several attractions in London → compare with the combined tickets on the official website before buying a pass elsewhere.
- Wheelchair → book a wheelchair slot in advance (maximum 8 wheelchairs on the wheel at the same time).
What can you see from the wheel?
The official website names Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and St Paul’s Cathedral among the landmarks you can see; in clear weather the view reaches 40 km (25 mi), as far as Windsor Castle. The London Eye is 135 m (443 ft) tall and describes itself as the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel. The souvenir photo is taken towards the end of the rotation. As for the weather, the driest months in London are February and March according to the Met Office normals (45 mm (1.8 in) and 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain), although they remain cool.
How long to allow
- 30 minutes for the rotation.
- 1 to 1.5 hours including the queue and security check at busy times.
- Combined option: a 40-minute cruise on the Thames from London Eye Pier, offered by the same website.
Getting there
The nearest station is Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City lines), about 5 minutes on foot according to the official website. Embankment and Charing Cross are 10 to 15 minutes away across the Hungerford Bridge; Westminster is on the other side of Westminster Bridge. Boats serve London Eye Pier.
Accessibility
The official website describes the London Eye as fully wheelchair accessible. Each capsule takes a maximum of 2 wheelchairs and 8 wheelchairs in total can be on the wheel at the same time: book a wheelchair slot in advance, as they can be full at peak times. An accessible Fastrack entrance is provided on presentation of the Access Card or an accepted proof; companion tickets are available.
Common mistakes
- Planning the London Eye for January: it is closed for maintenance.
- Arriving at your ticket time expecting to board straight away: it is the time you join the queue.
- Turning up just before closing: access stops 30 to 45 minutes before.
- Aiming for sunset in June: it happens after closing.
- Coming in a wheelchair without a booked slot in high season.
What to see nearby
Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster are just opposite, across the Thames, and the South Bank can be walked all the way to Tate Modern. Our guide to things to do in London covers the areas; for a day trip, see our United Kingdom guide (Stonehenge is one option). See entry requirements for the United Kingdom; local time: time difference.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the London Eye cost?
From £29 online for a standard ticket on the official website (recorded on 15 October 2026). Fast Track and premium experiences cost more.
How long is a ride on the London Eye?
About 30 minutes for a full rotation, plus the waiting time.
Is the London Eye open in January?
No. It closes for the whole of January for annual maintenance, and on 25 December.
Which Underground station is nearest to the London Eye?
Waterloo, about 5 minutes on foot. Embankment, Charing Cross and Westminster are also within walking distance.
Can you see the sunset from the London Eye?
Yes in September and from October to March (excluding January), if the day’s hours allow it. From May to August the sun sets after the usual 8:30 pm closing.
Our sources
- London Eye (londoneye.com): home page, Opening Hours, Accessibility Guide and Directions, consulted on 15 October 2026.
- Met Office: 1991–2020 normals for London-Heathrow, taken from our page on the best time to visit London.
- Destination de Voyage calculation: sunset (NOAA algorithm); see our methodology.
Updated November 2026.