We will be in London for 5 days early September. Is it worth booking the London Eye before we arrive? I have this feeling that if we book ahead it is sure to be a foggy morning and we wont see anything. At that time of year is it better to just turn up?

We're going to be in London in late August/ early September, and we're wondering the same thing as you. Hope we get some responses.

Booking ahead does pose that risk. You can almost always get tickets for the next day - but that means you'll have to stand in line anywhere from 5 to 45 mins.<BR><BR>Another option is to go to the larger of the two tourist information offices at Victoria station. they have a block of tickets availble every day for same day purchase. These tickets are only for 5PM "flights" and if you are at Victoria before about 11AM you are fairly certain to get tickets.

The advice about the "5:00pm flight" tickets at Victoria Station is a good one.<BR><BR>We travelled to London over Easter and had the same concern as you about the "weather". <BR><BR>I watched the London Eye "ticket availability" section on their web site ---checked at least twice per day. When I saw that flight availability times were disappearing rather rapidly---I gave in and purchased tickets on-line.<BR><BR>As it turned out, I was glad that I had pre-purchased. When we showed up at County Hall on Good Friday evening to get our tickets, the marquee was reading that no tickets were available until the following Wednesday.<BR><BR>I would defintitely monitor the web site, and use that as my guide.<BR>

My limited London Eye Experience:<BR>We went on the London Eye on Monday morning, March 25, 2002, arriving at 9 AM and there were no crowds, no lines at all. We just walked on. There was only one other family in our "car." <BR><BR>We had actually stopped by Victoria Station and gotten reservations, as the lines had been quite long when we'd stopped by on Saturday, and tickets were sold out for the next few hours.<BR><BR>From my experience, I'd guess that in the "off" (or maybe shoulder) season, which I'd guess Sept and March are, you'd be okay just showing up in the morning during the week. In summer and on weekends, I'd bet you'd need a reservation nearly year round. <BR><BR>Wonder if you could get information on this if you emailed the London Eye.<BR><BR>By the way, the Imperial War Museum isn't too far from the London Eye, so it's easy to add in with that trip. My kids loved it, with two simulations of WWI trench warfare and one of being in a shelter during the blitz. My husband liked it, too, being a war buff. I liked it because I thought the kids learned a bit about WWI and WWII in a hands-on and unforgettable (I think!) format. Heck! I won't forget the trenches, either, or the shelter!

Sandra, we just waited for a nice day and we walked on in 10 minutes. We were there on March 21 2002. I loved it BTW.<BR>Judy

Not to sound totally ignorant, but what is the London Eye?

We booked tickets ahead of time two summers ago. We had to pick them up downtown, in an area not near the Eye which took at least an hour out of our day. Also, the tickets were purchased for a particular time and by that time it was cloudy and starting to rain. It was ok, but really not worth the time and effort, especially in the rain. Last summer we were there at night while it was running and there was no one in line. I'd wait, and if you miss it, you haven't missed all that much.

It's the giant "ferris wheel" on the south bank of the Thames. You ride in large glass bullet shaped gondolas.

Another thought. Unless you're with someone who can point out what's what, I'd suggest you get the little book they sell at the Eye that shows what you will be seeing. Otherwise, there are no identifying signs in the cars, and you look out and don't know what you are seeing, for the most part.