London Eye - Worth it?
 

What is the general consensus on the London Eye? In the past I have heard that it is overpriced and not worthwhile, but on the other hand, I have seen quite a few people who list it on their "must-see/do" list.

I have an afternoon/evening in London (just stopping through on my way to Paris). I really want to get some shopping in and I'm trying to decide whether to take some time out of shopping to go on the Eye. I have been to London before so I don't need to go see any of the major sites, but I thought the Eye might be a unique way to see the city.

In your opinion, is it worth the cost and the time? (Keeping in mind that I am a shopoholic and am really looking forward to shopping in London...). Thanks! :)

I really think "is it worth it?" questions are unanswerable.

For some the Eye is a must, for others - not so much. Me - I've been on it 5 or 6 times (the last time a champagne flight w/ 8 friends to clebrate several milestones)

Whether it is a Must for you - only you can say. BTW - I don't personally think it is at all over priced for its wow factor . . . . .

A brief yet definitive answer: it depends on the weather. Absolutely makes no sense if rainy/cloudy and you are unlikely to get any decent view. On the other hand, the view can be quite nice, esp on a sunny early summer early evening.

...though you can enjoy similar view of the London FREE of charge from other spots, like Primrose Hill, Greenwich or Millenium Bridge.

It certainly offers a unique viewpoint.

However, you mentioned the word "shopping" three times in your post so I somehow think I already know the answer to your question.

OK, gonna prove me wrong????

To me an absolute must - one of the very first things to do - thrilling ride perched above the Thames and great way to orient yourself to the relief map of London stretched out below - all the famous landmarks clearly visible. Take a London map with you to pinpoint Hyde Park, Greenwich, Canary Wharf, etc.

And there are usually no real lines in my experience so just show up.

Went with grandma and 13 year old daughter. She loved it. Grandma and I were unimpressed. I prefer getting the feel of the city from the double decker city bus tour and hopping on and off when I want.
Have fun

<<< though you can enjoy similar view of the London FREE of charge from other spots >>>

No you can't the places mentioned are either out on the edge of Central London or are at low level.

What the Eye offers is unique - a view of Central London FROM Central London

Despite visiting London for 20 years it was the only spot that made me understand how London is put together.

BTW try the Discovery flight - you get a guide who can tell you what you are looking at

You can shop MOST ANYWHERE, however what you CAN see from the London Eye is priceless ;(if you indeed you go to London to SEE London). Just my own opinion. Well worth it on a clear day. Halfpint

Halfpint, I wish I thought this person was listening.

Well I am liastening and you have me convinced! Weather permiting of course.

thereyet

Are you still allowed to climb up the Monument? Or the inside of the dome at St. Paul's? Pretty nice views from there.

I loved it. Have fun!

I climbed the Dome at St Pauls recently and it's quite a climb - three stages if i remember right - the final one on ladder like steps but the view is amazing and worth it all.

actually from the first stage i think you're inside the dome and can hear the uncanny echo-ability there where someone whispers across the dome and you hear it.

Monument i climbed long ago and not nearly so high i believe.

But even St Paul's can't match the view from the Eye IMO.

I'm listening, don't worry! I asked the question because I wanted to know what everyone's opinions were on the London Eye. I wouldn't have asked if I didn't value all your thoughts! While I am really excited to shop part of me feels that I will be missing out if I don't do the London Eye - this is what I wanted to know. I thank all of you for taking the time to respond to my question - I am now leaning towards taking a ride on the Eye. If I ride it later on (like around 8pm) will I still have a good view (if its a clear night)?

I have "done' the London Eye during the day, and in the evening...both times the weather was fine. Breathtaking in the evening just as it is getting dark. I say do it....buy a souvenir after the ride (It's still shoppinf, isn't it?)

when are you going? If in the next couple of months - it will still be broad daylight at 8 p.m. . . . . .

I thought the Eye was a big so-what. We only went because of our kids. Don't remember being able to see the sights of London with any great specificity from that view.

&quot;<i>Don't remember being able to see the sights of London with any great specificity from that view. </i>&quot;

I can understand maybe not enjoying it - but not being able to see the sites?? That simply doesn't make sense.

We liked the Eye a lot - we rode just at sunset and it was lovely.

We also climbed the dome at St. Paul's. The Eye's advantage IMO is that it is right on the Thames which really makes for nice views. Also, climbing St. Paul's isn't cheap (although less than the Eye).

Here's a link to our London pictures, and you can see the ones that we took of the views from the Eye and from St. Paul's.

I didn't see the big deal but most people like it. I'll probably get dragged on it again later this month since my niece has never been but if she's not interested at all, we'll skip it.

We both enjoyed the London Eye. When we went, the line was fairly long, but it moved quite quickly. With all the people in line, I expected they would really pack each pod with people and there would be a lot jostling to get a good vantage point, BUT THAT WASN'T SO.
The ride itself takes only a 1/2 hour; you're moving so slowly you barely aware of it and you have plenty of opportunity to move around and see all the views. Great views of Parliament and Buckingham Palace and St. James Park from a point of view you wouldn't get otherwise. The key is, of course, clear weather. We went during the day, but I'd like to go again in the evening.

oops, HERE'S the link:
http://tinyurl.com/hp3nk

Yes, don't miss it! Was on it last week. Stayed at County Hall next to it and watched the lines during our stay trip. My advice, go right when it opens (10am) or late in the day.

The lines started to got really, really, long from from:

Oops, hit wrong button...last line should read:

The lines started to got really, really, long from 10:45ish on, I'd say there's an 11am rush.

noe, really wonderful slide show. Thanks.

thereyet

Wow, Thereyet is right - those are some really great pictures Noe! After looking at them I feel like I hardly saw London at all last time I was there!

I was thinking of riding the eye around 8pm or just after - I guess by that point dusk will just be starting to fall. I was worried this would not make for good views but after seeing Noe's pics I can see that they would still be pretty good (I will be in London this Saturday evening).

Is the area around the Eye safe at night? I am a young female and will be alone. My parents are concerned for my safety but I kinda think that at 24 I should be able to take care of myself...unless its a bad area... Thanks!

Erin,

The Eye is on the south bank of the Thames and always has lots of people around it, mostly tourists. You will be perfectly safe at that time of the evening.

Post Midnight I would be wary (but not enough to avoid the place)so - enjoy your trip!

Thanks for the kind words about the pictures. (For those who can't get enough, the pictures from my second London trip are at: http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34870457!)

Erin464, if you have access to a computer, you can buy your tickets online and bypass the line. We waited until the day before and checked the weather forecast, and then bought the tickets. It turned out to be the only clear night of the 6 that we were there.

erin464: Even IF the County Hall was unsafe at night (which it isn't) - 8 p.m. isn't &quot;night&quot;. It will still be bright daylight since the sun doesn't set until about 9:15, and it will be light for quite a bit longer than that.

Sheesh, having trouble with links! Here are my other London pictures:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...d=8DZsmzZuzao4
(Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, South Bank, Camden)

Erin464, do you know where you want to shop? My girls and I always dedicate some time to shopping in London (and other parts of the UK) and we have some favorites. Old and New Bond Streets and Regent Street have the designer and upscale shops. Oxford Street has the high street shops (Zara, H&amp;M, TopShop, etc.) and can be mobbed with people. We love to stop in Liberty, and really enjoy the shopping along Kings Road (starting at Sloane Square). LK Bennett and Jigsaw have some great clothes.

My husband and I went on it at sunset more or less and the sights were breathtaking. We were there the 3rd week of May, and were only in London for a day so we crammed as much as we could into the day. This was definitely worth it, especially if you enjoy photography!

The only place in the world to get this shot: http://www.jimtardio.com/london/london-london-eye.html

Great photo, Jim.

OK Jim, that photo confirms it. London is HUGE!

thereyet

GRReat picure! It was overcast the day we went up. We could still see quite a lot, but the pictures were pretty lame.

I thought it was fun, and we had time, but it wasn't on my &quot;must see&quot; list, and it still isn't.

BTW there's a great place to get fish&amp;chips just across from the Eye. Just follow the locals.

Ah, yes...the fish &amp; chips. I believe I found that place (along with many others).

Erin, since the shops are closed at 8 pm it's really not a hard decision; you can do both.

I like the Notting Hill area, around Westbourne Grove, Kensington Park Road, for shopping. Also the King's Road (Duke of York's Square, and there's a few nice shops the other side of Peter Jones there, such as General Trading Company).

Hi everyone, I'm back from my trip and just to let you all know, I did indeed take a ride on the Eye (and still managed to get some shopping in!). It was really beautiful up there - thank you for all of your recommendations and help!

Sounds like you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Woody