isabel

I'll be in London for a few days in June and was thinking the View from the Shard sounds like something I'd like to do. Does anyone know if buying tickets on line ahead of time is mandatory? Do they sell out, and if so how far in advance? I'd prefer to just decide when I get there which day I'd like to do it, but I don't want to wait and then find out they are all sold out. What do you think?

janisj

"Does anyone know if buying tickets on line ahead of time is mandatory? "

No - and you wouldn't want to because if it is rainy or foggy you won't see much of anything.

PalenQ

Is it true that it costs over 30 pounds to go up there or about $50? That's what it says in NYTimes Travel Section two Sundays ago:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...ndon.html?_r=0

The Shard it says is the tallest building in western Europe.

isabel

As near as I can tell, it's £26 for advance purchase, and £31 "on the day of " (subject to availability). This is according to their website (http://www.theviewfromtheshard.com/e...t-information/). So that's what I'm wondering - is it reasonable to expect there is availability most of the time, or does it routinely sell out. And I can't tell how far in advance (like could you book the tickets the day before you want to go and save £5, or if you wait this long are your chances poor that you'd get in).

Anyhow, if anyone has been recently I'd love to know your experience. Thanks

janisj

I've been up twice -- didn't have to wait either time. But I have no idea if that is always the case. But like I said if it is wet you won't see anything - which is <i>why</i> I went up another trip -- because you could barely see the Tower of London which is directly across the river.

If you are really nervous about this -- just wait until the morning and see what the weather is and then ring up or book on line for later in the day.

isabel

Thanks, definitely don't want to schedule it so far in advance as to not know the weather. So either I'll do it the day before or just chance it and show up (and pay £5 more).

janisj

"So either I'll do it the day before"

Honestly, I'd wait until the same morning. Say you decide Tues morning to book for Wed afternoon - the weather can change 4 times in that 1.5 days.

isabel

Yeah, good plan. Thanks