London, one of the most visited cities in Europe, receives at least 30 million visitors every year.
The city naturally boasts several top attractions. Visiting them all means you need to manage your time and stay efficient.
You wouldn’t want to miss the London Eye and the view from above when touring this elegant city.
That brings us to the duration of the Ferris wheel’s rotation, how early you need to be at the venue and the best time to visit this attraction.
How long does the London Eye take to rotate
London’s giant observation wheel takes 30 minutes to complete one rotation. It does this at 0.9 km (0.6 miles) per hour.
This speed ensures a safe and pleasant ride on any of the London Wheel’s 32 capsules.
The gradual descent and ascent allows visitors ample time to view and identify some of the city’s most famous sights.
Some attractions visitors can view from the top of the giant observation wheel are Buckingham Palace, Tate Museum, and Jubilee Gardens.
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Duration of the London Eye experience
While each London Ferris wheel capsule takes 30 minutes to make a full circle, the whole London Eye experience can take around 90 minutes!
This is when we factor in spending 30 minutes to buy tickets, 20-30 minutes to board, and 30 minutes for the actual ride.
Add in the London Eye’s 4D Cinema Experience, free with every ticket, and you will add another 15 minutes to your tour.
Hence, we recommend you buy the Fast Track or standard ticket in advance to skip the 30-minute wait in the ticket counter lines.
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London Eye opening and closing hours
The London Eye opens at 10 am for both standard and Fast Track ticket holders from April to September. The last ride is scheduled for 8.15 pm.
From October to March, the Ferris Wheel opens at 11.45 am, and the last ride is scheduled for 5.45 pm.
It is best to reach the venue well in advance as the London Eye gets close to 10,000 visitors daily! Get Directions
Note: We recommend the standard ticket if you are on a budget. But if you want a more exclusive experience and to beat the Wheel’s long queues, buy the London Eye’s Fast Track ticket.
Best time to visit the London Wheel
The best time to visit the London Eye is as soon as the Ferris Wheel opens for the day at 10 am.
The second-best time to board the giant observation wheel is after lunch if you can’t make it in the morning.
You can also visit the London Eye during sunset. Watching the sun go down behind Big Ben and the Parliament makes for a breathtaking view.
During the off-peak season, a nighttime visit adds an essence of magic when you are at the top of the Ferris wheel, with the city’s lights reflecting off the Thames.
