London Eye in January: is it practical to just take my chances and not book in advance?

score:4

Accepted answer

If you know that you will have internet access in London, you can judge the weather at that very hour in London, book a non-flexible non-fast-track standard ticket online from your computer, select the scheduled time as the next hour or so, and then head for the London Eye. You will have to collect the physical ticket at the booth by showing the confirmation email on your mobile. There is almost no line (<5 minute wait on a Sunday from my experience) for ticket collection of pre-booked tickets, as opposed to the massive queue to buy a ticket at the venue. After receiving the physical ticket, you can queue up (<10 minute wait on a Sunday from my experience) in front of the London Eye, and get on board even if you have arrived early by as much as one hour from what you have scheduled on the internet.

Don't forget to see the short 4D video clip about London - it is included in the ticket.

Edit: London Eye is always closed for the first 2-3 weeks of January for annual maintenance (and perhaps to clean up after the New Year's Eve fireworks).

Upvote:1

London Eye will be closed until 17th january. If you purchase a "combi ticket" (eg : with Madame Tussauds"), you can access London Eye at any time so you'll be able to choose the right moment (with limited queue). Be careful : if you do that, don't buy London Eye as your "main ticket" because you'll have to choose a date for the first visit (google combi ticket to choose your attractions)

Upvote:3

Travel plans predicated on good weather is a strategy I would not recommend for the UK. Distant weather forecasts in the UK are relatively less accurate. Rain and cloud-cover are not an exception, but rather the norm.

I suppose you're only concerned about the visibility in rain, because I believe the capsules are enclosed (see this photo). Rain may reduce visibility, but you will not soak any more inside the capsule. You may get a bit soaked on your way to the capsule, but then it's London - you need to be prepared for the rain.

More post

Search Posts

Related post