London Eye and Thames cruise: the perfect combination for your trip to London

Are you planning to visit several of London's most famous tourist attractions? Instead of buying them separately because the cost can be higher, a good idea is to buy combined tickets to some of them, as it can help you to save a little during your vacation.

Such is the case of combined tickets to take a cruise on the Thames and to ride the London Eye, two of the most outstanding things to see and do in London.

Want to know how you can buy combined tickets and what you can save with them? I'll tell you that and more in the next post!

If during your stay in London you want to include in your agenda of activities the London Eye and a cruise on the Thames, the best option for both convenience and speed to fulfill your plans is to buy online and in advance a combined ticket to the two attractions.

Both are two of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, which translates into a very long and boring queues at the ticket office for those who choose to purchase them 'in situ' once they land in London.

In my experience, I do not recommend waiting to arrive in the British capital to buy tickets because you will have to go to the ticket office to get them and this involves waiting a long time in line for your turn to be served.

If you buy them online and from home, this is a precious time of your trip that you could invest in doing other more entertaining things around the city like a tour of London or see one of the musicals in the West End instead of standing in line, without being sure that when you are served at the window the tickets are not already sold out.

My advice is to skip the hassle and simplify the process. Booking them online and in advance you will be sure to take them with you in your suitcase before landing and that gives you a lot of peace of mind.

Very easy! For example, you can use the London Eye website to buy a combined ticket for the Ferris wheel and the cruise. When you access the site, all you have to do is select the combined ticket you want, then the number of tickets and finally the date and time for the Thames cruise.

Later, when you are ready, you have to book the date and time for the other activity (the London Eye climb) separately. This combined ticket is valid for 90 days from the day you take the cruise.

From £41 you can get a combined adult ticket to take a cruise on the Thames and go on the London Eye, so when you buy them together you can save around 15%.

The ticket to take a Thames cruise is included in the London Pass and London Explore Pass, but the ticket to go on the London Eye is not, unfortunately.

If you are sure you want to do both activities and you do not plan to buy a tourist card, the best way to save a little is to buy combined tickets as buying them separately is more expensive.

One of the advantages of buying a combined ticket to do a Thames River Cruise and to go up the London Eye is that you can plan each activity as you want, that is, you don't have to do them on the same day at the same time, but you can choose separately the day and time of each attraction.

For example, if you buy a combined ticket on the website of the London Eye the first thing you have to do is select the date and time you would like to do the Thames cruise and when you have made the reservation, you will receive a confirmation email in your email that includes a link to book in advance the visit to the other attraction (the London Eye).

With this combined ticket to take a Thames cruise and ride the London Eye you have up to 90 days from the date you took the cruise to visit the Ferris wheel, the other outstanding attraction.

When you buy the combined ticket you must know that you can not change the date and time of the first activity (the Thames cruise) but you have a maximum of 5 times to edit the date of your visit to the other attraction before the original date selected.

The Thames river cruise

It is one of the coolest experiences you should live in London, because not every day you have the opportunity to ride a boat and sail the waters of a river like the Thames.

During the crossing you will enjoy a moment of peace and a very relaxing ride feeling the breeze and the sun on your face while you contemplate some of the most beautiful monuments of London located near the river bank such as Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster, London Bridge, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the London Eye, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge or The Shard viewpoint, among others.

You will have the opportunity to enjoy the London skyline from another perspective and, in addition, you will get some impressive pictures as a souvenir.

If at the end of the cruise you are left wanting more because you had a great time, you can always come back for a dinner cruise on the Thames, a totally different experience and at the same time complementary to the previous one, as you will be able to observe the Thames at night and attend an elegant evening with dinner and live music.

The London Eye

The London Eye is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe at over 130 meters high and is famous for its spectacular panoramic views of central London, where on a clear day you can see up to 40 kilometers away.

Although there are other higher observatories in the city such as The Shard, what makes the London Eye special is that its structure is in continuous movement, allowing you to contemplate the London skyline with a very original and different perspective to what we are used to.

At the highest point of the London Eye you will have the opportunity to see the city from a bird's eye view and immortalize at your feet beautiful monuments such as the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben, the great dome of St. Paul's Cathedral and the City of London, Westminster Bridge or the Fenchurch building, among others. I especially love to see the little boats sailing on the Thames and the wake they leave in the water. It is

And if you have a flexible schedule to see the London Eye, go up to the Ferris wheel at sunset, because it is one of the most beautiful views from the London Eye. The phenomenon varies depending on the month, so if you decide to go up at that time before I advise you to make sure when the sunset occurs in London.

The London Eye is located on the south bank of the River Thames, opposite the Palace of Westminster. The ticket offices are inside County Hall, a building next to the Ferris wheel. And the London Eye (Waterloo) pier is next to the wheel. You can walk from one side to the other perfectly.

To get to the London Eye you can take the Jubilee line and get off at Waterloo station, which is the closest to the attraction.

If you feel like eating around the London Eye and its pier, don't miss these suggestions:

• St Stephen's Tavern: A British pub where you can taste the best traditional local cuisine. As a curiosity, prime ministers like Churchill or Macmillan used to eat here.
• La Cucina Di Mamma: A good Italian place to eat near the London Eye. The Piccante pizza and the Four Cheese pizza are from another planet.
• Pret a Manger: Ideal for breakfast if you are going to visit the Ferris wheel early. You can take it there or order it to go. The breakfast rolls and the classic British porridge are two of their specialties.

Take a look at the post Places to eat near the London Eye if you want to know other restaurants near the London Eye if you would like to stay and eat nearby.

Tips for visiting the London Eye

• The best time to ride the London Eye is early as soon as the attraction opens but if you have other plans in the morning, another good time is around 3 PM, when there are few people.
• Weekends and holidays are when the London Eye is most crowded. Better go on a week day to avoid the lines.
• The views from the London Eye cabins are stunning but if you want to take the best photo of the Ferris wheel in the open air go to the Golden Jubilee Bridge.
• Climb the London Eye at night to see the city illuminated in all its splendor, it's a magical feeling!

Tips for taking a Thames River Cruise

• Be on time. The ship sails with British punctuality (never better said!) and waits for no one. Arrive in plenty of time and take the opportunity to explore the area a little before boarding.
• Dress warmly, especially if you are cruising during the winter in London. It can get very cold in London when temperatures are low and if you are going to be on deck, it is best to dress warmly.
• Bring a seasickness remedy to take before boarding if the swaying of the water makes your body churn. This way you will enjoy the experience much more.
• Do not lean over the railing of the boat too much and keep a safe distance as a precaution.
• Remember to carry your camera battery well charged to take pictures and videos during the crossing.