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Quick overview: How to skip the lines at the London Eye

The London Eye is one of the UK’s busiest paid attractions, drawing ~3–4 million visitors a year. On typical days, standard ticket holders wait around 20–30 mins to board, but in peak summer, weekends, and school holidays this can stretch to ~45 mins or more. Fast track queues are much shorter, usually around 5–10 mins, but are capacity-limited and often sell out first.

You don’t have to gamble on the queue. With the right ticket, you can cut your wait to about 5–10 mins and still time your ride for sunset views or a clear-sky window.

  • Fast track ticket (From ~£44): Priority boarding via Entrance F at your chosen time. You typically wait about 5–10 mins before boarding, even on busy days, and avoid the longer standard line. Ideal if you have a tight schedule or kids in tow.  
  • Flexi fast track ticket (From ~£50–£55): Same fast-track lane but with anytime entry on your selected day. Perfect if you want to chase the best weather or sunset without committing to a fixed time slot. 
  • Champagne Experience (From ~£59): VIP check-in at County Hall plus fast-track boarding at Entrance F and a glass of Moët or a soft alternative. Best for celebrations or when you want a quieter, more premium feel.  
  • Combo tickets and city passes (From ~£60+): Some London combo tickets include a standard London Eye ride alongside attractions like SEA LIFE or the Dungeon, and may let you upgrade to fast-track at checkout. Treat these as a value play for multi-attraction days rather than your primary fast-track route.

See all your options to skip the queues at the London Eye ↓

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What does fast-track access mean for the London Eye?

Fast-track access at the London Eye means you skip the main standard queue and use a shorter, dedicated line at Entrance F, while still going through the same security checks as everyone else. On quieter days, standard ticket holders usually wait around ~20–30 mins; in peak periods this can rise to ~30–60+ mins, while fast-track queues are typically ~5–10 mins (approx.).

How it works:

  1. Book online: Choose a dated Fast Track or Flexi Fast Track ticket. The time on your ticket is when you join the fast-track queue, not the exact boarding time.
  2. Arrive and scan at Entrance F: Head to the dedicated Fast Track entrance on the South Bank and show your mobile voucher; staff will direct you to the priority lane.
  3. Fast-track lane: Join the shorter fast-track queue (also used by Champagne and VIP experiences). Most guests clear this line in ~5–10 mins on typical days (approx.).
  4. Security check: All visitors pass through the same bag and security screening, which usually adds another ~5–15 mins, depending on crowds (approx.).
  5. Board your capsule: After security, you step onto the moving platform and into a pod for a ~30-min rotation over the Thames (approx.).

Bottom line: With fast-track, you trade an unpredictable ~20–60 min standard queue for a more controlled ~10–25 min entry (fast-track lane plus security), which is especially helpful on weekends, school holidays, and busy midday slots (approx.).

How long are the queues at the London Eye entrance?

The London Eye is one of the most popular paid attractions in the UK, drawing around 3–4 million riders a year, so queues are normal. On quieter days, standard ticket holders usually wait about 20–30 mins to board; during peak periods, such as midsummer weekends and school holidays, this can rise to ~45 mins or more.

​Fast-track guests use a separate priority lane at Entrance F, and queues are typically around 5–10 mins.

All queues form on the South Bank of the Thames beside County Hall, between Westminster Bridge and Hungerford Bridge. Whatever ticket you hold, you’ll also pass through a quick security check before boarding your capsule.

Note: These times describe the boarding queues. Security is included in these estimates and cannot be skipped.

​Best time to visit the London Eye

Want to skip the ~20–45 min queues at the London Eye?

Fast-track and flexi fast-track tickets let you bypass the regular boarding line at Entrance A and use the priority lane at Entrance F instead. Most guests board in about ~5–10 mins instead of a long, unpredictable wait.

Types of queues at the London Eye

Entry to the London Eye is from the South Bank riverside outside County Hall. These are the main queues you’ll encounter and how fast-track affects them. Pre-booked tickets are highly recommended to guarantee entry and potentially reduce wait times.

Standard entry queue (Entrance A)

  • Location: Riverside entrance signed “Entrance A”.
  • Who it’s for: Guests with standard timed tickets and some on-the-day upgrades.
  • Average wait times: About 20–30 mins on quieter days; up to ~45 mins or more in peak periods such as weekends, school holidays, and summer afternoons.
  • Skip-the-line? Not skipped by fast-track; this is the regular queue fast-track tickets are designed to avoid.

Fast-track entry queue (Entrance F)

  • Location: Dedicated entrance marked “Entrance F” beside the main boarding area.
  • Who it’s for: Fast-track and flexi fast-track ticket holders, plus experiences such as Champagne flights.
  • Average wait times: Typically around 5–10 mins; may reach ~15–20 mins during the busiest times of day.
  • Skip-the-line? Yes, this lane bypasses the standard queue but still feeds into the same boarding and security process.

VIP Experiences Desk

  • Location: Inside County Hall, at the London Eye VIP check-in area.
  • Who it’s for: Guests booked on premium experiences like Champagne flights or private capsules.
  • Average wait times: Check-in is just a few minutes; you’re asked to arrive around 15 mins before your slot, then board via fast-track.
  • Skip-the-line? Yes, for ticketing and the main queue; you still pass through standard security.

​Directions to the London Eye

Your London Eye fast-track ticket options explained

Fast-track ticket

This ticket is designed for those who have a planned itinerary and want to guarantee a specific time to ride the London Eye while minimizing their wait.

  • Primary benefit: Priority boarding through a dedicated Fast-track entrance, which significantly reduces your queuing time. While standard queues can be 45 mins or more, fast-track holders typically wait around 10 mins or less.
  • Best for: Visitors with a tight schedule who know exactly when they want to ride. This is a great way to ensure you can fit the London Eye into a busy day of sightseeing.
  • How it works: You must select a specific time slot when you purchase the ticket. The time on your ticket is when you are allowed to join the fast-track queue, not the exact time you will board the pod.

Flexi-fast-track ticket

This is the premium option for travelers who value flexibility and want to avoid the hassle of a rigid schedule.

  • Primary benefit: Enjoy ultimate flexibility: get all the benefits of fast-track priority boarding, without being tied to a specific time slot. You can arrive and enter the fast-track queue at any time on your chosen date.
  • Best for: Visitors with an unpredictable schedule or those who prefer to be spontaneous. If you are unsure what time you will arrive or if you want to wait for a specific weather window, this ticket is the perfect choice.
  • How it works: You select a date, but not a time. Upon arrival on that date, you simply go to the dedicated fast-track entrance and join the queue.

Compare your ticket options

Ticket typeWait timeQueues skippedIncludesFrom

London Eye On-Site Ticket

Highly variable; often ~30–45+ mins, and longer at peak times

None

Same-day ticket bought on site; 30-min London Eye rotation; no guaranteed time slot; standard queue at Entrance A

On-the-day price

London Eye Standard Ticket

~20–30 mins on quieter days; up to ~45+ mins at busy periods

None

30-min rotation at a reserved time; join the regular boarding queue at Entrance A

£29

London Eye Fast Track Ticket

Typically ~5–10 mins; up to ~15–20 mins at the very busiest times (approx.)

Standard boarding queue at Entrance A

30-min rotation plus priority boarding via the fast-track lane at Entrance F

£44

London Eye Flexi Fast Track Ticket

Typically ~5–10 mins; up to ~15–20 mins at the very busiest times (approx.)

Standard boarding queue at Entrance A

30-min rotation, access to the fast-track lane at Entrance F, and anytime entry on your selected date

£51

London Eye Champagne Experience

Fast VIP check-in plus ~5–10 mins in the fast-track lane (approx.)

Standard boarding queue at Entrance A

30-min rotation, VIP check-in at County Hall, fast-track boarding via Entrance F, and a glass of Moët (or soft drink)

£59

All your options to skip the queues

Even with fast-track access, your experience depends on timing, crowds, and the ticket you book. Use these tactics to keep your wait as short and predictable as possible:

1. Book fast-track tickets in advance

​Pre-booked fast-track or flexi fast-track tickets let you use the dedicated priority lane at Entrance F instead of the regular queue at Entrance A. On most days, this cuts your wait to around 5–10 mins instead of ~20–30+ mins. These tickets are capacity-limited and often sell out first on busy dates.

2. Choose the flexi fast track if your plans may shift

If you’re not sure exactly when you’ll reach the South Bank, the flexi fast track gives you priority access at any time on your chosen day. That means you can wait for better weather or time your ride closer to sunset without giving up the shorter queue.

3. Use premium experiences for a smoother entry

Experiences like the Champagne Experience include VIP check-in and fast-track boarding, combining shorter queues with a more relaxed pre-boarding process. They cost more than standard fast-track tickets but can be worth it for celebrations or when time is tight.

4. Aim for off-peak time slots

The Eye is busiest from late morning into mid-afternoon, especially in summer and on weekends. Early morning and later evening flights tend to have shorter queues and softer light for photos. Flexi fast track works well if you want to decide on the day which window looks best.

5. Avoid peak dates when possible

UK school holidays, long weekends, and major events around the South Bank can push standard waits well beyond the usual 20–30 mins. If you must visit then, treat fast-track or flexi fast-track as essential rather than optional.

​Plan your visit

Frequently Asked Questions about London Eye fast track tickets

Fast-track tickets let you join a dedicated priority queue at Entrance F instead of the regular boarding line. You still pass through the same security checks, but your overall wait to board is usually much shorter.