The London Eye sits on the South Bank of the River Thames, directly across from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Getting there is straightforward, with multiple transport options converging on this stretch of riverside.
Full address:
Riverside Building, County Hall
Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB
By Tube (Fastest Option)
Waterloo Station is your best bet. Five-minute walk, step-free access, clearly signposted. Exit 6 leads you straight to the South Bank. Follow signs for “South Bank” and you’ll pass Jubilee Gardens before reaching the Eye.
The Jubilee, Bakerloo, Northern, and Waterloo & City lines all serve Waterloo, making it accessible from virtually anywhere in London.
Westminster Station works too. Seven minutes on foot. Take the Jubilee, Circle, or District line, cross Westminster Bridge, turn left along the river path. This route gives you bridge views of the Thames and Parliament, worth the extra two minutes if you’re not in a rush.
Embankment Station sits 10-12 minutes away via the Golden Jubilee footbridge. Northern, Bakerloo, Circle, or District lines. The pedestrian bridge runs parallel to the railway bridge, offering unobstructed river views as you cross.
Charing Cross adds about 15 minutes but connects via the same footbridge route. Bakerloo or Northern line. Decent option if you’re already nearby, otherwise Waterloo makes more sense.
By Train
Arriving from outside London? London Waterloo is the mainline hub you want. South Western Railway serves Portsmouth, Guildford, Basingstoke, Windsor. Five-minute walk from the station to the Eye.
Charing Cross is your alternative mainline station. Ten minutes on foot via Hungerford Bridge. The walk is pleasant, especially if weather cooperates.
Coming from Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow? You’ll likely arrive at Euston, King’s Cross, or Liverpool Street. Jump on the Tube (Bakerloo or Jubilee to Waterloo) for 10-15 minutes, then walk.
By Bus
Cheapest option if you’re not time-pressed. Multiple routes stop within metres of the Eye on York Road and Westminster Bridge Road.
Look for stops labelled “St. Thomas’ Hospital / County Hall” or “London Eye / Belvedere Road.”
Routes that serve the area: 3, 11, 12, 59, 76, 77, 148, 159, 211, 381, 453, C10, N3, N109, N381.
Buses from Trafalgar Square or Victoria typically cross Westminster Bridge and drop you right outside County Hall. Use contactless payment or an Oyster card. Fares cap daily, and you can transfer buses within one hour at no extra cost.
The 77 and 211 are particularly frequent. If you’re staying in central London and don’t mind a 20-minute ride, buses beat the Tube for cost.
Farida Alvarez/Things to do in LondonBy River Bus (Most Scenic)
London Eye Pier sits directly beneath the attraction. This is the arrival that feels special.
Thames Clippers run routes RB1 and RB6, connecting Westminster, Tower Pier, Greenwich, and Canary Wharf every 20 minutes. City Cruises operates sightseeing trips. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers departs from Embankment Pier with a two-minute crossing to Westminster Pier.
Fares vary with distance. Worth it if you’re combining transport with sightseeing, especially at sunset or after dark when Westminster and Tower Bridge light up.
The approach from the water gives you context for London’s layout that street-level travel doesn’t. You see how the Eye relates to Parliament, the Shard, and the bridges spanning the Thames.
Lunamarina/canvasBy Car or Taxi
The Eye sits inside London’s Congestion Charge Zone, so a daily charge applies if you drive. Check the TfL website for the current rate and hours, and factor it into your budget.
No on-site parking exists. Q-Park Westminster Car Park (SW1P 2TX) offers 10% discount for pre-booked visitors and has Blue Badge accessibility spaces. It’s the closest option, about a five-minute walk.
A taxi rank operates at the end of the landscape near the Park Plaza Hotel. Black cabs know the area well. Uber and other ride apps work fine too, but drop-off points depend on traffic and temporary road closures.
Belvedere Road sometimes closes for coach drop-offs (15-minute loading limit). If your taxi gets stuck, you might need to walk the final stretch.
By Bicycle
Santander Cycles docking stations are located at Belvedere Road (London Eye) and Chicheley Street (South Bank). The riverside promenade is flat, bike-friendly, and connects smoothly to Westminster Bridge, Jubilee Gardens, and the Royal Festival Hall.
If you’re cycling from central London, expect 10-15 minutes from Trafalgar Square or Covent Garden. The South Bank route avoids heavy traffic and gives you river views the entire way.
Docking stations rarely fill completely, but check the Santander Cycles app before you ride to confirm space availability at your destination.
On Foot
The South Bank promenade runs for miles along the Thames. If you’re already exploring the riverside (Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, Borough Market), walking to the Eye takes 15-30 minutes depending on starting point.
From Westminster Abbey or Big Ben, cross Westminster Bridge and turn left. Five minutes, mostly flat, fully pedestrianised once you reach the South Bank.
From Trafalgar Square, walk down Northumberland Avenue toward the river, cross either Hungerford or Westminster Bridge. Ten minutes total.
The walk is straightforward. Hard to get lost when you’re following the Thames.
Sorting your visit? While you are working out the route, it is worth booking your London Eye ticket in advance. Online slots are usually cheaper than the gate, and you can lock in a time that fits around when you actually get here.
Accessibility
Waterloo and Westminster stations are both step-free from platform to riverside. All buses serving County Hall have low-floor entry. London Eye Pier offers ramp boarding for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
The Eye itself accommodates up to two wheelchair users per capsule. Service animals are permitted. If you need accessibility assistance, mention it when booking. The staff can coordinate boarding to minimise wait times.
Travel Times from Major London Points
Peak Travel Considerations
The Tube gets packed during rush hour (roughly 8am to 9:30am and 5pm to 7pm). If your Eye booking falls during these windows, buses might be more comfortable despite being slower.
Waterloo Station is one of Britain’s busiest transport hubs. The concourse can feel overwhelming if you’re unfamiliar with it. Follow the overhead signs carefully. Exit 6 is clearly marked for South Bank.
Westminster Station sits deep underground with long escalators. If you’re carrying luggage or travelling with small children, Waterloo’s ground-level access might be easier.
Combining Transport with Experience
If you’re planning multiple South Bank attractions (SEA LIFE Aquarium, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe), consider walking between them. The riverside path is well-maintained and offers better views than cutting inland.
Hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses (Big Bus Tours, Tootbus London, Golden Tours) all stop at the London Eye. If you’re already using one of these services, it’s your simplest option. Routes connect the Eye with Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and Tower of London.
The Thames River Bus works well for Greenwich visitors. Morning at Greenwich (Cutty Sark, Royal Observatory), river cruise back to London Eye Pier, afternoon on the Eye. The journey takes 40-50 minutes and doubles as sightseeing.
Which Option Makes Most Sense?
- For speed: Tube to Waterloo. No contest.
- For budget: Bus routes 3, 77, 211, or 381 (a single bus fare, capped daily).
- For scenery: Thames River Bus from Tower Pier or Greenwich. The extra cost buys you a floating perspective of London’s architecture.
- For convenience with luggage: Train to Waterloo, then walk. Avoiding Tube stairs and escalators makes life easier when you’re carrying bags.
- For accessibility: Waterloo Station to South Bank, step-free the entire way.
Most visitors default to Waterloo via Tube or train. It’s fast, frequent, and foolproof. The walk from station to Eye is pleasant even in mediocre weather, with cafes and street performers along the route.
But if you’ve got time and the Thames is calm, arriving by river adds something to the experience. You don’t just visit the Eye. You approach it the way visitors would have experienced London’s riverside landmarks for centuries.
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