London Eye versus The Shard

If its a view you want book a “free” ticket for the Sky Garden. Its in the “ walkie talkie “ building. 20 Fenchurch Street.

EDIT: friends in London now said they liked the rooftop garden at the Post Building off of New Oxford Street.

Last time I was in London was 1982 for about 4 hours and none of this even existed, so I am going on my own research and opinion ... if you pre-book the London Eye, it's £32.50 (about $36) ... in a moving box for 30 minutes with a load of other people all jockeying for the best spot to take selfies of the same view ... no thanks ... Shard is £32 so about the same cost but at least you can walk around and stay as long as you want (or until you've wasted countless hours to get that perfect Insta shot) ... since this is included in the London Pass, I would do this only if I had the pass, otherwise no thanks ... Sky Garden is free but you do need a ticket (and you are on the other side of the river from the Shard so the views are somewhat different) ... if it's me, I'm doing the freebie and spending the Eye or Shard money I just saved on dinner and a drink at a pub.

We really enjoyed Skygarden. If you want a special meal, book dinner there and you don't need to reserve a ticket to visit.

For me, the best part of the Eye was that it was lit up in bright red in the evenings, at least at that time in 2015. Neat photos taken from the ground.

We (group of four) did not think the Eye was worth the long wait in line (2+ hours even with tickets on hand). All in all, it took up a half day of our time, getting there and back. The view on a gray and rainy day was not worth it, and frankly, London is not that scenic from up there - just an urban area with a river running through it. Sorry for the negatives, and of course its just my opinion.

I'd vote for the Sky Garden in the "Walkie Talkie" building, with great views of the Shard, Cheese Grater, Gherkin, and older fustier places like St. Paul's, Tower Bridge, Westminster etc. Plus it's free, plus they have food, plus it's a neat collection of plant life up there. Haven't been to the Shard, though, so can't be sure. I went up in the Eye and it was OK but not as interesting and, as someone else pointed out, time-limited.

Maybe you should just pick whatever birdseye-view location is nearest your hotel or other places you'll be visiting. They're not the same, of course, but any one would be enough.

I did the Eye many years ago when it was a British Airways operation, once and never back. Very meh.

I philosophically refuse to visit the Shard. It is very expensive for what it is, but more importantly when the land was taken to build it and locals were displaced and that area became a giant skyscraper, in order to appease the locals and gain planning permission they promised free access to the locals - that never happened - so if they refuse to keep their word, I refuse to patronise them.

The Sky Garden is fabulous. Great views in all directions, a lovely garden - a real garden up in the sky - with all sorts of great plants, and good restaurants and bars. Free too. What's not to like?

For a close-up of the dome of St Pauls, the roof of One New Change (above the restaurants, and with a rooftop bar) is also free. Lower but closer to St Pauls...

I would save my money, plenty of free views in town. 10th floor of Tate Modern and One New Change roof terrace for a couple. If you’re up to the St. Paul’s climb of 500+ stairs, i’d recommend that. Not quite as high, but much cheaper.

I’m of the same philosophical stance as Nigel, and I too would head for the Skygarden (or 20 Fenchurch Street to use its ‘Sunday’ name!).

If your legs and lungs are up to it the climb to the top of St. Paul’s dome is worth it for the views too and less taxing but not as tall, although more claustrophobic, the views from the Fire of London Monument are interesting if not as extensive as they were when that was first constructed!

Ian

Thanks for the suggestions, the Walkie Talkie seems pretty interesting

We just returned from London and stayed near the Eye. We only rarely saw it moving. It was not moving all the time.

So my first time in London I was a broke college student and couldn’t afford the eye. My first time returning to London, I set myself a crazy high budget and set out with the intention of doing all the things I couldn’t do before, which included the eye. (At the time the Shard had just been completed but wasn’t open yet). I ended up not even paying for the eye because a friend payed my way for me. But because the line was so long, I paid for our fast passes to skip the line. The pod is very spacious and it isn’t people fighting for space like a previous comment said. There is an iPad in there that shows you what buildings you’re looking at and some info about them which is pretty cool. We went right at sunset and watching the sun set behind parliament was actually pretty amazing. All that being said, knowing what I know now, that there are free options for a high vantage point over London, I wouldn’t do it again, and I don’t think I can suggest wasting that much money on just a view. The sky garden has already been suggested, but another alternative that is a different view but still an amazing one, is going to primrose hill by regent park. It’s great to pair this with a trip to Camden markets.