These two attractions are the most debated amongst locals and travelers alike. Some steer clear, while others make them a priority. I visited both the London Eye and Platform 9 ¾ to give you the scoop on whether these are a must-see or an easy skip.
The London Eye
An iconic part of the London skyline! This wheel is a prominent part of the city, soaring high and beckoning travelers to take a spin. But is it a symphony of soaring heights and amazing views, or an overrated theme park ride?
The Cost & Wait: How much is the ride and how long is the wait?
We got our tickets ahead of time online at lastminute.com. The total was $84 USD, making it $42 USD per rider. The whole loop around the eye takes 30 minutes. So basically you are paying over $1 USD per minute! Is it worth the cost? I give my honest opinion below.
The London Eye website warns that standard ticket holders can expect around a 45-minute queue line, while fast track ticket holders only have to wait 20 minutes. However we bought a standard ticket and timed our wait. It only ended up being 23 minutes and we got to start the queue before our appointment time. If you are going during an off season in London like us, then I wouldn’t bother with a fast track pass.
The Experience: Memorable or dull ride?
Even though this is called a "ferris wheel," it's more like a cable car experience because of the pod-like nature of the transportation and the slow movement of the car. Also, multiple people are in the pod with you, unlike a ferris wheel which is usually a cozy moment between lovers or an intimate kiki with four friends. The amount of people varies, but at least two have to be on the pod for it to start. We ended up having around twenty people in our pod, but don't worry, these pods are very large with enough space to relax and enjoy the views.
The weather for our ride was perfect with blue skies and clear views of the whole city and beyond. It was truly beautiful! However this is not everyone's experience. Passengers say that when it's a cloudy day the ride isn't worth it because you can't see a thing! So when you buy your tickets in advance, you take the risk of low visibility. But if you buy your tickets in person on the day of at County Hall, entry is NOT guaranteed and it's 10% more expensive. Getting a great experience with this activity is like winning the lottery! But if you aren’t afraid of heights and don’t mind the cost, I would say this is a cool thing to do in London.
Hot Tip: Wear comfortable shoes so that you can stand and stare out the window. There are seats but they are in the middle of the pod which causes the view to be blocked by those standing near the window. Also try not to schdule this if you plan on walking a lot after. Although the car goes extremely slowly around the loop, Cedric and I still had “sea legs” for a few hours afterwards, which made walking uncomfortable.
Platform 9 ¾
Harry Potter was a cultural phenomena that still captures the hearts of millions around the world today. This story about a young London native named Harry details his journey leaving the “muggle” world and entering a magical world through a platform that only those with magic abilities can see. That entrance is iconically know as Platform 9 ¾ located in between platforms 9 and 10 at the King’s Cross station in London, England. Because of the series’ and book’s fame, the city created a photo-op installation near platforms 9 and 10 where travelers can pretend they too are going through the station’s brick walls to get to the Hogwarts Wizard’s School.
The Cost & Wait: Free or $25
Entry: The best part about this attraction is that it’s free! There is no ticket required to visit the famous Harry Potter installation. However, the wait is where the real cost lies (as they say time is money!). We timed our wait in line for this photo hot-spot and it ended up being a whole hour! My feet were so sore as there are no seats while you wait. This is NOT a good activity for you if you have other things planned throughout the day that you need to be on time for.
Photographs: Another nice touch of this installation is that you aren’t required to buy pictures. You are allowed to bring your own camera and snap away to your heart’s delite! But if you do want, there is a professional photographer that will take up to four Hogwarts-themed poses of you, your family and friends. You can purchase 2 photos for $15 or 3-4 for $25. Which isn’t that bad because they also provide print outs for you. I am a picture lover so I chose to pay the fee and I do love how they came out! See our shots below!
The Experience: Magical or mundane?
This is more of a one-shot-wonder versus an experience. You go for the photographs to live out your Harry Potter fandom. It is fun seeing everyone pose while you are waiting in line, but the wait is very long compared to the four minutes you get with the installation. But if you are a true Potter-head with a tattoo from the franchise or the entire collection in your library, I would say you have to go and get that perfect photo to heal your inner child.
Hot Tip: The installation provides Potter-inspired scarves and posing tips, so don’t worry if you aren’t a camera natural, your photos will still look great! If you do want, though, you can bring more of your own costumes/props. We saw a women dressed up like a witch from the franchise and I’m sure that added a special touch to her photos. Also, there is a Harry Potter merchandise store next to the installation, so bring cash if you want a butter beer mug or a golden snitch ornament.
My final thoughts
So are these “tourist traps”? Technically, yes, they are because they are made for those excited to experience the magic of London rather than for the locals. But is that a bad thing? I don’t think so! In the end the costs weren’t as steep as some tourist traps I’ve seen in other cities and they are unique to the city itself. Overall as a visitor you should mix experiences showcasing history, culture and local life while also indulging in the fun or “corny” activities a destination provides. In the next video / blog on Deanna Troy Travels we will be going to the more famous / historical sites of London and local areas while being guided by our England native friend Kate! Stay tuned on YouTube and subscribe to this blog for more London and Europe travel tips all year long!
