High Roller vs London Eye

When it comes to towering observation wheels, two names stand out: the London Eye and the High Roller in Las Vegas. 

Both landmarks offer unforgettable experiences with stunning panoramic views, but each brings its own unique flavor to the table. 

The London Eye, gracefully perched along the River Thames, provides a quintessential view of London’s historic skyline, including landmarks like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. 

On the other hand, the High Roller in Las Vegas offers a completely different vibe, showcasing the dazzling lights and lively energy of the famous Strip from 550 feet up. 

Whether you’re drawn to the classic charm of London or the bold glitz of Las Vegas, comparing these two giants gives insight into what makes each city truly special.

In this article, we will compare the High Roller Las Vegas and the London Eye to determine the best observation wheel. 

At a Glance

Here is a snapshot of the two popular observation wheels located on two different continents of the world, with their comparison points:

Our Recommendation 

Visiting a city and going to its observation wheel depends on your preferences, budget and travel plan.

Generally, the Las Vegas High Roller offers a better experience from a higher vantage point than the London Eye.

You can even enjoy unlimited drinks by purchasing the inside the High Roller cabin.

If you are interested in historical places, London is where you can see all the iconic landmarks from the top.

We recommend that you go to both at some point in your life to enjoy the best of both.

Height Difference Between High Roller and London Eye

The High Roller stands at a height of 550 feet (168 meters) at the heart of Las Vegas’ South Boulevard.

It is the second tallest observation in the world after Ain Dubai.

The London Eye is 443 feet (135 meters) high and is located in the heart of London on the banks of Rover Thames.

The London Eye is Europe’s largest cantilevered observation wheel and was the highest until 2006 when the Nanchang Star Wheel surpassed it in China.

Ticket Prices

The Las Vegas is $33 for adults aged 13 years or older.

Children between 4 and 12 years pay $12, while kids below four years go for free.

The ticket price is $42 (GBP 32) for adults aged 16 years and older, while children between two and 15 years pay $38 (GBP 29).

Infants aged one and less go in for free.

The High Roller tickets cost less, and you get a better view than the London Eye.

View From the Ferris Wheels

As the second-highest observation wheel, the High Roller offers wonderful views of the Last Vegas Valley, the strip, and the nearby mountain ranges as it rotates on its axis.

You get a 360-degree view of the surrounding buildings, the Sphere, hotels, casinos, and the Bellagio fountains, among other things.

You get a panoramic view of London City and the River Thames from the London Eye.

This includes Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Shard.

You can also view parks and bridges, such as Greenwich, Hyde, Regent Park, London Bridge, Tower and Waterloo Bridges, and many more.

Timings

The High Roller is open from Monday to Thursday from 12 pm to 12 am throughout the year.

From Friday to Sunday, it has extended hours and is open till 2 am from 12 pm.

The London Eye remains open from 10 am to 8.30 pm.

From 1 September till the winter months, it opens at 11 am and closes at 6 pm.

The London Eye timings keep changing based on the peak and low tourist seasons.

Each observation wheel takes 30 minutes to rotate on its axis and gives different levels of landmark views that you can see from it.

The High Roller has longer hours than the London Eye, which draws a larger crowd and allows for extended enjoyment.

Crowd Level

Both the High Roller and the London Eye are equally crowded throughout the year. 

About 3.5 million people visit Las Vegas a month during the peak seasons, and about 3 million of them visit the High Roller.

About 10,000 visitors visit the London Eye daily, and about 3.5 million visit it yearly.

Location and How to Reach

The High Roller is located on the south Las Vegas Boulevard, at the heart of Linq Promenade.

Address: 3545 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, United States. Get Directions

You can reach High Roller by bus, Las Vegas monorail, taxi or car.

The London Eye is situated on the bank of the River Thames and near central  London.

Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom. Get Directions

To reach the London Eye, you can take the metro, bus, riverboat, or taxi/car.

The London Eye has slightly better conveyance for its central location and more travel modes.

What to Expect and Experiences Inside

Both the High Roller and the London Eye have floor-to-ceiling glass cabins offering a 360-degree view of the surroundings.

The rotating observation decks have seating and standing arrangements with air-conditioning and interior lights during the evenings.

You can see the wheel’s structure from one side and from the outside as the wheel rotates.

The High Roller has digital audio commentary perfectly timed about the places that come one after the other as the wheel moves, and you get a closer look at them.

Similarly, the main attraction of the London Eye is its unparalleled view of London and its landmark places.

The ticket includes a free audio guide that you can download to your mobile phone and listen to while the wheel rotates.

You can even book the London Eye cabins for private events and celebrations.

The experience during the day and in the evening adds different flavours to your experience.

Please note that both attractions are wheelchair accessible, and there are certain limits to the total number of wheelchairs onboard at a time.

Check with the authorities before boarding.

Structure and Design

Both wheels have a strong iron structure and are cantilevered observation wheels, similar to Ferris wheels.

The High Roller’s height is 550 feet (168 meters), and its diameter is 520 feet (158 meters). 

There are 28 cabins or capsules, with a total capacity of 1,120 people.

The cabin size has an area of 225 square feet (21 square meters).

The London Eye is 443 feet (135 meters) high and 394 feet (120 meters) wide.

It has 32 capsules and can accommodate a total of about 800 people at a time.

It can hold 25 people each, who can move around the cabin.

Bars and Restaurants

A few of the High Roller cabins have an open bar and a bartender.

To access these cabins, you must buy the which costs $75 for adults over 21.

During the 30-minute ride on the Las Vegas observation wheel, you get unlimited drinks while enjoying the views outside throughout the day.

You can even carry your own drink in a non-glass container

You can book a cabin for special occasions, such as a birthday, anniversary party, or bachelorette party, but you must contact the authorities beforehand.

The London Eye does not permit any food or drinks in the cabins.

Before or after the ride, you can enjoy drinks or food at the Eye Lounge Bar on the south bank below the observation wheel.

Wheel Cabin Capacity

The High Roller has 28 cabins with a capacity of 40 people in each cabin. 

The total capacity of the wheel is 1,120.

The cabin capacity for the open bar cabins is 25, considering the bar’s weight.

The London Eye has 32 cabins and allows 25 people each in the cabins.

The total capacity of the wheel is 800 people at a time.

Two wheelchairs are allowed per capsule on the London Eye, and a maximum of eight wheelchairs are allowed on the London Eye at any one time.

Conclusion: Which is the London Eye vs. High Roller better?

Each attraction has its own perspective, interest and visit to the location to get selected from the others.

Considering the height, total visitor capacity, timings, and bar facility, the High Roller is a better choice.

Again, the view is unique for each of the attractions based on where they are located and the city views, the other landmarks in the city, etc.

Ultimately, selecting one over the other depends on your tour plan and preference for a particular city and then viewing the city from the top.

We recommend that you try visiting both at some point in your life and experience the different views of each city from such a height.

FAQs

Suggested Articles

Featured Image: Tripadvisor.in