London: 3 Days of Must-See Attractions including London Eye

London’s biggest sights are spread across a large city, but this three-day London Pass Plus gives you one useful tool for handling them. You can ride the London Eye, tour the Tower, take a Big Bus circuit, cruise the Thames, and still fit in Westminster Abbey or the View from the Shard.

I like the freedom to mix grand sights with smaller museums and tours. I also like the practical app, which puts attraction details, maps, opening times, and reservation instructions on your phone. The catch is simple: you need to move quickly, start early, and remember that the pass runs for three consecutive days, not three separate 24-hour periods.

Key points at a glance

• Three active days: Your pass starts with the first attraction you visit and then runs for three consecutive calendar days.
• London Eye and the Shard included: Two strong skyline stops give you very different views of the city.
• More than 100 choices: The pass covers major landmarks, tours, museums, palaces, and family attractions.
• Thames transport with sightseeing value: The Uber Boat by Thames Clippers adds a useful river ride to your plans.
• Reservations matter: London Eye, Madame Tussauds, and the Shard require reservations, and a reservation does not necessarily let you skip the on-site queue.
• Best for busy sightseers: You can get good value if you plan a full schedule and choose several high-priced attractions.

What the three-day London Pass Plus really gives you

This is not a guided tour with one fixed route. It is a digital sightseeing package that lets you choose from more than 100 attractions during a three-day activation period.

You receive the pass on your smartphone and scan it at the attraction entrance or ticket office. Each included attraction can be visited once. That last point matters. You cannot use the pass to return to the Tower of London the next afternoon or ride the London Eye twice.

The package costs $254.58 per person. That is a serious price, so you should compare it with the regular admission cost of the sights you actually want. The advertised saving can reach 50 percent, but that figure depends on a busy sample schedule. If you plan only two modestly priced museums each day, the pass may not save money.

If you visit the London Eye, the Tower of London, the View from the Shard, Westminster Abbey, and a river cruise, the numbers become more promising. Add Big Bus, St Paul’s Cathedral, or Madame Tussauds, and the pass can work well for a short first visit.

Day one: London Eye, Big Bus, and the Thames

The London Eye makes a natural first stop because it gives you a quick sense of how London fits together. From the capsules, you get broad views across the Thames and central London. It is a gentle ride rather than a thrill attraction, and its value comes from seeing the city from above before you begin crossing it on foot and by public transport.

You should reserve the London Eye in advance. The pass includes admission, but it does not erase the need to wait at the attraction. A reservation helps secure your time, while the on-site process can still involve a queue.

Next, consider the Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour. This is most useful early in your visit, when you need to connect landmarks and get your bearings fast. You can use it as transport between major sights, but allow extra time because road traffic can slow the route.

The Big Bus circuit also gives you an easy overview without demanding a full day of walking. I would use it as a survey ride, then return to the places that deserve more time. Trying to treat it as a precise taxi service can lead to frustration.

The Uber Boat by Thames Clippers adds a different view of London. The river is not just scenery here. It is a practical route through the center, with well-known sights lining the banks. Pairing the boat with the bus gives you two useful ways to see the city without spending every hour underground or on foot.

This is an ambitious first day, especially if you add Madame Tussauds. The wax museum is a popular indoor attraction and may suit families or fans of film, music, and public figures. Like the London Eye and the Shard, it requires a reservation, so check the Go City app before setting your schedule.

Day two: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and St Paul’s

The Tower of London is one of the strongest uses of the pass. It combines royal history, fortress walls, ceremonial spaces, and the Crown Jewels in one large visit. Give it a substantial part of your day rather than squeezing it between two timed attractions.

The Tower works best when you allow time to walk through its different sections. It is not a quick photo stop. The site helps explain London’s past as a royal stronghold and prison, and its setting beside the Thames makes it easy to combine with nearby Tower Bridge.

Tower Bridge is close by and offers a different kind of visit. The bridge itself is a working piece of London infrastructure, while the attraction focuses on its structure and elevated walkways. If you like engineering, city views, or unusual ways to see the river, it is a good companion to the Tower.

St Paul’s Cathedral gives you a grand interior and a change of pace after the fortress and bridge. The building is one of the city’s major historic churches, and its scale makes it worth more than a quick entrance and exit. Check opening details in the app because attractions and hours can change.

A sensible second-day route is Tower of London in the morning, Tower Bridge around midday, then St Paul’s Cathedral later. The pass does not solve London’s distances for you, but these sights can be grouped more sensibly than attractions scattered across the entire city.

Westminster Abbey and central London’s major sights

Westminster Abbey is another high-value choice because ordinary admission is not a minor expense, and the building is central to London’s royal and political story. You will see a historic church filled with memorials, tombs, and architectural details rather than a simple open hall.

The visit deserves quiet attention. If you rush through it only to reach your next booking, you lose much of what makes it special. Check the daily opening schedule before you go, since church services and special events can affect access.

The pass also includes the London Bridge Experience, which offers a more theatrical take on local history. It may appeal to you if you want something livelier than a traditional museum. It is less essential than the Tower or Westminster Abbey, so I would choose it only if the subject and style fit your interests.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Tour gives you a different look at London’s cultural past. The attraction focuses on the theater and its connection with Shakespeare. It is a useful choice for anyone interested in performance, literature, or the way historic London is presented through a working cultural site.

These central attractions can fill a day on their own. You should resist the urge to stack too many major interiors into one afternoon. The pass encourages quantity, but your feet will eventually demand quality.

Day three: The Shard, palaces, or Madame Tussauds

The View from the Shard is one of the clearest reasons to consider this pass. The high viewpoint gives you a very different angle from the London Eye. The Eye keeps you close to the river and central streets, while the Shard offers a much higher look across London.

Reserve the Shard ahead of time. The pass does not guarantee that you can simply walk in at the moment you arrive. A timed booking is especially important if you want sunset or another popular viewing period.

Kensington Palace offers a royal setting and a more manageable visit than a full-day excursion. It fits well with nearby museums and gardens, though the pass does not include every London attraction. Use the app to confirm the current attraction list and opening hours before you build your day around it.

Hampton Court Palace is a stronger choice if you want a full historical outing beyond central London. Its inclusion makes the pass more useful for someone staying several days and willing to spend part of one day outside the center. The tradeoff is time. You may get better value from the palace, but you will have less time for several central attractions.

Windsor Castle is also included, but there is an important restriction. Pass entry is available only after 1 PM, Thursday through Monday. That narrow window makes it difficult to combine with several other major sights, so treat Windsor as a dedicated half-day or afternoon plan.

London Zoo and the Arsenal Stadium Tour give the pass wider appeal. The zoo may suit families, while the stadium tour is a natural choice for football fans. Neither is a must for every first visit, but both can help the pass pay off if they match your interests.

Reservations, queues, and using the app

The Go City app is central to this experience. Before you leave your hotel, sync the credits package with the app using the instructions in your booking confirmation. Then check attraction hours, current entry rules, and reservation requirements.

The most popular attractions marked as requiring reservations include the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, and the View from the Shard. Reserve well ahead when possible. Do not assume that holding a reservation means walking straight past everyone else. At least one practical report notes that entry is straightforward, but the normal on-site queue still applies.

You also need a charged smartphone. A dead phone can turn a simple scan into a needless problem, so charge it each night and keep the confirmation details accessible.

The pass itself is valid for one year from the purchase date before activation. You can buy it ahead of your trip, then activate it at your first attraction. Once you scan in, the clock starts for three consecutive days.

Start early. If you first use it at 3 PM on Monday, Monday counts as day one, even though you have only a few hours left. This is the single most important timing detail in the package.

How to plan for real value at $254.58

To make the price work, build your schedule around attractions with meaningful individual admission prices. The Tower, London Eye, Shard, Westminster Abbey, and a major tour or cruise form a sensible core.

A packed day might include:

• Tower of London in the morning
• Tower Bridge afterward
• A Thames Clippers ride
• St Paul’s Cathedral in the afternoon
• A shorter museum or tour if time remains

That pace is demanding. I would not plan five major stops every day unless you are comfortable walking quickly and adjusting when queues or traffic interfere.

A better approach is to choose two or three anchor attractions each day, then add a smaller stop nearby. This gives you room for lunch, delays, and the simple pleasure of looking around instead of racing from gate to gate.

The strongest value comes when you already want several included sights. The weakest value comes when you buy the pass first and then force yourself into attractions you do not care about. Make a short wish list before purchasing, then compare those standard ticket prices with $254.58.

The claimed saving of up to 50 percent is possible on selected schedules, not a promise for every visitor. Your personal result depends on how many attractions you enter, their regular prices, and how efficiently you use the three active days.

Who should choose this pass

I recommend it most for a first London visit with a clear sightseeing plan. It suits people who want the Tower, London Eye, Shard, Westminster Abbey, and several other major stops without buying separate tickets at each door.

Families may like the range of choices, especially with the zoo, Madame Tussauds, Big Bus, and river boat included. The pass also works for mixed-interest groups because one person can choose a palace while another prefers a stadium or museum.

It is less suitable if you prefer slow mornings, long museum visits, or unplanned wandering. It is also a poor match if your London plans center on attractions outside the pass or if you expect unlimited repeat entry.

Cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your dates are still shifting, but the three-day activation rule remains firm once you begin.

Should you book the London Pass Plus?

Book it if you can name at least four or five included attractions you genuinely want to visit, especially the London Eye, Tower of London, Shard, Westminster Abbey, or a palace. Start early, reserve the popular stops, and group nearby sights so the $254.58 price has a fair chance to pay off.

Skip it if you want a relaxed London break or plan to visit only one major sight per day. The pass offers convenience and choice, but it rewards a well-planned schedule rather than casual sightseeing.

FAQ

How long is the London Pass Plus valid?

It is valid for three consecutive days after you visit your first attraction. These are calendar days, not three separate 24-hour periods.

When does the pass activate?

The pass activates when you first visit an attraction and scan it for entry. It is valid for one year from the purchase date before that first activation.

How many attractions can I visit?

You can choose from more than 100 attractions, tours, museums, and activities. Each attraction can be visited once.

Is the London Eye included?

Yes, the Lastminute.com London Eye is included. A reservation is required.

Is the View from the Shard included?

Yes, the View from the Shard is included. You need to reserve a time in advance.

Does the pass include a bus tour?

Yes, it includes the Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour.

Does the pass include a Thames river cruise?

Yes, it includes the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers River Cruise.

Is Windsor Castle included?

Yes, Windsor Castle is included, but pass entry is available only after 1 PM from Thursday through Monday.

Do I need a smartphone?

Yes. You should bring a charged smartphone and sync the credits package with the Go City app using the instructions in your booking confirmation.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.