The Shard London: 360° Views from 310 Metres High

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Option 135 departure times, from 10:00 to 20:30

Option 224 departure times, from 13:00 to 20:00

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London from 1,016 Feet: The Shard's Two Viewing Platforms

You get admission to both the indoor Level 69 gallery and the partially outdoor Level 72 platform, with 360° sightlines across 40 miles of London and beyond. Champagne bars sit on each level. The lift takes 60 seconds to reach the top, and your timed ticket means you skip the entry queue. Just bring your valid ID and show your e-ticket from your phone.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit The Shard viewing platforms

• Arrive at The Shard
• Take lift to Level 68
• Explore indoor viewing gallery on Level 69
• Visit outdoor viewing gallery on Level 72
• Enjoy 360° views of London
• Relax at champagne bars

The Experience

"You'll see further than you think possible," one of the staff told me as I stepped out of the lift on Level 69. The View from The Shard sits at the very top of London's tallest building, and the lift gets you there in about 60 seconds: traveling at six metres per second straight up from Level 1. The main viewing gallery spans three storeys, wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows on all four sides, so there's no angle where the city isn't right in front of you. On a clear day the vista stretches 40 miles across the radius, which means you're looking at the whole of London and well beyond it.

There are two platforms to move between: Level 69 is the indoor gallery, flooded with daylight and the better choice if you want to linger over the detail. The Thames winding through, the bridges stacking up, the neighbourhoods spreading out in every direction. Level 72 is partially open to the air, which changes the whole thing. The wind is real up there, the light is different, and if you've timed it right the city starts to glow as the afternoon fades. Both levels have champagne bars, so you can stand with a drink in hand and watch London shift beneath you. The height alone sets this apart. You're standing at twice the elevation of any other viewing platform in the city, which is why the scale of what you're seeing hits differently.

The Shard sits on the River Thames above London Bridge Station, so getting there is straightforward: public transport options are everywhere nearby. You'll need a valid photo ID or passport at the entrance. E-tickets arrive by email the day before your visit and you can show them straight from your phone, no printing required. Tickets are timed to the date and hour you select, so you're not queuing on arrival. Children need to stay with an adult at all times, and if you don't show up on time the ticket isn't rescheduled or refunded, so arriving with a buffer is worth it.

What’s included

• Your admission includes access to both viewing galleries (the three-storey indoor gallery on Level 69 and the partially outdoor platform on Level 72) with floor-to-ceiling windows on all four sides of the building.
• Champagne bars and refreshment options are available on each level.
• E-tickets are sent to your email by the day before your visit, and you can enter directly by showing your phone at the entrance with a valid photo ID or passport.

Days and timesWed–Sun · 35 departure times, from 10:00 to 20:30 · season until 31 Dec

AgesAges 17+ · 3 to 16 years · Under 3 — Free

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it starts

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Royal Smart Tourism

Is this one for you?Right for anyone wanting London's highest vantage point without arranging separate transport or queuing on arrival: the timed ticket and central location near London Bridge mean you step straight into the view.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

3 to 16 years; under 3, free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

How long does the lift take to reach the top?

About 60 seconds. The lift travels at six metres per second from Level 1 to Level 68.

Can I go to both viewing galleries with one ticket?

Yes. Your admission includes access to both the indoor gallery on Level 69 and the partially outdoor gallery on Level 72.

How far can you see from The Shard?

On clear days, the views span a 40-mile radius across London and the surrounding area.

Do I need to print my ticket?

No. E-tickets are sent by email the day before your visit. You can show them directly from your phone at the entrance.

What ID do I need to bring?

A valid photo ID or passport is required and must be shown at the entrance.

Are there bars or refreshments on the viewing platforms?

Yes. Champagne bars on each level offer cocktails, soft drinks, and hot beverages.

What happens if I arrive late?

Tickets are timed to a specific date and hour. If you don't arrive on time, the ticket is marked as a no-show and cannot be rescheduled or refunded.

Is The Shard accessible by public transport?

Yes. It's located on the River Thames above London Bridge Station with multiple public transport options nearby. The building is also wheelchair accessible.