The Shard Tours and Tickets

Q: What is the Shard in London and why is it famous?

The Shard is a skyscraper in London, located just south of the River Thames. Designed by architect Renzo Piano and completed in 2012, it’s not just the tallest building in London but in all of Western Europe. True to its name, the sharp, reflective skyscraper looks like an enormous shard of glass.

Q: How tall is the Shard and how many floors does it have?

The Shard stands a whopping 1,016 feet (310 meters) high, and spans 95 floors (72 habitable), offering some of the best views of London. Its creator, Renzo Piano, described the skyscraper as a “vertical city,” and it brings together everything from office spaces and hotels to restaurants and bars. Its observation deck is the landmark’s highlight attraction for visitors.

Q: How do I get to the Shard using public transportation?

Conveniently, the Shard stands right above one of London’s busiest transit hubs: London Bridge Station. The Station serves the Northern and Jubilee lines of the London Underground and also hosts numerous mainline trains, offering excellent connections throughout London and beyond. A number of local bus lines also serve the area, offering one more way to get there.

Q: What is the best time to visit the Shard for optimal views?

The Shard offers stunning views overlooking London; it’s best to aim for a clear, bright day so you can see as much as possible. The best time to visit The View from The Shard observation deck is at dusk when you can enjoy stunning views of London as the city lights up.

Q: Are there any dining options available at the Shard?

Yes, there are a number of dining options at The Shard. Popular choices include Hutong (which serves Chinese fine dining), Oblix (modeled on New York), and Aqua Shard (which specializes in contemporary British fare). For a refined afternoon tea, head to TĪNG at the Shangri-La Hotel on the 35th floor. There are also high-end cocktail bars, relaxing lounges, and more casual dining options, too.

87 results

Best Seller

The View from the Shard Admission Ticket

1 hour

3.9

(19)

from $33

London: Guided Sightseeing Tour on a Vintage Open-Top Bus

Discover London's most essential sights and landmarks in style on this guided, 90-minute "Round London Sightseeing Tour" aboard an iconic 1960s Routemaster bus specially converted to open top. Learn about the sights like Westminster, the Tower of London, and Piccadilly Circus along the way with the help of our informative tour guide. This panormic tour passes by the "must see" landmarks of London and is a great way to see the city for those with time constraints or tourists on a budget. You don't need to spend all day hopping on & off buses to give you a flavour for the city with this tour. You'll see the Royal Courts of Justice, St.Paul's Cathedral, Monument, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Big Ben & Parliament buildings, 10 Downing Street & Whitehall, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus. Return to your meeting point with a deeper appreciation for the city and some fantastic pictures of the sights from the bus.

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London: Guided Sightseeing Tour on a Vintage Open-Top Bus

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.6

(28)

from $34

London: Uber Boat - Single Journey River Thames Cruise

1 hourFree Cancellation

4.0

(1,648)

from $13

Likely to Sell Out

London Thames River Cruise Tour with Drinks and Dine Options

Embark on a journey to uncover the mesmerizing charm of London's river Thames. Choose from a variety of cruise experiences, from scenic Sightseeing Cruises to romantic lunch or dinner, along with convenient river tours. Glide along the river Thames during the tour and marvel at London's renowned attractions such as the London Eye, Tower of London, Shakespeare's Globe, Greenwich, and many more. Discover a unique perspective on London’s landmarks and enjoy a relaxing way to explore on this Thames River boat tour ticket. Enjoy the flexibility to board and disembark when you want from four convenient piers. Take in the views from the upper decks and learn more from the accompanying multilingual commentary.

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London Thames River Cruise Tour with Drinks and Dine Options

1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes

4.3

(10)

from $24

Go City London Explorer Pass: 2-7 Things To do including Shard

1 to 30 days

3.3

(157)

from $81

London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River

3 hoursFree Cancellation

4.1

(1,856)

from $123

Flexible Thames River Cruise - One Way

1 to 2 hoursFree Cancellation

4.1

(253)

from $21

London Sightseeing Walking Tour with 30+ sights

London is time-consuming to navigate independently. Skip the itinerary planning and relax on this action-packed walking tour that covers London's two most historic areas: the City of London and Westminster. See more than 30 landmarks, including Tower of London, London Bridge, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey, with questions, trivia, and photo ops to keep the atmosphere lively.

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London Sightseeing Walking Tour with 30+ sights

5 hoursFree Cancellation

5.0

(777)

from $26

Afternoon Tea River Cruise on the Thames

To maximize limited time in London, combine a British tradition with a sightseeing excursion on an afternoon tea cruise on the Thames River. As you sail from Tower Pier to Westminster, admire London landmarks including the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye—without having to navigate or jostle among the large crowds that gather at the monuments. Plus, indulge in tea, freshly prepared cakes, and sandwiches.

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Afternoon Tea River Cruise on the Thames

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.1

(944)

from $68

Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the Thames

Discover the sights and history of London at your own pace on this hop-on hop-off cruise of the River Thames. With your 24-hour pass, enjoy unobstructed views of the city’s main riverside attractions away from the crowds on land. Disembark at the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament—or whichever attraction catches your attention—from within an all-weather vessel, which lets you sail regardless of rain.

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Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the Thames

1 hourFree Cancellation

4.1

(1,268)

from $34

Speedboat Sightseeing: Embankment OR Westminster Pier -45 Minutes

Seeing London’s landmarks from the water offers a different perspective, especially when combined with high-speed travel. This Thames speedboat experience pairs sightseeing with an adrenaline-focused ride through the heart of the city. Cruise past highlights such as Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster along the River Thames, making it a time-efficient option for travelers who want both excitement and views in one outing.

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Speedboat Sightseeing: Embankment OR Westminster Pier -45 Minutes

45 minutesFree Cancellation

4.9

(297)

from $80

Lunch River Cruise on the Thames with 2-Course Meal

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.5

(1,036)

from $73

High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London

Enjoy a new way to explore London—and benefit from a time-saving option that's perfect for thrill-seekers—on this speedboat tour of the Thames River. With just a small group for company, hop aboard, get settled, and then hit high speeds of up to 35 mph (56 kph). As you splash down the river, pass landmarks such as Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe, the Tower of London, and the London Eye.

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High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London

50 minutesFree Cancellation

5.0

(4,083)

from $96

City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Bookable Extras

Get the flexibility you're after with this London sightseeing bus package. Enjoy getting on and off at multiple stops, including Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Big Ben, and more. Choose how long you want your ticket for, and enjoy the freedom to go at your own pace. What's more, multi-day tickets include a free river cruise, a ride on the Route Master bus, and a night tour. Extra benefits include an AI-powered app with live bus tracking, audio commentary in multiple languages and kids's commentary on select routes.

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City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Bookable Extras

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.0

(1,396)

from $34

Speedboat 'Ultimate Tower Blast' from Tower Millennium Pier - 40 minutes

Escape the crowds on land and see London from a different perspective during a high-speed cruise on the Thames River—the ideal choice for time-pressed travelers looking to cover more sights in less time. Feel the adrenaline rush as twin turbo 740HP engines propel you past Greenwich, the O2, and many other landmarks. Plus, choose from multiple departure times throughout the day to suit your schedule.

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Speedboat 'Ultimate Tower Blast' from Tower Millennium Pier - 40 minutes

40 minutesFree Cancellation

4.8

(201)

from $80

Likely to Sell Out

London Best of the City Fully Customized Guided Private Tour

Discover London your way on a private custom tour. Opt for a half- or full-day tour and customize your itinerary to your preferences. Your guide takes care of arranging public transportation and reservations, so you can delve into the capital’s rich history at your own pace. See icons such as Big Ben and the Tower of London, and stray from the conventional tourist trail for a unique experience of London.

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London Best of the City Fully Customized Guided Private Tour

3 to 7 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(154)

from $273

Price varies by group size

London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

3 hours 35 minutesFree Cancellation

3.7

(10,967)

from $44

The Official Tower of London River Tour- Sightseeing River Cruise

40 minutesFree Cancellation

4.8

(89)

from $25

London Eye Ticket, Big Bus Hop-on Hop-Off Tour & River Cruise

See London from the streets, water, and sky with this great-value package that lets you explore at your own pace. Choose a 24- or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket with on-board commentary and open-top panoramic views. Enjoy an aerial view aboard the London Eye giant observation wheel and a one-way River Thames cruise between the Tower of London and Westminster Pier, available in either direction.

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London Eye Ticket, Big Bus Hop-on Hop-Off Tour & River Cruise

3 hours 35 minutesFree Cancellation

3.6

(308)

from $75

Likely to Sell Out

Explore the City of London and its most recognizable landmarks on a guided walking tour that goes beyond the guidebooks to bring the capital’s oldest neighborhood to life. With a small group and a local guide leading the way, connect places such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Monument, and Tower Bridge through the stories that shaped London. It's an engaging way to understand the city, rather than just walking through it.

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London: City of London Walking Tour

2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation

5.0

(68)

from $19

London Luxury Dinner Experience with Panoramic City Views

Couple your London sightseeing with a special gourmet meal aboard this two-in-one, one-of-a-kind bus tour. Over the course of several hours, enjoy a refined, 6-course meal, with the option to upgrade for wine pairings. As you dine, travel across the city: Glimpse highlights ranging from the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square to the Tower of London as you go, all while learning more from the audio commentary.

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London Luxury Dinner Experience with Panoramic City Views

2 hours 45 minutesFree Cancellation

4.5

(183)

from $164

Likely to Sell Out

London in a Day: Tower of London, Westminster & River Cruise

Limited time in London doesn’t have to mean a limited view of the capital. Soak up the key sights in just one action-packed day on this combination walking tour and sightseeing cruise. Explore highlights including Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, and Buckingham Palace (where you'll view the Changing of the Guard on scheduled days). Then, cruise the Thames River on a comfortable riverboat to the Tower of London where you can delve into British history.

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London in a Day: Tower of London, Westminster & River Cruise

6 to 8 hoursFree Cancellation

4.8

(842)

from $133

Price varies by group size

River Thames Evening Cruise with Sparkling wine and Canapés

Witness the enchantment of London at night on an evening cruise on the River Thames, which reveals the capital from a fresh perspective. A glass-encased boat provides unrivaled views of the city’s main attractions as they begin to illuminate, so you can see the London Shard, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and the HMS Belfast away from the land-based crowds. Sip a glass of sparkling wine (or soft drink) and canapés as you sail.

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River Thames Evening Cruise with Sparkling wine and Canapés

2 hoursFree Cancellation

3.9

(578)

from $51

The London Pass®: 100+ Things To Do - Includes Tower Bridge

1 to 10 days

3.7

(1,917)

from $136

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What are people saying about The Shard

London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

Tad_S, May 2026

So worth it!!

Exploring London with the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off tour was one of the highlights of our trip. It was such a convenient and relaxing way to see the city’s most famous landmarks without worrying about transportation or directions. The buses were clean, comfortable, and arrived frequently, making it easy to hop off and explore places like Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, and the London Eye at our own pace.

London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

Sharyn_D, Apr 2026

London in Spring

Super easy boarding at well marked positions. Clean buses. Terrific commentary. London traffic is very busy however driver did very well.

London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River

Gwen_B, Apr 2026

Thames River Cruise with friends

Wonderful! Good people, good staff, good food & good live singer! The night views were good. The boat was clean and easy to find.

London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River

Cathy_K, May 2026

Dinner Cruise

Very magical. Great atmosphere, great tasty food and lovely music not forgetting excellent staff. Great views of London at night from the deck.

The Shard

4.5

(30,884)

London

Know before you go

Since London Shard tickets are timed for entry, booking in advance is recommended.Once you're inside, you can stay as long as you’d like.
The main viewing galleries at The Shard sit on levels 68, 69, and 72.
For security reasons, all guests must pass through metal detectors and have their bags scanned before entering the building.
Free Wi-Fi is available on-site.
The Shard is fully wheelchair accessible.

The Shard Tours and Tickets

87 results

What are people saying about The Shard

The Shard

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