Ranking the World’s Most Complained-About Queues

The thrill of visiting iconic attractions often comes with the downside of enduring long queues, and a recent analysis of 10.74 million Tripadvisor reviews sheds light on the top-ranking complaints.

Hawaiianislands.com compiled a list of the most griped-about queues based on reviews containing the phrase ‘long queue.’ Unsurprisingly, the Eiffel Tower in Paris takes the lead, followed by the London Eye and the Colosseum.

Eiffel Tower’s Queue Woes

With a staggering 4,799 mentions of ‘long queue’ on Tripadvisor, the Eiffel Tower’s popularity is marred by the frustration of visitors facing substantial wait times. Reviews highlight the need for advanced online ticket bookings to navigate the colossal crowds.

London Eye’s Lengthy Lines

Securing the second spot with 4,756 queue complaints, the London Eye, though offering time-slot allocated visits, still subjects patrons to queues lasting over 45 minutes. Fast-track tickets don’t always live up to their name, as one reviewer notes the slow-moving line.

Colosseum’s Queue Struggles

Rome’s Colosseum claims the third spot, accumulating 4,262 references to a ‘long queue.’ Despite its historical significance, visitors bemoan the extended wait times, emphasizing the need for strategic planning to tackle the crowds.

Global Queue Woes: Beyond Europe

The queue frustrations extend globally, with Legoland Windsor Resort in the UK securing the fourth position and Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia ranking fifth. The Empire State Building in New York follows closely, with 2,842 complaints about cramped and time-consuming queues.

US Attractions and Australian Gripes

In the US, Top of the Rock, San Francisco’s Cable Cars, Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando, and the Statue of Liberty make appearances in the top complaints. Meanwhile, in Australia, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast waterpark, and Scenic World Blue Mountains take the lead in grumbles about queues.

Notable Mentions: Tower of London and Burj Khalifa

The Tower of London and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai also make the list, with the latter surprisingly ranking lower despite being the world’s tallest building. The study offers insights into tourist attractions worldwide and the challenges visitors face while seeking memorable experiences.

Note: The study was not authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Tripadvisor.

The Top 20 Most Complained-About Tourist Queues:

1. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France: 4,799 mentions
2. London Eye, London, UK: 4,756
3. Colosseum, Rome, Italy: 4,262
4. Legoland Windsor Resort, Windsor, UK: 4,017
5. Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain: 2,992
6. Empire State Building, New York, U.S: 2,842
7. Alton Towers Resort, Alton, UK: 2,676
8. Siam Park, Adeje, Spain: 2,605
9. Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallee, France: 2,453
10. Universal Studios Singapore, Sentosa Island, Singapore: 2,054
11. Tower of London, London, UK: 2,049
12. Victoria Peak, Hong Kong: 2,010
13. Louvre Museum, Paris, France: 1,941
14. Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE: 1,818
15. Thorpe Park, Chertsey, UK: 1,706
16. Madame Tussauds London, London, UK: 1,646
17. Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Chessington, UK: 1,574
18. Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands: 1,437
19. Top of the Rock, New York, U.S: 1,305
20. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, Watford, UK: 1,304