
Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 26 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour worth booking?
Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour is a 3.5-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $98 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 26 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (26)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $98 per person
For a very limited period of the year, Buckingham Palace opens its doors to visitors. Discover the grandeur, marvel at the majesty and soak up the sumptuous interiors of the Royal Residence of King Charles III. We'll navigate the crowds and sort out all the ticketing and logistics so that you can really enjoy the moment. Before entering Buckingham Palace, your guide will provide you with a unique insight into the Change of the Guard ceremony. At Fun London Tours we have been providing the most highly acclaimed Change of the Guard tour since 2013. But as part of a small group (maximum 20 people), the experience of the ceremony will be even more personal, satisfying, and bespoke than you will find within a larger group. Tickets to both this tour and Buckingham Palace sell out fast, so make your booking as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment! Note - our guides do not accompany you inside Buckingham Palace, and on a rainy day the ceremony may be scaled down.
What you get
About this experience
For a very limited period of the year, Buckingham Palace opens its doors to visitors. Discover the grandeur, marvel at the majesty and soak up the sumptuous interiors of the Royal Residence of King Charles III. We'll navigate the crowds and sort out all the ticketing and logistics so that you can really enjoy the moment. Before entering Buckingham Palace, your guide will provide you with a unique insight into the Change of the Guard ceremony. At Fun London Tours we have been providing the most highly acclaimed Change of the Guard tour since 2013. But as part of a small group (maximum 20 people), the experience of the ceremony will be even more personal, satisfying, and bespoke than you will find within a larger group. Tickets to both this tour and Buckingham Palace sell out fast, so make your booking as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment! Note - our guides do not accompany you inside Buckingham Palace, and on a rainy day the ceremony may be scaled down.
What's included
Included
- Entrance ticket to Buckingham Palace
What you'll see and do
Changing of the Guard
Enjoy the ceremony with an expert guide. Its a busy event, so your guide will not only impart great information in an entertaining way, but also ensure you are in the right place at the right time to see the ceremony in all its glory.
120 minutes here
Buckingham Palace
Your guide will help you enter the Palace, then you will be provided with an audio guide to continue your tour.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
The Methodist Central Hall is about 5 minutes walk from St James Park tube station. Your guide will be carrying a flag and waiting outside the front of the building.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We help you enter the Palace, where you will pick up audio guides to continue your tour.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Fun London Tours Ltd
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 24 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
24 verified traveler reviews for Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent tour
The changing of the guard is a crowded venue at best but an experienced guide like David can make all the difference. He knew the best place to stand and moved us quickly to a place nearer Buckingham Palace at just the right time to see the new guard enter the grounds. He took a very good photo of our family with Buckingham Palace in the background. This time of year (September) the State rooms are open to the public. He escorted us to the proper entrance and explained about the audio guides we would receive inside. It was very crowded and his guidance moved us through the process in record time. Once inside we enjoyed the audio tour which lets you move at your own pace. The Palace is amazing, the art collection of the Royal Family is stunning. That area was the most crowded because people wanted to stop and savor the paintings. There are statues near the end of the tour. We had tea at the cafe at the end of the tour. Now we can say we had tea at Buckingham Palace! The tour was a unique and memorable experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you for such a wonderful review! We’re delighted David’s experience and guidance helped you navigate the crowds and make the most of your visit. We’re so pleased you enjoyed the Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace and even tea at the Palace!
via Viator
Amazing changing of the guard, military marching band,small group tour, including entry to Buckingham Palace.
Tall Paul was great. We had been told that was his nickname because he’s 6 foot seven and very easy to follow. He he knew all the shortcuts and the best views watching the marching band and the changing of the guards. Hr had an amazing wealth of knowledge of what was going on and the history. He was funny and interesting. He had it timed to get to the best spots for viewing. At the end, the spot we were at was so close we had to make sure we didn’t get hit with a trombone. We were upfront on every spot he picked. We would definitely take the tour again. Thank you tall Paul. Peter and Robin
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this wonderful review, Peter and Robin! We absolutely love hearing your kind words about Tall Paul — his nickname certainly lives up to its reputation, making him so easy to spot and follow throughout the tour. We are thrilled he shared all the best shortcuts, perfect viewing spots, and such incredible history with you, and timed everything just right to get you right at the front, even close enough to nearly bump into the band! Thank you both so much for recommending the tour and for sharing your brilliant experience, and we can’t wait to welcome you back again soon.
via Tripadvisor
So much better with a guide
It may seem ridiculous to hire a guide for something you can see for free, but trust me it's worth it. Not only was Joe funny and informative, he knew where the guards were going to be at what time and where to get the best photos/videos. No matter how much I researched the event on the internet, I never would have figured out how to do it any better than our guide did. Be aware that this tour requires about a mile of walking, with plenty of rest stops.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this wonderful review, it means the world to us! We completely get what you mean: it does sound strange at first to book a guide for something you can see publicly, but we love that you felt it was worth it. Joe is absolutely brilliant and full of the local insight you just can’t find online! We also really appreciate you mentioning the walking distance and rest stops as it’s such helpful info for future guests to know what to expect. Thank you again for trusting us and for sharing your experience.
via Tripadvisor
Best tour of our life!!!!
Amazing experience. Lee was amazing guide very knowledgeable,he pointed out certain spots that we wouldn't have know about. This is a must tour.
Response from the operator: What a lovely review! Thanks ever so much for taking the time to leave such nice feedback, and its a great honour that this was the best tour of your life! Lee will be thrilled.
via Viator
Book with Lee
Lee was fabulous! Highly recommend booking with him!!!
Response from the operator: We’re glad to hear you had a wonderful time with Lee and we hope to see you on another tour soon!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 9
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Fun London Tours Ltd, who run 12 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 66.1 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Fun London Tours Ltd runsWhy this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour cost?
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Prices start at $98 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour take?
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Plan for about 3.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 26 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour?
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Around 9 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour, Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour?
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Included: Entrance ticket to Buckingham Palace. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour?
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The Methodist Central Hall is about 5 minutes walk from St James Park tube station. Your guide will be carrying a flag and waiting outside the front of the building. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in London. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Buckingham Palace entry and Changing the Guard. Small group Tour?
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Across 26 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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