
Buckingham Palace Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 134 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Buckingham Palace Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour worth booking?
Buckingham Palace Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour is a 3.5-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $62 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 134 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 83 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (134)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $62 per person
Experience the best of British tradition with this exceptional tour, featuring a guided visit to the Changing of the Guard ceremony followed by a self-guided exploration of Buckingham Palace. Start your day with one of
What you get
- Entrance tickets to Buckingham Palace
- Guided Changing of the Guard experience
- English Speaking local expert guide
- Audio guide for Buckingham Palace
About this experience
Experience the best of British tradition with this exceptional tour, featuring a guided visit to the Changing of the Guard ceremony followed by a self-guided exploration of Buckingham Palace. Start your day with one of London’s most iconic events—the Changing of the Guard. Watch as the Old Guard ceremoniously hands over duty to the New Guard in a display of precision and pageantry. Dressed in red uniforms and tall bearskin hats, the Guards march in time to music, creating a memorable spectacle. Your guide will help you secure the best vantage points and explain the significance of each part of the ceremony. Afterward, immerse yourself in the opulence of Buckingham Palace with a self-guided tour of the State Rooms. Explore the official home of the British monarch, marveling at royal gifts, spectacular furnishings, and priceless artworks. Don’t miss the 16-hectare Palace Gardens, once the site of Her Majesty’s famous tea parties.
What's included
Included
- Entrance tickets to Buckingham Palace
- Guided Changing of the Guard experience
- English Speaking local expert guide
- Audio guide for Buckingham Palace
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food, drink or transport costs
What you'll see and do
Changing of the Guard
Join us as we serve a slice of world-famous ceremonial action with this small-group Changing of the Guards experience.
90 minutes here
St. James's Palace
Built on the site of an old leper hospital, did you know that St James’s is the oldest royal palace in the whole of the UK? Take in this beauty, still the official royal residence today. Visiting outside
20 minutes here · Admission not included
Clarence House
Clarence House serves as the London residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Buckingham Palace
No guides are allowed to talk within the walls of the palace but fear not, after setting the scene for this unforgettable visit with anecdotes and stories of their own, your expert guide will see you off into the palace for a self-guided audio tour to be enjoyed at your own pace. Take up this invitation to get a rare glimpse into life at this nationally cherished palace as you tour the opulent State Rooms and marvel at gifts from Heads of State, spectacular furnishings and artworks, all brought to life by the official Palace Audio Tour. Don’t forget to stop by the 16-hectare Palace Gardens. With the palace being open to the public for just two months a year in August & September, tickets are always in high demand for this unforgettable experience Self-guided audio tour.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Meet our guide by the Equestrian statue of Edward VII, Waterloo Place, London SW1Y 5ER. Arriving by tube: Take the tube to Piccadilly Circus and take exit No. 3 onto Regent Street/St. James's. Walk south down Regent Street towards St. James's Park. Waterloo Place is at the end of Regent Street.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour will end inside Buckingham Palace where you will have an audio-guide provided for your visit.
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, Fri, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Urban Saunters
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- We tend to move pretty fast to keep up with the guards, so please wear comfortable shoes and always carry water.
- We will not stand at the forecourt of Buckingham Palace as, due to crowds, you see very little and the experience would be ten times less fun. We want to get you as close as possible with the opportunity to take some amazing snapshots.
- It is at the discretion of the British Army to change or cancel the Ceremony. The announcement will not be made until after 10.30am so come rain or shine, the Urban Saunters Changing of the Guard experience will go ahead. If the full ceremony is cancelled, there will still be the chance to see the guards marching, just without the music.
- No videoing of the guide unless they have given permission
- Ceremony can be altered at the discretion of the British Army, or occasionally due to rain
- There are no toilet or refreshment breaks on this tour
- Tour operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Sundays – From April 2025, the Army is trying out a slightly different version of the usual ceremony on Sundays. It still involves the same number of guard movements and the same locations, but it’s now being called a “Parade” instead of a “Change.” There’s no word yet on how long this trial will last
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 138 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
138 verified traveler reviews for Buckingham Palace Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Changing of the Guards & Buckingham Palace Tour
Great tour, Nathan the tour guide was outstanding, funny & well versed i getting us in prime positions for all sections of the guards. Was a very enjoyable experience & I would recommend this tour if you visit London.
via Viator
Awesome Guide
Our guide, Nathan, was extraordinary! He was so knowledgeable, well spoken and engaging. We were very fortunate to have to have him as our guide on 2 tours. We learned quite a lot and had a fantastic tour!
via Viator
Fantastic Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard Tour!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fantastic Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard Tour! We had such a great time on this tour! We learned so much about British history, and Bobby was an excellent guide and a fantastic storyteller. She made the history interesting, fun, and easy to follow. One of the highlights was seeing the Changing of the Guard from just a few steps away! Babs knew exactly where to take us, and we ended up with an amazing view as the guards passed right in front of us. Definitely worth it and one of the highlights of our time in London. Great tour, wonderful storytelling, and an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended!
via Tripadvisor
Great guide and tour!
Jo was our guide and she was excellent! Got us in all the right places for the best views and photos.
via Tripadvisor
Solid tour
Nice tour with a good guide who clearly had a lot of knowledge about the process and the royal family itself, and always made sure we stood in the right place to see everything clearly.
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, Fri, Sun
- Price range
- $62 to $79
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 47
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 83
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Buckingham Palace Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Buckingham Palace Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $62 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 Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking 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 Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 134 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 Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking 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 Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking 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 Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour?
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Around 47 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 Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking 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 Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. 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.
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