Buckingham Palace Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London, United Kingdom
London, United Kingdom

Buckingham Palace Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

Outty Ranking 82 4.9 · 143 traveler reviews3.5 hoursFrom $62
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Outty Ranking

82/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 143 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 82 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 143 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
82 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (143)
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 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 you get

    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 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 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    3 mentions

    The 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.

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    Frank_S · August 2026

    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

    THERESA_B · August 2026

    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

    seancX1508FL · August 2026

    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

    Flyer46441637210 · August 2026

    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

    desjanov · August 2026

    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
    Booked in 30 days
    50
    Verdict
    Exceptional

    Why this scores 82

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)91
    Review evidence (18% weight)66
    Booking momentum (14% weight)60
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)76
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    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 82 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 143 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 50 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 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 happens to Buckingham Palace Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking 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 Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour?

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    Across 143 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

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