
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 1,903 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour worth booking?
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $27 per person. It scores 94 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 1,903 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
- Outty Ranking
- 94 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (1,903)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $27 per person
The most fun 2 hour tour in London. Watch the Changing of the Guard with an experienced and acclaimed guide, where you'll be taken to the best places to see the ceremony. Along the way you'll see palaces, royal parks, royal residences and even have an opportunity to march alongside the guards. The walk is interesting for adults, fun for kids, and will almost certainly be the highlight of your stay in London. Please note that you will not see the section of the ceremony on the courtyard of Buckingham Palace, but rather the other highlights of the ceremony.
What you get
About this experience
The most fun 2 hour tour in London. Watch the Changing of the Guard with an experienced and acclaimed guide, where you'll be taken to the best places to see the ceremony. Along the way you'll see palaces, royal parks, royal residences and even have an opportunity to march alongside the guards. The walk is interesting for adults, fun for kids, and will almost certainly be the highlight of your stay in London. Please note that you will not see the section of the ceremony on the courtyard of Buckingham Palace, but rather the other highlights of the ceremony.
What's included
Included
- Local guide
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Transportation to/from attractions
What you'll see and do
Piccadilly Circus
We begin the tour in this iconic location in Central London
5 minutes here
St. James's Palace
We see this 500 year old palace from the outside and wait for the Guards to begin the ceremony.
20 minutes here
Changing of the Guard
We follow the guards along the Mall, and have a beautiful view of Buckingham Palace.
15 minutes here
Regent Street
We walk along this beautiful street on the way to the royal section of London.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Outside the Criterion Theatre by the Statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus. Your guide will be carrying a Fun London Tours flag. Arrive 10 minutes before the tour is due to start. We leave promptly at the designated start time.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We finish the tour near Buckingham Palace.
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 20 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Fun London Tours Ltd
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- 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
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- There are no toilet or refreshment breaks on this tour
- Tour operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Ceremony can be altered at the discretion of the British Army, or occasionally due to rain
- All tours are dependent on the British Army's schedule
- No dogs are allowed on the tour other than guide dogs.
- We do not see the section of the ceremony which occurs on the courtyard of Buckingham Palace, but instead we observe the highlights of the ceremony in other locations.
- No videoing of the guide unless they have given permission
- Arrive ten minutes before the tour for check in. Out of respect for other customers, we do not wait for latecomers.
- Travellers should have good mobility as we encounter three flights of steps and march at the same pace as the guards at one point
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 1,898 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
1,898 verified traveler reviews for Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Unfortunately the weather...
Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate but we still got to see the wet change for guards. I forgot the name of our tour guide but he was absolutely amazing! He made the tour super fun and he was very informative! If I ever find myself back in London I’ll definitely rebook this and try for the full effect!
via Viator
Great experience!
We had a great time! Our guide Paul, was extremely knowledgeable and fun! I highly recommend booking with him! Visiting from California, US.
via Tripadvisor
A Not To Miss tour !
Fantastic experience ! Angie had us in the best positions right through the tour for the best photo opportunities. All her knowledge on history was amazing . Would not miss this one
Response from the operator: Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re thrilled Angie found you the best spots for photos and brought the history to life with her amazing knowledge. We’re so pleased you enjoyed the experience and we hope to see you on another tour soon!
via Viator
Great tour guide
Our tour guide was fantastic and very knowledgeable. I was hoping to get a closer look at the changing of the guard, but it was very crowded.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review! We’re delighted you found your guide knowledgeable and fantastic. The Changing of the Guard can certainly get very crowded, but we hope you still enjoyed the experience and the tour!
via Tripadvisor
The perfect walking tour
Very happy with the whole experience. So glad we go to be a part of “Paul’s Group” he was fun and informative and he got us to the best spots at the right times. It was just the right amount of time and distance. I highly recommend
Response from the operator: Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re delighted you enjoyed being part of Paul’s group and that his humour, knowledge and timing helped you get the best viewing spots. We’re so pleased the tour was the perfect length and pace, and we really appreciate the recommendation!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 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
- 666
- Verdict
- 90+ Club
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 94
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $27 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 Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 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 Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 94 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 1,903 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
Can I cancel or reschedule Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London 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 Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour?
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Around 666 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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London 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 is included in Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour?
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Included: Local guide. Not included: Gratuities; Hotel pick-up and drop-off; and Transportation to/from attractions. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour?
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Outside the Criterion Theatre by the Statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus. Your guide will be carrying a Fun London Tours flag. Arrive 10 minutes before the tour is due to start. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking 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 Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking 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 Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Travellers should have good mobility as we encounter three flights of steps and march at t. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour?
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Across 1,903 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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