Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London, United Kingdom
London, United Kingdom

Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

Outty Ranking 94 5.0 · 905 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $2090+ Club
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Outty Ranking

94/100

90+ Club. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 905 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Changing of the Guard Walking Tour worth booking?

Changing of the Guard Walking Tour is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $20 per person. It scores 94 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 5/5 rating across 905 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
5/5 (905)
Duration
2 hours
From
$20 per person

England is known for fish and chips, four seasons in a day, warm ale, history in spades and of course, a deeply ingrained age-old love for pomp and ceremony. Join us as we serve a slice of world-famous ceremonial action with this small-group Changing of the Guards experience. There is so much more to this extravagant shift change than meets the eye though- with your expert guide to lead the way, you’ll soon know your Welsh from your Grenadier guard, understand what the deal is with those fuzzy bearskin hats, hear the astounding origins of this dazzling spectacle and truly get a handle on the significance of every colour, button, mascot, symbol and movement in this most British of traditions. From the best possible viewing point, your small group will join the guards on their journey towards Buckingham Palace as you march to the beat of their drums... but what will the music be today?

What you get

    About this experience

    England is known for fish and chips, four seasons in a day, warm ale, history in spades and of course, a deeply ingrained age-old love for pomp and ceremony. Join us as we serve a slice of world-famous ceremonial action with this small-group Changing of the Guards experience. There is so much more to this extravagant shift change than meets the eye though- with your expert guide to lead the way, you’ll soon know your Welsh from your Grenadier guard, understand what the deal is with those fuzzy bearskin hats, hear the astounding origins of this dazzling spectacle and truly get a handle on the significance of every colour, button, mascot, symbol and movement in this most British of traditions. From the best possible viewing point, your small group will join the guards on their journey towards Buckingham Palace as you march to the beat of their drums... but what will the music be today?

    What's included

    Included

    • Guided Changing of the Guard experience
    • English Speaking local expert guide

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Food & drink
    • Hotel pick-up & drop-off

    What you'll see and do

    1. Your experience begins at the Equestrian statue of Edward VII on Waterloo Place, where you’ll meet your expert guide before heading to enjoy the world-famous Changing of the Guard ceremony.

      15 minutes here · Admission not included

    2. King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Memorial

      Visit the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Memorials and hear the story of the royal couple who inspired the nation during World War II.

      10 minutes here

    3. 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

      25 minutes here · Admission not included

    4. Clarence House

      Stop by Clarence House, the official London residence of King Charles III, and hear stories of royal life behind its historic walls

      10 minutes here · Admission not included

    5. 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.

      30 minutes here

    6. Buckingham Palace

      The most famous of King Charles III's palaces and housing a whopping 775 rooms, the stories attached to this icon have to be heard to be believed. Visiting outside

      20 minutes here · Admission not included

    7. Wellington Barracks

      End your tour at Wellington Barracks, where the guards conclude the Changing of the Guard and return to their quarters.

      10 minutes here · Admission not 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 experience will end around 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 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Urban Saunters

    Know before you go

    • 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
    • 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

    Changing of the Guard, Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in LondonChanging of the Guard, Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in LondonChanging of the Guard, Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in LondonChanging of the Guard, Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in LondonChanging of the Guard, Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in LondonChanging of the Guard, Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 903 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    9 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    8 mentions

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

    Photo opportunities

    4 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    903 verified traveler reviews for Changing of the Guard Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    875
    4 star
    20
    3 star
    5
    2 star
    1
    1 star
    2
    Sort
    thomas_m · October 2026

    Couples from Canada

    Our guide Nathan was excellent. His stories of the royal family were incredible. He knew what was happening in real time with the changes in that days guard movements. You can’t do that on your own. Highly recommend this tour.

    via Viator

    Diana_L · October 2026

    Do it, you won’t regret it

    It was such a better option to trying to see the changing of the guards on your own. Our guide Chris was great, very knowledgeable and personable

    via Viator

    michellecH9429HM · October 2026

    Paul is the Best Guide

    Our guide Paul was an exceptional guide. History knowledge with a sense of humor! He even helped make sure our 91 yr old mother was well taken care of for both hearing and viewing! He made the experience wonderful!

    via Tripadvisor

    G6483FSchrisd · October 2026

    Must purchase

    Nathan knew exactly where to take the group to get the best views before anyone else. Great knowledge with good sense of humor. Would have been so lost without his guidance. 10/10

    via Tripadvisor

    Julie_L · September 2026

    If you want to be in the...

    If you want to be in the best places to view the changing of the guard, you must do this tour. Our tour guide Nathan was exceptional as he also told so much history of the monarchy through the years. Highly recommend!

    via Viator

    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
    Price range
    $20 to $21
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    317
    Verdict
    90+ Club

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Urban Saunters, who run 13 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 72.4 and 2 in the 90+ Club.

    See everything Urban Saunters runs

    Why this scores 94

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)99
    Review evidence (18% weight)90
    Booking momentum (14% weight)88
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)91
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Changing of the Guard Walking Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.

    How much does Changing of the Guard Walking Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $20 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 Walking Tour take?

    +

    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 Walking Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 94 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 905 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 Walking Tour?

    +

    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 Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    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 Walking Tour?

    +

    Around 317 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?

    +

    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 Walking Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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 Walking Tour?

    +

    Included: Guided Changing of the Guard experience; and English Speaking local expert guide. Not included: Gratuities; Food & drink; and Hotel pick-up & drop-off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Changing of the Guard Walking Tour?

    +

    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. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Changing of the Guard Walking Tour offered in?

    +

    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 Walking Tour?

    +

    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.

    What happens to Changing of the Guard Walking Tour if the weather is bad?

    +

    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 Walking Tour?

    +

    Across 905 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Changing of the Guard Walking Tour.

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