Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group Tour in London
London, United Kingdom

Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group Tour

Outty Ranking 63 5.0 · 4 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $27

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

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Age 12 and under

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Outty Ranking

63/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group Tour worth booking?

Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group Tour is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $27 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 5/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
63 / 100
Rating
5/5 (4)
Duration
2 hours
From
$27 per person

Our more exclusive Changing the Guard tour. This is the London walking tour which will ensure you are in the best position possible to see the extraordinary Changing the Guard ceremony while avoiding the crowds at the g

What you get

  • Knowledgeable tour guide

About this experience

Our more exclusive Changing the Guard tour. This is the London walking tour which will ensure you are in the best position possible to see the extraordinary Changing the Guard ceremony while avoiding the crowds at the gates of Buckingham Palace. On this small group tour, we see various stages of the ceremony, including the inspection, Old Guard, New Guard, Palaces, and even march alongside the Guards and Ceremonial Bands Not only do we limit our group size to 12 on this tour, we also start a little earlier so that we can see the Horse Guards come on duty as well. Please note this tour requires a good level of mobility as we will be marching alongside the guards, and there is at least one set of steps to navigate. And we do not go to the gates of Buckingham Palace or see the section of the ceremony within the courtyard as this is far too busy and requires standing still waiting for several hours!

What's included

Included

  • Knowledgeable tour guide

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • We do not enter Buckingham Palace on this tour

What you'll see and do

  1. Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall

    Marvel at the Household Cavalry up close as they come on duty.

    30 minutes here

  2. Changing of the Guard

    March within 10 feet of the famous iconic King's Guard and their ceremonial band. Then get great photos of a second group of soldiers as they march from their barracks.

    35 minutes here

  3. Buckingham Palace

    Get that perfect photo of the King's palace. Hear about its history and some of the most incredible royal anecdotes.

    20 minutes here

  4. Clarence House

    Peak through the railings into Clarence House, the place which both King Charles II and his mother Queen Elizabeth II called home.

    15 minutes here

  5. St. James's Park

    Enjoy a short stroll through London's most stunningly ornate Royal Park

    Pass by without stopping

  6. St. James's Palace

    Soak up the incredible history of London's senior royal palace. Hear how King Henry VIII had it constructed for his second wife, Anne Boleyn, and see where the proclamation of the new monarch is made.

    20 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

London

Our guide will wait outside the entrance to the Methodist Central Hall on Storey's Gate, and will carry a Fun London Tours flag for easy identification. The meeting point is a 5 minute walk from St James Park tube station.

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

We finish the tour close to 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 12 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 poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Photos

Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group Tour in London, photo 2Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group Tour in London, photo 3Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group Tour in London, photo 4Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group Tour in London, photo 5Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group Tour in London, photo 6Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group Tour in London, photo 7

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

The guide

2 mentions

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

Knowledge and storytelling

2 mentions

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

Good for families

2 mentions

Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

Traveler reviews

4 verified traveler reviews for Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
4
4 star
0
3 star
0
2 star
0
1 star
0
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carolynb109 · August 2026

Best tour ever (so says Ted age 6)

A brilliant couple of hours with Lee who clearly loves his work and was incredibly knowledgeable - not only of the tour itself but of a raft of other things related to the area we covered. Highly recommend this tour and if you get Lee you’re onto a winner

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear you had such a brilliant couple of hours with Lee. His passion for the area and enthusiasm for sharing its stories really do shine through, and it’s wonderful to hear that his knowledge went beyond the tour itself. We’ll be sure to pass your lovely comments on to Lee.

via Tripadvisor

brianmO5426WB · June 2026

Great tour - Best Guide - 10 of 10!

Our tour was amazing and engaging. Very informative for both my wife and I along with our kids. Our guide Paul was the absolute best. I would highly recommend Paul. He has a true passion and his genuine love of country shines through while being respectful to all those in the tour.

Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you and your family had such an engaging and informative experience. Paul will be thrilled to know that his passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm made such a positive impression on both the adults and kids in your group. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you all back on another tour soon!

via Tripadvisor

Kristal V · June 2026

Wonderful morning watching changing of the guard

Joe was a fantastic guide, he knew so many cool facts and was wonderful with the children in the group. We had a great time and saw everything we wanted to and more. highly recommend the tour and Joe

Response from the operator: We’re delighted to hear that Joe made such a great impression. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and ability to engage guests of all ages really help bring the stories of London to life. It’s fantastic that you were able to see everything you hoped for and even discover a few extra surprises along the way. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Joe. Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back on another tour soon!

via Tripadvisor

Stuart C · May 2026

Great tour

Rachel was fantastic and we got to see everything we wanted

Response from the operator: We’re glad you had a great time seeing the guards with Rachel and we hope you’ll join us again soon!

via Tripadvisor

Good to know

Duration
2 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
5+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun
Price range
$27 to $32
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
1
Verdict
Solid Choice

Why this scores 63

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

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)80
Review evidence (18% weight)21
Booking momentum (14% weight)11
Value for money (12% weight)100
Listing quality (10% weight)90
Local standing (8% weight)57
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group Tour: questions travelers ask

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

How much does Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group 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 the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group 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 the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group Tour worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 4 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 Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, 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 Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group Tour suitable for kids and families?

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The operator sets a minimum age of 5. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 2-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book Changing the Guard & Buckingham Palace, Small Group Tour?

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Around 1 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 the Guard & Buckingham Palace, 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 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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