
London Changing of the Guard Guided Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
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
4.5/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is London Changing of the Guard Guided Tour worth booking?
London Changing of the Guard Guided Tour is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $10 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (4)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $10 per person
Most visitors stand behind the crowds at the gates of Buckingham Palace and miss what’s really happening. This tour takes you beyond the spectacle to understand the Changing of the Guard as a living military tradition an
What you get
- Choose between Two options : Standard or Private Tour
- Move alongside the Guard procession
- Qualified guide
About this experience
Most visitors stand behind the crowds at the gates of Buckingham Palace and miss what’s really happening. This tour takes you beyond the spectacle to understand the Changing of the Guard as a living military tradition and places you where the action truly unfolds. The ceremony isn’t just pageantry. It’s a 350-year-old operational ritual, and your expert guide decodes every detail: why the Welsh Guards wear a leek on their buttons, how to distinguish a Coldstream from a Grenadier, and what the drum major’s mace signals actually mean. You’ll begin away from the tourist masses at a strategic meeting point. Before the ceremony starts, learn to identify the day’s regiment by their insignia turning what looks like random marching into a meaningful, structured story. Then move purposefully through London’s ceremonial quarter. Watch the Old Guard emerge from St. James's Palace, the monarch’s official residence since the 1500s, and march alongside the procession as the New Guard arrives.
What's included
Included
- Choose between Two options : Standard or Private Tour
- Move alongside the Guard procession
- Qualified guide
Not included
- Hotel pickup/drop-off
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Changing of the Guard
Decode the secrets behind every uniform, button, and bugle call. March alongside the King's Guard to prime viewing spots.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Your guide will wait in front of the Captain James Cook Statue.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
Private Tour in English
Private Tour in English: A dedicated guide for your group only. Personalised commentary based on your interests.
Standard Group
Standard Group: Follow the full ceremony route with expert commentary at key stops along London's royal quarter.
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
- Smart City Tour
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






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
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for London Changing of the Guard Guided Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Title - 3 palaces 2 guard changes!!
Our guide was Lisa, she super fun!! history of the guards was interesting and learning secrets and fun facts about the royal family was really cool. We saw three palaces and two guard changes. We marched alongside the Soldiers (wear comfy shoes) Changing of the guard was one of our favourite things when visiting London. Definitely do it !
via Tripadvisor
Must-do London experience
Loved this experience. It was awesome to see the palace and march alongside the guards :) Our guide (Lisa) was brilliant and gave us great insider info, making sure we had the best viewing spots and understood the history and hidden nuances of the ceremony. We got so much more out of the experience than we would have alone! Lisa made it so fun and interesting for us, and it's definitely one of our London highlights. 10/10 would recommend.
via Tripadvisor
🙌
Changing of the guard is a must see when visiting London. We never knew there were so many ways to see it! Our guide (Lisa) took us round to the palaces and best places to see all of the parade. We learnt about history and the royal family. Marching alongside the Soldiers was great! The children loved that the most. Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Best Views!
We had the best view! Lisa our Guide knew exactly where to go and the timings. Best way to do this is with a local guide.
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
- Price range
- $10 to $75
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
London Changing of the Guard Guided Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does London Changing of the Guard Guided Tour cost?
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Prices start at $10 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 London Changing of the Guard Guided 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 London Changing of the Guard Guided Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 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 London Changing of the Guard Guided 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 London Changing of the Guard Guided 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 London Changing of the Guard Guided 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 London Changing of the Guard Guided 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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