Royal London, Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 38 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Royal London, Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard worth booking?
Royal London, Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard is a 4-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $100 per person. It scores 47 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 38 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 47 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (38)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $100 per person
Take a 5-hour panoramic tour of London from an air-conditioned vehicle. With your guide, visit St Paul's Cathedral, see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and go inside Buckingham Palace with special timed e
What you get
About this experience
Take a 5-hour panoramic tour of London from an air-conditioned vehicle. With your guide, visit St Paul's Cathedral, see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and go inside Buckingham Palace with special timed entry. Tour includes all necessary entrance fees.
What's included
Included
- Entry to Buckingham Palace State Rooms
- Panoramic tour of London
- Entry to St Paul's Cathedral
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
What you'll see and do
London Victoria Station
Start your tour from Bus Stop 8, Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria SW1W 9SZ and enjoy Royal London with a whistle stop tour of London's famous monuments; marvel at the history of London's modern masterpieces from the comfort of your seat. Have your cameras ready for a photo stop at the spectacular Westminster Abbey.
15 minutes here
Changing of the Guard
See the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. As iconic an image of London as red telephone boxes and double–decker buses, the Changing of the Guard is a not–to–be–missed royal ceremony. A mass of red tunics, and bearskins, this will be an unforgettable experience. (When the ceremony is not available, a stop at Horseguards Parade will replace it).
45 minutes here
Buckingham Palace
Once you've seen the Changing of the Guard, make your way inside Buckingham Palace with special timed entry and multimedia tour. Your escorted tour finishes outside the Palace at approximately 12pm. You can then enjoy your visit to the Palace and spend as much time as you wish inside. Special timed entry ensures your visit to the official residence of Britain’s sovereigns since 1837 will be a breathtaking experience. Open for just 8 weeks a year, viewing the State rooms is an opportunity not to be missed! Marvel at the splendor of the rooms used on official occasions by the King to entertain his guests. Be dazzled by the beautiful ballroom and throne room, before completing your royal tour with a walk through the stunning south garden.
120 minutes here · Admission included
St. Paul's Cathedral
Towering high over the City of London, the magnificent cathedral is widely considered to be Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece. Enter the Quire, and marvel at the beautiful mosaics inside. (On Sundays, due to Church services, there is no guided tour inside St Paul’s Cathedral).
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Departure point: Stop 8, Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria SW1W 9SZ (Closest Station is Victoria) what3words location: gross.mining.spout Check-in: 07:30am, Departure: 08:00am
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Departure point: Stop 8, Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria SW1W 9SZ (Closest Station is Victoria) what3words location: gross.mining.spout Check-in: 07:30am, Departure: 08:00am
Options you can book
Signature - English
Signature - All Entries + Premium Seating & Lunch Pack
Royal London Tour, Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Golden Tours Gray Line London
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- You must bring the e-ticket provided to gain entry to this tour.
- On Sunday due to Church services, there is no guiding inside St Paul’s Cathedral.
- Our vehicles are modern, comfortable, and kept to the highest standards of cleanliness, including a deep clean every day.
- Cancelled bookings up to 48 hours before travel receive a full refund.
- We always stop for photos at Buckingham Palace, unless security or safety issues prevent this. The area often gets very crowded so on days when there is no Guard Change we stop here early in order to get best photos.
- NB Changing of the Guard ceremony does not take place every day and is also subject to weather conditions. It may occasionally be possible to see the Horse Guards but this is subject to daily operational viability.
- Signature Tour Option: Take advantage of the best views on the bus with our premium seating option and a knowledgeable live guide. Plus, enjoy a lunch pack. This option includes entry to St Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace State Rooms. You will also witness the Changing of the Guard, giving you a complete and immersive experience.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 38 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
38 verified traveler reviews for Royal London, Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Informative and enjoyable Royal tour!
Fantastic tour, our guide Marc was incredibly knowledgeable and very friendly, shared a lot of information and found great vantage points for us to watch the Changing of the Guard. Given how busy the area was and the necessity to move from place to place quite quickly, the tour was fairly fast paced, for us it wasn't a problem but it might be something to bear in mind if you have any mobility issues. Great tour, thanks Marc!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! We are so pleased to hear you enjoyed the tour and that Marc's knowledge, friendly approach, and expert guidance helped you get great views of the Changing of the Guard. We also appreciate you mentioning the pace of the tour as it is helpful for future guests. We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
via Tripadvisor
What a waste of money
The tour was not good. We signed up to see the changing of the guards but instead saw the marching band walk past. We did not see any of the changing of the guards. There was absolutely no reason to have paid for this. On top of that, we signed up for the included lunch, assuming we would be eating on the bus. Instead, around 10:30 we would not be returning to the bus and had to carry the bagged lunch while we watched the changing of the guards and then port it around afterwards. The lunch was given to us at 7:45am and by lunchtime the soda was warm, the food no longer seemed safe to eat so we threw it out. What a waste. Would not recommend this tour company. Don’t waste your money.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are very sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations and sincerely apologise for the disappointment caused. From the details you have provided, your experience does not appear to align with the itinerary of the product this review has been left for. We would therefore like the opportunity to investigate this further and confirm the booking details. Please contact our Customer Services team at customerservices@goldentours.com, including your booking reference and any additional information about your tour. This will allow us to locate your booking and carry out a full investigation into what happened. Thank you again for bringing this to our attention. We look forward to hearing from you so we can investigate this matter further.
via Tripadvisor
Buckingham Palace walking tour
Marc was a very knowledgeable guide. We covered a lot of things along the tour and Marc provided facts for each of them. Very enjoyable!! Thanks Marc
Response from the operator: Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the Royal London, Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard walking tour and found Marc to be very knowledgeable and informative throughout. It’s great to know you covered a lot and had such an enjoyable experience. We truly appreciate your comments and hope to welcome you again soon.
via Tripadvisor
Perfect walking tour for all ages
Took this tour with family group ranging from 8-80 and everyone enjoyed it. Just the right amount of walking and history - fun facts for the kids and more serious for the adults. Jim was our tour guide and was great! Unfortunately we chose a day the guards were not changing but Jim filled us in on when we could catch that or the captain's inspection. Highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted your whole family enjoyed the tour and that Jim made the experience engaging for all ages. We appreciate your understanding about the schedule change and are glad Jim helped with helpful alternatives. Highly grateful for your recommendation!
via Tripadvisor
Mark R was fantastic
Our family of 4 including 2 teens really enjoyed this tour hosted by Mark. Whatever you’re paying him triple it. We initially planned to simply wait by the palace where you can see virtually nothing. Mark took us to every key area with precision and provided a great overview of history and even some great commentary on the present day Royals. He is an asset to the company.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you and your family enjoyed the tour and that Mark made the experience so memorable. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and ability to guide guests to the best viewing spots truly make him a valued member of our team. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. We hope to welcome you again on another tour soon!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $100 to $120
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 13
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 47
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Royal London, Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Royal London, Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard cost?
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Prices start at $100 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 Royal London, Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard take?
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Plan for about 4 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 Royal London, Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 47 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 38 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Royal London, Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Royal London, Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Royal London, Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard?
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Around 13 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 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Royal London, Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard 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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