The Changing of the Guard Tour and Buckingham Palace
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September 2026
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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
4.6/5
Based on 485 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Changing of the Guard Tour and Buckingham Palace worth booking?
The Changing of the Guard Tour and Buckingham Palace is a 2.3-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $5 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 485 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (485)
- Duration
- 2.3 hours
- From
- $5 per person
Royal Westminster and Changing of the Guard is an unforgettable walking tour experience offering you the chance to get up close and personal with London’s most famous and impressive Royal sights. Marvel at Buckingham Pal
What you get
- Exterior view of Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, and Clarence House
- Expert local guide
- Vantage-point positioning for the Changing of the Guard ceremony
- Guided walking tour of Royal London and Westminster
About this experience
Royal Westminster and Changing of the Guard is an unforgettable walking tour experience offering you the chance to get up close and personal with London’s most famous and impressive Royal sights. Marvel at Buckingham Palace, march down the Mall with the King's Guards and be surrounded by Royal history at Westminster Abbey - the site of every coronation since 1066. Not only will your guide entertain you with in-depth knowledge and anecdotes, they will also position you in the very best locations to witness the world-famous Changing of the Guard Ceremony. Without a guide hundreds of people stand in the wrong place every day. *Please read the additional information below for full information of Changing of the Guard. One minute be standing in the shadow of London's most iconic sight - Big Ben, and the next be stroking one of the horses of the Household Cavalry. Experience it all on this unforgettable tour.
What's included
Included
- Exterior view of Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, and Clarence House
- Expert local guide
- Vantage-point positioning for the Changing of the Guard ceremony
- Guided walking tour of Royal London and Westminster
Not included
- No Food or Drink included
- Gratuities
- Admission fees
- Entrance to Westminster abbey is not included.
What you'll see and do
Changing of the Guard
Begin your tour with a journey through Royal London, witnessing some of the most famous Royal Houses and Palaces such as St. James' Palace, Clarence House and Buckingham Palace. Enjoy the iconic Changing of the Guard Ceremony as you march down the Mall with the Queen's footguards or marvel at the impressive horses of the Household Cavalry (daily itinerary is dependent upon the schedule of the British Army). Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the beautiful St James' Royal Park to finish the first half of the tour.
60 minutes here
Westminster Abbey
Our journey continues through historic Royal Westminster. We pass Churchill's War Rooms and onto Westminster Abbey - the site of every Royal Coronation since 1066, it is the most important church in England. Explore Parliament Square with its array of impressive statues immortalizing such historical figures as Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill. Overlooking Parliament Square is the most famous sight in London - Big Ben. Admire the stunning gothic architecture of the Houses of Parliament before heading down to 10 Downing Street, home of the Prime Minister. Capture the perfect photograph with the horses of the Queen's Guard before exploring Horse Guards Parade. Please note we do not enter Westminster Abbey, all of the above is approx 70mins, we spend about 5 mins at the Abbey.
70 minutes here · Admission not included
Trafalgar Square
Finish the tour at Trafalgar Square, home of Nelson's Column, one of the most impressive sights in London.
5 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
The tour starts from the Goddess Diana fountain in Green Park, next to the Colicci refreshment stand. Enter Green Park via the entrance gates next to the Ritz Hotel. If taking the underground, disembark at Green Park Station. The Green Park/Buckingham Palace exit will lead you to the fountain.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
The tour usually ends at Trafalgar Square, however occasionally it ends at Parliament Square. Ask your guide at the beginning of the tour for the exact end location.
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- secret chamber 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
- There will be access to public toilets halfway through the tour.
- The Changing of the Guard (Foot Guards) ceremony at Buckingham Palace occurs on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
- On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, the tour will witness the Changing of the King's Horse Guards at Horse Guards Parade ..
- The Changing of the Guard Ceremony operates at the discretion of the British Army. It can be changed or cancelled without notice. This is beyond our control.
- In the event of bad weather the Changing of the Guard Ceremony may be cancelled. The tour will endeavor to watch the Changing of the Horse Guards on these days.
- Not recommended for those with walking difficulties as the tour can be a brisk walk in parts.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 486 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
486 verified traveler reviews for The Changing of the Guard Tour and Buckingham Palace. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Changing of the Guard
I would like a refund for one ticket of this tour , as we are only two ladies who would be on the tour. I have already spoken to Colin about this and he advised me to contact customer service. I am also trying to find out about this tour being canceled today and being rescheduled for tomorrow because I have not been sent a new email from Villa tour with my new tickets.
via Viator
Perfect walking tour - informative and funny guide John
Fabulous walking tour with a wonderfully informative guide. He knew the perfect vantage points and even snuck us around a sideway through the park to watch them directly in front of us like 3 feet away walking Back to their residence’s area where they did a performance that wasn’t part of the regular changing of the guards. We were the only group over there! That’s not always guaranteed they do that but we got lucky. I did the Sunday tour so it’s a whole parade. I thought it was fantastic. We walked through there, through the beautiful parks, over to the clock (Big Ben) and Westminster Abby and down the street with many famous political type buildings. He explained the history everywhere and of the people and places all along the way. Having done other tours in London on the same trip we learned a lot of facts so we had no idea about. Also a personable and funny tour guide, John, which makes it go well. Easy to find with a flag that even had history. Location was easy to find in the park right next to a coffee and pastry place. We Uber directly there so I can’t comment on public transportation options, and the ease of that but it appeared there was a lot of stations right nearby. Would definitely book with them again. John was lovely.
via Viator
Great day
Our guide Angie was amazing. So knowledgeable and passionate as well as friendly.
via Tripadvisor
Changing the guard
Angie was an amazing guide who got us the best possible position to watch the event. She was extremely knowledgeable and passionate and great fun
via Viator
Change of guard tour - zero outcome
I feel those is utter cheating tourist . 3 miles away to stand and watch the changing of the guard an image of a red uniform is not that is expected . why should the people pay for listening to a commentary . The people who was with us was so disappointed . Not even worth for one penny . Please be aware that this is utter scam . Donot book it . Waste of time and tiring . No words to write after going from US to see places and eager to see an important actovity
Response from the operator: I’m sorry but what tour were you on ? Clearly not ours. We are voted the number 1 Changing of the Guard tour because we get right up to all the action. Our guides know all the best places to stand and they are the best at what they do. You will be standing literally a few feet from the marching guards as they walk along the royal mall, then we add a little extra by taking you over the Royal barracks to see the guards other tourists don’t see. Then to top it all off we go over to the sentry guard changes by the famous horse guards parade ground. All this including a visit to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and 10 Downing Street. So from the looks of your review you have clearly taken another companies tour and left your review in the wrong location. Please contact us immediately so we can guide you to the correct location. In the meantime please consider removing this unfair and inaccurate review Richard
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $5 to $18
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 170
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Changing of the Guard Tour and Buckingham Palace: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does The Changing of the Guard Tour and Buckingham Palace cost?
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Prices start at $5 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 The Changing of the Guard Tour and Buckingham Palace take?
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Plan for about 2.3 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 The Changing of the Guard Tour and Buckingham Palace worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 485 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 The Changing of the Guard Tour and Buckingham Palace?
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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 The Changing of the Guard Tour and Buckingham Palace suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Changing of the Guard Tour and Buckingham Palace?
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Around 170 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 2.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Changing of the Guard Tour and Buckingham Palace 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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