VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise in London
London, United Kingdom

VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise

Outty Ranking 76 4.7 · 391 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $87

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

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Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$87
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Outty Ranking

76/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.7/5

Based on 391 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise worth booking?

VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise is a 3-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $87 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 391 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
76 / 100
Rating
4.7/5 (391)
Duration
3 hours
From
$87 per person

Begin your VIP tour with early, skip-the-line access, and see the tower’s storied opening ceremony. With just a small group for company, you’ll explore the landmark’s highlights. You’ll also be among the first visitors t

What you get

    About this experience

    Begin your VIP tour with early, skip-the-line access, and see the tower’s storied opening ceremony. With just a small group for company, you’ll explore the landmark’s highlights. You’ll also be among the first visitors to enter the Tower of London’s world-famous Jewel House, where the glittering Crown Jewels await. At the end, you’ll receive a flexible one-way pass for London’s best sightseeing river cruise.

    What's included

    Included

    • Blue Badge guide
    • Flexible one-way ticket for London river cruise
    • First entrance ticket for Jewel House
    • Bloody Tower
    • Old execution site on Tower Green
    • First entrance ticket for Tower of London including Opening Ceremony
    • Headset

    Not included

    • Hotel Pick-Up / Drop-Off
    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Tower of London

      Begin your VIP-level experience by witnessing the Opening Ceremony, a storied military ritual that officially opens one of the most famous monuments in London.

      40 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Jewel House

      After a quick introduction from the Yeoman Warders who guard the palace, you’ll stroll straight into the Jewel House and be among the first people to see the Crown Jewels. There are no crowds, so after you guide tells you what to look out for, you can take your time and soak in one of the most dazzling collections of riches in the world.

      25 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Tower of London

      Stroll along the famous Tower Walls, peek inside the refurbished bedroom of Edward I, and say hello to the tower’s resident ravens. Your experience ends on a high note as you step into the White Tower for a full tour of a refurbished medieval castle. Before parting ways, you’ll receive access to a boat pass for a flexible one-way trip on the best sightseeing river cruises in London. Choose the day and time of your trip and depart from either Tower, London Eye, Westminster, or Greenwich piers.

      115 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    London

    Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour. This tour meets at 5BT, Tower Place West, 50 Lower Thames St, London EC3R 6DT, UK. Meet your coordinator at the West Gate entrance, opposite the Starbucks and in front of the Tower of London giftshop.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Tower of London (inside).

    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, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Walks - UK

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
    • Sites on this tour are subject to occasional closures. If modifications are needed and time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
    • This tour is in English.
    • This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.

    Photos

    VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise in London, photo 2VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise in London, photo 3VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise in London, photo 4VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise in London, photo 5VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise in London, photo 6VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise in London, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 405 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    5 mentions

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

    Traveler reviews

    405 verified traveler reviews for VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    353
    4 star
    22
    3 star
    10
    2 star
    7
    1 star
    13
    Sort
    marylouh953 · August 2026

    Loved this tour!

    This was an amazing tour. Alison was incredible guide. She was so knowledgeable and friendly. She knew how to get us in and around the various sites so we could see everything. We loved this tour!

    via Tripadvisor

    rrosenkoetter · August 2026

    Great day in London!

    Guide was awesome!! The Guide was great very engaging and we had perfect weather. So we were very lucky..

    via Tripadvisor

    brianrI5183MK · August 2026

    Tower of London and Abbey in a day

    Anna Maria was very good, lots of information and she makes history more enjoyable.5 hours of non stop story you won’t get bored!

    via Tripadvisor

    nickmZ9965RV · August 2026

    Good Tour!!

    Good tour! Guide was great! Good to get inside before the public

    via Tripadvisor

    tonynR3453EL · August 2026

    Great experience!

    Great tour guide. Very knowledgeable.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
    Price range
    $87 to $161
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    137
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 76

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)78
    Review evidence (18% weight)79
    Booking momentum (14% weight)76
    Value for money (12% weight)66
    Listing quality (10% weight)69
    Local standing (8% weight)54
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise cost?

    +

    Prices start at $87 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 VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise take?

    +

    Plan for about 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 VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 391 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 VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise?

    +

    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 VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise?

    +

    Around 137 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise 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 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?

    +

    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.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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