Buckingham Palace Entrance Ticket & Changing of the Guard Tour

Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2022

Duration2h 30m

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 30 travelers

Overview

Experience London’s royal heritage and pageantry on a 2.5-hour experience that combines a visit to Buckingham Palace with the Changing of the Guard. Enjoy the colorful spectacle of the Changing of the Guard ceremony, and then enter the magnificent palace with a tour host for an independent audio tour of the State Rooms, an experience only available for two months of the year. Admire the lavish rooms that are used by the royals for State and ceremonial events, as you discover the palace’s history from the audio guide.

Please note: Buckingham Palace is only open to the public for approx. eight weeks each year. Tickets sell out fast, so book now to avoid disappointment

Options

w/Changing of the Horse Guards

Changing of the Horse Guards: Witness the Changing of the Horse Guards and visit the interior of the Buckingham Palace

w/Changing of the Foot Guards

Changing of the Foot Guard: Witness the Changing of the Foot Guards and visit the interior of the Buckingham Palace.

What's included

Free time to explore Buckingham Palace at your own pace
Expert English-speaking guide for the walking tour
Changing of the Guard viewing: Foot Guards (Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun) or Horse Guards (Tue/Thu/Sat)
Official Buckingham Palace self-guided audio guide available in 9 languages
Pre-reserved entry to Buckingham Palace State Rooms (open July – September only)
Audio headsets when required for clear commentary
Insider commentary on royal history and traditions

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities

What to expect

Duke Of York Column
Pass by

Meet your guide in central London near the impressive Duke of York Column, a prominent landmark commemorating Prince Frederick, Duke of York, and marking the gateway to Royal London.
Pass by

Stroll along The Mall, London's grand ceremonial avenue connecting Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace. Lined with Union Jack flags during royal celebrations, this iconic route is used for state visits, coronations, and royal processions.
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Memorial
Pass by

Pass these elegant memorials dedicated to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother while learning about their lasting impact on modern British history and the Royal Family.
St. James's Park
20m

Enjoy a guided walk through St. James's Park, London's oldest Royal Park. Take in beautiful lake views, seasonal flower displays, and some of the best views of Buckingham Palace while hearing stories of British royalty and royal traditions.
St. James's Palace
Pass by

See St. James's Palace, the oldest royal palace in London and an important working royal residence. Your guide will share its fascinating history and continuing role in royal ceremonies today.
Clarence House
Pass by

Pass Clarence House, the official London residence of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Situated beside St. James's Palace, this historic royal residence has been home to members of the Royal Family for generations and remains an important part of royal life in London.
Lancaster House
Pass by

Pass the magnificent Lancaster House, a lavish 19th-century mansion renowned for its opulent interiors and frequent use for state receptions, diplomatic events, and film productions.
Changing of the Guard
30m

Head to a prime viewing location to witness one of London's most iconic traditions: the Changing of the Guard. Depending on the official schedule, you may see either the Changing of the Foot Guards or the Horse Guards, featuring ceremonial uniforms, military precision, and centuries-old royal traditions.

If the ceremony is canceled due to weather or operational reasons, your guide will instead provide an extended Royal London walking tour.
Wellington Barracks
Pass by

Pass Wellington Barracks, home to the Foot Guards responsible for protecting the monarch and carrying out ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace and other royal residences.

Please note: The Foot Guards can typically be seen at Wellington Barracks only on Foot Guard days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday). On other days, ceremonial guard duties are generally carried out by the Horse Guards instead.
Buckingham Palace
1h · Admission ticket included

Arrive at Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. After an introduction from your guide, enter with your included audio guide and explore independently.

Step inside the spectacular State Rooms, open to visitors for a limited season each year, and admire glittering chandeliers, priceless artworks, grand staircases, and lavishly furnished reception rooms used for royal ceremonies and state occasions.

Enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace before your experience concludes at Buckingham Palace.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

By the Duke of York Column, Waterloo Place, 9 Carlton Terrace, London SW1Y 5AJ. It is the tall column with a statue on top, located at the top of the steps leading down to The Mall.

End point

Inside Buckingham Palace

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
On occasional Sundays may be rescheduled to early morning, this will then be replaced with an extended walking tour.
The Changing of the Guards is subject to changes in date, time and cancellation at the discretion of British authorities. Cancellation due to bad weather or other circumstances is not announced before the morning of the ceremony. When this occurs, you will be provided with a walking tour of Westminster city instead
There is no Changing of the Foot Guards on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday so you'll be provided with a Walking Tour of Westminster City. You may be able to see the Changing of the Horse Guards at Horse Guards parade but that's not guaranteed.
On Sundays, a slightly different version of the ceremony takes place, known as the "Sunday Parade".

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

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