Changing of the Guard Tours and Tickets

Q: How much does it cost to visit the Changing of the Guard in 2026?

While it’s free to visit the Changing of the Guard on your own, there are plenty of tours that can help you learn more about the ceremony with an expert guide who will handle all timings and logistics. Walking tours that take in the spectacle outside Buckingham Palace start at just US$20, while multi-stop London tours that include the Changing of the Guard begin around US$55.

Q: What is the Changing of the Guard?

The Changing of the Guard (also known as Guard Mounting) is a formal ceremony during which the soldiers who guard Buckingham Palace are relieved of their posts and replaced by a fresh round of soldiers. It originated in the 17th century and is now one of London’s key tourist attractions.

Q: When does the Changing of the Guard take place at Buckingham Palace?

The Changing of the Guard is usually held at Buckingham Palace every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. The ceremony typically begins at 10:45am and lasts for around 45 minutes. It’s a popular sight, so get to the palace well in advance of the start time to secure a good spot.

Q: Are there any other locations in London where the Changing of the Guard ceremony occurs?

Yes. While it’s best-associated with Buckingham Palace, the Changing of the Guard takes place across three locations, including the Wellington Barracks and St. James’s Palace. The ceremony also is held separately every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at Windsor Castle, which is located just a short trip from London.

Q: Are there any specific days or times when the Changing of the Guard doesn’t happen?

Yes. The Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace may not always occur and can be canceled at short notice due to inclement weather. The ceremony also is canceled for major events, such as state visits, the London Marathon, and Trooping the Colour (an event celebrating the sovereign’s birthday).

Q: Is there an admission fee to the Changing of the Guard?

No. The ceremony is always free to attend, and you do not need to book Changing of the Guard tickets to see it. There are no specific Changing of the Guard tours however, many tours of London’s major royal and historic monuments showcase the ceremony and offer a good way to learn about its history.

Q: What is the best spot to view the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace?

Two of the most popular places to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony are in front of the Buckingham Palace gates and from the steps of the Victoria Memorial. Alternatively, you can watch from The Mall, which is on the procession route. Just stay clear of the soldiers’ path.

Q: What are the best attractions in London other than the Changing of the Guard?

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Changing of the Guard. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in London:<ul><li><a href="/London-attractions/Buckingham-Palace/d737-a84" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Buckingham Palace</a></li><li><a href="/London-attractions/Tower-of-London/d737-a93" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tower of London</a></li><li><a href="/London-attractions/Houses-of-Parliament-and-Big-Ben/d737-a1395" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Houses of Parliament & Big Ben</a></li><li><a href="/London-attractions/Westminster-Abbey/d737-a95" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Westminster Abbey</a></li><li><a href="/London-attractions/London-Eye/d737-a1400" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">London Eye</a></li></ul>View Viator's guide to <a href="/London/d737" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">all the best attractions in London</a>.

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Changing of the Guard Guided Tour at Buckingham Palace

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Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace London Walking Tour

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London's headline sights are spread across the city, and stitching them into one day on your own means a lot of transit and timing to figure out. Cover the main landmarks in one loop, taking in St. Paul's Cathedral, a photo stop at Westminster Abbey, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London. An extended Thames River cruise rounds out the day, with the option to add a London Eye ride or cream tea at Harrods.

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Royal London Guided Tour with Changing of the Guard

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Limited time in London doesn’t have to mean a limited view of the capital. Soak up the key sights in just one action-packed day on this combination walking tour and sightseeing cruise. Explore highlights including Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace (where you'll view the Changing of the Guard on scheduled days). Then, cruise the Thames on a comfortable riverboat to the Tower of London, where you can delve into British history with a guided tour of the thousand-year-old fortress.

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London’s iconic landmarks are even more meaningful when you understand their history—but long lines and confusing routes can slow you down. On this guided tour, explore Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben with guided commentary that brings centuries of royal and political drama to life. Upgrade for skip-the-line entry and a fully guided visit inside Westminster Abbey, or choose the exterior tour with optional self-guided access to the Sunday organ recital.

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See London’s top royal attractions in one streamlined half-day tour—ideal if you’re short on time and want to avoid juggling separate bookings. Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, cruise along the River Thames, and meet a real Beefeater during a visit to the Tower of London. With transportation and timing coordinated for you, this experience makes it easy to check off multiple must-see sights in a single outing.

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See more of London's architectural highlights in less time on this small-group biking tour. With a guide leading the way and helmets and bikes provided, getting around is easy. Cycle from Covent Garden to the royal splendor of Buckingham Palace, from Westminster to the architectural grandeur of St. Paul's Cathedral, and beyond. Throughout your ride, listen as your guide shares insider stories about the city.

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London spreads its landmarks across the city, and linking them on foot or by Tube eats up the better part of a day. A black cab covers far more in a few hours, with a driver-guide handling the route and the history between stops. The tour passes Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Covent Garden, Shakespeare's Globe, and the London Eye, with photo stops and short walks along the way.

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Explore London’s top sights with flexibility aboard an open-top, double-decker bus. Get off only at the stops you're interested in and choose the ticket duration that works best for you. Travel between Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and more while enjoying panoramic city views from an open-top bus. Explore at your own pace, learn local history with onboard commentary, and upgrade your experience to include a River Thames cruise for a fresh perspective of the capital.

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Get the flexibility you're after with this London sightseeing bus package. Enjoy getting on and off at multiple stops, including Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Big Ben, and more. Choose how long you want your ticket for, and enjoy the freedom to go at your own pace. What's more, multi-day tickets include a free river cruise, a ride on the Route Master bus, and a night tour. Extra benefits include an AI-powered app with live bus tracking, audio commentary in multiple languages and kids's commentary on select routes.

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What are people saying about Changing of the Guard

Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

Julie_L, Sep 2026

If you want to be in the...

If you want to be in the best places to view the changing of the guard, you must do this tour. Our tour guide Nathan was exceptional as he also told so much history of the monarchy through the years. Highly recommend!

Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London at Buckingham Palace

Jennifer_L, Sep 2026

We really enjoyed the...

We really enjoyed the changing of the guards experience and learned some history along the way. Our tour guide Rachel was awesome ! She was very knowledgeable and friendly !! We would definitely recommend this experience!

Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London at Buckingham Palace

Kenodh_P, Sep 2026

Amazing tour

Amazing! Our tour guide was very kind and explained each of the palaces and took us to secret spots without much tourists to watch the changing of the guard. The horse guards were on holiday so instead of ending the tour 30 mins early they took us to Trafalgar square instead which was very nice of them. Everything was timed perfectly and explained well.

Westminster Abbey Reserved Entry, Big Ben & Buckingham Tour

Jake_M, Sep 2026

Great tour

Kathleen was very knowledgeable and gave us reccomendations for seeing the changing of the guards, since that is something we wanted to experience in London. We were able to see alot of the city in just a few hours, I would recommend this tour to others.

London Sightseeing Tour: Guard Change with Tower of London Option

Shawn_R, Aug 2026

Glad we did it

Church was great. River tour was a "check it off the list" item, good but not great. Crown Jewels was great, but everything else at that site was blah for me. You don't see the changing of the guard at the palace, only the guards leaving their barracks as they walk to the palace. Our guide was great, although a few people fat lost/left as the day went on.

London: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Changing of the Guards Tour

Michele_R, Sep 2026

London highlights in 3 hours- Spot on!

Frances was a wonderful guide and got us the best spots on our tour especially the changing of the guard, their walk to Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey sharing historic facts and stories. We were a small group so it felt so private. It was a perfect 3 hours for first time in London!

Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London at Buckingham Palace

Dawn_B, Jul 2026

This was such a great...

This was such a great tour! Our guide, Rachel, made the experience so fun with her enthusiasm and the fun facts she shared. You can tell she truly loves her job. We recommend this tour to anyone wanting to experience the changing of the guards without the stress of navigating it on your own.