Buckingham Palace Entrance Ticket & Changing of the Guard Tour
London, England
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Catching the Changing of the Guard with a clear view takes knowing where to stand, and Buckingham Palace itself opens to visitors only a couple of months a year. This tour covers both: a guided walk through St. James's Park to watch the ceremony, then entry to the State Rooms on a self-guided audio tour. Palace admission is included, so the timing and tickets are handled in one booking.
- Ensure your admission to Buckingham Palace by prebooking
- Learn about royal history as you stroll through St James’s Park
- Explore the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace at your preferred pace
- Watch the Changing of the Guard from the best vantage points
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
Unlike a standalone ceremony viewing, this tour includes palace entry during the short summer window when the State Rooms open to the public.
What's Included
- Pre-reserved entry to Buckingham Palace State Rooms (open July – September only)
- Official Buckingham Palace audio guide available in 9 languages
- 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)
- Insider commentary on royal history and traditions
- Audio headsets when required for clear commentary
- Free time to explore Buckingham Palace at your own pace
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Duke of York ColumnLondon SW1Y 5AJ, UK
By the Duke of York Column, Waterloo Place, 9 Carlton Terrace, London SW1Y 5AJ. This is the tall column with a statue on top.
End point
- Spur RoadSpur Rd, London SW1A 1AA, UK
Inside Buckingham Palace
Itinerary
This tour pairs the Changing of the Guard with a visit inside Buckingham Palace, open to the public only two months a year. You meet your guide at the Duke of York Column in central London and set out on foot through St. James's Park toward the palace.
Depending on the day, watch the Changing of the Guard with your guide explaining the ceremony and its background. If the weather turns or the ceremony is rescheduled, the viewing is replaced with a walking tour.
At Buckingham Palace, you explore at your own pace using an audio guide, taking in the State Apartments and their collection of art and antiques.
Depending on the day, watch the Changing of the Guard with your guide explaining the ceremony and its background. If the weather turns or the ceremony is rescheduled, the viewing is replaced with a walking tour.
At Buckingham Palace, you explore at your own pace using an audio guide, taking in the State Apartments and their collection of art and antiques.
Duke Of York Column (Pass By)
The Mall (Pass By)
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Memorial (Pass By)
1
St. James's Park
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
St. James's Palace (Pass By)
Clarence House (Pass By)
Lancaster House (Pass By)
2
Changing of the Guard
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Wellington Barracks (Pass By)
3
Buckingham Palace
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- 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".
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.1
based on 1,781 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Maureen_C, Jul 2026
The seller should advise that the purchase is totally unnecessary and includes a bunch of non-palace stuff for 60+ ponds above palace admission, and then abandons you to the palace with your pre-paid ticket. I feel greatly scammed, frankly, and I know it’s my own fault. A simple description of what’s included in the cost would let people know they are NOT getting their money’s worth.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Dear Maureen_C,
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations, but we would like to clarify what is included in the package.
Our tour description explicitly states that this experience consists of a guided walking tour followed by a self-guided visit of Buckingham Palace. The price reflects not just the Palace admission ticket, but also the guided portion of the tour through the surrounding area, where a professional guide shares historical insights and context before you enter.
Because Buckingham Palace regulations only allow their own official multimedia guides inside the State Rooms, our guides are not permitted to lead groups through the interior, which is why guests continue independently once inside.
We try to be as transparent as possible in our tour descriptions so guests know exactly what to expect, and we appreciate your input as we always strive to make this information as clear as possible.
Henri_v, Jul 2026
Nice to look inside the palace and see all the art treasures as well as the interior decoration of the palace
Leilani_t, Jul 2026
Kevin was an outstanding tour guide at Buckingham Palace! He was incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about the history of the Royal Family and the palace. He shared fascinating stories and details that brought everything to life, making the experience both educational and entertaining.
Magdalena_D, Jul 2026
We were served with snacks before the tour and we were given audio -no live tour
No pictures allowed .
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Dear Magdalena_D,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We would like to clarify that our tour description explicitly states this is a self-guided audio tour, which allows guests to explore the space at their own comfortable pace.
Regarding the photography policy, the restriction on taking pictures is a strict regulation set directly by Buckingham Palace administration, which all visitors and tour operators must follow.
We appreciate your understanding.
Nadine_J, Jul 2026
Our tour of the palace and leading up to it was amazing. Our tour guide Alex was very knowledgeable, informative and personable!
Giselle_B, Jul 2026
Visiting Buckingham Palace was an unforgettable experience and one of the highlights of our trip to London. The palace is stunning, with beautiful architecture, rich history, and impressive State Rooms that offer a fascinating glimpse into royal life.
What made the visit even more enjoyable was our guide, Christopher. He was knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about the history of the palace and the Royal Family. His stories and insights brought everything to life and made the tour both informative and entertaining. Christopher was friendly, professional, and happy to answer questions, making the experience truly memorable.
Highly recommend visiting Buckingham Palace, and if you have Christopher as your guide, you're in for a fantastic experience! 👑🇬🇧
Danica_C, Jul 2026
This was an amazing tour with an amazing guide. Caroline was so passionate and excited about the tour. She had a true love of the changing of the guard, local sites, and the palace. I would do this tour again just to see more!
Bethany_F, Jul 2026
Buckingham Palace wasn’t what I expected at all. I was hoping to see much more of the palace itself and was disappointed that the experience didn’t showcase more of the rooms and areas I had imagined. I think I was expecting a more complete look inside the palace, so it fell a bit short of my expectations.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Dear Bethany_F,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry to hear that the tour did not quite live up to your expectations.
We would like to clarify that the specific rooms and areas open to the public are determined entirely by the Royal Household. Because it is a working royal palace, the Royal Family decides exactly which sections of Buckingham Palace are shown, and we have no control over the tour route or the rooms included.
We appreciate your understanding, and we hope you still enjoyed the unique opportunity to step inside a piece of living history.
Joan_W, Jul 2026
It was an awesome and amazing experience sharing the visit with family I was so excited and overwhelmed to see such a beautiful exhibit.
Veronica_M, Jul 2026
Our guide Mary was very impressive. She gave us a lot of historical information about what we were seeing, who ordered what to be built, etc. and tied it all together to give us a clear understanding the monarchy and lineage and how they impacted British history.
Lots of standing time. But Mary knew where to get the best views, timed our movements to keep us out of huge crowds, and answered every question. Very enjoyable!
Lisa_B, Jul 2026
Joseph was an excellent tour guide. So fun and full of knowledge-he’s a real history buff! Highly recommend!
Cindy_H, Jul 2026
This is a bucket list checked off for me. Loved the audio tour of the palace. I would tell anyone traveling to London to go and enjoy the experience
Stephanie_M, Jul 2026
The information describing this was a little misleading it us a 2 1/2 hour tour prior to the tour of the palace. But don’t let that dissuade you! It was a FANTASTIC tour. Umar was absolutely the best tour guide. Took us to the best spots to see the guard processing and changing and provided great history and stories. Highly recommend
betsy_m, Jul 2026
The tour guide was amazing. But the tour itself was really way too long. We booked the tour and it said it was two hours and 30 minutes. But then we found out we didn’t even have entrance to Buckingham Palace until two hours and 30 minutes later. We thought we would be done at that time, not starting the tour. 2 1/2 hours was way too long, and then changing of the guards was not incredibly interesting. We would prefer just a shorter tour with changing the guards a quick walk around the park and entrance in the Buckingham more quickly. But again the tour guide was really great. His name was umma I think.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your guide.
We're sorry to learn that the tour length wasn't what you expected. This experience combines a guided walking tour, the Changing of the Guard ceremony (which follows a fixed schedule), and timed entry to Buckingham Palace. Because the Palace admission times are set in advance and coordinated with the ceremony, there can be a longer guided portion before entering the Palace.
Your comments about the pacing and itinerary are valuable, and we'll share them with our team as we continue to review how we describe the tour and improve the overall guest experience.
Jennifer_C, Jul 2026
This was a great and informative tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and despite the large amount of people she found great locations to view the changing of the guard.
Geraldine_D, Jul 2026
A fantastic experience to get inside Buckingham Palace. It does take longer than the suggested 2.5 hours, it’s more like 4 - 4.5 hours. Mary our guide was knowledgeable however seemed to stumble over some words. We got to see 3 lots of changing of the guides, incredible! It’s very busy at all locations so be prepared to wait.
John_F, Jul 2026
Wear comfy shoes as a fair bit of walking.
Have water with you.
Sign in with guys in blue t-shirts to get told who your guide is.
Then enjoy the tour.
We had Jo as our guide and she was amazing, a hive of information, great chat and a lovely person.
Thank you Jo and team
Denise_T, Jul 2026
Not worth the money, we didn't see changing of the guards and there was no tour. We got walked in and then were given headsets like everyone else who paid far less.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Dear Denise_T,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.
Please note that we have no record of the ceremony being cancelled on that day. As stated in your booking information, the specific type of ceremony that takes place depends entirely on the day of the visit. We truly regret if this wasn't what you were expecting.
Roanna_H, Jul 2026
We were supposed to see a changing of the guard. We had to meet our guide halfway down the mall, she walked us away from Buckingham Palace and had us stand, waiting for the horses only to find out that it was not scheduled for that day. The guide did not know the schedule. And did not take us through booking and palace.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Dear Roanna_H,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your expectations.
We'd like to clarify that the Changing of the Guard ceremony varies depending on the day of the week and is always subject to the schedule set by the British authorities. As outlined in the tour description and disclaimer prior to booking, there is no Changing of the Foot Guards on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays. On these days, guests are provided with a guided walking tour of Westminster, and there may be an opportunity to see the Changing of the Horse Guards, although this cannot be guaranteed.
We appreciate your feedback and are sorry for any disappointment caused by the ceremony schedule on the day of your visit.
Susan_W, Jul 2026
Buckingham palace was terrific, saw more than expected. Changing of the horse guards was disappointing as location changed and our guide was not aware. Only saw them walking by. Guide was entertaining and easy to listen to but should have known location changed since it happened three weeks prior
Dan_G, Jul 2026
My wife and I both really enjoyed this tour. The tour guide, Aaron, was both funny and knowledgeable. We'd highly recommend him! We enjoyed the walk, the history shared, and seeing the sights.
Thomas_S, Jul 2026
A lot of walking, but amazing! Our guide was fantastic, very knowledgeable and also very personable. He made the time very enjoyable.
Scott_W, Jul 2026
No tour through Buckingham Palace, only tour to changing of the guards but tour guide was very good. No special placement to see the changing of the guards.
Christina_L, Jul 2026
Wish it was explained better that it was a two hour tour first and then we had access to get into the palace. Need to figure out a different queue system to check in. The tour group was too big and the ear buds they gave us to hear the guide stopped working multiple times. Our guide was nice but not much personality to engage the group. We ended up just leaving early.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Dear Christina_L,
Thank you for your feedback. We apologize that the structure of the tour and the audio equipment did not meet your expectations.
Please be advised that our tour information states that the duration of the tour is flexible. It also notes that the experience begins with the guided walking tour first, followed by entrance to the Palace.
We appreciate your comments regarding the check-in process and the headsets, and we will share this feedback with our team to improve our operations.
Best regards.
Bunny, Jul 2026
The meeting place was at the trafalgar Square on the steps. You don’t actually go in front of Buckingham Palace and witness the changing of the guards, but you do see the band and guards walking on the street.. the guide was very knowledgeable and knew that they were gonna change at St. James place which we did see
William_W, Jul 2026
Was amazing watching the changing of the guard. Mary is very knowledgeable and shared many interesting anecdotes about the history and how to identify the different regiments by the color of their hat feathers. One word of advice though is to stay close to her when crossing the streets. Our group got a little too spread out and the Bobby’s sent half the group back to where they started. Fortunately, Mary realized it right away and kept in contact with us through the tour earpieces until we could reunite with her. After the ceremony make sure you rehydrate before entering the palace itself as they don’t allow liquids inside and you can’t get anything to drink until you get to the gardens.
Mary_B, Jul 2026
Sophie was a fabulous guide; kept us informed as what to expect next. Provided lots of history, information. We had an AWESOME viewing spot for the changing of the guards! Great experience. Perfectly coordinated the timing for entrance to the palace.
Trevor_B, Jul 2026
Very informative, a lot of background history and stories were shared with us. Aaron, our guide, did a great job.
Michelle_K, Jul 2026
Do your research the title says guard change and buckingham palace tour. The guards do not change every day only select days. The title misrepresents the tour!!!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Dear Michelle_K,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your expectations.
We'd like to clarify that the Changing of the Guard is the official name of the ceremony, but the format varies depending on the day and the schedule set by the Royal Household. On some days the ceremony takes place on foot, while on others it involves mounted guards or follows an alternative format.
This information is outlined in our tour disclaimer so that guests are aware that the ceremony may differ depending on the date of their visit. We appreciate your feedback and understand how the title may have led to different expectations.
Gyueun_S, Jul 2026
The guide, Ellen, was clearly knowledgeable and put a great deal of effort into the tour. She also shared several useful local tips, which I appreciated.
However, one comment made me uncomfortable. While comparing Harrods and Selfridges, she described Harrods as being mainly frequented by Asian and Middle Eastern customers, whereas Selfridges was described as “more British”. I understood the point she was trying to make, but framing the comparison in ethnic terms felt unnecessary and exclusionary. London is a diverse city, and many Asian and Middle Eastern people are British or long-term residents. Given how diverse London is, a slightly more inclusive choice of language would make the tour even better.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Dear Gyueun_S,
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughtful feedback. We're pleased to hear that you found Ellen knowledgeable and appreciated the local insights she shared throughout the tour.
We're sorry to learn that one of the comments made during the tour left you feeling uncomfortable. We strive to ensure our tours are welcoming and inclusive for all guests, and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Feedback such as yours is valuable and will be shared with the guide and the relevant team as a reminder of the importance of using language that is thoughtful and inclusive when providing commentary.
Thank you again for your comments. We appreciate your perspective and your suggestions, which help us continue to improve the experience we provide for all of our guests.
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