Changing of the Guard Guided Tour at Buckingham Palace
Badge of Excellence
London, England
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
Overview
No visit to London would be complete without experiencing quintessential traditions such as the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Your guide takes you to a prime vantage point—difficult to find on your own—to observe the King's iconic foot guards, clad in red uniforms and bearskin hats, and watch the household cavalry put on an impressive display. Follow history-rich guide commentary with ease using a headset.
- View one of London's most celebrated royal traditions
- Learn insider stories and facts you wouldn't uncover on your own
- Head to a prime vantage spot for top-notch views
- Headsets are included so you catch your guide's every word
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
A dynamic route ensures you get the best views—and photos—of this quintessential London ritual.
What's Included
- Changing of the Guard as it unfolds on a fully guided walking tour
- Learn how tradition, discipline, and pageantry come together in this historic royal event
- Expert, English-speaking tour guide providing live commentary throughout the experience
- If Option Selected: Entry to the Royal Mews (official horse stables of the Royal Family)
- If Option Selected: Tickets to the King’s Gallery (Exhibit: Queen Elizabeth II – Her Life in Style)
- Headsets when appropriate
- Gratuities
- Entrance to Buckingham Palace
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Duke of York ColumnSt. James's, London SW1Y 5AJ, UK
PLEASE NOTE! THE MEETING POINT IS NOT AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. By the Duke of York Column, Waterloo Place, 9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AJ. This is the tall column with a statue on top.
End point
- Buckingham PalaceLondon SW1A 1AA, UK
Outside Buckingham Palace
Itinerary
Start your walking tour by meeting your guide at the Duke of York Column at the end of Regent Street. Hear your guide better by putting on your included headset as you brush up on local history—your guide will provide an overview of the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Instead of seeing the ceremony from outside of Buckingham Palace with crowds of other tourists, you'll visit lesser-known spots to get the best views while hearing commentary that unpacks each part of the tradition.
Your tour ends outside of Buckingham Palace, giving you free time to explore the area on your own.
Please note: The Changing of the Guard ceremony is subject to changes in date, time, and cancellation at the discretion of British authorities.
Instead of seeing the ceremony from outside of Buckingham Palace with crowds of other tourists, you'll visit lesser-known spots to get the best views while hearing commentary that unpacks each part of the tradition.
Your tour ends outside of Buckingham Palace, giving you free time to explore the area on your own.
Please note: The Changing of the Guard ceremony is subject to changes in date, time, and cancellation at the discretion of British authorities.
Duke Of York Column (Pass By)
The Mall (Pass By)
1
Changing of the Guard
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Memorial (Pass By)
Clarence House (Pass By)
St. James's Park (Pass By)
St. James's Palace (Pass By)
Buckingham Palace (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- The Changing of the Guard ceremony is subject to changes in date, time and cancellation at the discretion of British authorities. Cancellation due to bad weather is not announced before 11am. Even when cancelled, customers will still see a ‘wet change’ during which the guards march but without the usual music and parade.
- Please note weather is very changeable in London, please ensure you have rainproof clothing
- Please note that the changing of the guard schedule may change and on different dates we will see either footguards or horseguards
- On Sundays, a slightly different version of the ceremony takes place, known as the "Sunday Parade".
- Please note that access to the Royal Mews, the official stables of the British Royal Family, and The King’s Gallery for a unique viewing of Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style is only available if the 'Upgrade Option' is selected
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.4
based on 982 reviews
Kelly_B, Apr 2026
What a wonderful tour with Natalie! She did such a good job bringing us to all the perfect viewing spots. Lots of useful knowledge and trivia. She is a great asset to your company!
Sarah_M, Apr 2026
So worth it! Had great stories for the waiting around parts, went to four different places to see all the stages and even had us take our cameras out when he recognized signs a royal was coming. Turned out to be Charles and Camilla!
Heather_M, Apr 2026
Tour guide, Jo was very informative and provided the group with a great vantage point of the 3 parts of the changing of the guard
Marinelle_V, Apr 2026
I highly recommend this tour. We had a great time.
Ava was an amazing and informative tour guide. :)
Elizabeth_C, Apr 2026
I’m so glad we booked this tour. It really helped to have someone knowledgeable about where to stand in view all the pageantry! It was very crowded on the day that we were there, and she made the experience one to remember.
Laura_F, Apr 2026
Great experience! We were taken to three different vantage points to get great views of different aspects of the ceremony. Louise was a fantastic guide, very knowledgeable and a great storyteller!
Andrette_F, Apr 2026
I highly recommend. Tour guide, Angie, was knowledgeable in history as well as finding the best locations for viewing the ceremony.
jsmetlin, Apr 2026
Katerina was great. She gave us lots of details and fun facts and made sure we were at the right spots to view the band and procession. I highly recommend her.
Victoria_S, Apr 2026
We had a fun guide, but if you truly think you will be seeing the changing of the guard in front of the palace, on this particular tour, you will not. You will walk to 4 different locations to see small snippets, like the band walking by, and some police on horses, then you will change locations an additional 3 times to see a mini changing of 2 guards, and the end of the route, when the guards and band are retiring to their barracks. So there is no big spectacular guard change in front of the palace with this particular tour, if that is important to you.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Victoria_S,
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed your guide.
Please note that there is no Changing of the Foot Guards on Saturdays. For bookings on this day, the tour provides a Walking Tour of Westminster City instead. You may also have the chance to see the Changing of the Horse Guards at Horse Guards Parade, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Valentina_T, Apr 2026
Very nice and good explanations. The guide gave us a lot of anecdotes about the royal family and his family. The guide was calm and nice
Mirilene_F, Mar 2026
Keep 1,5hours for this experience. Wear comfortable shoes. Phillip was a great guide! Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Jeremy_G, Mar 2026
Paul provided such a wonderful experience. His knowledge of history and passion for the subject was very evident. The tour took what could have been a disappointment with trying to get a “front row seat” to an unforgettable experience with seeing parts of the changing of the guard that most people wouldn’t get to experience if they were to just try to find a space at the front.
Kelly_S, Mar 2026
Unless you book the tour you will never see everything that goes on with the changing of the guard. So many tourists go to the front of the palace and miss so much. Our guide had us front and center at every event! She was very informative and polite. So worth the money
Charlotte_R, Mar 2026
Great background from guide and great viewing spots that you wouldn’t have on your own! Got great photos and videos!
Kim_C, Mar 2026
The tour is very informative. Definitely wear good walking shoes and bring a camera. Our tour guide was Katerina. She was very funny and got us to the best viewing spots.
Aman_k, Mar 2026
Our tour guide, Michael was very knowledgable and knew all the spots to get the best views of the ceremony. Truly enjoyed it on a sunny day.
Erica_C, Mar 2026
Kevin, our tour guide, showed us a great time. He knew the best time to move to be strategically placed so that we could get the best views. We highly recommend this company!
angelo_e, Mar 2026
This was a great experience. Our guide was great. Entertaining and very informative. Perfect timing too.
Richard_S, Feb 2026
It was informative, although you don’t see the actual “changing of the guides”. What you see are the police on horseback riding down the mall.
Additionally, Georgie (our guide) was a bit too cynical about the royal family.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Richard_S,
Thank you for your feedback. On days when there is no Changing of the Foot Guards ceremony, the tour includes viewing the Changing of the Horse Guards at Horse Guards Parade instead, which is an official mounted ceremony.
We also appreciate your comments regarding the guide’s tone and will be sure to share your feedback with the team.
Jessica_K, Feb 2026
Louise was an amazing tour guide! She was knowledgeable and really fun. Her timing was impeccable. We enjoyed her sense of humor and upbeat personality. Great for all ages. Highly recommend to anyone.
Monica_B, Feb 2026
Michael was amazing! He got us to all the different places around the palace where we had the very best view of the Guards and activities going on around the palace. We even lucked out and saw King Charles leaving the palace. Michael was very knowledgeable, friendly, funny, and he made the tour even better than I hoped for. Would highly recommend this tour and if you are lucky, you’ll get Michael too!
Caryl_M, Feb 2026
Louise is very knowledgeable and entertaining. We were very happy with tour especially seeing King Charles
Heather_B, Feb 2026
This was a wonderful Tour. Our guide was excellent! Very helpful and knowledgeable. She pointed out all of the building and gave us a detailed explanation of what was going to happen when. Highly recommend!
Maria_H, Feb 2026
Lot of different viewpoints and so nice to have such a knowledgeable guide to explain everything that goes on!
Lynn_R, Jan 2026
Great history about the Royals. Very interesting facts and information. Our guide Louise was very knowledgeable and entertaining
Patricia_F, Jan 2026
we had a beautiful morning to see the Changing of the guard. Our guide Kevin was very knowledgeable and took us to the best spots for viewing. It was a wonderful experience.
Tia_F, Jan 2026
Natalie was great! Knew all the good spots and informative. She had a lot of history and a tad bit of gossip. Which we loved!
Aishling_B, Jan 2026
David out tour guide was excellent. Got us prime spots for viewing the changing of the guards and was very informative about all things to do with royal family and area around Buckingham Palace
Glori_K, Jan 2026
Louise was so fun and knowledgeable. We all truly enjoyed every minute of this tour (parents avs two adult children)
Mike_P, Jan 2026
Alex G was great. Very knowledgeable and well planned out. Great tour! Must do. Happy New year!!!!!!!
From $19.15
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Changing of the Guard Guided Tour at Buckingham Palace
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