London Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard Tour 2 hr 30 min - Image 1
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London Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard Tour 2 hr 30 min

TourTruth score 2.9 out of 10

Below average

2,168 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • London, United Kingdom
  • 2 hrs 30 min
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Watch London’s Changing of the Guard, then explore Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms at your own pace with an audio guide.

About this tour

See London’s royal traditions come to life on a 150-minute Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard tour. Meet your guide by the Duke of York Column at Waterloo Place, then take in the ceremony’s colorful pageantry and hear stories about royal history along the way. The guard schedule varies by day, and ceremonies can change or be canceled at the discretion of British authorities.

After the walking tour, enjoy free time inside Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms, exploring at your own pace with the official audio guide, available in 9 languages. Pre-reserved entry is offered only during the palace’s seasonal public opening, from July through September. An expert English-speaking guide leads the walking portion, with audio headsets used when needed for clear commentary. On days when the Foot Guards ceremony does not take place, the experience may include a Westminster walking tour instead; Horse Guards viewing is not guaranteed.

This Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard tour pairs London’s ceremonial spectacle with time to discover the palace’s lavish rooms and royal stories. Book ahead to secure your visit during the limited seasonal opening.

Highlights

  • Watch the pageantry of the Changing of the Guard
  • Explore Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms at your own pace
  • Hear royal history and traditions from an expert guide
  • Use the official audio guide in one of 9 languages

What's included

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 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, or Horse Guards on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
  • Official Buckingham Palace self-guided audio guide in 9 languages
  • Pre-reserved entry to Buckingham Palace State Rooms, available July through September only
  • Audio headsets when required for clear commentary
  • Insider commentary on royal history and traditions

Not included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Meet by the Duke of York Column, Waterloo Place, 9 Carlton Terrace, London SW1Y 5AJ, at the top of the steps leading down to The Mall
  • The State Rooms are open to the public for approximately eight weeks each year; entry is available July through September only
  • The Changing of the Guard is subject to changes or cancellation by British authorities, sometimes due to weather
  • If the Foot Guards ceremony does not take place, the tour may include an extended Westminster walking tour; Horse Guards viewing is not guaranteed
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  • On some Sundays, the tour may be rescheduled to early morning; the Sunday Parade is a variation of the ceremony
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health; moderate physical fitness is advised
  • Public transportation is available nearby

Frequently asked questions

When can I visit Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms?

Pre-reserved entry is available July through September only, when the State Rooms open to the public for approximately eight weeks.

Which Changing of the Guard ceremony will I see?

The schedule lists Foot Guards on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, and Horse Guards on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Viewing is subject to change.

What happens if the ceremony is canceled?

British authorities may change or cancel the ceremony, including because of bad weather. The tour may instead provide a Westminster walking tour.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet by the Duke of York Column at Waterloo Place, 9 Carlton Terrace, London SW1Y 5AJ, at the top of the steps leading down to The Mall.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

It is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, and a moderate level of physical fitness is advised.

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.14 from 2,168 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in London
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 2.9.

Provider rating distribution in London

How many tours in London have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • Viator

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