London Guard Change and Thames River Tour 3 hr - Image 1
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London Guard Change and Thames River Tour 3 hr

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  • London, United Kingdom
  • 3 hrs
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Watch the Guard Change, walk past London landmarks, and cruise the Thames, with an optional visit to the Tower of London.

About this tour

See London’s royal pageantry and riverside landmarks on a guided walking tour with a Thames cruise. Meet outside King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace and watch the Changing of the Guard, with time to take photos near the Household Cavalry and their horses. If bad weather prevents the ceremony, the visit switches to a Horse Guards photo stop.

Follow your guide through the city past Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Downing Street, then board a one-way cruise from Westminster Pier to Tower Pier. Along the Thames, take in views of the London Eye, the Shard, and Tower Bridge. You can also choose to visit the Tower of London and explore its royal history and Crown Jewels at your own pace.

This 3-hour London Guard Change and Thames River Tour brings together a guided city walk, a scenic river journey, and an optional historic attraction. Choose the Tower option to round out your day among London’s most memorable sights.

Highlights

  • Watch the Changing of the Guard near Buckingham Palace
  • Stroll past Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Downing Street
  • Cruise the Thames from Westminster Pier to Tower Pier
  • Add an optional visit to the Tower of London

What's included

Included

  • Changing of the Guard ceremony viewing
  • Guided walking tour of London
  • Live guide
  • Optional entry to the Tower of London

Not included

  • Food and drink
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Ratings on each provider

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

Important information

  • Meet at the Buckingham Gate tourist bus stop outside King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, SW1A 1AA
  • The Guard Change may be canceled in bad weather; the tour visits Horse Guards for a photo stop instead
  • The area can be very busy on Guard Change days; large luggage, prams, and strollers may be difficult to manage
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Public transportation is available nearby

How this score is calculated

This tour has no TourTruth score yet: Viator doesn't show a usable rating for it. It gets a score as soon as a provider lists one.

How the score works
  • 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. Tours without a usable provider rating are not scored.

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