Almost everything sold as a 'Buckingham Palace' tour is really a Changing of the Guard tour—the ceremony outside the gates, not the State Rooms inside. Only two options here actually include Palace entry (6295P28 and, seasonally, the entrance-ticket combos), and prices swing wildly from $19.44 for a guided walk to $151.33 for a palace-and-afternoon-tea day out.
How to choose: if you just want to see the guards well-explained, the $19.44 walking tours do that, though ratings there are only middling (4.1-4.8). If you want actual interiors, you're paying up. And watch the ratings closely—this is a category where the cheap, high-volume options (6295LOBPCGEAM at 4.1 over 1,324 reviews) have visibly more complaints than the leaner ones.
#1Editor's Choice
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace Experience
The best-rated way to actually understand the Changing of the Guard.
★★★★★ 5.0 (156 reviews)·from $40·2h 00m·
This 2-hour experience earns a perfect 5.0 across 156 reviews—the top rating in the category—for $40.26, walking you from Trafalgar Square through St James's to the ceremony at Wellington Barracks. It doesn't get you inside the Palace, but for the ceremony itself this is the standout, with better reviews than the cheaper walks and none of the low ratings that dog the entrance-combo tours.
★★★★★“Our tour guide Fantastic walks was very helpful and knowledgeable about the changing or the guards. Got in great viewing locations. Thanks Robin was a great experience.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Expert local guide
- Prime viewing spots
Where you'll go: Trafalgar Square · St. James's Palace · Buckingham Palace · Wellington Barracks
What's good
- Perfect 5.0 across 156 reviews—best in category
- Well-positioned route to actually see the guards
- Reasonable $40 price for a guided 2 hours
What to know
- No Palace interior access
- Ceremony doesn't run every day—check the schedule
Best for: Visitors who want the ceremony done right without overpaying.
Skip it if: You specifically want to tour the State Rooms inside.
#2Best Half-Day Combo
London: Buckingham Palace & Big Ben (& Westminster Abbey entry)
Buckingham plus Big Ben and Westminster Abbey entry in one 5-hour sweep.
★★★★½ 4.8 (465 reviews)·from $136·5h 00m·
At $136.06 (4.8, 465 reviews) this bundles the Changing of the Guard with Westminster Abbey entry and the Big Ben/Whitehall corridor over five hours. The 465-review 4.8 is genuinely strong for a tour this ambitious. You're paying for Abbey admission and breadth, not for going inside Buckingham itself.
★★★★★“Very interesting tour. We added on the Churchill’s War Room. Nathaniel was a wonderful guide. He was very knowledgeable and friendly.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Westminster Abbey Entrance Ticket
- Walking tour of the Top 20 sights of Westminster
- Local Fun Guide
Where you'll go: Buckingham Palace · Trafalgar Square · Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall · Whitehall
What's good
- High 4.8 across a solid 465 reviews
- Includes Westminster Abbey entry, a real ticket cost
- Efficient coverage of central London's icons
What to know
- Five hours is a big time commitment
- No Buckingham Palace interior
Best for: First-timers wanting the royal-Westminster core in one guided block.
Skip it if: You only care about Buckingham and want to keep it short.
#3Best Value
Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London at Buckingham Palace
A well-reviewed guided walk to the ceremony for under $20.
★★★★½ 4.8 (331 reviews)·from $19·2h 00m·
This is the value sweet spot: $19.44, a 4.8 rating over 331 reviews, two hours walking to the ceremony past St James's Palace and Clarence House. It beats the identically priced 6295P26 walk on rating (4.8 vs 4.3) with a comparable review count, which makes it the smarter of the two cheap options.
★★★★★“This was a great way to view the changing of the guards ceremony, know where to stand to get the best view, and learn more about the ceremony and "behind the scenes". The tour lasted for closer to 2 hours. Erik was a great guide.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- The Mall
- Clarence House
- Guided walking tour of the Changing of the Guard ceremony
- St James’s Palace
Where you'll go: Changing of the Guard · Buckingham Palace · St. James's Palace · Clarence House
What's good
- Rock-bottom $19.44 price
- Strong 4.8 over 331 reviews
- Outperforms the other $19.44 walk on rating
What to know
- No Palace entry
- Ceremony scheduling can disrupt plans
Best for: Budget travelers who still want a well-rated guide.
Skip it if: You want interiors or a small-group premium feel.
#4Most Indulgent
Buckingham Palace & Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Tour with PG Tips
Afternoon tea and sightseeing—charming idea, weakest rating here.
★★★★☆ 4.4 (225 reviews)·from $151·4h 30m·
For $151.33 this 4.5-hour tour pairs Buckingham with a PG Tips afternoon tea and a loop past the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and St Paul's. But its 4.4 rating (225 reviews) is among the lowest in this set, and it's the second-priciest option—a combination that suggests the experience doesn't always justify the cost. The tea is the draw; manage expectations on the touring.
★★★★★“The self-guided tour was great. We had a wonderful time visiting the palace and enjoyed ourselves in the garden. The instructions and GPS location to exchange the vouchers were confusing. We were standing in front of the locked main gate and had to ask one of the guards. He told us to go around the left side of the palace to find gate A to obtain tickets. It would be helpful if the tour compan”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Branded Souvenir Travel Cup
- Freshly Prepared Afternoon Tea
- Glass of Prosecco
- Selection of Teas and Coffees onboard the Tea Bus
Where you'll go: London Eye · Big Ben · Tower Bridge · St. Paul's Cathedral
What's good
- Includes a full afternoon tea
- Broad sightseeing loop of London's landmarks
- Novel format for a special-occasion day
What to know
- 4.4 rating is near the bottom of the category
- Second-highest price on the list
Best for: Travelers who love the ritual of afternoon tea and want it built in.
Skip it if: You want the highest-rated experience for your money.
#5Solid choice
Changing of the Guard Guided Tour at Buckingham Palace
A budget guided walk that the near-identical 271934P3 outshines.
★★★★☆ 4.3 (718 reviews)·from $19·2h 00m·
Same $19.44 price and same 2-hour ceremony walk as the value pick, but this one sits at 4.3 across 718 reviews—more reviews, lower rating. The larger sample makes the softer score more telling: this is a fine, cheap option, but there's a better-rated twin at the exact same price.
★★★★★“Excellent historical facts—not too much, not too little (made a long story short). Excellent spots to see the different parts of the Changing of the Guard. Guide (Louise) had a great sense of humor and was very knowledgeable. Easy to book. Easy to find. Easy to communicate.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Changing of the Guard as it unfolds on a fully guided walking tour
- Headsets when appropriate
- Expert, English-speaking tour guide providing live commentary throughout the experience
- If Option Selected: Tickets to the King’s Gallery (Exhibit: Queen Elizabeth II – Her Life in Style)
Where you'll go: Duke Of York Column · Changing of the Guard · King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Memorial · Clarence House
What's good
- Very cheap at $19.44
- Large 718-review base to judge from
- Covers the ceremony and nearby royal sights
What to know
- 4.3 rating trails the identically priced alternative
- No Palace interior
Best for: Budget travelers who happen to catch a better time slot on this one.
Skip it if: The 4.8-rated 271934P3 is available—take that instead.
#6Best for Interiors
Buckingham Palace Entrance Ticket & British Royalty Guided Tour
One of the few tours that actually gets you inside the Palace.
★★★★☆ 4.3 (267 reviews)·from $75·2h 30m·
At $74.97 (4.3, 267 reviews) this includes a Buckingham Palace entrance ticket plus a royalty-themed guided walk—making it a genuine interior option, which most tours here are not. The 4.3 rating is unremarkable, but Palace access is seasonal and hard to find bundled, so the trade-off may be worth it if you want to step inside.
★★★★★“Great experience. Enjoyed Paul’s deep knowledge of the Royal Family and its place n UK history. Access to Buckingham Palace was easy and quick.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Expert English-speaking guide on your Royal London walking tour
- Pre-reserved entry to Buckingham Palace State Rooms (open July – September only)
- Audio headsets when required for clear commentary
- Explore Buckingham Palace State Rooms at your own pace
Where you'll go: Duke Of York Column · The Mall · King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Memorial · St. James's Park
What's good
- Includes actual Palace entrance, a rarity here
- Royalty-focused guided context
- Mid-range price for what's included
What to know
- Modest 4.3 rating
- State Rooms are only open seasonally—verify dates
Best for: Visitors set on seeing the State Rooms, not just the gates.
Skip it if: The interior isn't open when you're visiting, or ratings matter most.
#7Premium option
Buckingham Palace Entrance Ticket & Changing of the Guard Tour
High volume, lowest rating—the entrance-plus-ceremony combo that underdelivers.
★★★★☆ 4.1 (1,324 reviews)·from $85·2h 30m·
This $84.69 tour pairs a Palace entrance ticket with the Changing of the Guard and has by far the most reviews in the category (1,324), but also the lowest rating at 4.1. That combination—huge sample, weakest score—is a caution flag: enough people have been disappointed that it shows. If you want interiors, 6295P28 offers similar access at a lower price and a slightly better rating.
★★★★★“Jo was excellent and very detailed in her history. A must for buckingham to appreciate the history. Highly recommend.”
— Verified traveller
What's 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 (Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun) or Horse Guards (Tue/Thu/Sat)
- Pre-reserved entry to Buckingham Palace State Rooms (open July – September only)
Where you'll go: Duke Of York Column · King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Memorial · St. James's Park · St. James's Palace
What's good
- Includes both Palace entry and the ceremony
- Massive 1,324-review track record
- Covers the royal core in one ticket
What to know
- Lowest rating in the category at 4.1
- Pricier than 6295P28 for comparable access
Best for: Travelers who want everything bundled and weigh convenience over rating.
Skip it if: You care about ratings—better-scored options exist at every price here.
Before you go
- The interior State Rooms only open ~10 weeks in summer — if you want inside, plan your London trip around late July–September.
- Changing of the Guard days change with the season and cancel in bad weather; check the official Household Division schedule the morning of.
- Arrive by 10:15am for the 11am ceremony; the forecourt railings and Victoria Memorial fill up fast.
- Combine the palace with nearby free sights — St James's Park, the Mall, Green Park — since you're already there and they're a short walk.
- For the ceremony, standing along the Wellington Barracks route lets you watch the guards march, often with a clearer view than the mobbed forecourt.
- Big-ticket combos (Westminster Abbey, afternoon tea) add up fast; the free ceremony plus a $19 guided walk covers most of what visitors actually want.
How I ranked these
For Buckingham Palace tours I weighted three things: what you actually get for the money (group size, what's included, special access), the rating balanced against how many reviews back it up — a 4.9 from 200 people isn't the same as a 4.6 from 15,000 — and price for what's on offer. Ratings, review counts and prices shift over time, so always check the live booking page before you pay.
Good to know
Can I go inside Buckingham Palace, and when?
The State Rooms only open to visitors for about ten weeks in summer (roughly late July to September) while the King is away. The entrance-ticket tours here (like the ~$75 or ~$85 options) are tied to that season. Outside summer you can only see the exterior and the gates, so check the dates before booking an interior ticket.
What time is the Changing of the Guard and do I need a tour for it?
The ceremony is free to watch from the street and typically starts at 11am, on set days that vary by season (often Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun, more frequent in summer). You don't need a tour, but the guided Changing of the Guard walks (from about $19) get you to the right vantage points before the crowds and explain what's actually happening — which is hard to follow otherwise.
Where's the best place to stand for the Changing of the Guard?
The palace forecourt railings fill up 45+ minutes early. Experienced guides often position groups near the Victoria Memorial steps for height, or along the guards' marching route from Wellington Barracks and St James's Palace so you see the procession, not just the packed forecourt. Arrive by 10:15 for a decent spot.
Is the afternoon tea sightseeing tour worth it?
The ~$151 Buckingham Palace and afternoon tea tour bundles a bus sightseeing loop past Big Ben, Tower Bridge and St Paul's with a tea service. It's more of a relaxed city overview with a treat than a deep dive into the palace itself — good if you want to cover a lot of London landmarks in one sitting rather than a detailed royal history.
Does the ticket include the Royal Mews and Queen's Gallery?
Not usually — those are separate attractions with their own admission. Some combo tickets add them, so read the inclusions. The State Rooms, Royal Mews (royal carriages and horses), and the King's Gallery each ticket separately, and only the State Rooms are seasonal.
Prices are "from" prices in USD and change with date and availability. Last updated August 2026.