Excursions & day trips

Buckingham Palace skip-the-line tour with Changing of the Guard

from

$86.00

Free cancellation

Language: English

Availability: Daily

Mobile voucher accepted

Duration: up to 2 hours 45 minutes

Instant confirmation

Why you’ll love this…

Experience the Changing of the Guard from a great viewpoint
Listen to your guide's live commentary of the ceremony
Enter Buckingham Palace immediately with pre-booked tickets
Explore the State Rooms with an audioguide

What to expect

Get the royal treatment in London with a narrated viewing of the Changing of the Guard and a visit to Buckingham Palace. See the outfits worn by Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Coronation too.

You’ll meet your guide and be taken to an area with a prime view of the Changing of the Guard. This colorful ceremony is one of the oldest traditions at the Palace, with red tunics, bearskin hats, and occasionally pop music.

Please note that if you book on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, enjoy the Household Cavalry change the guard at Horse Guards parade, with their unmistakable silver plumed helmets and mounted on their magnificent horses.

Afterward, your guide will take a moment to describe the history of Buckingham Palace before sending you right in. Traditionally, guides are not allowed to speak inside, so you will receive an official audioguide. You’ll be able to explore this royal home at your own pace. Take the time to admire the world-famous artwork and furnishings. With 19 State Rooms, a ballroom, and the throne room, you’re sure to see impressive elements of the Royal Collection. It’s a regal experience you won’t want to miss.

What's included

Pre-booked admission to Buckingham Palace
Changing of the Guard (weather permitting)
Expert, English-speaking tour guide
Headsets, when necessary

What's not included

Gratuities
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Food and beverages

Where

9 Carlton House Terrace, St. James's, London SW1Y 5AJ, UK

Meeting point:

Please meet by the Duke of York column at Waterloo Place. This is the tall column with the statue on top. If you are arriving by tube, take the tube to Piccadilly Circus and take exit No. 3 onto Regent Street/St James. Walk south down Regent Street towards St James Park (do not walk north towards Oxford Street). Waterloo Place is at the end of Regent Street. You will see the tall column with a statue on top. If you arrive into Charing Cross Station, walk down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace. You will see the statue on your right at the top of some steps. The tour will end inside Buckingham Palace.

What to remember

Not suitable for:

Wheelchair users or guests with any impairments requiring special assistance

Not allowed:

Photography is not permitted within Buckingham Palace but is allowed within the gardens
Strollers or baby carriages

Know in advance:

The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace involves foot soldiers from the Household Division and occurs Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The Changing of the Horse Guards at Horse Guards Parade features mounted cavalry from the Household Cavalry and takes place daily, this is what you will see if you book a tour on Tuesday and Thursday. The former occurs at Buckingham Palace, while the latter is held at Horse Guards Parade near Whitehall
On Saturday, the show that takes place is known as the "Guard Mounting" or "Inspection of the New Guard" at House Guards Parade. The inspection involves the Captain of the New Guard inspecting the soldiers to ensure they are in proper order with their uniforms and equipment in pristine condition, before they take over their duties from the Old Guard
This is a tour that involves a reasonable amount of walking. Comfortable shoes are recommended
The tour operator reserves the right to refuse any guest under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or anyone whose behaviour is disorderly or poses a threat to other guests and staff
The tour operator will do everything within their power to ensure timings and itineraries are respected. However, due to issues beyond their control, timings and sites are subject to last-minute changes on rare occasions. Please be aware that some locations may be unavoidably busy during standard hours due to the popularity of London’s sites

Provider

City Wonders

Booking fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.

Cancellation policy

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

What people say about this experience

Cindyc297
From Belgium - September 2024

Traveled as a couple

18 - 24 years old

Great
Overall rated
3/5

Il n'y avais pas le changement de la garde, il était noté qu'en cas de mauvais temps ça pouvais être annulé mais la il fesais magnifique on a pas vu l ...
Anonymous
From United States of America - September 2024

Great
Overall rated
4/5

Our guide was very nice. Her name was Lesley We were really disappointed that we paid for changing of the guard viewing and that was not taking place ...
Anonymous
From Italy - August 2024

Excellent
Overall rated
5/5
Jane Tiel
From United States of America - August 2024

Solo traveler

18 - 24 years old

Excellent
Overall rated
5/5
Anonymous
From United States of America - September 2023

Great
Overall rated
4/5
Anonymous
From United States of America - September 2023

Great
Overall rated
4/5

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