London Drum

Guided Tour: Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace

Changing of the Guard Walking Tour
Where? Buckingham Palace, The Mall When? Every Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun (it's held on the same day as Changing the Guard) The tour starts at 10 AM outside the Victoria Palace Theatre, and ends at Parliament Square Price? From £10 Parking: Nearby car parks Buses: 11, 211, C1, C10 Bus fares Trains: The closest station is St. James’s Park Circle District Other nearby stations: Green Park Train fares

Tickets from £10 Book tickets

Purchase with confidence from Viator 24/7 customer support Lowest Price Guarantee if you find the same activity by the same provider in the same currency Free cancellation if made at least 24 hours in advance * restrictions apply

The Changing the Guard ceremony is one of Britain's most famous traditions, and immersing yourself in the full glory of its pomp and pageantry will be one of the highlights of your stay.

Soldiers marching out of Buckingham Palace
Soldiers marching out of Buckingham Palace

Unfortunately the crowds outside Buckingham Palace are so huge that you have to arrive a couple of hours early to grab the best spots. If you haven't got that kind of time to spare then how about this guided tour instead? It will take you to the places where it's much easier to see the soldiers up-close, like when they're marching down the Mall, around the Queen Victoria Memorial, and down the side of St. James's Palace.

The Household Cavalry on Horse Guards Parade
The Household Cavalry on Horse Guards Parade

After meeting your knowledgeable guide near Victoria station they'll take you to see the Foot Guards, Household Cavalry and Regimental Musical Bands, keeping you entertained with the history of the regiments and sharing stories about the ceremony, Clarence House and St. James's Palace.

Buckingham PalacePhoto: londondrum.com
Buckingham Palace

After taking some photos of Buckingham Palace and discovering just how many rooms it has inside, they'll take you into the heartland of British government for a closer look at Big Ben, Parliament and Westminster Abbey -- the home of Royal weddings, Royal funerals and Royal coronations for the last 1,000 years.

Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey

Note: You might like to read our review of the soldiers forming up outside St. James's Palace and Wellington Barracks. If you'd like to get the full experience then read our complete review of the Changing the Guard ceremony.

We also recommend… If you enjoy Buckingham Palace then you might like to visit Clarence House (you can walk it in 6 mins), Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace (catch a tube from St James’s Park to Queensway), Royal Mews (you can walk it in 4 mins) and Windsor Castle

How to get to Buckingham Palace

Bus and train fares to Buckingham Palace
Fare zone Cash Oyster & Contactless Travelcard
Single fare Single fare Daily cap One day
Peak Off-peak Peak Off-peak Any­time Off-peak
Bus (all zones) n/a £1.75 £5.25 £6
Train (zone 1) £7 £2.90 £2.80 £8.90 £8.90 £16.60(zone 1-4) £16.60(zone 1-6)
Train (zone 1-2) £7 £3.50 £2.90 £8.90 £8.90
Train (zone 1-3) £7 £3.80 £3.10 £10.50 £10.50
Train (zone 1-4) £7 £4.60 £3.40 £12.80 £12.80
Train (zone 1-5) £7 £5.20 £3.60 £15.30 £15.30 £23.60(zone 1-6)
Train (zone 1-6) £7 £5.80* £3.80* £16.30 £16.30
* Journeys between zone 1 and Heathrow are always charged at the peak rate. Prices are correct as of
Bus No.11, 211, C1 and C10 all stop near Buckingham Palace. The closest train station is St. James’s Park Circle District. Plan your journey from Bank, Charing Cross, Earl’s Court, Euston, King’s Cross St. Pancras, Liverpool Street, London Bridge, Marylebone, Paddington, Victoria, Waterloo or another station:

You might be interested in…

Search for more parades, Royal events and sightseeing tours in London, or look for things to do in Westminster. Check out all the other events in London tomorrow, this weekend and during April

★★★From £35Buckingham Palace

Read our review of Buckingham Palace

Tomorrow FreeChanging the Guard at Buckingham Palace

Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace

Tomorrow From £67London Vintage Bus Tour Thames Cruise Fish & Chips

Vintage Bus Tour with River Cruise + Fish & Chips

Today From £119London Royal Neighbourhood Walk & Luxury High Tea

Royal Neighbourhood Walk & Luxury Afternoon Tea

This week From £16Royal London From Saxons to Tudors & Stuarts Walking Tour

Royal London: Saxons, Tudors & Stuarts Walking Tour

FreeTrooping the Colour

Trooping the Colour at Horse Guards & RAF flypast