Buckingham Palace Entrance Ticket & Changing of the Guard Tour

The best part of this tour is the combination: you get an outdoor introduction to royal London, a guided attempt at a good view of the Changing of the Guard, and a ticket to Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms. The palace is open to the public for only two months of the year, so arranging entry in advance can make this a useful way to plan a short London visit.

I like two things in particular: a guide can help you find a viewing spot and explain what is happening, and the palace visit is self-paced, so you can linger over the rooms that interest you. Guides such as Louise, Aaron, Carla and Aaron have been praised for making the walk lively and informative.

The main caveat is that the ceremony can change or be cancelled, and the palace portion is not guided. Expect walking, crowds and a schedule that can shift; this is not a guaranteed close-up of the Foot Guards at the palace gates.

At a glance

• The palace ticket is included: You enter Buckingham Palace and explore its State Apartments with an audio guide.
• Your guide leads the outdoor part: Meet at the Duke of York Column, then walk through St James’s Park toward the palace.
• The ceremony is not guaranteed: Weather, official changes and the day’s schedule can affect what you see.
• Foot Guards do not change every day: There is no Changing of the Foot Guards on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday.
• Expect a small-to-medium group: The maximum is 30 people, with headsets used when appropriate.
• Plan for more than just a palace visit: The experience lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes and involves a moderate amount of walking.

A royal walk before the palace doors

The tour begins at the Duke of York Column in central London. From there, your guide takes the group through St James’s Park toward Buckingham Palace. The park walk is more than a route from one landmark to another: it gives the guide time to set the scene, explain royal history and point out the palace’s place in London life.

The scheduled park stop is about 20 minutes, though the full outdoor portion can feel longer once you include the walk, group stops and ceremony viewing. Wear comfortable shoes and be ready to keep moving. One practical point from past tours: if you fall behind, you may have trouble hearing a headset, so stay close to your guide.

Guides are a big part of the experience. Louise has been praised for combining history with British humor, while Aaron and Carla have been noted for keeping the walk informative and the group together. Names vary by departure, of course, but a good guide makes the outdoor section feel less like waiting around and more like a short introduction to the monarchy and its ceremonies.

The group can have up to 30 people. That is not a private tour, and busy streets or crowded viewing areas can make it harder to stay near the guide. Headsets, when provided, help you hear commentary outdoors, but they work best when you keep within range.

Watching the Changing of the Guard

The ceremony is the tour’s most uncertain element. Depending on the schedule, you may see the Changing of the Foot Guards or the Horse Guards. These are distinct events, and the route and viewing position can affect what you actually see. A guide can help you reach a useful vantage point and explain the uniforms, music and movements, but cannot control the crowd or the official program.

That distinction matters. Some groups see a parade or marching from a position away from the palace gates rather than the actual exchange of guards at the palace. If your main goal is a close view of the Foot Guards changing at Buckingham Palace, ask yourself whether you would still value the tour if the ceremony is altered or you see only part of it. The guide may take you to a different location, including a chance to see the Horse Guards, but that is not assured.

There is no Changing of the Foot Guards on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. On those days, the tour includes a walking tour of Westminster instead. You may be able to see the Changing of the Horse Guards at Horse Guards Parade, but the tour does not guarantee it. Sunday has a slightly different version of the ceremony, known as the Sunday Parade.

Weather and official decisions can also change the plan. Heavy rain or a schedule change may replace the ceremony with an extended walking tour of Westminster. On some Sundays, the ceremony may be moved to early morning, which also means the tour substitutes a walk. Changes may not be announced until the morning itself, so book this for the whole experience, not just for one specific military display.

Crowds are part of the setting. Several thousand people may be trying to find a view, and even a well-placed guide cannot make a public ceremony feel private. I would treat a good viewing spot as a bonus rather than a promise of an unobstructed view.

Inside Buckingham Palace, at your own pace

Buckingham Palace is the tour’s most dependable headline attraction: your entrance ticket is included, and you explore the State Apartments independently with an audio guide. The rooms show off chandeliers, classic artworks, antiques and carefully arranged furniture. If you enjoy grand interiors and royal objects, the palace visit gives you the chance to see them rather than simply admire the building from outside.

The independent format has a practical upside. You can move through the rooms at your own pace and choose what to focus on, instead of having to keep pace with a guide’s indoor commentary. The trade-off is that your tour guide does not accompany you through the palace. The guide gets you to the entrance, then you use the audio guide on your own.

Allow time to listen and look, but keep the overall schedule in mind. The palace portion is listed as about an hour, though the visit can take longer depending on entry timing and how long you spend inside. Some visitors find they have to choose which rooms or displays to linger over. The audio guide may not offer commentary for every individual item, so it is worth looking at the room as a whole as well as listening for details.

The palace is crowded at times, and the route through its rooms may not suit everyone. If you are travelling with small children, note that one family found the combination of crowds, winding rooms and no stroller access difficult. The tour also calls for a moderate fitness level, and the walk outside adds to the time on your feet.

What $98.72 buys you

At $98.72 per person, this is not simply an admission ticket. The price covers entry to Buckingham Palace, an audio-guided visit, an English-speaking guide for the outdoor tour and the Changing of the Guard portion when it goes ahead. It also buys a planned route through the park and help navigating the ceremony, where timing and position can make a real difference.

The value depends on what you want. If you mainly want to see the palace interiors and prefer to organize your own day, you may not need the guided walk. The palace is self-guided once you enter, so you are not paying for an expert to lead you room by room. If, however, you want royal context before your visit and would rather have someone else manage the outdoor route and ceremony viewing, the extra structure can be worthwhile.

The palace’s short public opening season is another reason to plan ahead. This experience is often booked about 57 days in advance, so it is sensible to reserve early if your dates are fixed. It comes with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time, which gives you some flexibility if your plans change.

Do not assume the advertised 2 hours 30 minutes will fit neatly around another major sight. One tour can run into timing complications if palace entry is later than expected, and some participants have had to adjust their plans. Check the start and entry details carefully, and leave breathing room afterward rather than scheduling a timed visit across town.

Practical details before you go

The meeting point is the Duke of York Column, St James’s, London SW1Y 5AJ. The tour ends at Spur Road, outside the palace area. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so arrange your own way to and from the meeting and end points. The location is near public transportation.

Arrive at the correct meeting point before the stated start time. The group leaves from the column, not from Buckingham Palace, and arriving at the palace instead can mean missing the tour. The confirmation is issued when you book, so check the directions and any updated timing in advance.

Bring comfortable shoes and expect to walk at a moderate pace. The group size can reach 30, and headsets may be provided when appropriate. Keep close enough to your guide to hear commentary, especially in busy areas.

The ceremony is controlled by British authorities, not by the tour operator. Dates, times and the event itself may change, sometimes with little notice. If it is cancelled because of bad weather or other circumstances, the ceremony viewing is replaced with a Westminster walking tour.

Who should book this tour?

I would book this if you want both the palace interiors and a guided introduction to the royal sights around St James’s Park. It suits first-time visitors who like hearing context as they walk and who are comfortable with the possibility that the ceremony may not unfold as expected. The included palace ticket is useful during the limited public opening period, and the self-guided interior lets you explore without being tied to a guide’s pace.

I would think twice if your only priority is a specific view of the Foot Guards changing at the palace gates, or if you want a guide inside the palace. The ceremony is subject to change, and the interior is independent. If those limits are acceptable, the tour offers a practical blend of outdoor history, a chance to watch a famous tradition and entry to the State Apartments.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. Actual timing can vary with the ceremony schedule and palace entry arrangements.

How much does it cost?

The listed price is $98.72 per person.

Where does the tour start?

Meet at the Duke of York Column, St James’s, London SW1Y 5AJ. The tour does not start at Buckingham Palace.

Where does the tour end?

The stated end point is Spur Road, outside Buckingham Palace.

Is the Buckingham Palace entrance ticket included?

Yes. The ticket is included, along with an audio-guided visit to the State Apartments.

Does the guide go inside Buckingham Palace?

No. The guide leads the outdoor portion and gets the group to the palace entrance. Inside, you explore independently with an audio guide.

Is Changing of the Guard guaranteed?

No. The ceremony can change or be cancelled at the discretion of British authorities, and bad weather or schedule changes may result in a Westminster walking tour instead.

Does the Foot Guards ceremony happen every day?

No. There is no Changing of the Foot Guards on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. A Horse Guards viewing may be possible on those days, but it is not guaranteed.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English, with an English-speaking guide for the outdoor portion.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refundable.