Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace Tour: Which One to Book
A single morning can cover the coronation church, the clock tower that started it all and the changing of the guard, if you pick the right westminster abbey and buckingham palace tour. Three versions run this route today, and they differ enough in length, price and what's included that the choice actually matters. Here's how they compare, one against the other.
About This Experience
Cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund on most departures.
Lock in your spot today and settle payment closer to the date.
Runs 1.5 to 5 hours depending on which version you pick.
Two of the three walks take you inside the coronation church itself, not just past the gates.
A professional guide narrates Westminster, Whitehall and the palace forecourt as you walk.
Time your date right and you'll catch the ceremony outside Buckingham Palace.
Check Live Availability & Prices
Live prices and time slots shift by the day, so confirm the exact date and departure time before you commit.
Which Tour to Pick
The London Walking Tour pairing Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace is the version most travelers should book first. At 3 to 4 hours it includes guided time inside Westminster Abbey itself, a stop at Big Ben and Parliament Square, and a walk past the palace, and it carries the deepest review base of any royal walk in the city at 4.8 stars across 3,766 reviews.
For a slower day, the 5-hour Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben walking tour adds more stops and more stories along the way, at a similar 4.8-star rating from 1,170 reviews. It suits travelers who would rather wander than rush and who have a full free morning to give it.
The Essential Sightseeing Tour with the Changing of the Guard is the budget route, 1.5 to 2.5 hours, with a private option if you'd rather skip a group. Its 4.9-star rating comes from a small review base worth noting rather than treating as proven at scale. It skips the Abbey interior entirely and sticks to exteriors and the ceremony, so it fits a tight schedule or budget better than a full royal history lesson. For where this fits into a longer stay, see our hour-by-hour plan for 48 hours in London.
Compare All Three Westminster and Buckingham Tours
Each option below covers Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace at a different length and price, so pick by how much time and depth you want.
from $68.40 London: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Buckingham Guided Tour
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from $90.84 London: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey & Big Ben Tour
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from $24.05 London: Essential Sightseeing Tour and Changing of the Guard (Shared or Private)
Check AvailabilityWhat You'll See
All three tours trace the same corridor of royal and political London, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Whitehall, and Buckingham Palace, though how much of it you enter rather than just view depends on which one you book.
Expect a guide who threads nine hundred years of coronations, burials and ceremony into a walk you can do entirely on foot.
- Westminster Abbey's nave, Poets' Corner and the royal tombs (interior tours only)
- Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower from Parliament Square
- The Houses of Parliament along the Thames
- Whitehall and the government quarter, including the gates of Downing Street
- Horse Guards Parade
- Buckingham Palace's forecourt and gates
- The Victoria Memorial, the best photo spot for the palace
- The Changing of the Guard, on the days it runs
How a Typical Visit Flows
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09:30
Meet at Westminster
Groups usually gather near Westminster tube station or Parliament Square, where the guide gives a short orientation before walking in.
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09:45
Big Ben and Parliament Square
A stop at the Elizabeth Tower and the Houses of Parliament sets the scene for the century of history covered on the walk.
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10:15
Westminster Abbey
On the interior tours, this is where you go inside, past the royal tombs, Poets' Corner and the coronation theatre, with the guide narrating as you move through.
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11:30
Whitehall and Downing Street
The route continues past Horse Guards Parade and the gates of Downing Street, with stories of the government quarter along the way.
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12:00
St James's Park
A short walk through the park brings you toward the palace, with the Blue Bridge offering one of the better photo stops on the route.
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12:20
Buckingham Palace
The tour ends at the palace forecourt, timed where possible to catch the Changing of the Guard on ceremony days.
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12:45
Tour Ends
Most groups wrap up near the Victoria Memorial or St James's Park tube station, free to continue exploring on their own.
Know Before You Go
Not suitable for
- Travelers needing full step-free access throughout, Westminster Abbey's interior has stairs and uneven medieval floors in places
- Anyone visiting on a Sunday and hoping to see inside the Abbey, it's closed to sightseers for services
- Those wanting instant entry without a wait, the Abbey and palace grounds both draw queues in peak season
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes for several miles of pavement
- A layer for wind, especially around the open palace forecourt
- A photo ID if your booking requires it at check-in
- A charged phone or camera for the Victoria Memorial photo stop
Not allowed
- Photography inside Westminster Abbey
- Large bags or luggage inside the Abbey
- Drones anywhere along the route
Insider Tips
A few small choices change how good this walk feels.
- Pick a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Sunday so the Changing of the Guard lands inside your tour
- Arrive at the Abbey right at opening, the interior empties out fast after mid-morning
- Head to the Blue Bridge in St James's Park for the cleanest palace photo line
- Linger in the Abbey's cloisters if your guide allows it, they're included but often rushed
- Check the Household Division's calendar in advance to confirm the guard ceremony is running on your date
- Bring cash for tips if your guide works on a gratuity basis
Where You're Headed
Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace Tour FAQ
Which Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace tour is the best value?
The 3 to 4 hour walk that includes guided entry into Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the palace carries both the most reviews and the strongest overall balance of price and depth, which is why it's the featured pick above.
Can you go inside Buckingham Palace on these tours?
No. All three walks view the palace from the forecourt and grounds outside; interior State Room visits only happen on separate, seasonal tickets sold directly by the Royal Collection Trust.
What day should I book to see the Changing of the Guard?
The ceremony typically runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 11:00, weather and schedule permitting, so pick one of those days and confirm nearer your date.
Is Westminster Abbey open every day?
No, it closes to sightseers on Sundays because it's a working church holding services. Plan your Abbey-interior tour for another day of the week.
How much walking is involved?
Expect a few miles on foot at a moderate pace, covering Westminster, Whitehall, St James's Park and the palace forecourt, all flat, easy terrain.
Is the budget option worth it?
The shorter, cheaper Essential Sightseeing tour skips the Abbey interior and focuses on exteriors and the guard ceremony, so it suits a tight schedule or budget rather than travelers wanting the full history.
What Travellers Say
Our guide brought Poets' Corner to life in a way I never expected, and we timed it perfectly with the Changing of the Guard.
Good value for the length, though the group was bigger than I pictured and the Abbey section moved fast.
We took the shorter option before a flight and still caught the guard ceremony outside the palace, exactly what we needed.