Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Audio Tour

See the guards change, then walk the palace rooms at your own pace

You walk through royal London with a guide, watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony (Foot or Horse Guards depending on the day), then enter Buckingham Palace State Rooms with an audio guide and explore independently. The whole experience takes 2.5 hours and includes pre-reserved palace entry, which is only available July through September each year.

Step-by-step itinerary

Royal landmarks and palace tour

• Meet guide near Duke of York Column
• Walk along The Mall avenue
• Pass King George VI and Queen Elizabeth memorials
• Walk through St. James's Park
• See St. James's Palace
• Pass Clarence House
• Pass Lancaster House
• Watch Changing of the Guard ceremony
• Pass Wellington Barracks
• Enter Buckingham Palace for audio tour

The Experience

Yeah, so the thing nobody tells you is that Buckingham Palace is only open for about eight weeks a year, July through September, which means if you're planning a London trip and want to actually step inside the State Rooms, you've got a narrow window. This tour locks that in for you. You meet your guide near the Duke of York Column in central London, and from there it's a 2.5-hour experience that starts with a walk through the ceremonial heart of royal London: The Mall, St. James's Park, past Clarence House where King Charles and Queen Camilla actually live, and then you position yourself for the Changing of the Guard.

The guard ceremony itself is the thing people come for: the Foot Guards on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, or the Horse Guards on the other days. Your guide gets you to a decent viewing spot, and you watch the ceremonial uniforms, the precision, the whole ritual that's been happening for centuries. If weather or operational reasons cancel it (and that happens without warning until the morning of), you get an extended walking tour of Westminster instead, so you're not left standing around. After the ceremony, you head to Buckingham Palace itself. Your guide gives you the introduction, then you take an audio guide and explore the State Rooms on your own time: the chandeliers, the artworks, the grand staircases, the rooms where state occasions actually happen. The audio guide works in nine languages, so you're not dependent on keeping up with someone else's pace.

The walk has some elevation and you're on your feet for the full 2.5 hours, so it's not a casual stroll. But the payoff is that you see the palace during the only season it's open to the public, you don't have to figure out tickets or timing yourself, and you get the ceremonial guard viewing built in. Tickets sell out fast because of that eight-week window, so if you're going in summer and you want this, book it early.

What’s included

• Expert English-speaking guide for the walking tour through royal London.
• Changing of the Guard viewing at a prime location (Foot Guards or Horse Guards depending on the day).
• Pre-reserved entry to Buckingham Palace State Rooms.
• Official audio guide for independent exploration of the State Rooms.
• Audio headsets when required.
• Insider commentary on royal history and traditions.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by City Wonders UK

Is this one for you?Book this if you're visiting London in summer and want guaranteed access to the palace during its brief open season without arranging tickets separately: the fixed schedule and pre-reserved entry are what make the palace visit possible in a single morning.

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Top questions

When is Buckingham Palace open to visitors?

The State Rooms are open to the public for approximately eight weeks each year, from July through September.

Which Changing of the Guard ceremony will I see?

Foot Guards perform Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Horse Guards perform Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. If the ceremony is canceled due to weather, you receive an extended walking tour of Westminster instead.

Do I need to keep up with a guide inside the palace?

No. After your guide's introduction, you explore the State Rooms independently with an audio guide available in nine languages, at your own pace.

What happens if the Changing of the Guard is canceled?

You'll be provided with an extended walking tour of Westminster City instead. Cancellations are not announced until the morning of the ceremony.

How long is the full experience?

The tour lasts 2.5 hours total, including the guided walk through royal London, the guard ceremony viewing, and independent exploration of the palace.

Where do I meet the guide?

You meet in central London near the Duke of York Column, which marks the gateway to Royal London.

Is the walk difficult?

You're on your feet for the full 2.5 hours with some elevation. Moderate physical fitness is recommended. It's not advised for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

Are there language options for the palace audio guide?

Yes, the official Buckingham Palace audio guide is available in nine languages.