London Sightseeing Tour: Changing of the Guard & Tower of London
Four hours to a full day: St. Paul's, the Guard ceremony, Tower of London, and a Thames cruise
A guided London sightseeing tour covering St. Paul's Cathedral, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London, with a scenic River Thames cruise on the full-day option. Choose between a half-day morning tour ending at Buckingham Palace or a full day that includes the Tower and Thames cruise. The Changing of the Guard runs selected dates (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun, and daily May–July) and may change last minute, but a photo stop is guaranteed. Upgrade options add the London Eye or cream tea at Harrods.
Options for this experience
4 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Full-day London sightseeing tour
- Scenic coach ride through City of London
- Visit St Paul's Cathedral
- Photo stop at Westminster Abbey and Big Ben
- Watch Changing of the Guard ceremony
- Explore Tower of London and see Crown Jewels
- Relax on River Thames sightseeing cruise
- City of London passing by
- St. Paul's Cathedral Entry included 45m
- Westminster 15m
- Changing of the Guard 1h
- Tower of London Entry included 2h
- River Thames Entry included 30m
- London Eye Entry included 30m
- Harrods Entry included 45m
What’s included
- Entry to St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London (full-day option).
- professional guide and air-conditioned coach throughout.
- Changing of the Guard photo stop at Buckingham Palace.
- Thames River sightseeing cruise (full-day option).
- London Eye ticket or Harrods cream tea with sparkling wine available as paid upgrades.
- Every day except Tuesday and Thursday 07:45
Information
Full-day London tour with St. Paul's Cathedral, Tower of London, and Changing of the Guard, plus Thames River cruise to see the city from the water.
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The experience
The tour starts with a coach ride through central London, passing iconic streets and historic squares before entering St. Paul's Cathedral with a guide: no need to queue separately for entry. From there you move to Westminster Abbey for photos of the Gothic architecture where Prince William and Princess Kate were married, with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in frame.
The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is the centerpiece: guards from the Household Division in scarlet tunics and bearskin caps perform a precise handover accompanied by a regimental marching band. This ceremony runs on selected dates (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, and daily from May through July), though it may change or cancel last minute: the tour always stops for photos regardless. On the half-day option, this is where your morning ends. On the full-day tour, you continue to the Tower of London with entry included, where you can meet the Yeoman Warders and view the Crown Jewels, then pass Tower Bridge before boarding a scenic Thames River cruise that takes in Shakespeare's Globe, The Shard, and London's skyline.
A professional guide leads the coach throughout, and the air-conditioned transport means you're not navigating between sites on your own. If you want to extend the day further, you can add the London Eye (a short walk from Westminster Pier after the cruise), or upgrade to cream tea with sparkling wine at Harrods. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and public transportation is available nearby if you need it.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 16 years); Infant (under 3): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What's included in the full-day London tour?
The full-day option includes entry to St. Paul's Cathedral, the Changing of the Guard photo stop at Buckingham Palace, entry to the Tower of London, and a Thames River sightseeing cruise. A professional guide and air-conditioned coach are provided throughout. The half-day morning tour covers St. Paul's, Westminster Abbey photos, and the Guard ceremony, ending at Buckingham Palace.
When does the Changing of the Guard happen?
The Changing of the Guard runs on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, and daily from May through July. It may change or cancel last minute, but the tour always includes a photo stop at Buckingham Palace regardless of whether the ceremony takes place.
Can I add the London Eye or Harrods tea to my tour?
Yes, both are available as paid upgrades. The London Eye ticket gives you access to Europe's tallest observation wheel with panoramic views over the Thames and London landmarks. It's a short walk from Westminster Pier after your cruise. The Harrods cream tea upgrade includes sparkling wine and finishes your day at the world-famous department store.
How long does the tour take?
The half-day morning tour runs about four hours and ends at Buckingham Palace. The full-day option takes around eight hours and includes the Tower of London and Thames River cruise. Upgrade options may add extra time depending on which you choose.
Is there time for lunch on the full-day tour?
Yes, you have free time around the Tower of London for lunch. If you upgrade to the Harrods cream tea option, that serves as your afternoon refreshment with sparkling wine included.
Operated by Premium Tours. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated today
London Sightseeing Tour: Changing of the Guard & Tower of London
4h–9h · EN
from £ 69 per person
≈ US$ 93 in your currency
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