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Changing of Guards, Big Ben, Tower of London, Beefeaters & Cruise

4.7 · 76 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor 91% of star-rated reviews are 4★ or 5★ London Operated by City Wonders UK Free cancellation · up to 24 hours before Likely to sell out
Duration
4h
Group
Shared tour
Guide languages
English
Start & pickup
10:15 · No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point
Tickets
Admission included
Booking
Instant confirmation · mobile ticket
Guidekin's take

Combine a royal London walk, a Thames boat ride and Tower of London entry with a Beefeater meet-and-greet.

A guide is included; a Westminster walk replaces the guard ceremony on weekends or if it is cancelled. 4.68 from 76 reviews at €114 per person for 4h.

In our comparison: #20 of 24 in Thames River Cruises, by rating weighted by review volume (see the comparison).

How we choose tours →Commissions never affect our verdicts.

Options and prices

2 options from the operator, described in its own words. Prices are the operator's from-prices per adult for a party of two. Click an option to book it on Viator. Guide languages on every option: English.

OptionWhat the operator saysFrom, per adult
With Changing of the GuardsThe page priceWith Changing of the Guards€114
With London Highlights Tour Westminster City walk€114

Children from €108 (ages 5 to 15). Option texts and prices come from the operator's listing; prices checked on Viator on 3 October 2026.

Included and not included

  • Expert, English-Speaking Tour Guide
  • Headsets when appropriate, so you can always hear your guide
  • Entrance Ticket to the Tower of London
  • Boat ride on the River Thames
  • Changing of the Guard Tour / London Higlights Tour [depending on the day]
  • Tower of London Meet & Greet with a Beefeater
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities

Reviews

4.7
76 ratings
Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor

91% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4★ or 5★: 69 of 76

Star breakdown of all 76 ratings

5 stars
63 · 83%
4 stars
6 · 8%
3 stars
4 · 5%
2 stars
2 · 3%
1 star
1 · 1%

What reviewers say

Reviewers praise the guides' stories and guard viewing spots, but some find the walking pace too fast.

Praised

  • Engaging historical stories and humour from the guides
  • Guides position the group for clear views and photos of the guards
  • Coverage of major London landmarks along the route
  • Informative Beefeater talks and stories about the Tower of London

Complaints

  • Some found the pace comfortable, while others struggled with fast walking and rushed stops
  • Some saw the Changing of the Guard, while others reported no ceremony
  • The advertised cruise felt like a regular transport ferry to some reviewers

Written by Guidekin from the 74 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (19 April 2015 to 25 September 2026). Refreshed as new reviews arrive; last checked 4 October 2026.

Latest reviews

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Ratings collected from Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.

Meeting point and route

Meeting point

Where
Meet your guide by the Duke of York Column, Waterloo Place, 9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AJ. This is the tall column with a statue on top. Arriving by tube: Take the tube to Piccadilly Circus and take exit No. 3 onto Regent Street/St James. · Open in Google Maps
Departure
10:15 on Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun; scheduled through December 2026 (operator schedule, seats confirmed at checkout)
Pickup
No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point
Operator
City Wonders UK; booking and payment are completed on Viator

Itinerary

About this tour, from the operator

Walking, children and accessibility

The operator's own notes, grouped by topic. Nothing here is added by Guidekin.

Walking and health

  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The Changing of the Guard is subject to changes in date, time and cancellation at the discretion of British authorities. Cancellation due to bad weather or other circumstances is not announced before the morning of the ceremony. When this occurs, you will be provided with a walking tour of Westminster city instead. No refund will be provided as this is not under our control.
  • Please note that if you book your tour on a Saturday or a Sunday, the viewing of the Changing of the Guards will be replaced by a Royal Walking Tour of Westminster City.

Accessibility

  • Strollers OK
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any impairments requiring special assistance. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages on our group tours.

Good to know

  • Children from €108 ages 5 to 15

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 1+ days: Full refund
  • 0-1 days: No refund

Compared with other Thames River Cruises

TourPriceDurationRatingGroup
This tour · #20 of 24€1144h4.68 (76)shared
High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London€8450 min4.96 (4345)shared
Thames Rockets Sunset London Speedboat Experience€7750 min4.99 (262)shared
Thames High-Speed Zone Speedboat in London€7745 min4.93 (602)shared

Ranked #20 of 24 in Thames River Cruises by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €19 to €114, median €74; typical length 1h 30m. 0 of 24 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Compare all 24 Thames River Cruises

From €114 per adult · With Changing of the Guards