Sign in

VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise

4.7 · 442 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor 93% of star-rated reviews are 4★ or 5★ London Operated by Walks - UK Free cancellation · up to 24 hours before
Duration
2h 30m–3h
Group
Shared, up to 6 travellers · private option available
Guide languages
English
Start & pickup
08:15, 09:00, 09:15, 10:00 · No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point
Tickets
Admission included
Booking
Instant confirmation · mobile ticket
Guidekin's take

The VIP Opening Ceremony option pairs early Tower of London entry with the opening ritual and first entry to the Jewel House.

A guide is included, but the ceremony and flexible one-way river cruise pass depend on the option selected. 4.73 from 442 reviews at €114 per person for 2h 30m–3h.

In our comparison: #22 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
VIP Opening Ceremony OptionThe page priceDuration: 3 hours VIP Access Upgrade & Cruise: See the famous opening ceremony & view the Crown Jewels before the crowds. Full tour of the Tower and a one-way river cruise.€114
Private Tower of London TourPrivate tour (without cruise): Enjoy this private early-access Tower of London tour with the Crown Jewels. Not included: River cruise and opening ceremony. Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes€299 for 2+ people

Children from €104 (ages 2 to 14). Option texts and prices come from the operator's listing; prices checked on Viator on 3 October 2026.

Included and not included

  • Blue Badge guide
  • First entrance ticket for Jewel House
  • Bloody Tower
  • Flexible one-way London river cruise pass (if option selected)
  • Old execution site on Tower Green
  • Private guide (if option selected)
  • First entrance ticket for Tower of London including Opening Ceremony (if option selected)
  • Hotel Pick-Up / Drop-Off
  • Gratuities

Reviews

4.7
442 ratings
Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor

93% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4★ or 5★: 411 of 442

Star breakdown of all 442 ratings

5 stars
389 · 88%
4 stars
22 · 5%
3 stars
10 · 2%
2 stars
8 · 2%
1 star
13 · 3%

What reviewers say

Reviewers value the guides and early access to the Crown Jewels, though some report difficulties with audio

Praised

  • Knowledgeable guides who make the Tower's history engaging
  • Early entry helps visitors reach the Crown Jewels before the crowds
  • Good views of the opening ceremony before public entry
  • Guides take time to explain details and answer questions

Complaints

  • Occasional problems with listening equipment or hearing commentary

Written by Guidekin from the 100 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (14 July 2026 to 2 October 2026). Refreshed as new reviews arrive; last checked 4 October 2026.

Latest reviews

Loading the latest reviews…

Reviews are shown as the platforms publish them and removed when they disappear there.

Ratings collected from Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.

Meeting point and route

Meeting point

Where
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a yellow WalksDevour sign. This tour meets at 5BT, Tower Place West, 50 Lower Thames St, London EC3R 6DT, UK. Meet at the West Gate entrance, opposite the Starbucks and in front of the Tower of London giftshop. · Open in Google Maps
Departure
08:15, 09:00, 09:15, 10:00 daily; scheduled through September 2027 (operator schedule, seats confirmed at checkout)
Return
Tower of London (inside).
Pickup
No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point
Operator
Walks - 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

  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.

Accessibility

  • Strollers OK
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.

Good to know

  • Children from €104 ages 2 to 14

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 · #22 of 24€1142h 30m–3h4.73 (442)shared, max 6
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 #22 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 · VIP Opening Ceremony Option