Trying to choose between the best Tower of London tours before your trip? The best Tower of London tours handle your tickets, walk you through nearly 1,000 years of royal drama, and get you into moments most visitors miss, from 15 minutes with a Beefeater in an area closed to other visitors to watching the gates lock after dark. At home I hate mornings, but on vacation I love seeing a city before it wakes up, and watching the Yeoman Warders open the Tower is my favorite tour of the lot. Here are the five tours worth booking, with what each one covers, who it suits, and what it costs.
Entry handled for you: every pick includes Tower of London entry, whether that’s pre-reserved tickets, timed entry, early access, or after-hours access. Security checks still apply.
Crown Jewels covered: four of the five include access to the Jewel House. The after-hours tour skips the interiors in favor of the Ceremony of the Keys.
Storytellers who know the Tower: four of the five are led by an expert guide or a Beefeater throughout. The pre-opening tour pairs a tour leader outside the walls with a Yeoman Warder for the ceremony and an audio guide app inside.
Capped group sizes: every tour sets a limit, from 20 guests on the express, combo, and pre-opening tours to 50 on the after-hours tour.
Strong traveler feedback: each pick consistently earns strong praise from travelers, especially for its storytelling.
Quick Look: The Best Tower of London Tours Compared
Short on time? Here’s how the five picks compare on length, access, and price.
Every pick below includes Tower of London entry, so the real choice is how you want to spend your time inside. Short on time? Start at the top. Want something most visitors never see? Skip ahead to the ceremonies.
Why Book the Express Tower of London Tour with Us?
This is the leanest way to do the Tower right. A storyteller covers Anne Boleyn’s last moments, Traitors’ Gate, and the Bloody Tower in 1.5 hours, then hands you the rest of the day for the Crown Jewels and the White Tower’s royal armor.
Highlights:
Pre-reserved Tower of London tickets
Stops for storytelling at Traitors’ Gate, Tower Green, and the Bloody Tower
Access to the Crown Jewels in the Jewel House
Access to the White Tower and royal armor collection
Unlimited time for independent exploration after the guided portion
Meeting a Beefeater is the main event here, not a bonus. Your group spends 15 minutes with a Yeoman Warder outside the King’s House, an area closed to regular visitors, with time for questions and a photo. It runs in the morning, so you also beat the afternoon crowds.
Highlights:
Timed entry to the Tower of London
15-minute meet and greet with a Yeoman Warder at the exclusive King’s House
Why Book the Tower of London & Thames Cruise Combo with Us?
Two sights, one booking. After the guided tour, you get a flexible ticket for a 30-minute Thames cruise that’s typically valid for about a month, so you can ride straight after the tour or save it for another day.
Highlights:
Expert English-speaking guide
Pre-reserved Tower of London tickets
Access to the Crown Jewels and White Tower
Flexible ticket for a 30-minute Thames River cruise
Love the idea of exploring after dark? Check out all our London night tours.
Why Book the After Hours Tower of London Tour with Us?
Nothing else in this lineup happens after closing time. A resident Beefeater walks your group through the empty grounds by lantern light, then you watch the Ceremony of the Keys, the nightly locking of the gates that has run for around 700 years. Photos aren’t allowed during the ceremony.
Highlights:
Beefeater guide
Exclusive after-hours access to the Tower of London
Ceremony of the Keys experience
Walking tour of the Tower’s historic grounds by lantern light
Exterior views of Traitors’ Gate, the White Tower, and the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula
Why Book the Pre-Opening Tower of London Tour with Us?
Only this pick gets you inside before the Tower opens to the public. A tour leader walks you around the outer walls, then a Yeoman Warder brings your group in for the opening ceremony, which puts you steps from the Jewel House when its doors open. From there you explore on your own with a map and audio guide app.
Highlights:
Early access to the Tower of London with a Yeoman Warder
Beefeater opening ceremony viewing
First access to the Crown Jewels and Jewel House
Guided walking tour of the Tower of London’s outer grounds
All-day Tower of London ticket, plus a map and audio guide app
More Tower of London Tour Ideas: Private Tours and London Combos
Want a guide all to yourself, or the Tower as one stop in a bigger London day? These options go fully private or pair the Tower with Westminster Abbey and the Thames.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tower of London Tours
Are Tower of London tours worth it?
Absolutely, especially on a first visit. The complex spans 18 acres and nearly 1,000 years of history, and a guide gets you to the best stories at Traitors’ Gate, Tower Green, and the Bloody Tower without the guesswork. Still deciding? Read our take on whether the Tower of London is worth visiting and if it’s worth it to meet a Beefeater.
What is the best Tower of London tour?
The Express Tower of London Tour is the strongest all-round pick for first-time visitors, since it covers the essentials in 1.5 hours and leaves the rest of the day free. To meet a Yeoman Warder, book the Beefeater Meet & Greet Tour. For something few visitors ever see, go with the After Hours tour and the Ceremony of the Keys.
Do you need to book Tower of London tours in advance?
Yes, and as early as you can in summer, when tickets can sell out by the morning. Spots on the pre-opening and after-hours tours are limited, so lock those in first.
Can you see the Crown Jewels on a Tower of London tour?
On four of the five picks, you can. Guides aren’t allowed inside the Jewel House, so they share the stories at the entrance and you head in on your own. The After Hours tour skips the building interiors, so plan a daytime visit if you want to see the Jewels and the Tower’s other must-see spots.
How long do you need at the Tower of London?
Plan on 2 to 3 hours. Most guided tours run 1 to 2 hours, and you’ll want at least another hour to explore on your own. Make a half day of it with lunch at one of the best restaurants near the Tower of London.
Can you visit the Tower of London without a tour?
You can, since a standard ticket covers the Crown Jewels, the White Tower, the Bloody Tower, and more. You’ll handle entry yourself and find your own way around 18 acres, so budget at least 2.5 hours. Our complete Tower of London guide covers tickets, hours, and what to see.
How much do Tower of London tours cost?
The tours on this list run from around $80 to $165 per person, with the after-hours tour at the top of that range. Private tours cost more but give you a guide all to yourself. The Quick Look table above shows where each pick sits.
Are Tower of London tours good for kids?
Most of them are. Kids tend to love the armor in the White Tower, the Crown Jewels, and meeting a real Yeoman Warder on the Express and Beefeater Meet & Greet tours. The After Hours tour suits older children better, since it runs late and there are no restrooms during the ceremony.
Final Thoughts
The Tower of London rewards visitors who know where to look, and the right guide turns a maze of stone into a story you’ll retell. If you only book one, make it the Express Tower of London Tour. With more time in London, pair a daytime tour for the Crown Jewels and White Tower with the After Hours tour for the Ceremony of the Keys. The ceremony tours have limited spots, so browse all our Tower of London tours and lock in your dates.
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