The web is full of recycled trivia but quiet about the one thing that matters: when and where to book. Here’s how to visit Big Ben with ticket-drop timing, fastest Tube exits, the best photo spots, and plenty more. Use the table of contents to hit your pain point first.
Technically, only the bell is nicknamed Big Ben, and the tower itself is the Elizabeth Tower. Even so, if you say “Big Ben,” everyone will know what you’re referring to. It has been a pillar of timekeeping for decades.
Let’s jump into the most important things you need to know about visiting Big Ben in London.
Big Ben Ticket Prices 2025: How Much & When They’re Released
So how much does it cost to tour Big Ben? Here’s everything you need to know for a hassle-free visit:
Standard tour price: £35 (adults) | £20 (ages 11-17)
Open: Monday to Saturday, with some days closed for maintenance or events.
Release schedule: Every second Wednesday at 10:00 am (London time) for dates three months ahead. Book directly through the UK Parliament website.
Set a reminder: For 10 minutes before they’re set to release. Tickets are typically gone within 10 minutes, so you’ll want to be ready with your credit card.
👉 Get your photo with Big Ben and pedal past London’s greatest hits on our London by Bike Tour.
How to Get to Big Ben: Tube, Bus & Walking Routes
Tube: Set your GPS to Westminster Station (Jubilee, Circle, District exits face the tower) OR Waterloo Station (if you walk across Westminster Bridge).
Bus: Routes 3, 11, 12, 24, 87, 148, 159, 211, 453, N109 all stop at Parliament Square.
Walk: Cross Westminster Bridge from the South Bank for the classic postcard reveal.
Taxi: “Parliament Square, Big Ben side” will cost about £10–£15 from Covent Garden.
👉 Our London in a Day Tour takes you past Big Ben and into the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey.
Best Guided Tours That Pass By Big Ben
These tours are perfect if you’re not interested in conquering the climb to Big Ben, but do want to see the best sights of London alongside a local expert.
Visitor Tips for Big Ben: 334 Steps, Dress Code & Safety
If tight spirals and booming bells are not your idea of fun, admire Big Ben from Westminster Bridge instead. Parliament itself labels the tower climb unsuitable for many visitors.
No lift exists. You must conquer 334 tight stairs, so wear supportive shoes.
Security accepts only small bags; food and drink stay outside.
The bells hit rock-concert volume. You’ll be provided with ear plugs, but it’s worth bringing your own if you’re sensitive to deafening noises.
It can get chilly at the top; pack a light jacket.
The minimum age is eleven, and under-eighteens need an accompanying adult.
Photography is not permitted inside the Elizabeth Tower. But you are welcome to snap pics inside Westminster Hall.
Interessante Fact: The tower leans slightly north-west thanks to the soft ground it’s built on. Luckily, engineers promise it will keep time for another 4,000 years.
How Long Does a Big Ben Tour Take? Plan Your Schedule
Your visit to Big Ben will take around two hours. Arrive 30 minutes before your printed time to clear security, then settle in for a 90-minute guided tour, which includes the full climb and interior views. Afterward, explore Westminster Hall independently.
Inside Big Ben: Tour Highlights & Photo Spots
There’s far more to see than just the bell.
Clock Mechanism Room: Watch 19th-century gears work flawlessly alongside electric upgrades from the 2020 restoration.
Behind the Dials: Peer through frosted glass numerals at rush-hour traffic 62 metres (203 feet) below.
The Great Bell (Big Ben): 13.76 tons of bronze. It’s so large and loud, the floor vibrates when it’s rung on the hour.
South-Face Gallery: Great photo spot, as natural light floods through the dial and frames you in giant Roman numerals.
Interessante Fact: Workers over the decades etched names and dates into the tower walls. Look for signatures from WWII clock engineers who kept the mechanism running during air raids.
Big Ben History & Facts: From the Elizabeth Tower to the Great Bell
Knowing a few stats turns a pretty clock into a legend.
The Victorian rebuild of the Palace of Westminster began in 1843; Elizabeth Tower was completed in 1859.
The original name was St Stephen’s Tower; it was renamed for Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
Tower height: 96 m | Steps: 399 (the public route uses 334).
The tower survived WWII bombing raids; while nearby areas were hit, the bell remained intact.
Exact origin of the nickname “Big Ben” is unknown. Theories include that it honors heavyweight boxer Benjamin Caunt or MP Sir Benjamin Hall.
2022 restoration was the most comprehensive in history and cost £80 million.
Top Hotels in London
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This hotel stands out for its elegant bedding, convenient on-site restaurants, and attentive concierge service.
Want to be one of the few who has actually stood eye-to-eye with Big Ben? Set a calendar alert three months out to get your ticket. Then, remember to wear athletic shoes and give yourself plenty of time.
Or, if you’d prefer to save your feet for other London adventures, check out these top-rated tours:
Deciding where to stay at a great hotel in London can take some effort since it’s a massive city. Make your decision easier with our list of the best neighborhoods and hotels in London.
