London Attraction Tickets: How & Where to Buy Them

What You Need to Know About Tickets for London's Attractions

London has countless exciting places to offer, but the truly major attractions are limited in number — and therefore often overcrowded.

You can buy tickets on-site at almost every attraction, but long lines are the norm. Better yet: book your tickets in advance online. Especially if you’re only spending a weekend in London.

Highlights like the London Eye or the Tower of London sell out quickly, especially during peak season. If you want to make sure you get into everything, book early — it saves not just time, but a lot of hassle.

To help you find the best London attraction tickets and make your city trip run smoothly, we’ve put together a ticket overview. You can quickly compare the best providers and prices and book online with ease.

If you want to see a lot on your London trip, where you stay matters too. That’s why we’re sharing:

Our hotel recommendations for London

The best neighborhoods to stay in London on a budget

London Eye Tickets

Getting tickets for the London Eye is actually pretty straightforward. There are really only two main options:

1. London Eye Standard Ticket
2. London Eye Fast-Track Ticket

You can buy either one through the official provider’s website or through third-party platforms GetYourGuide and Tiqets — often even for the same day.

The on-site line is always endlessly long, so you’d waste way too much time standing in it just to buy a ticket. Seriously, buy them online.

London Eye Tickets from the Official Provider

London Eye Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Children under two years old ride for free, but still need a ticket. Children and teens up to age 16 receive a discount of around 10 percent on both the standard and fast-track tickets.

Our London Eye Ticket Recommendation

We think the London Eye Fast-Track Ticket is the best option. It’s quite a bit more expensive than the standard ticket, but it lets you skip the super long regular line.

Especially during peak times, you save a significant amount of time that you can put to better use elsewhere in the city. With our fast-track ticket, we were actually able to step straight into a gondola the moment we arrived at the London Eye.

The fast-track ticket is available through Tiqets and on the official website. The prices are the same. Personally, we’d book through Tiqets because we find the booking process simpler and easier to navigate.

Book the London Eye Fast-Track Ticket on Tiqets

Also read:

Tower of London Tickets

The Tower of London is another heavily visited London attraction with long lines. So online tickets are the smart move here too, and in most cases they’re available on short notice.

You can get tickets on the official Tower of London website or through third-party providers GetYourGuide and Tiqets.

All tickets are standard tickets. The only distinction is between visitor groups — e.g., adults, seniors, or visitors with disabilities — which affects the price.

Tower of London Tickets from the Official Provider

Children under 5 get free admission to the Tower of London. However, a free ticket still needs to be booked online along with the other tickets.

Tower of London Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Heads up! Unfortunately, many third-party providers sell Tower tickets that include a Beefeater (Tower guard) tour at inflated prices. But Beefeater tours are always included in the standard ticket and take place every 30 minutes on the grounds. You don’t need to pay extra for them — just join one.

Why Are Tower of London Tickets So Expensive?

Tower of London tickets are among the priciest entry fees for London attractions. The reason isn’t just the historical significance and unique experience — it’s primarily the high maintenance costs. The Tower requires regular conservation work to preserve its structure and valuable artifacts, and that costs a lot of money.

Our Tower of London Ticket Recommendation

If you want to visit the Tower of London, we recommend buying the standard admission ticket either through the official ticket shop or through Tiqets.

Book Tower of London Ticket in the Official Shop

Book Tower of London Ticket on Tiqets

Both tickets are the same price, are each time-specific, and give you full access to the public areas of the Tower of London.

Since no tour is included, you can either rent an audio guide on-site for a fee or download one of the free guide apps on your phone. We always go that route — saves money without missing out on anything.

And you’ll spot the famous Beefeaters wandering around the Tower either way.

Read our firsthand account here:

Buckingham Palace Tickets

You can admire Buckingham Palace from the outside year-round and even watch the Changing of the Guard. But you can only go inside from July through October.

That’s why tickets for Buckingham Palace are especially in demand. We recommend booking about two months in advance.

You can do this through the official Royal Collection Trust website or through third-party providers GetYourGuide and Tiqets. The Royal Collection Trust offers the most ticket options for Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace Tickets from the Official Provider

Discounts are available for young visitors ages 18 to 24, for children, and for people with disabilities. Children under 5 get free admission.

Buckingham Palace Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our Buckingham Palace Ticket Recommendation

We recommend the affordable Buckingham Palace standard ticket. It gives you a really great look at the royal palace without spending a fortune.

Price differences between the official provider and GetYourGuide are rare, and the cancellation policies are the same. So you can book on either site without hesitation. Personally, we prefer GetYourGuide because we find the website and booking process more straightforward.

Book Buckingham Palace Standard Ticket in the Official Shop

Book Buckingham Palace Standard Ticket on GetYourGuide

Tower Bridge Tickets

You obviously don’t need a ticket to cross Tower Bridge or simply admire it. But you can go inside the towers and walk across the glass walkway that runs 42 meters above the Thames, parallel to the bridge.

It’s a really cool experience that many London visitors don’t even have on their radar. For most people, the bridge is simply a popular photo spot in London.

Tower Bridge tickets are comparatively affordable and also available online at short notice — both through the official Tower Bridge website and through third-party providers GetYourGuide and Tiqets.

Tower Bridge Tickets from the Official Provider

Discounts are available for children, students, and seniors. Children under 5 get free admission to Tower Bridge.

Tower Bridge Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our Tower Bridge Ticket Recommendation

We recommend the standard ticket for Tower Bridge. It’s genuinely affordable for one of London’s most iconic sights.

Prices and cancellation policies are the same whether you book through the official ticket shop or a third-party provider. So you can decide where to buy your Tower Bridge ticket based entirely on personal preference. In this case, we’d go with Tiqets.

Book Tower Bridge Standard Ticket on Tiqets
Bonus tip from the author: The Tower Bridge website offers Relaxed Opening tickets for visitors with neurodiverse needs (e.g., autism and ADHD). Visitor numbers are limited during these sessions, and loud sounds and audiovisual elements are turned off. If you’re on the spectrum (like I am), this ticket can make the experience much more enjoyable.

The Shard Tickets

Buying The Shard tickets to reach London’s best observation platform is also not complicated. And when you buy online, you save a full 4 pounds.

You can get tickets either through the official The Shard website or through third-party providers GetYourGuide and Tiqets.

In addition to the standard ticket, the official website also offers an all-inclusive ticket that includes a glass of champagne and a voucher for The Shard shop.

Third-party provider Tiqets offers some really great combo tickets for The Shard — for example, combined with a boat ride on the Thames.

The Shard Tickets from the Official Provider

Children under four don’t need a ticket.

The Shard Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our The Shard Ticket Recommendation

If you want to book The Shard tickets, check Tiqets first. That’s where you’ll find the lowest prices starting from £34.

This applies to the standard ticket, which in our view is more than sufficient. You get a stunning panorama over London, and the ticket is free to cancel up to 24 hours before your visit.

Book The Shard Standard Ticket on Tiqets
Also read:

Harry Potter Studios London Tickets

The Warner Bros. Studios in London make for a really great day trip from the city. That’s why there are also convenient tickets with bus transfer.

These tickets — or just admission tickets for the Harry Potter Studios without transfer — are available both through the official Warner Bros. Tour website and through third-party providers GetYourGuide and Tiqets.

Very important: Book your tickets online at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance. There is no on-site ticket booth.

Harry Potter Studios Tickets from the Official Provider

Harry Potter Studios Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Children under four get in for free. However, a free ticket must still be booked in advance through the official website.

Our Harry Potter Studios Ticket Recommendation

For the Harry Potter Studios, we generally recommend tickets with transfer. You’ll find the most affordable options on GetYourGuide.

The combo ticket includes the bus ride from London (Victoria Coach Station) to the Harry Potter Studios, studio admission, and the return bus ride back to London (Victoria Coach Station).

With this ticket, you can seamlessly fit the Harry Potter Studios into your London itinerary. That’s exactly what we did.

Book Harry Potter Studio Tour + Bus Transfer Tickets on GetYourGuide
Bonus tip from the author: The studios also offer special tickets and visiting times for neurodivergent visitors (e.g., with autism or ADHD). Fewer visitors are on-site during these sessions and lighting and sounds are minimized. If you’re on the spectrum (like I am), this could make the experience much more comfortable for you.
Find even more Harry Potter here:

Musical Tickets London

Tickets for musicals in London are also best booked online in advance. Big shows like The Lion King or Wicked are often sold out well ahead of time.

Check both the official websites of the musicals and third-party providers GetYourGuide and Tiqets — different platforms often have different ticket availability.

Another great option is London Theatre Direct, the largest ticketing platform for London’s musicals.

If you’re feeling spontaneous, ask about last-minute tickets at the ticket booths at Leicester Square. Some musicals also offer day tickets or lottery tickets you can grab early in the morning — though that does involve a bit of luck.

Here are 3 ticket recommendations from us:
Wicked Tickets on Tiqets

Hamilton Tickets on Tiqets

The Lion King Tickets on Tiqets
Find more tips and our experiences here:

Arsenal London Tickets

Arsenal is one of the most popular soccer clubs in London.

Tickets for an Arsenal match are the perfect way to experience the electrifying atmosphere at Emirates Stadium up close. There are both regular admission tickets and VIP packages with exclusive extras.

You can buy your tickets through the official Arsenal website or through third-party providers like SportsEvents365.

Ticket prices for FC Arsenal home games vary depending on the opponent, seating category, and stage of the competition. For the 2025/2026 season, the lowest starting price in the Premier League is £31.50. For top matches, prices can rise above £100.

Important: Demand is high, especially for top matches. Book online early — tickets at the stadium box office are often already gone.

Our tip: If Arsenal London tickets are too pricey, a great alternative is a guided tour of Emirates Stadium. Also a really cool option for soccer fans.

More Tickets for London Attractions

Already have tickets for London’s most important highlights? Then here are a few more great options — especially if you’re visiting London with kids. Buying tickets online is worth it here too.

Madame Tussauds London Tickets

At Madame Tussauds in London, you can get up close with superheroes, music stars, and movie icons. There’s even a cool indoor ride — a trip in spinning black cabs that takes you through the history of London.

But precisely because the wax museum is so extensive, there are long lines at the entrance every day. So it’s best to buy your Madame Tussauds London tickets online in advance.

Either through the official Madame Tussauds website or through third-party providers GetYourGuide and Tiqets — this way, you also save around £10.

Both the official provider and third-party providers also offer a range of combo ticket options — for example, Madame Tussauds London + London Eye.

Madame Tussauds London Tickets from the Official Provider

Madame Tussauds London Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Children under 3 get free admission to Madame Tussauds in London.

Our Madame Tussauds London Ticket Recommendation

Which Madame Tussauds London ticket is best for you depends on what else you want to see and whether you’re traveling with or without kids.

If you’re traveling without kids and aren’t interested in, say, the London Dungeon or SeaLife, we recommend the standard ticket. GetYourGuide has the most affordable option.

If you’re in London with kids or want to pack in a lot of the modern attractions, the combo tickets are a great way to save. Our favorite is the combo ticket for Madame Tussauds + London Eye + London Dungeon.

Book Madame Tussauds Standard Ticket on GetYourGuide

Book Combo Ticket Madame Tussauds + London Eye + London Dungeon on GetYourGuide

Natural History Museum London Tickets

The Natural History Museum London takes you into the fascinating world of nature. Admission is free, but you do need a timed entry slot that you must book online.

Book your entry slot a few days in advance to be safe.

Book a Natural History Museum London (South Kensington) time slot

We made the mistake ourselves of assuming we could book spontaneously an hour before. No luck — everything was taken and the line outside was endless.

We ended up walking a few steps further to the free Victoria & Albert Museum instead — also a fantastic museum in London.

Sky Garden London

Sky Garden London offers a seriously stunning view over the city. Surrounded by lush greenery, you can take in the skyline, relax, and grab a drink at the bar.

The same rules apply here as at the Natural History Museum: you don’t need a Sky Garden ticket, just a pre-booked time slot.

Again, we recommend booking a few days in advance to make sure you actually get in.

Book a Sky Garden London time slot

London City Pass or Individual Tickets?

With a London City Pass, you get access to multiple attractions without having to buy a separate ticket for each one.

That sounds convenient — and it can save you money in some cases. But it really depends on how many places you plan to visit in a short amount of time.

For example:

The London Pass costs from £140 for three days. With it, you can visit the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, and take a Thames boat tour, among other things.

If you buy individual tickets for the same attractions, you’ll often end up paying less in total — especially if you’re not hitting multiple highlights every single day. Plus, some top attractions like the London Eye are not included in the pass.
Our tip: Do the math beforehand to see whether a city pass is worth it for you. Use our City Pass calculator to quickly find out which pass gives you the best value for your specific plans.

Frequently Asked Questions About London Tickets