Tower of London: Tickets, Tours & Our Experiences

What Is the Tower of London?

The Tower of London is one of the most famous attractions in London and shouldn’t be missed even on a weekend in London.

It was built in the 11th century right on the Thames and has since served as a fortress, palace, and prison. Today, the Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is almost entirely open to visitors as a museum.

Kings no longer live here. But the so-called Yeoman Warders (also known as Beefeaters) do — along with their families. We’ll explain who they are further below.

Tower of London Tickets & Prices

First things first — let’s cover where to get your Tower of London tickets and whether extras like the audio guide are actually worth it.

Where Is the Best Place to Buy Your Tower of London Tickets?

The best way to get your Tower of London tickets is to buy them online in advance. You can do this through the official website or through the third-party provider Tiqets.

Prices are the same at both (£36/€43), the tickets are always time-slotted, and they give you full access to all public areas of the Tower.

Buy Tower of London Tickets in the Official Shop

Buy Tower of London Tickets on Tiqets

There’s also a main box office on-site, but wait times are enormous, especially during peak season from March through October.

What Types of Tower of London Tickets Are There and What Do They Cost?

Here’s a breakdown of all regular ticket options for the Tower of London:

Tower of London Tickets in the Official Shop

Children under 5 can visit the Tower for free. However, a free ticket still needs to be booked online through the official shop.
Tower of London Tickets on Tiqets

Are There Skip-the-Line Tower of London Tickets?

No. Skip-the-line tickets that let you bypass the regular queue are not available for the Tower of London.

Can You Visit the Tower of London on Short Notice?

Yes, in principle you can visit the Tower of London without much advance planning. However, you should expect long wait times.

First at the main box office for your ticket, and second because every visitor can only enter within a specific time slot (e.g., 10:00–10:30 AM).

We definitely recommend buying your tickets online. And you can still get online tickets at fairly short notice — for example, the evening before.

Tower of London Audio Guides

You can rent an audio guide on-site for £5 right at the entrance. It offers themed tours and interactive maps in a variety of languages.

Is it worth it? Honestly, we don’t think so. £5 is pretty steep, especially since there are plenty of information boards throughout the grounds, you can join free Beefeater tours, and almost everyone these days has their phone handy to look things up.

Tower of London Tours

Free guided tours are included in the admission price. The tours are led by the Beefeaters — more on them below — and start roughly every 30 minutes near the main gate. You can simply join in.

The tours last around 45 minutes and are conducted in English.

Highly recommended — the Beefeaters aren’t just knowledgeable, they’ve also got a seriously great sense of humor.

Tower of London Combo Tickets

Third-party providers offer a few combo tickets combining the Tower of London with other attractions.

These are especially worthwhile for first-time visitors who want a guided overview of London, or if you want to see multiple highlights in one day while keeping an eye on your budget.

Before you buy, though, look carefully at the prices and what’s included, and compare several offers. There are plenty of overpriced combo tickets out there that offer very little added value.

We recommend: Guided Tour: Tower of London + Westminster or Changing of the Guard + Thames River Cruise

Here you’ll find our tips for more activities in London

Is the Tower of London Included in the London Pass?

Yes, the Tower of London is included in the London Pass. Overall, the London Pass is incredibly comprehensive and a great option if you want to visit lots of London’s top attractions.

To the London Pass
Read more here:

Our Ticket Recommendation: Standard Ticket

Strictly speaking, there’s really only one standard ticket option for the Tower of London: the Standard Ticket. And that’s exactly what we recommend.

The Standard Ticket is simultaneously the cheapest, simplest, and most popular choice for visitors. It’s the ticket we booked too.

The Standard Ticket includes:

• Admission to the Tower of London
• Access to the Crown Jewels
• Participation in a free Beefeater tour
• Access to the historic towers, exhibitions, and courtyards

The price for the Standard Ticket is:

• Adults (18+ years): approx. £36 (€43)
• Youths (16–17 years): approx. £18 (€21.50)
• Children (5–15 years): approx. £17.50 (€21)
• Children under 5: free
• Family and group tickets are also available

Here’s where you can buy the Standard Ticket:

• Online through the official shop
• Online through Tiqets
• On-site at the main box office

When booking, you’ll select a fixed time slot for your entry. Once you’re inside, though, you can take your time and explore everything at your own pace.

What Can You See at the Tower of London?

Maybe you’ve already seen the castle with its four distinctive corner towers? That’s the White Tower — the central building of the complex. But the Tower of London encompasses so much more! A total of 20 buildings and additional points of interest:

Tower of London Crown Jewels

The Crown Jewels are quite literally the crowning glory of the Tower. In the Jewel House, you can admire magnificent crowns, scepters, and royal regalia, some of which are still used in official ceremonies today.

The oldest pieces date back to the 17th century and are set with thousands of diamonds, rubies, and other precious stones.

Note: The line here is always extremely long. On busy days, expect a wait of at least 30 minutes.

Ravens at the Tower of London

According to legend, the Kingdom of England will fall if the black ravens ever leave the Tower. That’s why at least six of the birds have lived here continuously since the 17th century — along with a “Ravenmaster” who looks after them.

The ravens even have names and individual personalities, and they’re genuinely huge. They live in large aviaries in front of the White Tower, but are also allowed to hop freely around the lawn during the day.

One word of caution: a sign warns that the ravens will peck if you try to touch them. So keep your hands to yourself and just enjoy watching.

White Tower & Armory

The White Tower is the oldest and most iconic building in the Tower complex.

Inside, you’ll find the “Line of Kings,” a historic armor exhibition featuring gleaming suits of armor and weapons from the monarchies — including those of Henry VIII.

But even the architecture alone is a real highlight. Thick walls, narrow windows, and tight staircases — a genuine medieval feel.

Good to know: The White Tower has over 200 steps in total. It’s anything but accessible, and the narrow spiral staircases might make you a little dizzy, haha.

Prison & Execution

The Tower of London was long a feared prison and the site of many executions — for nobles, spies, and even queens.

Names like Anne Boleyn and Guy Fawkes are tied to some of the darkest chapters of English history.

Throughout the complex you can see cells, torture instruments, and memorial plaques — for example in the Bloody Tower (very fitting name), the Wakefield Tower, and on Tower Green.

Tower Green & Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula

Tower Green is a large, open grassy area within the Tower of London complex. This is where executions once took place — away from the public eye.

Today, Tower Green is home to a memorial made of stone, iron, and glass that commemorates the victims. The glass cushion on top is meant to evoke the “execution block” on which the condemned were made to kneel.

Right next to it stands the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula, where, among others, Anne Boleyn is buried. She was Henry VIII’s second wife and was sentenced to death by him.

Tower Guards: The Beefeaters

The Yeoman Warders, better known as Beefeaters, served as royal bodyguards and guardians of the Crown Jewels from the 15th century onward. You’ll recognize them by their dark blue or red uniforms and traditional hats.

Today the Beefeaters no longer guard anything — instead, they lead tours through the Tower and serve as cultural ambassadors.

By the way: You can take photos with them. They walk all around the grounds and are always happy to oblige.

Animals at the Tower of London

From 1200 until around 1830, the Tower of London had its own zoo with exotic animals — lions, elephants, and even a polar bear that was a gift from Norway.

Today, (thankfully) only sculptures and exhibitions remain as a reminder of that era.

Poppies at the Tower of London

The Tower doesn’t just tell stories from the distant past — it also tells stories from history that isn’t all that long ago.

In memory of the fallen of the First and Second World Wars, red ceramic poppies appear at various spots throughout the Tower.

The art installation is called “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red” and can be seen through November 2025.

Tower of London Cafés, Restaurants & Shops

With all the highlights the Tower of London has to offer, there’s naturally no shortage of places to take a break and do a little shopping.

Throughout the grounds you’ll find several cafés and restaurants offering everything from sandwiches to cream tea.

And in the souvenir shops, you’ll find pretty much everything your heart desires (and things nobody ever thought they’d need) — from knight helmets for kids to books, pins, and Christmas ornaments, all the way to plastic Crown Jewels.

Location & Getting There: How to Reach the Tower of London

The Tower of London is located on the Thames in the east of central London.

The address is: Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB

In the immediate vicinity you’ll also find Tower Bridge, St. Katharine Docks, and the South Bank.

Getting There by Subway

The nearest Underground station is Tower Hill. It is served by:

• Circle Line
• and District Line

From there it’s only about a three-minute walk to the entrance.

Getting There by Bus

These bus routes stop in the immediate vicinity of the Tower of London:

• Routes 15, 42, 78, 100, and RV1

The stops are located around Tower Hill and Tower Bridge. We, for example, took the bus all the way from Stockwell.

Getting There by Boat

Right in front of the Tower of London is the Tower Pier boat dock. Thames boats from Thames Clippers and Uber Boat stop here.

Our tip: When you get a chance, check out the Traitor’s Gate on the Thames. It’s only a three-minute walk west from Tower Pier. The gate served as the entrance for prisoners brought in by boat — including Anne Boleyn, Thomas More, and Guy Fawkes.
Here you’ll find the best boat tours in London

Parking near the Tower of London

There’s no parking directly at the Tower. However, you can park your car here:

• Tower Hill Coach and Car Park (two-minute walk)
• Minories Car Park (ten-minute walk)

Both parking lots charge a fee — around £5 per hour. That’s why we recommend taking public transit.

Tower of London: What to Expect During Your Visit

To make sure your visit to the Tower of London goes smoothly, here are the most important details on opening hours, security checks, and more:

Tower of London Opening Hours

Opening hours vary by season.

1. March through October: 9:00 AM–5:30 PM (Sundays & Mondays from 10:00 AM)
2. November through February: 9:00 AM–4:30 PM (Sundays & Mondays from 10:00 AM)

Last admission is 1.5 hours before closing, and the last tour starts two hours before closing. The Tower is only closed on Christmas (December 24–26).

Best Time to Visit the Tower of London

The quietest time is in the morning right after opening, ideally on a weekday. In the afternoon and on weekends it gets significantly more crowded — especially at the Crown Jewels.

We visited the Tower on a Saturday during peak season, and it was truly packed.

Wait Times at the Tower of London

Wait times are typically longest at the Crown Jewels. Expect to wait 30 to 60 minutes there. We also stood in line for 15 minutes for the torture chamber in the Bloody Tower.

Otherwise, wait times are fairly manageable at five to ten minutes. Even getting in with the Standard Ticket took less than ten minutes.

Security at the Tower of London

At the entrance there’s a metal detector that every visitor must pass through. After that, larger bags are checked sporadically. We were able to walk right through.

These items are NOT allowed inside the Tower:

• Large suitcases & rolling bags
• Weapons, sharp objects
• Drones & professional camera equipment
• Food & drinks must remain in your bag inside the buildings

These items ARE allowed inside the Tower:

• Small bags & backpacks
• Strollers (for London we recommend a travel stroller)
• Food & drinks (not permitted inside the buildings!)
• Cameras & phones for personal use (except at the Crown Jewels)

Is the Tower of London Accessible?

Partly. The site is historic and has many stairs, cobblestones, and narrow passageways.

Accessible pathways, ramps, and elevators are only available in a few areas. Unfortunately, the White Tower is not wheelchair accessible.

How Much Time Should You Plan for the Tower of London?

Plan for at least 2.5 to three hours to see the highlights at a relaxed pace.

If you want to join a Beefeater tour, browse the exhibitions, and take a café break, budget around four hours.

Is Photography Allowed at the Tower of London?

Yes. But with restrictions. Photography is strictly prohibited at the Crown Jewels, and flash, tripods, and selfie sticks are banned throughout. Otherwise, you can take photos in all areas.

Are There Restrooms at the Tower of London?

Yes. You’ll find restrooms next to the main entrance, at the café in the New Armouries building, and near the Wakefield Tower. All restrooms are free to use.

Visiting the Tower of London: Our First-Hand Experience

We visited the Tower of London ourselves and are sharing our experience with you:

We had booked our Tower tickets through Tiqets a few weeks in advance — for 11:00 AM.

We took the bus to Tower Hill, made a quick detour to The Monument (one of our London insider tips), and joined the line at the Tower entrance at 10:45 AM.

Getting in was super quick. Less than ten minutes of waiting. Which, in hindsight, was a little surprising — because inside the Tower it was absolutely packed. We must have hit a sweet spot between the first and second rush of visitors.

Once inside the fortress complex, we were a bit overwhelmed at first. We hadn’t expected how large everything would be and weren’t sure where to head first. (Our preparation was terrible — so yours can be top-notch, haha.)

We decided against the £5 audio guide and just set off to get a first impression.

To be more precise, we often went against the flow of the crowd and tried to always be wherever the fewest people were at any given moment. So we made very spontaneous choices and zigzagged all over the place.

But since we were there on a Saturday during peak season, even that only worked so-so. We didn’t even bother lining up for the Crown Jewels. The wait would have been about an hour.

Instead, we turned to AI (ChatGPT) when we felt overwhelmed again by the sheer number of attractions and people. We told it what we were interested in, what we wanted to focus on, and where we’d already been — and just like that, it pointed us to where we should definitely still go.

The most impressive things for us were the White Tower with its armor collection, Tower Green with the memorial to the executed, the ravens, and the stunning view of the Thames and Tower Bridge.

We were a bit disappointed by the torture chamber and the prisons. It might sound morbid, but for an attraction with such a dark past, we felt there should be a greater focus on that history.

We stood in line for nearly 15 minutes for the so-called torture chamber, which turned out to consist of a reconstructed rack. Pretty anticlimactic.

Also, unfortunately, the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula was closed for restoration. It’s set to reopen in September 2025.

Our Verdict: Is the Tower of London Worth It?

Absolutely — the Tower is worth a visit! Whether you’re a first-timer or already know the city well. We, for example, didn’t make it here until our sixth trip to London.

Anyone who found Edinburgh Castle in Scotland or Gravensteen Castle in Ghent fascinating will love the Tower of London.

The admission price is admittedly on the higher side, but the complex is also enormous. You could easily spend four hours here (we were there for just under two), and maintaining a fortress of this size surely takes a serious budget.

So the entry fee is justified given the sheer amount of history packed into this place.

And the Tower of London is a great place for kids too. There are even little puzzles scattered around here and there to keep them engaged.

You should definitely add the Tower of London to your list of things to do in London.

And What to Do After Your Tower Visit?

After the Tower of London, we were genuinely hungry and headed to St Katharine Docks Café (find it on Google Maps) at the nearby St Katharine Docks. Less than a ten-minute walk.

You can also combine the Tower of London with these nearby attractions:

• Tower Bridge
• The Monument & Pudding Lane
• Traitor’s Gate
• London Wall
• St Dunstan in the East Church Garden
• The Shard

Also read:

Hotels near the Tower of London

Want to stay close to the Tower of London? Check out these three hotel recommendations for London:

DoubleTree near the Tower of London: Modern city hotel with a cool rooftop bar and views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.

Apex City Of London Hotel: Stylish boutique hotel in a quiet location near the Tower. Central, yet away from the hustle and bustle.

Novotel London Tower Bridge: Family-friendly hotel with modern amenities. Great transit connections and just steps from the Tower.
Find more hotels in London here:

Frequently Asked Questions about the Tower of London

The History of the Tower of London

If walls could talk, the walls of the Tower of London would have quite a story to tell. What happened here goes beyond anything in a typical history book.

It all began in 1066. William the Conqueror came, saw, and…well, had it built. Not just any building, but a stone symbol of his power right on the Thames: the White Tower, which still stands today.

Over the centuries, the Tower kept growing — with thick outer walls, tall towers, and all the trimmings. Almost like a medieval Fort Knox.

In the late Middle Ages, the Tower served as a storehouse for weapons and gunpowder. In the 16th century, during the Tudor era, it became the stage for royal dramas and power struggles.

It was here that Anne Boleyn — the famous second wife of Henry VIII — was beheaded on her own husband’s orders. And here that Guy Fawkes, who had plotted to blow up Parliament, was interrogated and tortured. In total, the Tower witnessed over 400 executions.

And in the subsequent Stuart era, the Tower remained a symbol of turmoil. Not only was King Charles I imprisoned here, but in 1671 an Irishman named Colonel Blood even attempted to steal the Crown Jewels. The plan failed, but the audacity has remained legendary to this day.

Today, the tales, screams, power struggles, and intrigues of the Tower belong to the past. It has transformed into a museum and memorial that keeps history alive — for all who enter and choose to listen.

So much for: “If walls could talk.”