Quick answer: The official Tower of London ticket is £37 for adults and £18.50 for children (5–15) until 30 September 2026, rising to £38 and £19 from 1 October; seniors and students pay £29.50/£30.30, under-5s are free, and you can add an optional 10% donation. The ticket includes the Crown Jewels, the White Tower and the free Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour, which is the best guided tour of the Tower and costs nothing extra — so most visitors do not need a paid guided tour. Pay for a third-party tour ($60–120) only for early-entry, small-group or “Tower + Westminster” combinations. The London Pass includes the Tower and pays off if you will visit three or more expensive attractions in a couple of days.
Related: Tower of London Tickets & How to Visit (2026 Guide)
Tower of London Options Compared
| Option | Price (adult) | Includes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official online ticket | £37 (to 30 Sep 2026) / £38 (from 1 Oct) | All public areas, Crown Jewels, White Tower, Yeoman Warder tour | Most visitors |
| Official child (5–15) | £18.50 / £19 | Same | Families |
| Official senior 65+ / student | £29.50 / £30.30 | Same | Eligible with ID |
| Historic Royal Palaces membership | From ~£65/yr | Unlimited entry to 6 palaces | Visiting 2+ HRP palaces or repeat trips |
| Early-access / small-group guided tour | ~$80–120 | Entry before crowds, guide, Crown Jewels first | Peak season, crowd-averse |
| Combo tour (Tower + Westminster/Thames cruise) | ~$100–160 | Two sites, guide, transport | One-day London history |
| The London Pass (1-day+) | From ~£90 (1 day) | Tower + 90+ attractions | 3+ big attractions in 1–2 days |
| Opening Ceremony experience | £62 | Watch the Tower open, then admission | Special occasion |
| Ravens experience | £90 | Meet the ravens with the Ravenmaster, plus admission | Enthusiasts |
Official prices from hrp.org.uk (checked September 2026); all include a no-donation option. Groups of 15+ pay £34.10/£35. Some areas may have reduced access for conservation work. Allow at least three hours.
Top-Rated Tower of London Tours & Tickets
The Official Ticket: Already Includes the Best Tour
Yeoman Warder tours leave every 30 minutes from just inside the entrance and are included in admission. They are funny, historically sound and last an hour — better than most paid tours. Go straight to the Crown Jewels on arrival (queues build from 10:30), then join a Warder tour, then the White Tower. Online booking is cheaper than walk-up and, in summer, effectively required for the morning. Tickets are dated but not slotted.
When a Paid Tour Makes Sense
Early-access tours enter before the public and see the Crown Jewels with no queue — in July and August that alone can save an hour. Small-group tours with a Blue Badge guide add depth the Warder tour cannot in 60 minutes, and combination tours pair the Tower with Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge or a Thames cruise with transport handled. For a family with two children under 16, though, the official tickets (~£110) are far cheaper than a tour (~$300+), and the kids will prefer the Beefeater.
| Tour | From | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Day Ticket | $50 | ★ 4.4 (7,731 reviews) |
| London in a Day: Tower of London, Westminster & River Cruise | $128 | ★ 4.8 (1,032 reviews) |
| Early Access Tower of London: Crown Jewels and Beefeater Ceremony | $100 | ★ 4.6 (1,026 reviews) |
| VIP Tower of London and Crown Jewels Tour with Private Beefeater Meet & Greet | $133 | ★ 4.6 (970 reviews) |
| VIP Early Access: Opening Ceremony Tower of London & Bridge Entry | $201 | ★ 4.8 (769 reviews) |
| Tower of London Guided Tour with Optional Thames River Cruise | $106 | ★ 4.5 (494 reviews) |
The London Pass Maths
A one-day pass costs roughly £90; the Tower alone is £37. Add Westminster Abbey (£31) and Tower Bridge or the Thames cruise, and you break even on day one. Passes require reservations for some attractions and become poor value if you are not a fast-paced sightseer. Our London city-pass comparison covers the detail.
Practical Tips
Book online for opening (9:00 Tue–Sat, 10:00 Sun–Mon) and do the Crown Jewels first. Wear comfortable shoes — there are many stairs and cobbles. Kids under 5 are free but need a ticket. The Ceremony of the Keys (evening) is a separate, free-but-ticketed event that books out months ahead. Related: Westminster Abbey tickets compared, and our London hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are Tower of London tickets in 2026?
£37 adult, £18.50 child (5–15), £29.50 senior/student until 30 September 2026; £38 / £19 / £30.30 from 1 October. Under-5s free. An optional 10% donation can be added.
Is the Yeoman Warder tour included?
Yes. Beefeater tours run every 30 minutes and are included in admission, subject to availability.
Do I need a guided tour of the Tower of London?
Not for most visitors — the included Yeoman Warder tour is excellent. Paid tours add early access, small groups or combinations with other sights.
Is the London Pass worth it for the Tower?
Only if you will visit three or more major attractions in one or two days; the Tower alone does not justify the pass.
How long does the Tower of London take?
At least three hours to see the Crown Jewels, White Tower, walls and a Warder tour.
When is the best time to see the Crown Jewels?
Immediately at opening, before queues build from about 10:30, or in the last hour before closing.
Kratos Review is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and policies were checked on 28 September 2026 and can change.
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