Full-Day Westminster Abbey, Tower & Thames Cruise
The live listing is a Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Changing of the Guard walking tour that includes interior Abbey entry, with Big Ben and Buckingham Palace seen from outside. A longer full-day option adds a Thames river cruise and Tower of London entry plus a tour. It runs about 3–7 hours depending on the version and costs from around £58 per adult in 2026.
If you want to link Westminster Abbey with London’s other blockbuster landmark — the Tower of London — plus a cruise on the Thames, this tour is built to do it in a single day. It starts in Westminster, takes in the Abbey and the Changing of the Guard, and on its longest version carries you downriver to the Tower.
The listing sells several lengths under one product, so what you get hinges on which option you pick: the shorter versions are Westminster-focused, while the full-day version adds the Tower and the boat. This guide sets out honestly what’s included, what’s exterior-only, and what the full-day upgrade covers in 2026.
What the Current Product Includes
The base tour is a guided Westminster walk with interior Westminster Abbey entry, the Changing of the Guard ceremony, and exterior views of Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. It includes an English-speaking guide and headsets for larger groups. The full-day option extends this with a Thames river cruise and a Tower of London entry ticket and tour, running toward the 7-hour end of the range.
At its core this is a Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard tour. You go inside the Abbey to see the interior highlights — the Nave, Poets’ Corner, the Coronation Chair and the royal tombs — then walk the area with a guide to watch the Changing of the Guard and view Big Ben and Buckingham Palace from the street.
The Abbey is the one interior on the base tour; Big Ben (the Elizabeth Tower) and Buckingham Palace are exterior stops. The listing advertises skip-the-line Abbey entry, which speeds the group through the ticket desk, though security screening still applies at busy times.
Does the Full-Day Tower & Cruise Upgrade Exist?
Yes. Alongside the shorter Westminster-focused versions, this listing offers a longer full-day option that adds a Thames river cruise and a Tower of London entry ticket and guided tour on top of the Westminster Abbey visit. It sits at the upper end of the 3–7 hour duration range. Confirm the exact inclusions and running time for the specific option before booking, as the versions differ.
This is the version that matches a true “Westminster Abbey plus Tower of London and Thames cruise” day out. After the Westminster leg, you travel by river — the cruise doubles as sightseeing and transport — to the Tower of London, where entry and a tour are included. Because it’s the longest option, expect a full day on your feet with a boat transfer; if you’d rather keep it short and Abbey-focused, a standalone entrance ticket covers the Abbey alone for less.
Tour Details
What is included: An English-speaking guided walking tour with interior Westminster Abbey entry, the Changing of the Guard ceremony, and exterior views of Big Ben and Buckingham Palace; headsets for larger groups. The full-day option adds a Thames river cruise and Tower of London entry plus a tour
Duration: Around 3–7 hours depending on the option; the full-day Tower and cruise version is the longest
Languages: English
Rating: Around 4.6 stars (370+ reviews) at the time of writing
Meeting point: The Abraham Lincoln statue on Parliament Square, in front of the Supreme Court building, closest to Westminster Abbey
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts
Best for: Visitors wanting to combine Westminster Abbey with the Tower of London and a Thames cruise in one packed day
Book This TourPrices start from around £58 per adult in 2026, with the full-day Tower and cruise option costing more than the shorter Westminster-only versions. The page may display the fare in your home currency, so confirm the live price and exact inclusions before you book.
Is the Full Day Worth It?
The appeal is efficiency: the Abbey and the Tower sit at opposite ends of central London, and the river cruise turns the transfer into part of the experience rather than a Tube slog. If your time in London is tight, packaging both landmarks with a guide and skip-the-line entry can be genuinely useful — just go in knowing it’s a long day, and that the shorter versions of this listing don’t include the Tower or the boat. To compare formats, see our roundup of the best Westminster Abbey tours.
Practical Tips
Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, since much of the day is outdoors and on the water. A morning start helps you reach the Abbey before the midday crowds and aligns with the Changing of the Guard schedule; our opening hours guide covers the timing. The Abbey is closed to sightseeing on Sundays, so departures that go inside run Monday to Saturday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tour include the Tower of London and a Thames cruise?
The full-day option does. Alongside shorter Westminster-focused versions, the listing offers a longer option that adds a Thames river cruise and a Tower of London entry ticket and guided tour on top of the Westminster Abbey visit. The shorter versions do not include the Tower or the boat, so choose the full-day option if that’s what you want and confirm its inclusions.
Is Westminster Abbey interior entry included?
Yes. Interior entry to Westminster Abbey is part of every version of this tour, with skip-the-line group access through the ticket desk. Inside you see the Nave, Poets’ Corner, the Coronation Chair and the royal tombs. Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, in contrast, are exterior views only, so the Abbey and, on the full-day option, the Tower are the interiors you actually enter.
Do you go inside Big Ben or Buckingham Palace?
No. Big Ben (the Elizabeth Tower) and Buckingham Palace are seen from the outside on this tour. You watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony near Buckingham Palace and view Big Ben from the street, but you don’t enter either. The interiors on offer are Westminster Abbey and, on the full-day version, the Tower of London.
How long is the full-day tour?
The listing spans roughly 3 to 7 hours depending on the option. The Westminster-only versions sit at the shorter end, while the full-day version that adds the Tower of London and the Thames cruise runs toward 7 hours. Check the stated duration for the exact option you select so you can plan the rest of your day.
How much does it cost in 2026?
Prices start from around £58 per adult in 2026, with the full-day Tower and cruise option costing more than the shorter versions. The booking page may show the fare in your home currency, so the exact pound figure can move with exchange rates. Confirm the current price and inclusions on the live listing before booking.
Where does the tour meet?
The meeting point is the Abraham Lincoln statue on Parliament Square, in front of the Supreme Court building and closest to Westminster Abbey, a short walk from Westminster Underground station. Arrive a few minutes early to clear security. Our getting there guide explains the best routes into the area.
Can I take this tour on a Sunday?
Departures that include a Westminster Abbey interior visit run Monday to Saturday, since the Abbey is closed to sightseeing on Sundays and open only for worship. The Tower of London does open on Sundays, but the Abbey leg of this tour does not. If Sunday is your only day, you can attend a free Abbey service instead of the guided tour.
What’s the cancellation policy?
The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. That flexibility is worth having on a long, multi-part day, especially since the Abbey can close at short notice for special services. Confirm the exact cancellation terms for your chosen option on the booking page before you commit.
Insider Tip
Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, since much of the day is outdoors and on the water. A morning start helps you reach the Abbey before the midday crowds and aligns with the Changing of the Guard schedule; our opening hours guide covers the timing. The Abbey is closed to sightseeing on Sundays, so departures that go inside run Monday to Saturday.
