Tower of London Early Access Tours 2026

The Crown Jewels queue is the one thing that can dent a Tower of London visit, and early-access tours exist to solve it. They take you inside before the gates open to the public, so you watch the Opening Ceremony and reach the Jewel House while it is calm. If you are visiting in summer, or you simply want to see the regalia without a crowd, this is the category to look at.

What early access gets you

The heart of every early-access tour is the same: entry before the public, the atmospheric Opening Ceremony as the Tower is unlocked, and first access to the Crown Jewels. From there the tours differ — some hand you a self-guided app to explore at your own pace, others add Tower Bridge or a Thames cruise. A guide sets up the early history and the ceremony before you are set loose on the White Tower and grounds.

Early-access tours compared

Early Access & Opening Ceremony

4.6 · 997 reviews · from $99

The classic early-access tour and the best value. Opening Ceremony, Crown Jewels before the public, then explore with a self-guided app. The pick for most visitors.

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Early Access + Tower Bridge Entry

4.8 · 738 reviews · from $204

Adds a private Chief Beefeater welcome and timed entry to the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms and glass walkway. Best if you want the Tower and its famous bridge in one morning.

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Early Access + River Cruise

4.7 · 352 reviews · from $155

Early entry and the Opening Ceremony with a Blue Badge guide, finishing with a flexible one-way Thames cruise ticket. Best for pairing the early start with the river.

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Is early access worth it?

The arithmetic is straightforward. A standard day ticket is about $50, and in peak summer the Crown Jewels queue can cost you the best part of an hour. The classic early-access tour is around $99 — roughly $49 more — and it removes that queue while adding the Opening Ceremony you cannot otherwise see. Between April and September that is an easy trade for most visitors. Off-peak, or if you are content to arrive at opening on a normal ticket and walk straight to the Jewel House, you may not need it.

Early access FAQs

What does an early-access Tower of London tour include?

Early-access tours take you into the Tower before it opens to the public. Most include the Opening Ceremony, when a Yeoman Warder and military escort unlock the gates, and first entry to the Crown Jewels ahead of the crowds. Some add Tower Bridge or a Thames river cruise.

Is early access worth the extra cost?

In peak season, yes. A standard ticket is about $50, and in summer the Crown Jewels queue alone can cost you 45 minutes to an hour. An early-access tour is roughly $99 and removes that queue while adding the Opening Ceremony. Off-peak, arriving early on a standard ticket may be enough.

What time do early-access tours start?

Early, before general opening — expect a start time around or before 09:00, with arrival about 15 minutes beforehand. The crowd-free Crown Jewels and the Opening Ceremony are only possible because you arrive ahead of everyone else, so an early start is the trade-off.

Which early-access tour should I choose?

For the classic experience at the lowest price, the Early Access & Opening Ceremony tour is the pick. Add the version with Tower Bridge if you want to climb the bridge, or the one with a river cruise if you want the Thames. All three get you to the Crown Jewels first.

Want the Crown Jewels crowd-free? Compare early-access tours, all with free cancellation.

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