A Westminster Abbey tour is easy to mis-buy, because the title does not tell you whether the guide comes inside. I compared nine guided Westminster Abbey tours on GetYourGuide, from $44 to $159: some put a guide in front of the tombs and the nave, and some walk Westminster and give you the Abbey on your own. Each includes some kind of Abbey entry. This page sets them side by side with route, languages, meeting point and what reviewers say. If you want only the entry, my guide to Westminster Abbey tickets compares all ten.
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Westminster Abbey Tour with a Royal Heritage Guide
What a Westminster Abbey Tour Adds Over a Plain Ticket
The official Abbey sells adult tickets at 32 pounds, with 29 pounds for over-65s and students and 14 pounds for ages 6 to 17, per the official opening times and prices page. The $43 GetYourGuide entry ticket adds a multimedia guide. A Westminster Abbey tour adds a person: someone to point out the shared tomb of Elizabeth I and Mary I, and the place where monarchs are crowned. The Abbey has hosted the coronations of 40 monarchs since 1066, per Wikipedia, which is a lot of history to cover in two hours.
The Abbey is a working church, so it is closed to sightseers on Sundays, as I explain on my Westminster Abbey opening hours guide. Every Westminster Abbey tour here is booked for another day.
Westminster Abbey Tour With a Guide Inside
Three of the Westminster Abbey tours put a guide inside for about 2 hours, and these are the ones I would book if the building is the point.
Amigo Tours costs $93, lasts 2 hours and runs in Spanish and English, at 4.7 from 817 reviews. It includes entry to the Abbey and a guide inside. The guide waits outside the Abbey Shop with an Amigo Tours sign, not inside the shop, and you should arrive 10 minutes early. Reviewers name their guides and call them knowledgeable and funny. One recommends earphones, because the guide speaks softly in the building and was hard to hear at times.
Amigo Tours UK
Westminster Abbey Tour with a Royal Heritage Guide
★4.7 (817 reviews)
2 hours
Free cancellation
My pick: The Abbey-only tour in English or Spanish: $93, 2 hours, 4.7 from 817 reviews, but bring earphones.
What you get, where you meet, what reviewers say
Included
✓ Entry to Westminster Abbey
✓ Guide inside Westminster Abbey
Not included / not suitable
✕ Hotel pickup and drop-off
✕ Additional expenses like tips or souvenirs
Meeting point: Abbey Shop, at Westminster Abbey. Your guide will be waiting outside the Abbey Shop with a sign of Amigo Tours. Please do not look for the guide inside the shop and try to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to check in. Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3JS, Reino Unido
Languages: Spanish, English
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
“Thank you so much Jane!!! We had the loveliest time, you were so knowledgeable and funny. Take care!” – GetYourGuide review
Premium Tours costs $113 for 2 hours in English, with 4.8 stars from 455 reviews. The tour starts in the Cellarium, the medieval undercroft, with coffee, tea and pastries, then enters the Abbey through the cloisters in Dean’s Yard with priority access. A London Eye skip-the-line ticket is an option. Meet outside the Abbey Shop at 20 Dean’s Yard with a white Premium Tours sign. A reviewer arrived late and went to the wrong place, and the operator helped, which is the kind of service that justifies a higher price.
Premium Tours
Guided Westminster Abbey Tour and Refreshments
★4.8 (455 reviews)
2 hours
Free cancellation
My pick: The premium one: $113, 4.8 from 455 reviews, refreshments in the Cellarium and priority access.
What you get, where you meet, what reviewers say
Included
✓ Priority access
✓ Westminster Abbey tour
✓ Professional guide
✓ Refreshments
✓ London Eye skip-the-line entry ticket (if option selected)
Not included / not suitable
✕ Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting point: Meet outside the Westminster Abbey Shop, 20 Dean's Yard, London SW1P 3JS. Your guide will be holding a white ‘Premium Tours’ sign. Please arrive there at least 10 minutes before the starting time you selected. The Abbey shop is located next to the West entrance. 20 Dean's Yard, London SW1P 3JS, UK
Languages: English
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
“We had a lovely tour! Our guide knew so much, was easy to hear and very friendly. We learned so much and enjoyed our tour if Westminster Abbey.” – GetYourGuide review
Rosotravel’s skip-the-line tour is $111 for 2 hours at 4.8 from 551 reviews. It has the widest language list of any Westminster Abbey tour: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Japanese and Chinese. The listing sells private tours of 2, 3.5, 4 and 5.5 hours and a 4-hour group tour, with St Margaret’s Church added to some options and a private car transfer to others. Check the option before you pay, because the group version is the 4-hour one only.
Rosotravel - United Kingdom Tours & Experiences
Westminster Abbey Skip-the-line Entry & Guided Tour
★4.8 (551 reviews)
2 hours
Free cancellation
My pick: The widest language choice: $111, 4.8 from 551 reviews, private and group options, nine languages.
What you get, where you meet, what reviewers say
Included
✓ Guided tour of Westminster Abbey and City of Westminster (private or group tour, attractions depend on the selected option)
✓ Licensed guide
✓ Skip-the-line entry to Westminster Abbey
✓ Private tour of Westminster Abbey (2-, 3.5-, 4- and 5.5-hour private tours only)
✓ Group tour of Westminster Abbey (4-hour group tour only)
✓ Free admission to St Margaret’s Church (4- and 5.5-hour private tours only)
Not included / not suitable
✕ Free admission to St Margaret’s Church (in the 2- and 3,5-hour private tours and the 4-hour group tour)
✕ Round-trip transfer with pickup and drop-off by private car (in the 2- and 4-hour private tours and the 4-hour group tour)
✕ Private Guide (in the 4-hour group tour)
Meeting point: Meeting point may vary depending on the option you select. Check availability for more details.
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Japanese, Chinese
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
“Natalia or Natasha 😉was very nice and knowled about what we see. She was great story teller about the royal family and very friendly. 5☆ guid and everyone that will get here fore guid is very lucky” – GetYourGuide review
Rosotravel also runs a German-language Westminster Abbey tour at $100, lasting 4 hours, with a group limited to 20 people. A licensed German-speaking guide leads a walk from the Winston Churchill statue in Parliament Square past Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament to the Abbey, then on to St James’s Park, Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace. Headsets and entry to Big Ben and Buckingham Palace are not included. It has 4.8 from 176 reviews, and one reviewer was in a group of four, so group sizes vary.
Rosotravel - United Kingdom Tours & Experiences
Skip-the-Line London Westminster Abbey Guided Tour in German
★4.8 (176 reviews)
4 hours
Free cancellation
My pick: The German-language tour: $100, 4 hours, a group of up to 20, 4.8 from 176 reviews.
What you get, where you meet, what reviewers say
Included
✓ Guided tour of Westminster Abbey and the City of Westminster, London
✓ 5-star licensed guide who is fluent in German
✓ Skip-the-line tickets and tour of Westminster Abbey
✓ Walking tour of the City of Westminster
✓ Group size limited to 20 people
Not included / not suitable
✕ Headsets
✕ Tickets to Buckingham Palace
✕ Tickets to Big Ben
Meeting point: Meet your guide in front of Sir Winston Churchill Statue in Parliament Square. Parliament Sq, London SW1P 3JX, UK
Languages: German
Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
“Die gesamte Tour war toll, sehr interessant, informativ und eindrucksvoll. Der guite war klasse, sie hat sehr viel Wissen, war nett, sehr empathisch und hilfsbereit. Diese Tour und der deutschsprachige guite ist nur zu empfehlen.” – GetYourGuide review
Three tours treat the Abbey as one stop in a longer walk of Westminster.
The Rosotravel Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham tour starts at $44 and has 4.8 from 4,051 reviews, the most for any guided Westminster Abbey tour. The price is a from-price for options. The 4-hour option is a fully guided tour inside the Abbey with skip-the-line tickets, and the 3-hour option guides you around the outside and gives free entry to a service such as an organ recital, evensong or mass without a guide. Languages are French, English, German, Italian and Spanish. Tickets to Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, and headsets, are not included.
Rosotravel - United Kingdom Tours & Experiences
Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Buckingham Guided Tour
★4.8 (4,051 reviews)
3 hours
Free cancellation
My pick: The most-reviewed tour: 4.8 from 4,051 reviews, from $44, but choose the 4-hour option for a guide inside the Abbey.
What you get, where you meet, what reviewers say
Included
✓ 4-hour option: Fully-guided tour inside Westminster Abbey and City with Skip-the-Line Tickets
✓ 3-hour option: Guided tour of the City and Abbey exteriors (entry for service only)
✓ 3-hour option: Free entry for organ recital, evensong or mass at Westminster Abbey (without guide)
✓ Walking tour of London highlights (Big Ben, Buckingham Palace – exterior views only)
✓ Blue Badge Guide (the highest rank in the UK)
✓ All taxes and fees
Not included / not suitable
✕ 3-hour option: Guided tour inside Westminster Abbey (includes self-visit for a free organ recital or evensong at the Abbey)
✕ Tickets to Buckingham Palace (all options)
✕ Tickets to Big Ben (all options)
✕ Headsets (all options)
Meeting point: Meeting point may vary depending on the option you select. Check availability for more details.
Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
“Natalia was a joy as my guide . She was very knowledgeable and took real good care of my group and I. I recommend this tour especially if Natalia is your guide💜💜” – GetYourGuide review
Top Sights Tours costs $91 for 5 hours, in English, and includes a pre-booked Abbey entry ticket. The guide meets you outside the Ritz at 150 Piccadilly, next to two red telephone boxes, and walks to Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Horse Guards Parade, 10 Downing Street and Parliament Square before the Abbey. Entry to Buckingham Palace and Big Ben is not included. It has 4.8 from 1,311 reviews, and several reviewers praise the guide, Ash, for stories that held attention in bad weather.
Top Sights Tours LLC.
Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey & Big Ben Tour
★4.8 (1,311 reviews)
5 hours
Free cancellation
My pick: The long walk: $91, 5 hours, 4.8 from 1,311 reviews, Abbey ticket included.
What you get, where you meet, what reviewers say
Included
✓ Walking tour
✓ Local guide
✓ Westminster Abbey pre-booked entry ticket
Not included / not suitable
✕ Entry to Buckingham Palace or Big Ben
Meeting point: We meet outside of the Ritz hotel (150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR) next to 2 red telephone boxes and 2 souvenir stands, underneath one of the Ritz signs. The nearest tube station is Green Park Underground station. When you get to Green Park Underground station, take the left hand exit. You will see a set of stairs and a ramp leading out of the station. Take the stairs up and walk towards the Ritz Hotel. 150 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9BR, UK
Languages: English
Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
“The tour provided a great introduction to the highlights of Westminster. We especially enjoyed our guide, Ash, who included interesting historic stories and kept us thoroughly engaged despite the bad weather!” – GetYourGuide review
City Wonders costs $73 for 2.5 to 3 hours in English, with 4.6 from 325 reviews. The guided part is a walk of Westminster covering Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards Parade, 10 Downing Street and Big Ben, while the visit inside the Abbey is self-guided with an audio guide. It has two meeting points, depending on the option. Reviewers praise the guides by name.
City Wonders Ltd. UK
Westminster Abbey Reserved Entry & Guided City Tour
★4.6 (325 reviews)
2.5 - 3 hours
Free cancellation
My pick: The budget walk: $73, 4.6 from 325 reviews, skip-the-line entry and an audio guide inside, a live guide outdoors.
What you get, where you meet, what reviewers say
Included
✓ Entrance ticket and skip-the-line access to Westminster Abbey
✓ Self-guided visit inside Westminster Abbey with an included audioguide
✓ Guided walking tour of Westminster City, covering London’s top landmarks
✓ English-speaking live guide
Not included / not suitable
✕ Gratuities
✕ Hotel pickup/drop-off
✕ Food/Beverages
✕ Entry to Buckingham Palace
Meeting point: This activity has 2 meeting points. Your meeting point depends on the option you select. Victoria Embankment, London SW1A 2JH, Royaume-Uni
Languages: English
Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours
Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
“We had a fantastic tour - and luckily the weather was very nice. Our tour guide Angie gave us an exceptional tour with lots of history associated with London. Highly recommended :-)” – GetYourGuide review
The Walks tour is the only Westminster Abbey tour that adds a second interior. It costs $159 for 225 minutes in English, with skip-the-line entry and a guided tour of the Abbey, then entry and a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament. It meets at the statue of Viscount Palmerston in Parliament Square, 15 minutes early, under a yellow sign. The rating is 4.5 from 390 reviews. One reviewer thought the Abbey guide was better than the Parliament guide, though they liked both and enjoyed standing in the House of Commons. For the Parliament side on its own, see my page on Houses of Parliament tickets.
Walks - UK
Houses of Parliament & Westminster Abbey Guided Tour
★4.5 (390 reviews)
225 minutes
Free cancellation
My pick: Two interiors in one booking: $159, 225 minutes, 4.5 from 390 reviews, Abbey and Houses of Parliament.
What you get, where you meet, what reviewers say
Included
✓ Skip the line entry and guided tour of Westminster Abbey
✓ Exclusive entry and guided tour of Houses of Parliament
✓ Local English-speaking guide
✓ Expertly guided walking tour
Not included / not suitable
✕ Tips
✕ Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting point: Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a yellow WalksDevour sign. This tour meets at Parliament Square, London, SW1P 3JX at the statue of Viscount Palmerston. Parliament Sq, London SW1P 3JX, UK
Languages: English
Duration: 225 minutes
Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
“SUPER, both guide (one in the ABBEY, the other called Phillipe in the Parliamnet) absolutely professional, smart, well informed about the builing's history and nowadays news I enjoyed it so much:)” – GetYourGuide review
Across the nine tours the praise goes to guides: knowledge, humour, stories and patience with the group. Complaints are specific. They are a guide who could not be heard inside the Abbey, a Parliament guide who did not match the Abbey guide, and crowds. The pattern says the Abbey tours with a guide inside are rated higher than the city walks, though the sample is not large enough to call it proof.
“Nick did a fantastic job. He was not only very knowledgeable but also had great personality and made the tour a pleasant and entertaining experience.”
— GetYourGuide reviewer
Guided Westminster Abbey Tour or Ticket Only?
The plain entry ticket is $43, rated 4.6 from 14,765 reviews, and lasts 2 hours. A Westminster Abbey tour with a guide inside costs $93 to $113 for the same 2 hours, which is roughly $50 to $70 more. The walks cost $44 to $91 but give you less inside the Abbey. If you want to read as you go, take the ticket; if you want the stories, take a tour. I also advise booking ahead: the official visit page says advance booking is highly recommended, and the Abbey sells tickets itself at tickets.westminster-abbey.org.
Small Group, Private or Standard
Group size is stated for only two Westminster Abbey tours: the German-language tour is limited to 20 people, and Rosotravel sells private tours of 2, 3.5, 4 and 5.5 hours. The rest do not say, so ask the operator if it matters.
How I’d Choose a Westminster Abbey Tour
A guide inside, in English or Spanish: Amigo Tours at $93.
Best service: Premium Tours at $113, with refreshments.
A language other than English: Rosotravel at $111, or the German-only tour at $100.
Abbey plus the area on foot: the Rosotravel 4-hour option from $44, or Top Sights at $91.
A cheaper walk: City Wonders at $73, with an audio guide inside.
I think a guide inside is worth it if you want the tombs and coronations explained, because the plain entry ticket is $43 and includes a multimedia guide. The 2-hour guided tours with a guide inside cost $93 to $113, which is $50 to $70 more. The best-reviewed of them, Rosotravel at $111, has 4.8 stars from 551 reviews.
How long is a Westminster Abbey tour?+
A tour of the Abbey alone takes 2 hours in the listings from Amigo Tours, Premium Tours and Rosotravel. Tours that add the neighbourhood run 2.5 to 3 hours for City Wonders, 4 hours for Rosotravel and the German-language option, 5 hours for Top Sights and 225 minutes for the Houses of Parliament combo.
Does a Westminster Abbey tour include a guide inside the Abbey?+
Not always, so read the option. The Rosotravel 3-hour option covers the Abbey only from outside and gives free entry to a service without a guide, and the City Wonders tour uses an audio guide inside the Abbey. The Amigo Tours, Premium Tours, Rosotravel skip-the-line and Walks Parliament tours do list a guide inside.
Can I take a Westminster Abbey tour in German or Spanish?+
Yes. The Rosotravel skip-the-line tour lists nine languages, including Spanish and German, and a separate Rosotravel listing for $100 runs in German only with groups limited to 20. Amigo Tours at $93 runs in Spanish and English.
Does a Westminster Abbey tour include Big Ben or Buckingham Palace?+
Only as views from outside. The walking tours from Rosotravel, Top Sights and City Wonders pass Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, and their listings state that entry to both is not included. The only combo that adds an interior is the Walks tour at $159, which includes the Houses of Parliament.
