- The Tower of London attracts thousands of visitors every day, particularly during the summer holidays and festive periods. Between June and August, ticket queues regularly reach 45–90 minutes, especially between 10am and 1pm. On bank holidays and school breaks, waits can occasionally exceed two hours.
- During the quieter season (November to February), ticket queues typically fall to 10–30 minutes, although weekends and late mornings remain busy. Regardless of your ticket type, every visitor must pass through the mandatory security screening, which generally takes another 10–20 minutes.
Skip the line at the Tower of London
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Quick overview: How to skip the lines at the Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of London's busiest historic attractions, welcoming well over 2 million visitors each year. During school holidays, weekends, and the summer months (June to August), the queue for walk-up tickets can easily reach 45–90 minutes, with another 10–20 minutes required for mandatory security screening.
The easiest way to save time is to book your visit in advance. Here's what to consider:
- Skip-the-line guided tour (From £47): The best all-round option. Skip the ticket purchase queue, enter with an expert guide, and visit highlights including the Crown Jewels, Tower Green, Traitor's Gate, and the Bloody Tower. Most visitors reach the entrance in around 15–30 minutes, depending on security.
- Early-access guided tour (Upgrade available): Enter before the main crowds and witness the Opening Ceremony alongside a Yeoman Warder. It's the quietest time of day to see the Crown Jewels and photograph the Tower.
- After-hours experience (Upgrade available): Visit the Tower once daytime visitors have left, followed by the historic Ceremony of the Keys. This offers one of the most exclusive ways to experience the fortress.
- Guided tour with Thames River Cruise (Upgrade available): Combine fast-track entry with a flexible sightseeing cruise on the River Thames, making it easy to continue exploring central London after your visit.
See all your options to skip the queues at the Tower of London
How long are the queues at the Tower of London entrance?
Types of queues you'll encounter at the Tower of London
Entry to the Tower is through the West Gate near the main ticket office. These are the queues you'll encounter and how skip-the-line access affects each one.
- Location: Outside the ticket office near the West Gate
- Who uses it: Visitors buying tickets on arrival
- Average wait: 45–90 minutes (peak), 10–30 minutes (off-season)
- Skip-the-line? ✅ Yes. Pre-booked tickets and guided tours bypass this queue.
- Location: Entrance gates immediately before security
- Who uses it: All visitors with pre-booked or walk-up tickets
- Average wait: 5–15 minutes
- Skip-the-line? Guided tours usually move through this process more efficiently than individual visitors.
- Location: Immediately after ticket validation
- Who uses it: Every visitor
- Average wait: 10–20 minutes, occasionally longer during peak periods
- Skip-the-line? ❌ No. Security checks are mandatory for everyone.
- Location: Designated meeting point outside the Tower entrance
- Who uses it: Visitors joining guided experiences
- Average wait: Usually 5–10 minutes before the tour begins
- Skip-the-line? ✅ Tour groups bypass the ticket purchase queue but still complete security screening.
What does "skip-the-line" really mean for the Tower of London?
Skip-the-line tickets save you from waiting in the often lengthy ticket purchase queue, but they do not bypass the mandatory security check.
- Book online: Reserve your guided tour and preferred time in advance.
- Meet your guide: Check in at the designated meeting point before your scheduled start time.
- Skip the ticket queue: Your guide takes the group directly towards the entrance without waiting at the ticket office.
- Complete security screening: All visitors pass through airport-style security, which usually takes 10–20 minutes.
- Begin your guided visit: Once inside, your guide leads you to the Tower's most important landmarks before you continue exploring independently.
In practice, you trade an unpredictable 45–90-minute ticket queue for a more predictable 15–30-minute entry process.
Save time and start your visit with an expert guide
Instead of waiting to buy tickets on the day, join a skip-the-line guided tour that includes priority entry, fascinating historical commentary, and optional upgrades like early access, a Beefeater meet-and-greet, or the Ceremony of the Keys.
How to skip the lines at the Tower of London
Even with skip-the-line access, your overall wait depends on when you visit and how prepared you are. These simple tips will help you make the most of your time.
- Book your tickets in advance: The biggest time saver is reserving your guided tour before arrival. This lets you bypass the ticket purchase queue and secures your preferred entry slot, particularly during weekends and summer holidays.
- Choose an early morning tour: The first guided tours of the day generally encounter the smallest crowds. Upgrading to early access also lets you witness the Opening Ceremony before the Tower becomes busy.
- Arrive at least 15 minutes early: Although your ticket skips the ticket queue, you'll still need to check in and complete security. Arriving early ensures you don't miss your tour departure.
- Visit on weekdays: Tuesday to Thursday mornings generally see lighter visitor numbers than weekends, school holidays, or public holidays, making the entire entry process faster.
- Choose a guided tour with upgrades: If you're already booking a guided tour, consider upgrades like the Beefeater meet-and-greet, after-hours access, or a Thames cruise for a more memorable visit beyond simply saving time.
Frequently asked questions about Tower of London skip-the-line tickets
Skip-the-line tickets let you bypass the on-site ticket purchase queue and enter with your pre-booked reservation. However, all visitors must still go through the mandatory security screening before entering the Tower.
Yes. Every visitor, including those with skip-the-line tickets or guided tours, must complete an airport-style security check. This process cannot be skipped and usually takes 10–20 minutes.
During peak season, skip-the-line tickets can save around 45–90 minutes by avoiding the ticket purchase queue. Your total entry time will still depend on security checks and visitor numbers.
Yes. Your guided tour includes admission to the Tower of London, allowing you to visit the Crown Jewels during your visit unless they're temporarily unavailable for security or ceremonial reasons.
Sometimes, but availability is limited, especially during weekends, school holidays, and summer. Booking a few days in advance is the best way to secure your preferred date and time.
You'll need to purchase tickets on arrival if available, which may involve waiting 45–90 minutes or longer during busy periods before proceeding to security.
If you're visiting for the first time, a guided tour offers much better value. Along with faster entry, you'll hear fascinating stories and historical context that you might otherwise miss while exploring independently.
Yes. Skip-the-line guided tours are booked for a specific date and start time. Arriving at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour is recommended for a smooth check-in.
No. Skip-the-line tickets are valid for one-time entry only. Once you leave the Tower grounds, re-entry is not permitted on the same ticket.
Yes. The guided tour is partially wheelchair accessible, and complimentary companion tickets are available on the day for eligible visitors upon presenting the required supporting documentation.
