Tower of London Tickets: Crown Jewels and Tours

Planning the visit

Decide first whether you want to cross at road level, enter the bridge or combine it with another attraction. These are different experiences and the booking details matter. The free pedestrian crossing gives you a view of the structure and connects the two banks. An interior ticket takes you through the towers and upper walkways and on to the historic Engine Rooms. The Tower of London is a separate historic site on the north bank. Check which admissions are included before choosing an itinerary.

The bridge visit begins at the North Tower. The route continues across both upper walkways, down through the South Tower and along the Blue Line to the Engine Rooms. Part of the route to the rooms is outdoors, so bring a layer suitable for the weather. Allow time to enjoy the views in both directions and to look at the machinery rather than treating the crossing as the whole visit. A useful guide to the route is our glass floor and walkways page.

The regular bridge opening hours are 09:30 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:00. It closes from 24 to 26 December and opens at 10:00 on 1 January. A bridge lift may delay entry. Check the date on your booking and the current opening hours before setting out, especially if you are combining visits. A scheduled lift is for a vessel and is not part of an admission ticket.

There are lifts in both towers, but they can be unavailable at short notice. Check their status if step-free access matters to your visit. Bags must fit the bridge's size limit and suitcases and wheeled bags are not allowed. For a fuller route, look at getting to the bridge and consider which side of the river you will be on before your next booking.

Making the most of the riverfront

Start by identifying the entrance or meeting point for each part of your day. A walk across the bridge, a timed interior visit and a tour beginning elsewhere can all fit into one itinerary, but each needs its own place in the plan. Keep your booking details accessible and check the date, time and language before leaving. If you are travelling with children, remember that visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult inside the bridge.

For a visit that includes several places, allow room between reservations for the walk and for any delays at the bridge. The moving roadway serves river traffic, so a lift can interrupt a crossing or delay entry. You can check the lift calendar when planning, but the timing of a vessel does not promise a view from inside. Choose a safe position on the riverbank and follow local instructions if you stop to watch.

Photography is allowed inside Tower Bridge without a tripod. Commercial photography and filming should be arranged in advance. Check the rules at any other attraction separately. Look at the seasonal planning guide for the balance between daylight and outdoor sections, and at the area guide if you are choosing which side of the river to stay on.