London›Guides›Tower of London›Skip-the-line guide

How to Skip the Line at the Tower of London

By the BeatTheCrowd team · Updated 20 October 2026 · 3 min read

Quick answer

Book a timed ticket online on the Historic Royal Palaces site (same price as the gate, but it guarantees entry), arrive at the 9 am opening and go straight to the Crown Jewels, whose queue can reach 45-90 minutes later in the day. Then join a free Yeoman Warder tour.

At a glance

Ticket: £37 adults, £18.50 children 5-15. Same price online and at the gate
Book on: hrp.org.uk. Book a week ahead April to October, earlier for July and August
First stop: The Crown Jewels, straight after opening
Best time: 9 am opening on a weekday

How long are the lines at the Tower of London?

Getting into the Tower is quick with a booked ticket. The big queue is inside, for the Crown Jewels in the Jewel House: it can hit 45 minutes by mid-morning in peak months, and an hour and a half in the afternoon. There's no fast-track option for it, not even with the London Pass, so timing is everything.

🔑 The free skip-the-line hack

Before you book your slot, check how busy the Tower of London is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for UK school holidays, bank holidays and weather.

Check today’s crowds at Tower of London →

Who	Price
Adults	£37
Children 5-15	£18.50
Disabled visitors	£29.50, with a carer free
Under 5	Free

Who

Price

Adults

£37

Children 5-15

£18.50

Disabled visitors

£29.50, with a carer free

Under 5

Free

Best (and worst) times to go

9 am opening: walk straight into the Jewel House before the queue forms.

Late afternoon: the jewel queue can ease again, but you'll have less time for everything else.

Worst: 11 am to 3 pm, weekends and UK school holidays.

Season: April to October is busiest. Winter weekdays are much calmer.

🔑 The free skip-the-line hack

Our hourly forecast for the Tower of London shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date.

Check today’s crowds at Tower of London →

Insider tips that actually save time

Crown Jewels first, everything else after. It's the single best time-saver here.

Join a Yeoman Warder tour next. They're included, start regularly from the entrance, and they're the only way into the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula.

No photos in the Jewel House. Don't hold up the moving walkway trying.

Leave suitcases elsewhere. Large luggage isn't allowed in.

FAQs

How much is the Tower of London?

£37 for adults and £18.50 for children aged 5-15. The price is the same online and at the gate.

How long is the queue for the Crown Jewels?

It can reach 45 minutes by mid-morning and up to 90 minutes in the afternoon in peak season. Go first thing.

Is the Beefeater tour included?

Yes. Yeoman Warder tours are included with your ticket.

What is the best time to visit the Tower of London?

At the 9 am opening on a weekday. Check our live crowd tracker for your date.

Sources

How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 20 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.

Getting there	Tube to Tower Hill (District and Circle lines), a 5-minute walk.
How long to allow	At least 3 hours.
Next door	Tower Bridge, with a separate ticket.

How to Skip the Line at the Tower of London

How long are the lines at the Tower of London?

Tickets

Best (and worst) times to go

Insider tips that actually save time

Practical info

Mistakes that cost you an hour

Is skip-the-line worth paying extra for?