Tower and bell are not the same
The Elizabeth Tower is the tower. Big Ben, strictly speaking, is the great bell inside it. Most people use the name for both, and that is fine for planning. What matters is that the tower is part of the Palace of Westminster, and a visit inside needs its own ticket.
The tower tour goes up to the bell chamber, to the clock mechanism and behind the clock faces. On the hour you hear Big Ben strike, and ear protection is provided. This page covers the visit only in brief. For the clock, the bells and the engineering in depth, see our sister site Big Ben tour guide.
The tower tour at a glance
Prices apply to tours from 1 August 2026.
| Detail | Elizabeth Tower tour |
|---|---|
| Adult | £55 |
| Child aged 11 to 17 | £35 |
| Length | Up to 90 minutes |
| Steps | 334 |
| Minimum age | 11 years, under adult supervision for minors |
| Who can book | UK and international visitors |
These are the 2026 tour prices. Check the booking page for the final total before you pay.
Tours around the Elizabeth Tower and Westminster
Guided visits to the palace and the area around the tower, with live prices and availability.
How booking works
Places are released once a month.
Monthly release
New dates open on the second Wednesday of each month at 10:00. They cover the three months ahead. Have your date and group ready before that time.
Not the palace audio tour
The audio tour of the palace does not include the climb. The tower tour needs its own ticket. If you hold a palace ticket, it does not get you into the tower.
Palace tours compared →Free places for UK residents
UK residents can ask for a limited number of free places through their MP. That is a separate route from the paid tour, and the paid tour is open to international visitors too. A residence in the UK is what counts here, not nationality alone.
Tower tour or palace tour?
They are different tickets for different parts of the building.
| Tour | Adult price in 2026 | Length | What you see |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Tower tour | £55 | Up to 90 minutes | Bell chamber, clock mechanism, behind the clock faces |
| Palace guided tour | £40 in advance, £43 on the day | About 90 minutes | Commons, Lords, Westminster Hall and other rooms |
| Palace audio tour | £31 in advance, £34 on the day | About 90 minutes | More than 15 stops, no tower climb |
If the tower tour is full, the palace tours are the way to see inside the building. Full price tables for all age groups are on the tickets page.
Access and what to expect
The climb is steep and has no lift.
The standard tour is not step-free. A more accessible version can be requested separately, but it does not use a lift either, so ask before you book if mobility is a concern. Assistance dogs, which are welcome elsewhere in the palace, are not allowed on the tower tour.
Allow time for the security check before your slot. It works like airport security, and the visitor rules page lists what to leave behind. See security and visitor rules for the full list.
If you only want to see the tower and not climb it, the best views come from outside. Parliament Square, Westminster Bridge and the riverbank all work, and the best Big Ben viewpoints are covered on the sister site.
Elizabeth Tower: frequently asked questions
Is the Elizabeth Tower the same as Big Ben?
Not exactly. The Elizabeth Tower is the tower, and Big Ben is the great bell in it. In everyday speech people use Big Ben for both.
Can international visitors go up the tower?
Yes. The regular paid tour is open to UK and international visitors from age 11. The free MP route is a separate option for UK residents only.
How much is the tower tour in 2026?
£55 for adults and £35 for children aged 11 to 17, for tours from 1 August 2026.
How long is the tour and how many steps are there?
The tour lasts up to 90 minutes and includes 334 steps. There is no lift, even on the more accessible version.
When can I book?
New dates are released on the second Wednesday of each month at 10:00, three months ahead.