Tower Bridge is one of London‘s most recognisable landmarks, a Victorian bascule bridge completed in 1894 and open to visitors year-round.
This guide was updated in May 2026: The key price update most guides have missed: adult admission is now £18.00 — many aggregators and articles still show figures of £12 to £16 from earlier seasons. A second important detail the official site flags explicitly: pre-booking a ticket does not give fast-track entry. Visitors still queue outside on arrival regardless of whether they have booked. Come prepared for outdoor waiting and comfortable shoes. You can book through GetYourGuide to secure your preferred time slot.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Tower Bridge, London, SE1 2UP (ticket office on north-west side) |
| Hours | Daily 09:30–18:00 (last entry 17:00) |
| Closed | 24, 25 and 26 December; opens 10:00 on 1 January |
| Adult (18+) | £18.00 |
| Concessions (seniors 60+, students 18+ with ID, youth 16–17, disabled adults) | £13.50 |
| Child (5–15) | £9.00 |
| Disabled child (5–15) | £6.80 |
| Under-5s | Free |
| Local Ticket | £1.00 (for residents of local boroughs) |
| Nearest Tube | Tower Hill (7-min walk, District and Circle lines) |
| Typical visit | 1.5–2 hours |
Opening hours
Tower Bridge is open every day of the year except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Standard hours are 09:30–18:00 with last entry at 17:00 throughout the year. On New Year’s Day the bridge opens later, at 10:00.
Relaxed Opening is available on the second Saturday of each month, 09:30–11:30 (last entry 11:10). This is a low-capacity, reduced-soundscape session designed for neurodivergent visitors and anyone who finds standard conditions overwhelming.
Ticket prices
All prices include VAT. Pre-booking is highly recommended but does not give fast-track entry — expect to queue outside regardless.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | £18.00 |
| Concessions (seniors 60+, students 18+ with ID, youth 16–17, disabled adults) | £13.50 |
| Child (5–15) | £9.00 |
| Disabled child (5–15) | £6.80 |
| Companion (of a disabled visitor) | Free |
| Under-5s | Free |
| Local Ticket | £1.00 |
The £1 Local Ticket is available to people living in the immediate local boroughs — details on the official concessions page. National Rail 2FOR1 offers are also accepted; see the concessions page before booking. Tickets can be booked up to eight weeks in advance.
Book through GetYourGuide to confirm your entry time.
Why visit Tower Bridge?
- 🌉 London’s defining landmark from the inside: The High-Level Walkways at 42 metres above the Thames give a panoramic view of east and west London that no other vantage point in the city replicates.
- 🪟 The Glass Floors: Walk directly over the river on the transparent sections of the Walkways — one of London’s most photographed and reliably thrilling moments.
- ⚙️ The Victorian Engine Rooms: The original steam-powered hydraulic machinery that operated the bridge lifts for over 80 years is preserved and explained in atmospheric detail.
- 🐾 Well-behaved dogs welcome: Tower Bridge is one of the few major London attractions that welcomes dogs inside — a genuinely unusual policy at this level.
- 🚌 The bus jump: On 30 December 1952, a Number 78 bus jumped the opening Tower Bridge rather than stop in time. The story — and Albert Gunter, the driver — is told in the exhibitions inside.
How to get there
By Tube: Tower Hill station (District and Circle lines) is a 7-minute walk. London Bridge station (Northern and Jubilee lines) is about 10 minutes on foot. Both have step-free access from street level.
By riverboat: Boats stop at Tower Pier (north bank) and London Bridge City Pier (south bank). Both are a short walk from the bridge. Check riverboat operators’ websites for current schedules.
By bus: Routes 15, 42, 78, 100, and 343 all serve Tower Bridge. Step-free access is available from the Tower Bridge City Hall stop (routes 42, 78, 343), 280 metres from the ticket office.
Note: The ticket office and main entrance are on the north-west side of the bridge. Do not queue at the south tower or bridge road level. The queue is outside, so check the weather and dress accordingly.
Five great things to do in London
- 🚖 Take a private black cab tour around London’s highlights – with hotel pick-up.
- 🧙 Discover Harry Potter filming locations – and spots that inspired the books – on a wizarding walking tour.
- 🍴 Taste the best of British cuisine on a food tour through Borough Market.
- 🚲 Combine landmarks, pubs and street art – on a guided bike tour.
- ⛴️ Take a sightseeing cruise along the Thames from Westminster to Greenwich.
Parking
There is no dedicated car park at Tower Bridge. Limited on-street parking exists nearby, but Tower Bridge Road is a Red Route — no stopping at any time. The nearest car parks are Tower Hill Car and Coach Park (50 Lower Thames Street, EC3R 6DT) and Minories Car Park (Mansell Street, E1 8AA), both of which have Blue Badge bays. Coach drop-off is available free for 15 minutes at Tower Hill. Public transport is strongly recommended.
Why book the Go City London Explorer Pass?
- 🎡 Access 2 to 7 Top Attractions: Customize your trip by choosing from over 90 of London’s most popular sites, including the London Eye, Tower of London, and Westminster Abbey.
- 💰 Save up to 50%: Enjoy significant discounts on combined admission prices compared to purchasing individual tickets at each attraction.
- 📱 Completely Digital: No need for paper vouchers; simply download the pass to your smartphone and scan it for easy entry at every stop.
- ⏱️ 60-Day Validity: Your pass is valid for 60 days after its first use, allowing you to explore London’s landmarks at your own pace without feeling rushed.
- 🚌 Hop-on Hop-off Bus Included: Take advantage of a 1-day Big Bus tour to navigate the city easily and see major sights like Big Ben and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
How long to spend
Most visitors take 90 minutes to two hours to cover the North Tower, High-Level Walkways (including the Glass Floors), South Tower, Blue Line, and Engine Rooms at a comfortable pace. Families with children who stop for the Cat Trail stamps and drop-in craft activities should allow the full two hours. The self-guided audio tour runs roughly 45 minutes if followed in full.
Accessibility
Lifts are available in both towers and at the Engine Rooms, making the main visitor route accessible without stairs. Accessible toilets are inside the attraction. The queue to enter is outdoors — consider this in all weather. The Relaxed Opening on the second Saturday of each month offers reduced capacity and sound levels for neurodivergent visitors. All assistance dogs are welcome at all times; well-behaved dogs on leads are generally welcome, though the number may be restricted at busy periods.
What to see at Tower Bridge
The visit follows a self-guided route from the North Tower through the Walkways and South Tower to the Engine Rooms.
The North Tower is where the visit begins, covering the architects, engineers, and construction workers who built Tower Bridge between 1886 and 1894. The displays are well-paced and set up the engineering story effectively before the ascent.
The High-Level Walkways at 42 metres above the Thames give unobstructed panoramic views east towards Canary Wharf and west towards St Paul’s Cathedral, the City, and the South Bank. The Glass Floor sections look directly down onto the river and road traffic below.
The South Tower traces the human history of the bridge’s workforce since 1894, including the people who maintained and operated it through the 20th century.
The Blue Line connects the South Tower to the Engine Rooms via an outdoor riverside path, following the route the Victorian bridge operators took every day.
The Victorian Engine Rooms house the original coal-fired steam engines that powered the hydraulic accumulators and operated the bridge lifts from 1894 until electrification in 1976. The machinery is fully preserved and the atmosphere is remarkable. The Engine Rooms are the highlight for many adult visitors.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pre-booking doesn’t skip the queue | The official site explicitly states that a pre-booked ticket does not give fast-track entry. All visitors queue outside at the ticket office. Book through GetYourGuide to guarantee entry at your chosen time, but arrive allowing for the queue. |
| There is no café on-site | Tower Bridge has no restaurant or café. Bring snacks and water, or visit nearby Potters Field Park on the south bank for a picnic. Eating and drinking are allowed inside the attraction but nuts and alcohol are not permitted. |
| Bag restrictions apply | Bags larger than 45x35x20 cm are not allowed inside. Suitcases, wheeled bags, and oversized items are prohibited. A 100% bag search operates on entry. Do not bring a suitcase. |
| Glass items banned near the Glass Floors | Glass bottles and containers are not permitted near the Glass Floor sections of the Walkways for health and safety reasons. Use a plastic or metal bottle. |
| Check Bridge Lift times | Tower Bridge still opens for river traffic, typically several times a week. If a lift is taking place when you arrive, entry may be delayed. Check the live Bridge Lift schedule on the official website before visiting. |
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does booking in advance mean I skip the queue? | No — the official site explicitly states pre-booked tickets do not give fast-track entry. All visitors queue outside. Book through GetYourGuide to guarantee your time slot, not to jump the queue. |
| Is there a café inside Tower Bridge? | No. There is no café or restaurant on-site. Food and drink (except nuts and alcohol) may be consumed inside the attraction. Potters Field Park on the south bank is the nearest outdoor eating area. |
| Are dogs allowed inside? | Yes — well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome. At busy times, the number of dogs may be restricted. Assistance dogs are always admitted. |
| What does the £1 Local Ticket cover? | Residents of certain local boroughs can access the full Tower Bridge experience for £1. Check the concessions page on the official website for the qualifying postcodes. |
| Is Tower Bridge the same as the Tower of London? | No — they are separate attractions. Tower Bridge is the Victorian bascule bridge with the glass walkways and engine rooms; the Tower of London is a separate historic fortress a five-minute walk away. Both require separate admission tickets. |
Things to do nearby
The Tower of London is immediately adjacent to Tower Bridge on the north bank, a five-minute walk away. Home to the Crown Jewels, Beefeaters, and 900 years of royal history, it is the natural pairing for a Tower Bridge visit.
HMS Belfast is a Second World War light cruiser moored in the Thames directly opposite Tower Bridge, managed by the Imperial War Museum. The ship’s nine decks are open to explore and the views of the bridge from the deck are excellent.
Borough Market is the UK’s oldest and most celebrated food market, a 15-minute walk across London Bridge on the south bank. Open Thursday to Saturday (and limited Monday to Wednesday), it is one of the best places in London for lunch.
The Tate Modern is a 20-minute walk west along the south bank through the Bankside area. The UK’s national gallery of modern and contemporary art is free entry for the permanent collection and one of the busiest arts venues in the world.
The Shard observation deck rises directly above London Bridge station, about 15 minutes on foot from Tower Bridge. At 245 metres, the views across London are genuinely exceptional — best booked in advance given the premium pricing.
What to visit tomorrow
The Tower of London is the most natural follow-up to Tower Bridge — five minutes on foot, and a Historic Royal Palaces site that covers 900 years of royal, military, and civic history. The Crown Jewels, the White Tower, the ravens, and the Beefeater tours each merit time that a combined Tower Bridge and Tower of London day doesn’t quite allow.
St Paul’s Cathedral is about 15 minutes on foot or one stop by Tube. Sir Christopher Wren’s 1710 masterpiece can be visited from crypt to Stone Gallery to the Golden Gallery at the very top — 269 steps to the highest accessible point — and the views west over the City are entirely different from those at Tower Bridge.
The Shard, Southwark is 15 minutes on foot from Tower Bridge and the closest direct competitor for London high-level views. At 245 metres versus Tower Bridge’s 42, it provides a very different scale of panorama — useful context for comparing perspectives of the same city.
Shakespeare’s Globe, Bankside is 20 minutes along the south bank from Tower Bridge. The reconstruction of the Elizabethan playhouse where Shakespeare’s plays were first performed offers both tours of the building and, in season, performances of the plays — one of London’s most distinctive live cultural experiences.
Hampton Court Palace, Surrey (~30 min by train from Waterloo): A Historic Royal Palaces property with an entirely different character from the urban London sights — Henry VIII’s magnificent riverside palace with its famous maze, Great Hall, and Tudor kitchens. Combining a Tower Bridge visit with Hampton Court the following day covers two of the most architecturally extraordinary buildings in English history.
More London travel
Other London travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Underrated London attractions: Apsley House, Jewel Tower and the Postal Museum.
- Maritime Greenwich: The Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum and the Cutty Sark.
- Bloomsbury and Holborn: The Foundling Museum, the Charles Dickens Museum and Sir John Soane’s Museum.
- The cultural treasure of Hampstead: Kenwood House, the Freud Museum and Keats House.
- Away from the centre: Eltham Palace, Charles Darwin’s Down House and Marble Hill.
