I Climbed 334 Stairs to See Big Ben Up Close. Here’s How You Can Too.
The Elizabeth Tower, or what tourists mistakenly call Big Ben, is one of the most photographed landmarks in the world. Everyone gets their shot from Westminster Bridge or in front of the K2 telephone booth on the corner of Bridge Street and Parliament Street. What most people don’t realize is that you can actually go inside to see the real Big Ben up close. I had no idea until I started planning my last London trip, and after climbing 334 stairs and feeling that bell go off a few feet from my face, I think this is one of the most overlooked things you can do in the city. Here’s everything you need to know about the Big Ben tour and how to get tickets.
Jump to:
Big Ben Tour Quick Facts
Big Ben Tour Tickets & Tips
What to Expect
Know Before You Go
What to Do Nearby
FAQs
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Big Ben Tour Quick Facts
Can you tour Big Ben? | Yes, through the official UK Parliament guided tour |
How many stairs? | 334 |
Tour length | 90 minutes |
Photos allowed? | No |
Elevators available? | No |
Minimum age | 11 years old |
Price | £35 adults / £20 ages 11–17 |
Best for | History lovers, architecture fans, repeat London visitors |
How to Book Big Ben Tour Tickets
Like Anne Frank tickets in Amsterdam, tickets for the Big Ben tour are released on a predictable schedule. Tickets go on sale through the UK Parliament website three months in advance on the second Wednesday of every month at 10:00 am London time. So if you’re planning a March trip, you’d want to book in December.
Big Ben tickets are £35 for adults and £20 for visitors ages 11 to 17, which is pretty reasonable for one of London’s biggest attractions.
Big Ben Ticket Tips
The tickets don’t sell out in seconds the way, say, a Taylor Swift presale does. But they do go fast, especially for popular time slots during peak tourist season. A few things that helped me:
- Pick multiple potential dates and times before the release day. Don’t go in with one option. Have three or four combos ready so you can grab whatever’s available.
- Later time slots tend to have more availability. I booked a 3:45pm tour on December 17th for a March 10th tour without any issues.
- Set a reminder for a few minutes before 10am London time so you’re not scrambling to find the booking page when the clock hits. (Pun intended.)
- Book directly through the UK Parliament website. That’s the only place to get official tickets.
Sold Out for Your Dates?
Big Ben tours sell out quickly. And if your London trip is less than three months away or your schedule is fixed, you may not have much flexibility. There are some great alternatives in this area that I’d actually recommend, not just as consolation prizes, but as experiences worth doing on their own.
What to Expect on the Big Ben Tour
If the Big Ben tour is on your radar, you’ve probably noticed there isn’t a lot of firsthand information about what it’s actually like. Here’s a detailed breakdown from someone who has done it.
The Climb
I came into this tour a little cocky. I’ve climbed Rainbow Mountain in Peru. I’m reasonably fit. I figured 334 steps would be fine. I was wrong. The first 114 steps humbled me.
To get to the top of the Elizabeth Tower, you and around 20 other tourists climb single-file up a narrow, winding staircase. I wouldn’t say it’s claustrophobic, but if you’re someone who doesn’t love tight, enclosed spaces, that’s worth knowing before you book. The good news is you don’t climb all 334 stairs at once. There are stops along the way to catch your breath and pretend you aren’t incredibly out of shape.
Here’s how the climb to Big Ben breaks down:
- 114 steps: first stop, first reality check
- 182 steps: second stop
- 290 steps: the mechanism room, where you see the inner workings of the clock
- 334 steps: the belfry, where Big Ben lives
- 281 steps: behind the clock face
The stops are where the guide does most of the talking, so you’re learning about the tower’s history and the recent conservation project while catching your breath. The guide on my tour was excellent, clearly knowledgeable, not reading from a script, and happy to answer questions.
You’ll also notice the steps are out of order, and that’s intentional. After the belfry, you get to walk behind the clock face on your way back down. Going down was 10x easier.
The Belfry
The tour is timed so you’re in the belfry when the bell strikes at the top of the hour. Everyone is given ear protection before you go up, and you’ll understand why the moment it happens.
The sound doesn’t just hit your ears. Standing that close to a 13.7-tonne bell at full volume is a full-body experience. It’s loud in the most spectacular way possible. And the view of London from the belfry makes the 334 steps feel completely worth it.
What to Know Before You Go
Arrive at least 30 minutes before your tour time. The Cromwell Green entrance is where you check in, and you have to go through airport-like security. If you’re late, they won’t let you join and there’s no refund. This isn’t a “show up a little late and catch up” situation.
All bags and phones go into a secure locker before the climb. Don’t bring a Mary Poppins-sized bag with you. Pack light.
Leave the GoPro at the hotel. Photography is not allowed inside the Elizabeth Tower, and security is strict. I brought my GoPro only to have it confiscated at the security checkpoint. I had to retrieve it after the tour, which was a separate ordeal. Just don’t.
You can’t bring water on the tour. I didn’t know this going in and I was pretty parched by the top. Drink something before you start.
Go to the bathroom before the tour starts. There are no toilets inside the tower. So use the facilities inside Westminster Hall (which you can explore before and after). Even if you think you have a bladder of steel, you should try. The tour is almost 2 hours and that’s a long time to hold it.
Wear good shoes. This isn’t the day for new sandals or anything with a heel. Comfortable walking shoes with a grip are the move.
Dress in layers if you’re visiting in cooler months. The belfry is open-air and exposed, and it was cold and windy when I was up there in March.
What to Do Near Big Ben
This part of London is incredibly easy to build a full day around, and the area rewards people who are into history and architecture. Here are a few options for your London itinerary.
If You Love History: Houses of Parliament Tour
The Houses of Parliament tour is the natural companion to Big Ben. Same building, completely different experience. You’re walking through the chambers where British law gets made, which is either fascinating or slightly surreal depending on your mood. I’ve done two tours with Walks and they consistently deliver solid, knowledgeable guides. Their Parliament and Westminster Abbey tour gets you two London icons for the price of one.
If You Want the Views: London Eye
The London Eye is a 10-minute walk from Big Ben and offers a completely different perspective on the city, slower, wider, from a gondola rather than a spiral staircase. It’s a good pairing if you want to see London from above without the climb, or if you’re traveling with someone who wasn’t up for the tower stairs.
Big Ben Tour FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the Big Ben tour.
Can tourists go inside Big Ben?
Yes. The official guided tour through UK Parliament takes you inside the Elizabeth Tower, up the spiral staircase, through the mechanism room, behind the clock dials, and up to the belfry where Big Ben is housed. You can only purchase tickets through the UK Parliament website.
Is there a lift in Big Ben?
No, there is no elevator in the Elizabeth Tower. Everyone climbs all 334 steps. If you have mobility issues or have been told to avoid sustained physical activity, this one probably isn’t for you.
Can Americans tour Big Ben?
Yes, the tour is open to international visitors. You book online through the UK Parliament website, same as everyone else.
Is Big Ben worth seeing from outside only?
If the tour isn’t accessible or realistic for you, whether because of fitness, mobility, sold-out tickets, or just time, seeing Big Ben from Westminster Bridge is absolutely worth doing. The view from the bridge at night, when the clock face is lit, is one of London’s better photo ops. If you want a shot at the K2 telephone booth on the corner of Bridge Street and Parliament Street, go early. The line gets long fast and it’s not worth waiting 20 minutes for a phone booth photo. You’re not missing the city’s best experience by skipping the climb, but you are missing something uniquely London.
Should first-time visitors do the Big Ben tour?
If history and architecture are your thing, yes, prioritize this. If it’s your first trip to London and you’re trying to hit as many highlights as possible, it’s worth thinking about whether 90 minutes inside one tower is the best use of your time versus Westminster Abbey or the Churchill War Rooms, which cover more ground. If you’re still building out your itinerary, my guides to Royal Things to Do in London and the Tower of London are good places to start. For repeat visitors or anyone who’s already done the standard London circuit, this tour is a clear yes.
What is the cancellation policy for Big Ben tours?
Tickets are non-refundable, and tours can be cancelled at short notice due to parliamentary business. Check your pre-visit email for any changes, and factor in that this is a working government building.
Is the Big Ben Tour Worth It?
The Big Ben tour is one of those experiences that makes you feel like you saw a side of London most visitors never get to. It’s not the most obvious thing to book, the tickets take some planning, and yes, the first 114 steps will test you. But standing next to that bell when it strikes, feeling it in your chest, is the kind of moment that doesn’t really translate in photos, which is maybe why more people don’t talk about it. If you can make the schedule work, it’s worth getting tickets.
