Can you go inside Big Ben?
Yes, with a ticket for a guided tower tour. Visitors from the UK and from other countries are welcome, from age 11. The idea that only UK citizens can climb the tower is out of date. The current rules do not limit the tour by nationality.
A ticket is not a promise that every visitor can make the climb. The standard tour needs you to go up and down within 90 minutes, without walking aids. Without a ticket, the tower is a street view, which is free on any day and is not an entry into the Parliament grounds. Elizabeth Tower is the tower's name, and Big Ben is the Great Bell inside it.
Who can climb the tower
The requirements of the standard tour.
Age
Visitors aged 11 and over. Tickets for ages 11 to 17 cost £35 and adult tickets £55 for tours from 1 August 2026. Details are on the tour page.
Fitness
You must climb and descend within 90 minutes, without walking aids. Expect uneven surfaces, narrow passages, loud noise and exposure to the weather in the bell chamber, 62 m up.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs cannot join the tower tour at present.
Lockers and shoes
Bags, cameras and phones go into a locker, and photos are banned in the whole tower. Wear closed, flat shoes. Ear protection is provided.
Ways to see Big Ben
Walking tours, cruises and sightseeing tickets in Westminster, with live prices and availability.
The adapted tower tour
For visitors who need a different route.
Adapted tours are offered, with limited places. The route and the rooms are planned with you, according to your needs. They do not use a lift, so a step-free visit is not offered, and you should not count on reaching the bell chamber on an adapted tour.
You ask for a place through the form on the operator's accessibility page. The operator replies within 2 weeks. A reply is not yet a booked place, so start early and keep your travel plans flexible.
Inside, outside or the Palace: what each gives you
Three different ways to see Big Ben. Prices are for 2026.
| Option | Price | What you get | Who can do it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tower tour | £55 adult, £35 ages 11 to 17 | Clock mechanism, dials from inside, Big Ben, Westminster Hall after | From age 11, 334 steps, no walking aids |
| Street view | Free | The tower from outside, on any day | Everyone |
| Palace of Westminster guided tour | £40 in advance, £43 on the day | Commons and Lords chambers, Central Lobby; no tower | Check the operator's rules |
| Palace audio tour | £31 in advance, £34 on the day | Audio-guided visit of the Palace; no tower | Check the operator's rules |
The Palace tour prices are adult prices from the price list from September 2026. They are not a price for Big Ben, and a tower ticket does not include a walk through the two chambers. Palace tours have their own site, housesofparliament.org. For the views you can get for free, read the photo spots page.
Next steps
Pick the page that fits your plan.
Going inside Big Ben: frequently asked questions
Can tourists go inside Big Ben?
Yes. Visitors from the UK and abroad aged 11 and over can book a guided tower tour. You need a ticket, and the climb is strenuous.
What is the minimum age?
11 years. There is no entry for younger children.
How many steps are there?
The tour climbs 334 steps to the bell chamber. There are 281 steps to the clock dials, and 65 more to the Ayrton Light. The 334 steps do not lead to the top of the tower.
Is there a lift for the tour?
No. The adapted tour does not use a lift either, and a step-free visit is not offered.
Can I take photos inside the tower?
No. Photos are banned in the whole Elizabeth Tower. You can take photos in Westminster Hall.
Can I go up if I live outside the UK?
Yes. International visitors are welcome. Free tickets that UK residents can request through a Member of Parliament are a separate route.