We will be in London(first time) the week of September 7. Do we need to buy attraction tickets ahead of time? Thinking of Tower of London, etc. what would be the best day to the Tower? Time of day? I would like to avoid standing in line for hours. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Posted by
Midwest
2768 posts
Generally, getting to places early (like before they open) is the best way to avoid crowds, in my experience. Also, avoid weekends where possible. I think the Tower opens at 9 Tu-Saturday, so get there before 9. You don't have to buy ahead, I don't think (it's been a few years for me), but you can. I haven't done this, it might be easier than waiting in a ticket line, but you won't have trouble getting tickets at 9AM either way.
Posted by
Land of La
8645 posts
As noted arrive prior to opening and don't go on a Saturday or Sunday. Still might be a short line in September but its the Tower of London not Disneyland. If you wish to partake in an Evensong at St Paul's or Westminster Abbey there will be lines simply because Evensong is free whereas there are admission prices for both houses of worship during the day. If you wish to take a tour of Parliament then I would investigate getting tickets before hand. There will still be a line but the wait to enter won't be long. London is home to 7 million people, add the tourists, and you have a vibrant, bustling, urban world Capitol. It invades your senses! Worth the time and effort to explore and absorb. GREAT city!
Posted by
Truro, NS, Canada
3940 posts
We were there last Sept (the 2nd...a Tues...and we were also dealing with the ceramic poppy installation which could have added to the crowds). We arrived around 10:30 or so. No issues getting a ticket and no wait at all to get thru the gates. We actually hung out by the bridge (the one you cross over after entering into the Tower) taking photos of the poppies and waiting for the yeoman warder tour to start (free, about an hour, and highly recommended - so much fun!). Now, perhaps that was an anomaly. But I agree on a weekend it's going to most likely be much busier. I would say go before 11am and you will probably be OK.
Oh - after the warder tour, we went to see the jewels (so probably about 11:30-11:45) and there was no line up outside, and maybe about a 20 min or so shuffle (past other interesting things) to get to the jewels.
Edit to add - http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/yeomanwarder