Ceremony of the Keys Booking

Yes tickets are really gone that quickly. So buckle up, stay up and hope for the best.

Claudia-
Thank you for letting me know! :(
That's what I was afraid of. I never seem to be quick enough for those things. ha! ha! I seem to have slower internet or fingers than the rest of the world when I am trying to reserve one of those lightning bookings!

We were able to get tickets to this with some diligence. We were online at just the right time, but there was some kind of glitch that day, and it seems like it wasn’t going to work out. But I checked a couple hours later and things were up and running again and a few tickets were still available (maybe due to the glitch earlier). So don’t give up until you see that it is really sold out.

Just to clarify, it’s not a tour. You are led inside the walls at a specific time and you’re there just to see the ceremony. They explain what you’re about to see, but roaming around isn’t permitted and it’s over in 20-30 minutes total. Neat experience and very atmospheric, but I don’t think it replaces a visit during the day(my opinion). Probably not worth a large despair is the tickets don’t work out (also IMO).

That wasn't my experience this February. I got into the queue prior to the release of the tickets and then when the time came, a number was assigned where I was in line. The placement did not matter when I got into the queue (as long as prior to the release time), but is completely random. I was online on 4 different devices which I got onto at different times prior to the release. I then picket the device that had the lowest number. We got our tickets. It's kinda like a lottery.

Barbara G. -

Thanks for the vote of hope and confidence! :) I will be sure and try it daily for the 3 nights that we will be in London though for sure. I was really wanting to view it more from just a historical factor (that it remains "relatively unchanged" for centuries) and had already planned on touring the tower during the day. I love that it was once "secret" and now it is open to us "peons" to view. :)

Lynn- Getting into the queue before the release of the tickets wasn't something I was aware I would need to do so I appreciate your taking the time to comment that little tidbit. I was planning on logging on at 5:55 a.m. and hovering over the mouse and clicking repeatedly until I was either told "sold out" or told that there was availability. Do I need to have them added to my cart and ready to click on the day? How many minutes in advance are you talking about? I appreciate your advice!

Edit: And yes...the several devices was something we would do for Disney to get the ticket for the ride that day. LOL!

I don't know if it matters how long before the time, just before the time. When the tickets drop, you are assigned a number telling you where you are in line. And when your number is up, that is when you can pick your ticket, etc. The numbers are randomly assigned, thus why I got on with 4 devices. Each device had a different number assigned. I picked the lowest number and waited around 15 minutes for when I was allowed in. This is to limit the number of people buying tickets at the same time and prevent the system from crashing.

Lynn,
Thanks. That makes sense. I misunderstood what you were saying, but now I get it.

Disney does that as well--assigns random positions. Insert grimmacing Kermit the Frog face here <--

This is from the official website:

Tickets for the Ceremony of the Keys are released on a rolling monthly basis. For example, April’s tickets will be released at the beginning of March at 16:00 on the first working day of the month, unless it is a Friday, when they be will released on the following Monday.

We went last year and it was necessary to be hovering because they do go fast. It is not a midnight release, and you do not add 6 hours but subtract it, so that would put you at 10:00. You will be put on a waiting list that tells you what place you have in line and the approximate wait time. It was fairly fast and easy, but we were going in May, so there was not as much demand as July.

I did a practice sign up months out to get the feel for it and since tickets for May are released tomorrow, April 1, you might do the same. If you are attempting the beginning of July, your tickets will be released on Monday, June 2 since the first day of June is a Sunday, so not a working day. It really is special. Good Luck!

Here is the site, there seems to be conflicting information here

https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/ceremony-of-the-keys/#gs.4yokvp

I got lucky in September 2023 and was not so lucky in August 2024. It is truly a very special ceremony to witness, and it is very much worth trying to get the tickets; having a strategy is crucial. If you can't get tickets I hope you will visit the Tower during the day as it's quite a fascinating place to explore.

Christa,

Thanks for the reply!
I definitely am doing the Tower during the day and the jewels, etc. with it. I love the historical tours and this is one I have looked forward to doing for a lilttle over 5 years even before I knew I was coming. It was the #1 thing on my list to do while in London. The Ceremony of the Keys I just learned about 2 years ago so that is failry new, but equally coveted by me and I will be sad if I don't get to do it. But I will find something to replace it, for sure.

I have not been to this ceremony but want to make an important correction to the time difference. Midnight in London is SIX PM (6pm) US Central Time, which is what I believe you are in in Texas. It is six hours behind London. I hope that helps!

Cat VH- You are correct! I was ahead! LOL!

It is not midnight UK release time, but 4pm, which is 10am Texas time.

Due to differing daylight saving times we have been an hour out of kilter the last three weeks, but are now back to normal. Until a few months ago it was 8am UK, not midnight.

isn31c- Well, there is also that! I didn't even think about the daylight savings time being factored in! But also I didn't see a time listed anywhere so I assumed it was midnight UK time/start of that day. Thank you for letting me know this!

Good luck! I'm also trying to get tickets this summer. My partner and I will both be on our computers trying to get tickets. Whoever gets in first will buy them, if any are still available for either of us. I already missed out on the Westminster Abbey Unlocked tour. I don't want to miss out on this, too.

Just popped onto the Ceremony of the Keys website this morning at 10:02 Houston time. Tickets became available this morning for May, they are wide open. For those of you looking for other months, you might take a peek at how the process works, even though when I went on there was no wait. It is interesting to look through the day to see how they disappear.

Also, it is good to note that do not become available only 30 days out but for the entire month, so if you are planning an end of the month visit, those tickets become available the same day the first of the month tickets are available.

I just went through the process and successfully got tickets for exactly the day I wanted. Here’s what I did.

I created an account ahead of time (don’t know if it makes a difference, though). This morning, I loaded up the “Book Your Visit” page five minutes prior to tickets opening up. I chose “Ceremony of the Keys” and the number of people, which opens up the calendar. When 4 PM UK time arrived, I kept refreshing until tickets became available. It took about ten seconds. No queueing. I chose my tickets, entered my information, and paid. It’s now about a half-hour later. I see limited availability for about half the days. The other half are sold out. So, unless you are looking to book one specific day like I was, it seems like you’ll have a good chance at tickets even if you don't log on precisely when they go on sale.

Edited to add: My partner tried getting tickets on his computer at the same time but got locked out. He didn't have an account, but he may have simply hit refresh too many times.

Wanted to add my two cents, as I just scored tickets this morning for our May trip. I'm an expert ticket shopper (Adele twice, Taylor Swift, Eagles, etc.). The queue for Tower of London was wacky and not on time. Make sure you have an HRP account and are logged in. From my MacBook (actual computer over phone/tablet preferred--with only one logged-in account), at 9:55 AM CST, I logged in, and kept refreshing. This isn't Ticketmaster or Live Nation. There was no queueing room. The selection month kept showing April. Therefore, along with refreshing, I'd also have to arrow over to May. May remained grey, showing zero options to buy. I had an appointment and had to leave my house at 10:05. I said a prayer and left.

Upon arriving at my destination (~10 mins later), I checked from my phone, making sure to log-in and refresh. Sure enough, the May calendar was open. Once you get tickets in your cart, don't panic. It gives you 15 minutes to check out. Note the default is for TWO and a UK address. There are three of us and we're from the US. I had to edit both. I got the night after my preferred choice, but I did get tickets! My ticket confirmation email shows 10:27AM. When I checked back at 10:50, all were red (low-availability) with only a couple of dates without strike lines (no availability). Long story short, tickets did NOT go on sale right on time or even a minute or two early for a queue.

Hope this info helps and wishing everyone luck in securing tickets!

Looks like the process changed between when I bought them in January and now. Thanks for the update.

What I went thru was the same as Mardee last year. Now, it's refreshing and refreshing....

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/ceremony-of-the-keys-new-updated-process

Okay, so just to clarify, if I wanted tickets for the first week of July, then I need to have my account set up and log on at 9:55am on June 2nd as that is the 1st working day of the month of June and I am shopping for the first week of July.

I am sorry. I am struggling a bit with a head cold right now and I have thought that I added this all to my calendar at least 3xs today alone and still when I flip back and look at my calendar for June, it is nowhere on there so I am going to have my husband add it to make sure I am not slowly losing my mind from lack of oxygen with this stuffy nose. ha!

I tried to do it multiple times this morning up until noon and didn't refresh more than 2xs before I gave up assuming it was booked already ( I had missed it by 18 minutes) and so I assumed it was all gone.

Fingers Crossed!

I was able to get tickets for the ceremony for my date in May. It seems that if you didn’t know about the event it’s not easy to find on the Towers web site. I had to use the search field to find where the tickets were sold. They opened up at 11:02 EDT (16:02 London) and were gone by 11:15 for the entire month of May. I did refresh a couple of times as at 1100 nothing seemed to have opened up. I purchased separately a membership to Historic royal Palaces for my trip as we planned to also visit more than just the Tower but was only logged in as a guest.

Simvik-

Thanks for that information. I am hoping to practice May 1 for June and then June 1 I hope I will be able to get in!!!
Side note:
I hadn't even considered a membership because I always have noted for cost effectiveness, they are usually for people attending more than 3 or 4 times and we will only be doing the Tower and Hampton Court Palace when we go. I looked up the cost of the tickets for 2 adults during peak for those 2 and the membership would save me some money and give me the opportunity if I decide later to add on more palaces to visit at no additional cost. I had never even considered a Historic Royal Palaces Membership so I appreciate your bringing that to my attention.

"They opened up at 11:02 EDT (16:02 London) and were gone by 11:15 for the entire month of May."
My experience at May tickets differs from yours, though I agree they didn't come up for sale right at 10AM CST on the dot. My confirmation was emailed instantly after booking, and I received it at 10:27 AM CST. At least 10 dates that month were available around 10:20AM, as I made my selection around then.

They give you 15 minutes to check-out and double-check your dates/address. Remember some buyers carts will time out or they might hit snags with payment. Don't panic if you can't get tickets immediately. Stick it out, keep refreshing, and you'll get them!

Soonernat-
Duck and cover today! Our weather is supposed to get hairy! I am 45 mins south of the OKC border on 35!
Now on to business of Tower tickets...😁
I appreciate your letting me know. I did refresh but only immediately and then gave up so I now I will know to keep trying. I have an alarm set for May and one for June as I will be there end of June 1st of July so fingers crossed I get in!

Thanks for the advice and staying safe today!