Hop on Hop off Tour recommendation for Changing of the Guard

My guess is that both buses hits the palace since it the major highlight of London. Just check the routes of the two bus lines and select the one that appeals to you. My guess is, without checking, that you can google both and get the schedules today. We did you many years ago and it worked fine. The big problem with the changing of the guards is the mob of people and if you are not on the front row it is very hard to see anything.

Can't recommend a Hoho.
But can recommend that you stand on the steps of the Queen Victoria Monument directly across from the gates. Great view unless you have a very tall person in front of you.

I am not sure that is a possibility. Used to be people climbed all over the monument to get a view. Last year when we walked by I notice a pretty substantial fence around the monument. Don't remember if the steps were available or not.

I was on a HOHO bus tour on my first trip to London and we saw a huge crowd outside Buckingham Palace. We hopped out to join the crowd and found out sure enough it was for the Changing of the Guards. Since we were late for the party we managed to see them parade in but was unable to see anything else unfortunately. If you really want to see the guards change just get there early enough to secure your spot then hop on the bus after. You can pick up the bus after the parade and be able to buy your ticket on board.

With London traffic though and to get your money’s worth for the bus I recommend getting on and riding the different loops to see everything and get your bearings. Hop on and off for short stops, don’t go into a museum and spend a couple of hours there. Busses only run till 6 or so depending on the season. I believe I used the Original Bus.

Where you're staying is not far from the Palace. I'd just walk over after having a spot of breakfast. Looks to only be about a 15-20 minute walk up to Victoria Station and down Buckingham Palace road. I found a place at Buckingham Palace road and Lower Grosvenor Place called The English Rose Café. Looks like decent breakfast and proper tea before popping over to Liz's house (right across the street is the back of the Royal Mews) to watch her guards go on break.

You do not stand on the monument itself or anything except the steps. Some tours actually bring their groups to the steps around the Victoria Monument.

This was a great location you could see as they open the gates and you could hear the bands. Only caveat is you cannot leave until the guards change. We had a great time listiening to the bands. In the summer the two bands have like a "battle of the bands". They often play tunes of current interest. Lady Gaga was in town, so they actually played a Lady Gaga song "Edge of Glory", A new Star Wars Film was opening that week, so they played one of the Star Wars Themes. It was quite fun.

If what you really want to see is the guards marching, horses, band, etc. then can I recommend not watching at Buckingham Palace, but at Wellington Barracks, where they march from on their way to the Palace? No matter how busy at the Palace, you will be front row to watch them march out of the barracks.

At the Palace, you will be lucky to be able to squish your face into the iron fence to see everything at a distance, or to stand on the Victoria monument to see everything at a further distance.

If you are determined to go via HOHO, the stop we used is called Buckingham Palace and its just to the south of the Palace on Buckingham Gate street.

My suggestion is if you use a hoho at any time, don't consider it as transport but as a guided tour. Sweat as much value out of it by doing all the loops and boat trip etc. Even if they throw in an extra day 'free' don't bother with it.