Does Big Ben cost money?

There is no Big Ben and Parliament entry fee as such because the entry inside the Big Ben tower is not allowed for the tourists except the ones who are UK residents. However, the area around Big Ben is accessible to the public and the view of the tower can be enjoyed free of cost.



Seeing Big Ben from the outside is completely free, as it is one of London's most prominent public landmarks. However, if you want to go inside the Elizabeth Tower to see the Great Bell (Big Ben) up close, there is a cost. In 2026, tours of the Elizabeth Tower must be booked well in advance through the UK Parliament website. For international visitors and UK residents, these tickets generally cost around £25 for adults and £10 for children (aged 11-17; children under 11 are not permitted due to the 334-step climb). These guided tours take you behind the clock faces and explain the history and recent massive restoration of the tower. If you are a UK resident, you can technically try to arrange a free tour by contacting your local Member of Parliament (MP), but these slots are extremely limited and often have waiting lists stretching for months. For most tourists, the "free" experience of hearing the chimes from Westminster Bridge is the highlight of their trip.

Yes, visiting Big Ben does involve some costs, depending on the experience you’re seeking:

  1. Exterior View: Viewing Big Ben from the outside, including standing in Parliament Square or along the Thames, is completely free.

  2. Tours: If you want to go inside Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower, you can take a guided tour, but this requires booking in advance and comes with a fee. Tours are available to UK residents through their Member of Parliament (MP), and occasionally to international visitors. Prices vary, so it’s best to check the official UK Parliament website for details.

  3. Nearby Attractions: While Big Ben itself is free to view, nearby attractions like the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Abbey may have entrance fees if you wish to explore them.

Always check the official UK Parliament website for the most up-to-date information on tours, availability, and costs.

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UK residents can request a free Big Ben tour by contacting a Member of the House of Commons or House of Lords directly. Please note that free member-sponsored tickets have very limited availability so requests should be made as far in advance as possible.

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Is it free to visit Westminster Abbey? Westminster Abbey is a working church and there is never a charge to enter for worship. The services, including Evensong, which is popular with tourists, are also free to attend. Tourist entry prices are: Adults £27, Children £12, Members of the Abbey – free.

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Visitors will be able to book a maximum of eight tickets per person, depending on availability. The Big Ben tour is not suitable for everyone. Visitors must be aged 11 and over and be comfortable climbing 334 steps and experiencing high noise levels from the clock mechanism and bells - earplugs will be provided.

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Pollution, asbestos and time have all caused problems Due to austerity after the war, the repairs were limited and did not fix all the issues. Some of the conservation methods used in the past were not suitable and added to the deterioration of the Tower.

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2012: The Clock Tower is renamed the Elizabeth Tower to honour HM Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

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However, it is one of the most unusual aspects of the Elizabeth Tower. 114 steps up inside the tower is the Prison Room, but you don't need to worry about being locked up there yourself. The prison room was used for MPs who breached codes of conduct, but it hasn't been used since 1880.

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At close proximity, the sound of Big Ben measures 118 decibels, which is loud enough to cause physical pain. To make the bell chime, the copper and tin bell is struck by a hammer weighing 200kg. The bell, weighing 13.7 tonnes itself, makes the musical note “E” when struck.

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The clock face of the Elizabeth Tower, which houses the famous Big Ben bell, is cleaned every couple of years.

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Don't Mix Up London Bridge and Tower Bridge London Bridge and Tower Bridge look very different, yet both are famous bridges in their own right, and both are must-see attractions in the city. Both bridges are free to walk across, and they're both in great locations surrounded by other amazing attractions.

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The moniker Big Ben has been in use for over 150 years, and the nickname was originally applied only to the enormous bell inside the tower. The Great Bell received i's sobriquet in honor of Sir Benjamin Hall, the First Commissioner for Works, who raised Big Ben to its current place atop the tower.

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