Tower of London to Westminster Abbey: Tube, Boat, Walk
- From
- Tower of London (Tower Hill station)
- To
- Westminster Abbey, Parliament Square
- By
- District or Circle line, Tower Hill to Westminster
- Time
- About 25 minutes door to door
- Cost
- £3.10 peak, £3.00 off-peak (Zone 1, pay as you go)
Open directions in Google Maps
The Tower of London and Westminster Abbey are at opposite ends of central London, about 3.7 km apart in a straight line. The quickest way between them is the Tube: the District and Circle lines run directly from Tower Hill to Westminster with no change. TfL's journey planner puts it at about 25 minutes door to door, including the walks at each end, for a Zone 1 fare of £3.10 at peak times or £3.00 off-peak. A river boat takes about 45 minutes and shows you the city on the way. Walking along the Thames takes about an hour.
Step by step
- 1
Walk from the Tower of London to Tower Hill station, about 4 minutes
Tower Hill station is just north-west of the Tower, up the slope from the main entrance. Touch in with a contactless card or Oyster.
- 2
Take a westbound District or Circle line train to Westminster
Both lines run direct, about 10 to 11 minutes on the train, with no change. The fare is £3.10 at peak times (Monday to Friday 6:30 to 9:30am and 4 to 7pm) and £3.00 at other times. A paper cash single costs £7.00.
- 3
Leave Westminster station for Parliament Square and walk to the Abbey's North Entrance
The Abbey is about 300 m from the station, a walk of about 4 minutes across Parliament Square. The North Entrance is the visitor entrance; have your timed ticket ready for security.
Tips
- Plan the Abbey first if you can: it is quietest just after its 9:30am opening, and its last weekday admission is 3:30pm (3:00pm on Saturday).
- Daily capping means you never pay more than the daily cap for your zones, however many journeys you make.
- Sunday is worship only at the Abbey, so do the Tower on Sunday and the Abbey on a weekday.
- The one-day tour with the Tower, the Abbey and a river cruise includes Abbey entry only on its 8:45am and 9:00am departures.
Other ways to get there
| Method | Time | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| River boat from Tower Pier to Westminster Pier | About 41 to 45 minutes door to door (21 to 25 on the boat) | River fare set by the boat operator | TfL river bus routes RB1 and RB6 run from Tower Pier to Westminster Pier. From Westminster Pier it is about 13 minutes' walk to the Abbey. |
| Walking along the Thames | About 1 hour | Free | The riverside route is longer than the 3.7 km straight line. It passes the City and Embankment and ends at Westminster Bridge, by Big Ben. |
| Guided day tour with the Tower, the Abbey and a cruise | 8 hours | $127 | Includes a skip-the-line Tower ticket, a Thames cruise and a guided visit inside the Abbey on the 8:45am and 9:00am departures. The 10:00am departure sees the Abbey from outside. Rated 4.7 from 95 reviews of this tour on GetYourGuide. |
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Tower of London from Westminster Abbey?
About 3.7 km in a straight line. By Tube (District or Circle line, Tower Hill to Westminster) it takes about 25 minutes door to door.
What is the best way from the Tower of London to Westminster Abbey?
The District or Circle line from Tower Hill to Westminster, direct, for £3.10 at peak times or £3.00 off-peak. Take a river boat instead if you want the view; it takes about 45 minutes door to door.
Can you visit the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey in one day?
Yes. Start at the Abbey at 9:30am, when it is quietest, then take the Tube to the Tower for the afternoon. Or book the guided one-day tour ($127) and choose an 8:45am or 9:00am departure, the only ones that go inside the Abbey.
Is there a boat from the Tower of London to Westminster?
Yes. River buses run from Tower Pier to Westminster Pier, about 21 to 25 minutes on the boat. Fares are set by the boat operator, not the Tube fare.
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