It is free to drive over Tower Bridge itself, as there is no direct toll for using the bridge. However, Tower Bridge is located within the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and is on the boundary of the Congestion Charge (CC) zone. You will likely pay daily ULEZ fees (£12.50) if your vehicle is non-compliant.
Tower Bridge is part of the Inner Ring Road and as such is part of the proposed CCS boundary. As with the other bridge, Vauxhall Bridge, on the Inner Ring Road, there are alternatives both outside and within the proposed congestion charging scheme.
If you have a London Pass, entry to the bridge is included. Guided tours are available on weekends and start at 30 pounds (or about $38). Keep in mind that a walk across the bridge is free and nearly as impressive. Hop off the Tube at Tower Hill to stroll across.
Transport for London (TfL) has restricted most vehicle access to the bridge, particularly during peak hours. Only buses, taxis, and motorcycles are allowed between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM from Monday to Friday. Any unauthorized HGVs attempting to cross the bridge during these times risk fines and penalties.
How to pay for public transport in London (2025 UPDATE)
Can I check to see if I need to pay congestion charge?
Using the congestion charge checker is as easy as entering your number plate. This will tell you whether or not you need to pay the charge. You can also enter a London postcode or address to see if it falls within the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ).
It's free to walk across the main level of Tower Bridge, but there's a fee to access the high-level walkways, glass floor, and engine rooms, which are part of the Tower Bridge Exhibition. You pay for the full experience, including the panoramic views from the top and the history inside the towers.
If your vehicle was made after September 2015, there's a good chance it's Euro 6 compliant and therefore able to drive in London's ULEZ for free. You may also find this information in your registration details or, you can simply check your reg with our ULEZ check tool which will show whether it's Euro 6 compliant.
To avoid London's Congestion Charge, travel outside charging hours (weekdays 7am-6pm, weekends & bank holidays 12pm-6pm, no charge Christmas-New Year), use public transport/cycle/walk, drive a fully electric vehicle (registered), or use route planners (like Google Maps) to steer clear of the zone boundary; exemptions and discounts exist for some residents and disabled drivers.
No, an Oyster card is generally not cheaper than tapping with contactless (bank card or phone), as they both use the same "pay as you go" (PAYG) system and have identical fare caps and discounts, making them the same price for most journeys. Contactless is often more convenient as it avoids the £5 Oyster card cost and the hassle of topping up, but Oyster can prevent foreign transaction fees if using a foreign bank card.
This is also a good idea if you want to see the crown jewels, as you'll have to line up again for them once you're inside. Although it's impossible to say for sure, on average the quickest times are mid-week mornings, when you may only have to queue for a few minutes.
The Koh-i-Noor (Persian for 'Mountain of Light') is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world, weighing 105.6 carats (21.12 g). It is currently set in the Crown of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
They have been kept in the Tower of London under lock and key since the 1600s2 and only three people are allowed to touch them – the monarch, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the crown jeweller.
A car is exempt from ULEZ if it's a historic vehicle, meaning it's either built before 1 January 1973, or it's over 40 years old and registered with the DVLA in the 'Historic' tax class, which is a rolling system that qualifies newer vehicles annually (e.g., cars built before 1986 were eligible in 2026). This historic tax class exemption applies to both private and some commercial vehicles but requires applying to the DVLA, and vehicles must not be used commercially.
You need to pay a charge to drive through Blackwall or Silvertown tunnel unless your vehicle is exempt or has a 100% discount. This charge will help manage traffic levels across both tunnels, repay the build costs and go towards maintenance and operation of both tunnels.
The £17.50 charge is for paying the London Congestion Charge late, specifically up to three days after travel, acting as a penalty to encourage timely payment, with the standard charge being £15 if paid in advance or on the day; this late payment fee incentivizes drivers to use faster payment methods and avoid potential Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).
Tower Bridge is one of the most iconic London attractions and it's also very easy to visit. You can walk across the bridge for free or for a slight fee you can walk up inside the bridge, take in the breathtaking skyline and walk across the glass bottom walkway.
Yes, Tower Bridge is generally considered worth visiting, especially for the iconic views from its high-level glass walkways and the chance to explore the Victorian Engine Rooms, offering a great mix of history, engineering, and stunning city panoramas, though it's best to factor in time and pre-book tickets to avoid queues.
