Monumental tiered stone government building beside the River Thames at dusk in London.

James Bond Tours In London

A guide to 007 filming locations in London, from the MI6 building to Skyfall's National Gallery scene, plus how tours compare.

The Short Answer

James Bond tours in London visit real filming locations from seven Bond films, including the SIS Building at Vauxhall Cross, Somerset House and the National Gallery's Room 34. Guided walking tours run about 2.5 hours, often starting at Charing Cross and ending near Vauxhall. Tickets start from £17 for adults and advance booking is recommended.

James Bond has been filmed across central London for decades, from GoldenEye in 1995 through to No Time To Die. The city doubles as both itself and as stand-in locations, so Somerset House plays a St. Petersburg courtyard and Whitehall's government buildings stand in for ministry offices. A walking route ties these sites together across Westminster and the river.

The classic guided option is a 2.5-hour walking tour starting outside Charing Cross railway station next to the Clermont Hotel on the Strand. It typically ends at Vauxhall, beside the SIS Building that has served as MI6 headquarters on screen since GoldenEye. Independent travellers can follow self-guided maps year-round at their own pace.

Compare The Tours

Not every Bond tour happens in London. The options below head to James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand, where The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed. They differ mainly in boat type, whether sea canoeing is included, and group size or premium touches, so travellers can pick between longtail boats, speedboats and big boats with lunch.

Bay Tour From Phuket

James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay Tour from Phuket

Straightforward Phang Nga Bay day trip from Phuket, rated 4 from 96 reviews.

4.0 out of 5 · 96 reviewsPhuket

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Premium Canoeing, 5 Islands

Premium/Regular James Bond islands tour and canoeing, 5 islands

Premium option covering five islands with canoeing included, rated 4.3 from 35 reviews.

4.3 out of 5 · 35 reviewsPhuket

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

One Day Tour, Lowest Price

Phuket to James Bond Island One Day Tour

Budget-friendly one day option at $58.86, rated 4.5 from 15 reviews.

4.5 out of 5 · 15 reviewsPhuket

Big Boat With Lunch

James Bond Island Big Boat: Canoeing, Lunch & Stunning Bay Views

Big boat format with canoeing and lunch bundled, suited to relaxed groups.

5.0 out of 5 · 9 reviewsPhuket

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Longtail Boat Day Tour

James Bond Island Day Tour by Longtail Boat

Longtail boat day tour with a perfect 5 rating, priced at $108.96.

5.0 out of 5 · 4 reviewsPhuket

Sea Canoeing By Longtail

James Bond Island by Longtail Boat : Sea Canoeing & Island Views

Sea canoeing plus island views aboard a traditional longtail boat.

4.0 out of 5 · 4 reviewsPhuket

Canoeing With Monkey Temple

James Bond Canoeing Tour with Monkey Temple Tour

Combines canoeing with a Monkey Temple visit, $90.29 and rated 5.

5.0 out of 5 · 1 reviewsPhuket

Speedboat Canoeing Tour

Phuket James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay Canoeing by Speedboat

Speedboat transport with canoeing through Phang Nga Bay caves.

Phuket

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Premium Speedboat Option

Premium Speedboat Tour: James Bond Island, Phuket

Premium speedboat trip for smaller groups wanting faster transfers.

Phuket

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Speedboat, No Canoeing

James Bond Island Sightseeing(No Canoeing) Tour by Speedboat from Phuket

Sightseeing only by speedboat, ideal for those skipping canoeing.

Phuket

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Bay Canoeing Combo

Phang Nga Bay Canoeing & James Bond Island Tour from Phuket

Canoeing and island stops combined in a single Phang Nga Bay outing.

Phuket

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Longtail Sightseeing Tour

Uncover the Beauty of James Bond Island Phuket Longtail Boat Tour

Traditional longtail sightseeing cruise focused on scenery.

Phuket

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

What You Will See

MI6 / SIS Building (Vauxhall Cross)

The real intelligence headquarters has appeared in GoldenEye, The World Is Not Enough, Skyfall and Spectre. Exterior viewing only, best from Vauxhall Bridge or the river side. There is no public access inside, but the viewpoint makes a strong finale for the walking route.

National Gallery, Room 34

In Skyfall, Bond meets the new Q in front of a Turner painting in Room 34. Entry to the gallery is free and the room is open during museum hours, making it an easy add-on for anyone doing a self-guided route through Trafalgar Square.

Somerset House

This courtyard building appeared in GoldenEye and Tomorrow Never Dies, doubling as both a War Office exterior and a St. Petersburg square. The courtyard is open to the public, though seasonal events and the winter ice rink can change the atmosphere.

Whitehall government buildings

The ministries and offices along Whitehall provide the backdrop for Bond's dealings with the security services in several films. They sit conveniently on the walking route between Charing Cross and the river, so most guided tours pass them.

Reform Club

The Reform Club stood in for Blades, the private gambling club featured in the Bond stories. It is a short detour from the main route and usually admired from outside, as membership rules keep the interior off limits.

River Thames boat chase viewpoints

The Thames features in several chase sequences, most famously in The World Is Not Enough. Viewpoints along the embankment between Westminster and Vauxhall let visitors match the on-screen action to the real skyline.

Planning Your Visit

Getting There

Most guided tours begin outside Charing Cross railway station next to the Clermont Hotel on the Strand, and finish near Vauxhall. Take the Underground to Charing Cross for the start, or to Vauxhall if joining the route at the MI6 end. Both stations sit in Zone 1 and connect to mainline rail and multiple Tube lines.

Tickets, Hours And Timing

Guided walking tours with operators such as Brit Movie Tours cost from £17 per adult and last around 2.5 hours, with departures such as Saturdays at 10:30am depending on the operator. Some routes allow free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. A self-guided version using freely available maps can stretch to four hours or more across parts, since entry to sites like the National Gallery is free.

Booking Tips

  • Book guided tours in advance, as group sizes cap at around 20 people.
  • Children aged 5 and over are welcome when accompanied by an adult.
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure applies on some operators.
  • Check accessibility first, as some routes are not wheelchair accessible.

On The Map

4 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do James Bond tours in London start?

Most guided tours start outside Charing Cross railway station next to the Clermont Hotel on the Strand. They typically finish near Vauxhall, close to the SIS Building. Charing Cross and Vauxhall are both Underground stations in Zone 1.

How long does a James Bond walking tour take?

Guided tours run around 2.5 hours at a steady walking pace. A self-guided version using year-round maps can take four hours or more across parts, especially with stops inside free-entry sites like the National Gallery.

How much do tickets cost?

Guided walking tours start from £17 per adult with operators such as Brit Movie Tours. Independent travellers pay nothing for the route itself, and attractions like the National Gallery offer free entry during museum hours.

Which films are covered?

Locations span GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day, Skyfall, Spectre and No Time To Die. The SIS Building at Vauxhall Cross has appeared as MI6 headquarters since GoldenEye in 1995.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, children aged 5 and over can join guided tours when accompanied by an adult. Group sizes are capped at around 20 people, so families should book ahead to secure places on the preferred departure.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Accessibility depends on the operator, and some routes are not wheelchair accessible. Travellers with mobility needs should confirm the specific route with the tour provider before booking, since paths and river viewpoints vary along the way.

London's Bond locations sit within easy walking distance of each other, which makes a guided 2.5-hour tour an efficient way to cover them with film context along the way. Those who prefer to explore alone can build a free self-guided route from Charing Cross to Vauxhall, using the National Gallery and Somerset House as anchor stops. Either way, advance booking or planning pays off for the guided departures.

Sources