How to Buy Tickets for Buckingham Palace in London

One of the most iconic places to visit in London is undoubtedly Buckingham Palace. Experiencing the royal residence and attending the Changing of the Guard is a must for any visitor. But how do you actually get inside Buckingham Palace and see its grandeur for yourself? In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to purchase tickets for Buckingham Palace in London.

Buckingham Palace Tickets

Buckingham Palace is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions. As such, there are several ways to buy your tickets for Buckingham Palace.

Where you get your tickets depends on how far in advance you plan, what you want to see, and your budget. Here we explain every option, so you can choose the one that suits you best.

In a hurry? Here are your ticket options for Buckingham Palace

• State Rooms Admission Ticket – the most popular!

• Royal Mews Admission Ticket

• The Queen’s Gallery Admission Ticket

Best Ways to Get Buckingham Palace Tickets

1. Buying in Person (No Longer Possible)

Getting tickets in person used to be possible—albeit not the most convenient option—but this is no longer allowed. Buckingham Palace now operates on a timed ticket system to better manage visitors, and tickets are no longer sold at the door.

2. Booking Online (Recommended)

The good news is that booking tickets for Buckingham Palace online is incredibly easy. In fact, you can purchase them up to five minutes before your chosen time slot, though it’s strongly recommended to book well in advance to secure your preferred date and time. Since all tickets are now sold online only, “skip-the-line” tickets are no longer a thing for Buckingham Palace, as there simply isn’t a ticket queue anymore.

Visitors can book tickets directly on the official Buckingham Palace website. However, official tickets are non-refundable and cannot be easily amended, meaning you’ll lose your money if you have to cancel. That’s why we recommend booking your State Rooms tickets here, The Queen’s Gallery tickets here, and Royal Mews tickets here. With these links, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your visit and get a full refund at roughly the same price.

3. Booking a Guided Tour

If you’d like a more in-depth experience, consider joining a guided tour of Buckingham Palace. With this option, you’ll explore the spectacular State Rooms with an expert guide who’ll share the history of the royal residence and answer your questions. Note that guided tours are only available at certain times of the year, so be sure to check the official website to see if tours are operating during your intended visit.

Essential Visitor Info for Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace Opening Times

Buckingham Palace is only open to visitors during specific periods each year, so timing is key if you want to go inside. Opening hours also vary for the State Rooms, The Queen’s Gallery, and the Royal Mews, so be sure to check each one if you’re planning to visit more than one area. All of them close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The State Rooms are open for general admission during the summer from July to October. In July and August, opening hours are from 9:30am to 7:30pm, with last entry at 5:15pm. In September and October, they are open from 9:30am to 6:30pm, with last entry at 4:15pm.

The Queen’s Gallery is closed from February to early April. Its opening hours are from 10:00am to 5:30pm, with last entry at 4:15pm. The Royal Mews are open from May to October, closed on May 21, May 28, June 2, and June 5. Their opening hours are from 10:00am to 5:00pm with last entry at 4:15pm.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Buckingham Palace?

As with any popular London attraction, some times are more crowded than others. But because the palace is closed to the public for much of the year, the best time to visit is simply whenever the areas you want to see are open.

For the quietest experience, avoid the middle of the day, which is always the busiest time. Instead, plan your visit right at opening or in the late afternoon when crowds start to thin. Weekends are always more crowded, so if you can, visit on a weekday.

How to Get to Buckingham Palace

London’s public transport network makes it easy to reach Buckingham Palace from anywhere in the city. The best route for you will depend on your starting point, but here are the main lines and stations for the final part of the journey.

If you arrive at Westminster by train, head to Victoria Station or Charing Cross Station and walk for 10 or 15 minutes, respectively. For Underground users, the closest stations are St. James’s Park on the Circle and District lines, and Green Park on the Jubilee, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines. As for buses, the nearest stop is Victoria Station/Grosvenor Gardens, served by routes 11, 211, N11, and N44.

If you’re flying into London, check out our dedicated guide on how to get from the airport.

How Do Buckingham Palace Tickets Work?

Buckingham Palace tickets let you choose which main sections of the complex you want to visit: the State Rooms, the Queen’s Gallery, and the Royal Mews. Each requires its own ticket and has its own opening hours. There’s no limit on how far in advance you can book, so it’s easy to plan your visit.

When booking, you’ll select a specific entry time since the palace uses a timed admission system for crowd management. You’ll be allowed into the short entry queue only at the time printed on your ticket. If you’re not joining a guided tour, audio guides are included free with your ticket in nine languages at each site.

How Much Do Buckingham Palace Tickets Cost?

Now let’s look at ticket prices for Buckingham Palace. Costs vary by provider and ticket type, but here are the standard ticket prices:

General admission to the State Rooms is £30 for adults, £19.50 for ages 18–24, and £16.50 for children 5–17 and disabled visitors. Tickets for the Queen’s Gallery depend on the current exhibition but are typically £16–£17 for adults, £11–£12 for young people, and £8–£9 for children. Royal Mews tickets are £14 for adults, £9 for young people, and £8 for children. Children under five get in free at all locations.

If you’d like to see all three areas, the combined Royal Day Out ticket is £55 for adults, £36 for young people, and £30 for children.

Hotels Near Buckingham Palace

Need a place to stay near Buckingham Palace? Thanks to its Central London location, you’ll find no shortage of accommodation in Westminster, St. James’s, and Victoria. Here are our top picks for places to stay close by for every budget.

For luxury, it’s hard to beat The Stafford London, a five-star hotel overlooking Green Park, just five minutes on foot from the palace. It features elegant rooms and suites, a restaurant, bar, and wine cellar.

For a balance of comfort and value, consider The Eaton Townhouse in Victoria, 15 minutes’ walk from the palace. This three-star hotel offers bright rooms with all essential amenities.

London isn’t a cheap city for accommodation, but budget travelers will appreciate PubLove @ The White Ferry hostel in Abbots Manor, 20 minutes’ walk from Buckingham Palace. It’s great value and has comfortable dorm sleeping arrangements.

Security at Buckingham Palace

All visitors must pass through airport-style security checks before entering the palace. Knowing what to expect and what you can bring will help ensure your entry goes smoothly.

Security involves metal detectors, as well as scanning of bags and personal items. Small handbags are allowed, but large bags, backpacks, and strollers are not permitted inside; you’ll need to check these in and pick them up afterward.

Due to COVID-19 measures, visitors must maintain social distancing and wear face masks at all times inside the palace.

Visiting Buckingham Palace with a Disability

The palace has various accessibility measures in place to help visitors with disabilities, including those with limited mobility, hearing impairments, visual impairments, or neurodiversity.

Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are permitted throughout the palace, and manual wheelchairs are also available. There’s step-free access from the front of the palace. BSL multimedia guides are available for deaf visitors, and audio descriptive guides are supplied for visually impaired guests. Assistance dogs with registration are welcome.

Curiosities about Buckingham Palace

What is Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British monarch in London and the main administrative headquarters of the monarchy.

When was Buckingham Palace built?

The house that formed the basis for Buckingham Palace was built between 1703 and 1705.

How old is Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace is 317 years old, or at least parts of it are.

Who built Buckingham Palace?

John Sheffield, who later became the Duke of Buckingham, commissioned Buckingham House from William Talman and Captain William Winde.

Why was Buckingham Palace built?

John Sheffield had the existing house on the Buckingham Palace site replaced with Buckingham House because he felt the old one was outdated.

Where is Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace is in the City of Westminster in Inner London, between St. James’s Park, Green Park, and Buckingham Palace Garden. Now you’re ready for your visit, armed with everything you need to know about getting tickets and planning your tour of this iconic London attraction.