Buckingham Palace Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Buckingham Palace, even from the outside. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab

• London 30 Top Sights with Fun Local Guide

• London Classic Landmarks Bike Tour with Local Guide

• Westminster Guided Walking Tour with Abbey Entry

• Guided Tour of London Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham

Buckingham Palace will open its State Rooms to visitors from July 9 through September 27 in 2026. Tickets purchased more than a day in advance currently start at £33 for adults, £21.50 for young people aged 18–24, and £16.50 for anyone aged 5–17 and disabled visitors. Day-of tickets cost around £2–£4 more, depending on your age. All tickets include a complimentary multimedia guide. Small-group or private tours of the palace are offered year-round, but typically cost more.

Yes, Buckingham Palace is worth visiting, even if you only view it from the outside. If you're lucky enough to go inside during its summer opening period, you'll walk through the lavish State Rooms to see highlights including the Throne Room and the Picture Gallery. On a guided tour, you may even access other areas, including the East Wing, which are usually off-limits for self-guided visits. And if you book a tour that visits the exterior, your guide can describe what it's like inside and share tips should you decide to visit later on your own.

Per one customer who booked the Guided Tour of London Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham, "Natasha was an excellent tour guide. We loved her enthusiasm for British history and how she added personal stories to make the tour come to life. Her goal was for us to have the best experience possible!! 10 out of 10 for sure!"

Buckingham Palace is open to the public for self-guided tours from mid-July through mid-September; tours run only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. That being said, guided tours are offered from November through February, Thursdays through Mondays. Hours are typically around 9:30am to 6:30pm or 7:30pm, depending on the season. Tickets are always a must.

Guided tours of Buckingham Palace take around 90 minutes. Self-guided tours allow you to explore at your leisure—you’ll have access to 19 State Rooms, the Throne Room (where royal wedding photos are taken), the Grand Staircase, and, of course, all the fine art lining the walls, from Rembrandt to Rubens.

No, you cannot walk around Buckingham Palace for free. However, witnessing the Changing of the Guard outside the Palace is free—it takes place at 11:30am every morning during summer and every other morning during winter. To see the palace’s interior, tickets cost £19.50 to £30 for adults, and £16.50 for children over five.

The entrance for the Buckingham Palace tour is next to the Queen’s Gallery. If you walk straight up Buckingham Palace Road, it will be on the left-hand side. If you see a long queue forming, unfortunately, that’s probably the one you need to join. Don’t worry—visitors get let in according to their ticket time.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Buckingham Palace. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in London:

• Tower of London

• Stonehenge

• Westminster Abbey

• Houses of Parliament & Big Ben

• London Eye

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in London.