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Windsor Castle Tour from London with Optional Lunch or London Eye

London, England
Great choice
5+ bookings last month.
  • 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Coordinating a visit to Britain’s royal landmarks can be tricky, but this day trip from London makes it simple. Travel by air-conditioned coach to Windsor and explore Windsor Castle independently, seeing highlights such as the State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel. Enjoy free time in Windsor, with optional upgrades such as a pub lunch, a London Eye ride, or entry to Buckingham Palace.
  • Skip the hassle of public transport with round-trip transfers
  • Benefit from the freedom to visit Windsor Castle at your own pace
  • Enjoy some free time to explore independently in Windsor
  • Choose the upgrade to suit your budget and interests

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

This tour combines Windsor Castle access with optional London upgrades for a flexible royal experience.

What's Included

  • Entry to Windsor Castle
  • One-course Pub lunch (if option selected)
  • London Eye Standard Ticket (if option selected)
  • Entry to Buckingham Palace (if option selected)
  • Local guide
  • Transport by luxury, air-conditioned coach
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pick-up & drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Victoria Coach Station, 164 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 9TP, UK

    Located on 164 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, London, SW1W 9TP, approximately 7 minute walk from Victoria Underground and Railway station. Tour departs inside the building at Gate 19 - 20 at 7:45am (Boarding starts at 7.30am)

End point

  • Victoria St, London SW1E 5ND, UK

Operating hours
.7:45 am

Itinerary

Make your way to central London and hop aboard an air-conditioned coach. Journey to the lovely town of Windsor, home to magnificent Windsor Castle.

As you travel, hear tales of the 1,000-year-old palace—the world’s oldest occupied castle. Originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it’s still used by His Royal Majesty King Charles III as a weekend residence and for state ceremonies.

On arrival, head inside to explore independently. Stroll around the opulent chambers of the State Apartments, many adorned with paintings by Rembrandt and Canaletto. Be sure to visit the castle's St. George’s Chapel, an echoing Gothic masterpiece that holds the tombs of many English monarchs, including the infamous Henry VIII.

Make your way to central London. Hop aboard your air-conditioned coach, and make the journey to the lovely town of Windsor, home to magnificent Windsor Castle.

As you travel, hear tales of this 1,000-year-old palace-fortress and how it ranks as the world’s oldest occupied castle. Originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it’s still used by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as a weekend residence and for state ceremonies.

On arrival, head inside to explore independently. Stroll around the opulent chambers of the State Apartments, many adorned with paintings by Rembrandt and Canaletto, and learn how they have been home to 39 monarchs. See other highlights and be sure to visit the castle's St. George’s Chapel, an echoing Gothic masterpiece that holds the tombs of 10 English monarchs, including the infamous Henry VIII.

Afterward, enjoy free time to stroll around Windsor town, set on the banks of the Thames River. Perhaps browse for souvenirs in the quaint shops and see the house where William Shakespeare is said to have penned his play "The Merry Wives of Windsor."

After you visit Windsor, drive back to London and end your tour at the original departure point.

If you've upgraded, sit down to a traditional, hearty English lunch of fish and chips at a classic pub, or head to the South Bank for a ride on the London Eye.
1

Windsor Castle

3 hours Admission Ticket Included

2

The Jugged Hare, Victoria

45 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

3

London Eye

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

4

Buckingham Palace

2 hours Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • If the State Apartments are closed, you can visit Queen Mary’s Dolls' House and explore the Precincts and other highlights of Windsor Castle instead.
  • Lunch option - You can choose Fish and Chips or a vegetarian meal. Drinks are available at an additional cost. The pub is a 5–7 minute walk from the drop-off point (by Victoria station)
  • Buckingham Palace option - Audio guide provided at the palace for a self-guided experience.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.0
based on 159 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Windsor Castle

John_O, May 2025
This is an excellent tour of Windsor Castle. Our tour guide is very knowledgeable and was able to get us near the front of the line. We were able to watch the changing of the guard as well as listen to the band at Windsor Castle. Overall a very memorable trip.

Windsor Castle good day trip

Dwight_B, Mar 2025
Our guide Leon and driver Ricardo were great. The staff at the meeting point were helpful. We experienced problems with the app and in the browser to find the meeting location. The meeting location was not close to the address given. Windsor Castle was worth the inconveniences.

Interesting

Nicki, Aug 2024
Overall this tour was good and we really enjoyed our day. Our tour guide, Magnus, was really knowledge and gave us a run down on the history during the bus ride. We didn't select the lunch option, based on other reviews, and instead enjoyed some pizza just outside the castle during some free time before heading back to London. Victoria Coach Station was unorganised with many tour groups all meeting in the same area.

The tour was overall very...

Mary_F, Jul 2024
The tour was overall very good. our tour guide was exceptional. The lunch option however was not so much. I was understanding lunch was to be in the Windsor Castle, it was back in London at a location we had to walk to from the bus. The Pub was fine, facility clean and food good, but we only had 2 choices and I had to pay a separate $4.40 for a soda beverage. Water was the only thing free to drink. This should have been described better in the tour description.

Windsor Castle amazing tour very disorganized.

Rodney_C, Jun 2024
Windsor was amazing. The loading at the bus station was a little chaotic. The gentleman giving us the initial tour to Windsor was very knowledgeable and provided great information during the drive. Unloading from the bus was fine no issues there. Be aware that Windsor opens at 9:30 so you will be standing in a line waiting to go through security very similar to airport security. Once inside you will be on a self-guided tour with a audio narration. When departing The tour operator was supposed to meet us at the clock Tower at 1:00 p.m. The gentleman did not come around until 1:30 and then we were waiting on some passengers to show up that we're not there. We actually had to have someone call in to see where he was. This kind of put the rest of our day off because we had planned to go to St Paul's and the Tower of London. Because we were about an hour and a half late getting back we were only able to get to St Paul's 30 minutes before it closed. A bit disappointing. So on this day I would say don't plan much more than your Windsor tour. So my thought here overall is seeing Windsor was awesome but the tour was very disorganized.

Windsor tour with lunch was not what I expected .

Dani_T, Jun 2024
The guide was excellent snd informative. However the actual trip was very confusing as there were 3 different trips on the same bus. Windsor with lunch gave tour a voucher for lunch in London not Windsor. We should have been informed of the long wait to get in to Windsor. It was not what I expected and the experience was not worth $150.00.

Fabulous

Dina_A, May 2024
Our guide was fantastic. The castle and then the opportunity to pay respects to the Queen at St. George's was a wonderful bonus.

Terrible Experience Windsor Castle

Francis_M, Apr 2024
Absolutely Awful ! Literally 3 minutes late for the coach , and they left without us ! Someone called me from your staff while we were in route to the coach and I told him we we’re literally 3 minutes out please wait . He said ok . He did not wait . We had to pay 96.00 GPB . For taxi to Windsor and luckily we managed to meet up with our group and Karen our group guide was very nice ! I am expecting either a cash refund or a Viator credit for 96.00 GPB !

Not worth it!

Jill_w, Apr 2024
Confusion. Could not hear the guide. Pub lunch was in a loser spot in London not Windsor. Not worth the money. Basically on your own.

Left in Windsor

Joan_S, Mar 2024
I was really excited to visit Windsor. Alan, our guide, greeted me as I checked in. His stories throughout the morning were informative of London and the route to Windsor. Getting to Windsor was easy. Returning to London was a nightmare. I was at the meeting spot seven minutes prior to the 1 p.m. time. I waited and waited, and waited some more. Finally a small coach came for me. It was the driver that had been 10 minutes early and had left without me. A Family in the group I was with earlier had told him he should go back because they knew I was returning on the same coach. They insisted and thank God they did because I would’ve been stuck in Windsor, left to fend for myself and getting back to London. It was an excellent ride out. Windsor was amazing, but the stress I felt, and being left, even for a short period of time was frightening! My name did not appear on the list that the driver, Gary, received. I’m grateful that he did come back for me. In no way was Gary responsible for leaving without me. Did I mention that I am 71 years old? Shame on you Viator and Premium tours!

Interesting trip

David_P, Jan 2024
We weren’t allowed to take photos, but it was very interesting to see the various rooms. The rooms were of various purposes and had a lot of great art works

Great guide! Very...

Jessica_E, Dec 2023
Great guide! Very informative. It would have been nice to be able to have him guide us through the state rooms.

Not enough time, will return

MARIAJESSE_M, Nov 2023
Windsor Staterooms tour was exceptional. Disappointed that we did not get to see Princess Mary's Doll house.

A must see if your in London and have time to visit.

Brenda_W, Nov 2023
The castle tour was very nice. Much recommend this tour as you get more time, but still just not enough to enough everything Windsor Castle has to offer. Also was a little disappointed the option lunch was in London and not around the castle as what I thought it would be. But still the food was great the tour was great the guide was knowledgeable and very easy to understand.

Would definitely recommend this tour

Kelly_P, Oct 2023
Wonderful tour, Magnus was our tour guide from the moment we stepped on the bus to the entrance of Windsor. Very knowledgeable and informative. We also did the added Pub lunch at Jugged. Fish and chips we very good.

Guide was outstanding

LAWRENCE_K, Oct 2023
The tour guide taking us on the "scenic route" to provide not just the ride but an education as well. Great Job!

A Half Day In Windsor Castle

Delores_L, Oct 2023
Loved Windsor! I felt the half day tour with optional lunch was overpriced. I spoke with people on the tour who paid 100 pounds less than we did. The lunch was delicious at the Jugged hair. But not worth 100 pounds!

Great experience.

David_T, Sep 2023
Great experience. Windsor was more than I had imagined. Tour operator was effecient and right on time.

Excellent tour with so much to enjoy.

Alan_V, Sep 2023
The guide was so knowledgeable and had a great personality. He provided so my history and content during the drive and walks.

Great experience

Lisa_S, Sep 2023
Our guide was very knowledgeable and personable. The visit to Windsor Castle gave us enough time to actually enjoy it without being rushed. Our driver was excellent as well.

Find a different tour.

Mark_T, Sep 2023
We are seniors with some mobility problems. Toby our guide never looked to see if we were with the group as he walked to the entrance. He never checked to see if we heard any important information. He said that he would be waiting outside our coach when we returned so we would know which one it was but he didn’t. At least one couple walked past it as they were looking for him. The castle itself was very impressive and interesting.

Great tour, lousy guide

Christine_R, Sep 2023
John, the bus driver, was excellent. He was personable and he stood up and introduced himself, and you could hear him. Chris the guide was horrible. He did not speak loud enough on the ride there. He did not stand so people could see him. When we got to Windsor, he told us to rush to get in line. He got off the bus and just started walking. He did not wait, and half of the tour ended up with another guide until they got to the line. On the way, he said there were some missing, but was sure they'd find the way. The amount of time at Windsor was excellent. Some guests were confused thinking he was going to give us a tour, others didn't know the audio tour was included, and therefore didn't get one. There were two different tours on the bus. One continued to Buckingham Palace n and one which did not, but included an optional pub lunch. He was unaware of the second tour. So, take this tour to spend a glorious day at Winsor, but, if you get Chris, be prepared to be more confused than he is.

Enjoyable

Cheryl_R, Sep 2023
Our guide Richard was great! Very knowledgeable and humorous. Bus ride was good - cool and comfortable. Unfortunately no wifi though. Castle tour was good but audio guide not as well done as the Buckingham Palace tour. Doll house area was TOO dark - felt unsafe. So impressive to see St. George’s chapel, QE2’s tomb & the long walk!

Arriving early before the...

Sylvia_B, Sep 2023
Arriving early before the crowds . Tour guide Richard was knowledgeable with appropriate humour , helped make the day interesting and fun . Our only down part was after spending a great time in Windsor our lunch was provided at a restaurant close to our starting point earlier that day.unch in Windsor would have been more appropriate in time and place .

Sprint around castle

Kseniya_G, Aug 2023
Good choice if you want to run around the castle without stops to enjoy. No fast track - you’re standing in the same groups queue with the rest. Very limited time. No time to gather around castle.

Disappointed

Denise_O, Aug 2023
There were 6 of us on this tour and many things were not acceptable. The audio on the bus didn’t work so you could not hear the tour guide.

Great guide for tour. The...

gary_v, Aug 2023
Great guide for tour. The castle was amazing. The chapel was where the qeeen is buried, with prince Philip and her mom and dad.

Will be going again, lovely time had by all.

William_M, Jul 2023
Wonderful tour. Excellent guide and driver. Exquisite exhibits. Solemn memorials to monarchs, fine art, armor, marble statues and grave stones, furniture, tapestries and more. So much history here!

Windsor Yes, Lunch, No

Toni_F, Jul 2023
Windsor Castle, Queen Mary’s Dollhouse and St. George’s Church are worth the visit. The optional lunch seemed odd that it wasn’t in Windsor as well. It was at a pub back in London. We could have planned that ourselves. Kinda disappointing.

Our bus had a mechanical...

Patti_P, May 2023
Our bus had a mechanical problem so we left 2 hrs later. Missed part of our tour. Could have skipped Oxford, and spent more time at Downton!

From $132.39

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 87 days in advance.

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