Buckingham Palace tour: summer opening 2023

Enjoy a self-guided tour of Buckingham Palace to see the lavishly furnished State Rooms at one of the world's few remaining working royal palaces, plus discover some of the Royal Collection's greatest treasures.

When can I buy Buckingham Palace tour tickets?

You can buy Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace tickets online now for 2023.

What's inside Buckingham Palace? 

Buckingham Palace is a grand royal residence with 775 magnificent rooms. 

Highlights of the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace include:

• The 19 beautifully decorated State Rooms, used for receiving guests and official functions.
• The Throne Room – often used as a backdrop for royal wedding photos.
• The magnificent Grand Staircase.
• Pieces of fine art, including works by Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Dyck.

Who lives at Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace serves as the official London residence of His Majesty The King, and is one of the few remaining working royal palaces in the world today.

Is the palace open to the public? 

Buckingham Palace is open to the public during the summer months. 

Can you walk through the Buckingham Palace gardens?

Entrance tickets to Buckingham Palace State Rooms include access to the gardens. This involves a short stroll through the wooded area and past the lake, as you make your way to the exit on Grosvenor Street.

Tickets do not offer access for visitors to freely wander the grounds.

When can I visit?

Buckingham Palace tours take place between July and September.

What are the Buckingham Palace opening times?

Buckingham Palace is open on Thursdays to Mondays, from 9am to 7.30pm (last admission 5.15pm) from 14 July to 31 August, and from 9am to 6.30pm (last admission 4.15pm) from 1 to 24 September.

Entry is on a timed admission basis and ideally you should arrive no later than 10 minutes before the entry time on your ticket.

How much do tickets cost?

Tickets to visit Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms cost £19.50 for adults aged 18 to 24, £30 for adults over 24 years of age, and £16.50 for children over five years of age – children under five enter for free, but tickets must be booked in advance.

How long does it take to tour Buckingham Palace? 

It takes between two hours and 30 minutes to explore Buckingham Palace.

Where is Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace is located in central London. The closest Tube stations are Victoria, Green Park and Hyde Park Corner. Several buses also stop nearby. If you are arriving by coach, Victoria Coach Station is only a 10-minute walk away.

Are the Royal Mews and The Queen’s Gallery part of Buckingham Palace?

Both the Royal Mews and The Queen’s Gallery are part of the Buckingham Palace site, but have their own visitor entrances and so can be visited separately, or as part of a combined ticket. Both venues are open for most of the year, including when the palace itself is closed. Buy a combined ticket to visit Buckingham Palace and the Royal Mews (available daily for 1.45pm timeslots or on weekdays for 10.45am timeslots when booking).

If you're looking for an alternative to Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle is a royal residence close to London which is open all year round. See Windsor castle tickets and tours (including coach tours).