Buckingham Palace sits at the western end of The Mall in central London, in the St James’s district.
The nearest Tube station is Green Park, about 8 minutes’ walk through the park, with Victoria and St James’s Park also close by.
The State Rooms visitor entrance is on Buckingham Palace Road, on the south side of the palace, not the main gates on The Mall, so it helps to know where you are heading before you arrive.
Location & Address
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA, UK · Google Maps
Address: Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA. Nearest landmark: the Victoria Memorial, at the junction of The Mall and Spur Road.
Getting There by Public Transport
Buckingham Palace is in Zone 1, served by three nearby Tube stations on five lines plus several bus routes. Public transport is the easiest way to get there.
By Tube (Underground)
Green Park (Piccadilly, Victoria, Jubilee lines): the nearest and most convenient station. Exit and walk south through Green Park toward the Victoria Memorial. The walk takes about 8 minutes and is flat, paved, and step-free. This is the recommended route for most visitors.
St James’s Park (District, Circle lines): about a 10-minute walk. Exit and walk west along Birdcage Walk, past St James’s Park lake. A pleasant alternative if you want to combine your visit with a walk through the park.
Victoria (Victoria, District, Circle lines): about a 10-minute walk. Exit, turn left onto Buckingham Palace Road, and walk north directly to the visitor entrance. The most practical option if you are heading straight to the State Rooms.
Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly line): a slightly longer walk, about 12 minutes, through the south end of Green Park. A good option if you are coming from Knightsbridge.
By Bus
Several bus routes stop within a short walk of the palace:
- Routes 11, 211, C1, C10: stop on Buckingham Palace Road, close to the visitor entrance.
- Routes 2, 16, 36, 38, 52, 73, 82, 148: stop at Hyde Park Corner or along Piccadilly, within walking distance via Green Park.
- Routes 11, 24, 148, 211: stop on Victoria Street or Buckingham Gate.
The Buckingham Palace Road stops are the most convenient for the State Rooms visitor entrance.
By Train
The nearest mainline station is London Victoria, which serves trains from Gatwick Airport, Brighton, and the south of England. From Victoria, the palace is about a 10-minute walk along Buckingham Palace Road.
If arriving from other parts of the UK, change at any central London terminus and take the Tube to Green Park, St James’s Park, or Victoria.
Getting There by Car
Driving is not recommended. There is no visitor parking at the palace, and the area is inside the London Congestion Charge zone and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
If you do need to drive:
- Congestion Charge and ULEZ: both apply to the area. Check the current rates on the TfL website before you travel.
- Nearest car park: Q-Park Westminster on Great Smith Street, about a 15-minute walk.
- Taxis and rideshare: black cabs and apps such as Uber and Bolt can drop you on Buckingham Palace Road, near the State Rooms entrance. Road closures are common during the Changing of the Guard and State events.
- Blue Badge parking: must be pre-booked through the Royal Collection Trust’s Specialist Sales team. There are no on-the-day spaces.
Walking Routes
Buckingham Palace is within easy walking distance of many central London landmarks. These are the most popular routes.
From Westminster (15 minutes, 0.7 miles)
Walk west along Birdcage Walk, which runs alongside St James’s Park. The route is flat, scenic, and takes you directly to the palace’s east side and the Victoria Memorial. You will pass Wellington Barracks on your left, where the guards assemble before the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
From Trafalgar Square (15 minutes, 0.7 miles)
Walk down The Mall, the grand ceremonial avenue that leads directly to the palace. This is one of London’s most iconic walks, lined with Union flags on lamp posts. You will pass through Admiralty Arch at the start and arrive at the Victoria Memorial and the palace gates.
From Hyde Park Corner (12 minutes, 0.5 miles)
Walk south through the bottom corner of Green Park. The route is green, flat, and pleasant. You will emerge at the Victoria Memorial with the palace directly ahead.
From Victoria Station (10 minutes, 0.5 miles)
Turn left out of the station onto Buckingham Palace Road and walk north. This is the most direct route to the State Rooms visitor entrance, which is on the south side of the palace on Buckingham Palace Road.
From Kensington Palace (25 minutes, 1.2 miles)
Walk east through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, cross at Hyde Park Corner, then continue through Green Park. A beautiful route connecting two royal palaces, entirely through parkland.
Getting There by Hop-on Hop-off Bus
All major London hop-on hop-off bus tours include a stop near Buckingham Palace. This is a convenient option if you are combining the palace with other sightseeing.
Hop-on hop-off bus tours with a Buckingham Palace stop
- Big Bus London Hop-on Hop-off Tour includes a river cruise and a walking tour, with 24 or 48-hour passes.
- Tootbus London Discovery Tour is an open-top bus with a Thames cruise included, with 24 or 48-hour passes.
- City Sightseeing London offers 24, 48, or 72-hour passes with stops at all the major landmarks.
All three operators stop near Buckingham Palace and cover the major London sights. A hop-on hop-off pass is a good way to combine the palace with other attractions without navigating the Tube.
Best Way to Get There
Fastest option
Tube to Green Park (Piccadilly, Victoria, or Jubilee line), then an 8-minute walk through the park. The quickest, most reliable route from almost anywhere in London.
Most scenic option
Walk down The Mall from Trafalgar Square, through Admiralty Arch and past St James’s Park, for the classic ceremonial approach to the palace.
Budget option
Any Zone 1 Tube journey on an Oyster or contactless card, or simply walk from Westminster, Trafalgar Square, or Victoria, which costs nothing.
Best for accessibility
Green Park station is step-free on all three lines and the walk to the palace is flat and paved. Victoria is also step-free. Arrange Blue Badge parking in advance.
Nearby Attractions
Buckingham Palace is surrounded by some of London’s best-known landmarks, all within easy reach:
- St James’s Park (right in front of the palace)
- Westminster Abbey (10-minute walk down Birdcage Walk)
- Hyde Park (10-minute walk north through Green Park)
- The National Gallery and Trafalgar Square (15-minute walk along The Mall)
- Kensington Palace (25-minute walk through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens)
- The Shard (about 30 minutes by Tube on the Jubilee line from Green Park)
Accessibility
♿ Step-free access to the State Rooms must be arranged in advance by contacting the Royal Collection Trust’s Specialist Sales team. Wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge with advance booking, and companion tickets are free for carers.
- Green Park is step-free on all three lines (Jubilee, Piccadilly, Victoria), and the walk to the palace is flat and paved.
- Victoria station also has step-free access.
- St James’s Park station is not step-free.
- Blue Badge parking must be pre-booked through the Specialist Sales team; there are no on-the-day spaces.
- The multimedia guide inside the State Rooms has audio-described and subtitled options.
Insider Tips
Practical advice for getting to and from the palace.
Use Victoria station if heading straight to the State Rooms. While Green Park is the nearest Tube station, Victoria puts you directly onto Buckingham Palace Road, which is where the State Rooms visitor entrance is. If you are heading straight inside, Victoria saves you walking around the building.
Walk The Mall for the best first impression. If this is your first visit, approach from Trafalgar Square along The Mall. The ceremonial avenue, Admiralty Arch, and the gradual reveal of the palace and Victoria Memorial make for the most memorable arrival.
Avoid the area on Changing of the Guard days if you are not watching. On ceremony days (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun), the area around the palace gets extremely crowded between 10:00 and 12:00. If you are visiting the State Rooms and not planning to watch the ceremony, book an early slot (09:30) to get in before the crowds arrive.
The 11 bus is the scenic route. Bus route 11 runs from Liverpool Street through the City, past Trafalgar Square, and down to Victoria via Buckingham Palace Road. If you have time, riding the top deck of the 11 is one of London’s best budget sightseeing experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nearest Tube station to Buckingham Palace?
Green Park (Piccadilly, Victoria, and Jubilee lines), about 8 minutes’ walk through the park. St James’s Park and Victoria are also within about 10 minutes.
Is there parking at Buckingham Palace?
No. There is no visitor parking at the palace. The nearest public car park is Q-Park Westminster on Great Smith Street. Blue Badge parking must be pre-booked through the Royal Collection Trust.
How do I get to Buckingham Palace from Heathrow Airport?
Take the Piccadilly line directly to Green Park, around 50 minutes, then walk 8 minutes through the park. Alternatively, take the Heathrow Express to Paddington and change onto the Tube for Green Park.
Where is the State Rooms visitor entrance?
On Buckingham Palace Road, on the south side of the palace, not through the main gates on The Mall. Follow the signs from whichever direction you arrive.
Is Buckingham Palace wheelchair accessible?
Yes, but step-free access must be arranged in advance with the Royal Collection Trust’s Specialist Sales team. Green Park station is step-free and the walk to the palace is flat.