Compare every Buckingham Palace ticket option, from summer State Rooms entry to year-round gallery and Royal Mews visits, plus guided Changing of the Guard walking tours.
Buckingham Palace Tickets
The State Rooms open only during the summer, typically mid-July to late September, and tickets are timed and sell out fast. The Royal Mews opens for more of the year. Here are the tickets for visiting the palace:
Entry Tickets
🏛️ State Rooms Admission with Audio Guide
Self-guided tour of 19 State Rooms with a free multimedia guide in nine languages. Includes garden access.
The working stables and coach house of the royal household, home to the Gold State Coach and the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. Open for more of the year than the State Rooms.
Passes
Westminster Abbey, the Royal Mews, and a Changing of the Guard walking tour in one discounted pass.
💂 Looking for a guided experience instead? See our Buckingham Palace tours.
Tickets & Prices
Buckingham Palace has three ticketed areas, plus a money-saving pass. Here is a closer look at each, with live availability so you can check dates and book in a couple of clicks.
State Rooms Admission with Audio Guide
The flagship Buckingham Palace experience. You walk through 19 State Rooms where the King receives heads of state, holds investitures, and hosts State Banquets. These are working rooms, not museum recreations, and they open to the public only during the summer months while the King is at Balmoral.
What’s included
- Self-guided tour of all 19 State Rooms
- Free multimedia guide in nine languages
- Access to the palace gardens after the indoor tour
- Access to the seasonal exhibition
Good to know
- Allow roughly 2 to 2.5 hours for the State Rooms and gardens
- Timed entry: arrive within your 15-minute window
- No photography inside the State Rooms
- Large bags and suitcases are not allowed inside
- Children under 5 enter free but still need a booked ticket
The King’s Gallery
A dedicated exhibition space within Buckingham Palace showing rotating selections from the Royal Collection, one of the largest and most important art collections in the world. The gallery was originally the palace chapel, destroyed by a bomb during the Blitz in 1940 and rebuilt as an exhibition space in 2002.
What’s included
- Entry to the current exhibition
- Access to the gallery shop
Good to know
- Normally open for much more of the year than the State Rooms
- Exhibitions have featured works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Canaletto, and Leonardo da Vinci
- Allow about an hour
- Currently unavailable to book online; the live availability below updates automatically when dates return
The Royal Mews
The working stables and coach house of the royal household, on Buckingham Palace Road. Home to the historic coaches, carriages, and cars used for State occasions, including the Gold State Coach (built in 1762 and used for every coronation since George IV) and the Diamond Jubilee State Coach.
What’s included
- Entry to the Royal Mews
- A view of the Gold State Coach, Diamond Jubilee State Coach, Glass Coach, and royal vehicles
- The horses are sometimes visible during your visit
Good to know
- Allow about an hour
- Open for more of the year than the State Rooms
- Pairs well with the King’s Gallery for a half-day outside the summer window
- A great option for families, especially children who love horses and carriages
London Royal Pass
The London Royal Pass bundles three of the most popular royal London experiences into one discounted pass. If you plan to see more than the palace itself, this is the best-value option.
What’s included
- Westminster Abbey entry
- The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace
- Changing of the Guard guided walking tour
Good to know
- Available year-round, not limited to the summer State Rooms window
- Does not include State Rooms entry, which must be booked separately
- Each experience can be used on different days within the validity period
- A great choice if you want to combine the palace with Westminster Abbey
Free Entry: Changing of the Guard
Free to watch, no ticket needed
The Changing of the Guard takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, usually on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 11:00. The schedule varies and can be cancelled at short notice, so check the Household Division website on the day.
Want more guided options? See our Buckingham Palace tours guide for a full comparison, from Changing of the Guard walking tours to royal Westminster tours with palace entry.
Why Book in Advance
Where to Buy Buckingham Palace Tickets
You have two options: book online in advance, or buy on the day at the ticket office. Here is how they compare.
Online Ticket (recommended)
Booking online is the simplest way to lock in a timed slot and skip the ticket office queue. It is also the easiest way to compare the State Rooms, the King’s Gallery, the Royal Mews, and the passes in one place.
- Better availability for popular dates, especially the short State Rooms summer season
- Instant confirmation and a mobile ticket
- Go straight to security, rather than joining the ticket office queue first
- More choice, including the King’s Gallery, the Royal Mews, and the London Royal Pass
Best for: almost everyone, especially in the summer State Rooms season or when building a tight itinerary.
How to Book
Select participants
Choose the number of adults and children, and your preferred date
Select your ticket
Pick the experience that suits you: the State Rooms, the King’s Gallery, the Royal Mews, or a pass
Pick a time slot
Choose your entry time. Your ticket time is the start of your 15-minute arrival window
Payment
Enter your details and complete the booking
Get your tickets
Instant confirmation. Your mobile ticket arrives by email as a QR code; show your phone at the entrance
Reschedule and cancellation policy
- Official Royal Collection Trust tickets are typically non-refundable, but can often be exchanged for another date, subject to availability.
- Cancellation and rescheduling terms for third-party bookings (Tiqets, GetYourGuide) vary by provider. Check the product page before booking.
- If you book through a reseller such as Tiqets, check whether the voucher is your final entry ticket or whether the official timed ticket is emailed separately before your visit, so keep an eye on your inbox (including spam) closer to the date.
On-Site Ticket Office
You can sometimes buy tickets on the day at the palace ticket office, but it is far less predictable, and the State Rooms in particular regularly sell out in summer.
What to expect:
- Queues can be slow at peak times
- Availability depends on the day, and the best slots can go early
- State Rooms summer dates often sell out before the day itself
Best for: last-minute weekday visits when you can adjust your plans if your preferred time is not available.
Things to Know Before You Go
A few practical details worth knowing before your visit.
What you cannot bring
Photography
Accessibility
Security
Tips for Buying Tickets
A few ways to get the most value from your Buckingham Palace tickets.
- Book the earliest time slot available. The first slots of the day are quietest, with more space in the State Rooms and shorter security queues. Midweek mornings in September are the calmest of the season.
- See more than the State Rooms. With a full day, the Royal Mews and King’s Gallery are far quieter and round out the picture. The London Royal Pass bundles royal sights at a saving.
- Do not skip the gardens. Your State Rooms ticket includes the 39-acre gardens, and most visitors rush past. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the West Front views, borders, and lake.
- The King’s Gallery is the best year-round option. Outside the summer opening, it is normally open most of the year with world-class Royal Collection exhibitions. Pair it with the Royal Mews for a half-day.
- Check the Changing of the Guard schedule. The ceremony is cancelled more often than people expect. Check the Household Division website on the morning of your visit before setting out.
FAQ
How much are Buckingham Palace State Rooms tickets?
Ticket prices vary by age and are subject to change each season. Check the ticket links above for current pricing and availability, and book early for the best selection.
Can I visit Buckingham Palace for free?
The Changing of the Guard ceremony is completely free to watch and requires no tickets. The State Rooms, King’s Gallery, and Royal Mews all require paid tickets.
Are Buckingham Palace tickets refundable?
Tickets bought through Tiqets and GetYourGuide typically offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit. Official Royal Collection Trust tickets are non-refundable but can usually be exchanged for a different date subject to availability.
Do I need to book in advance or can I pay on the day?
Advance booking is strongly recommended, especially for the State Rooms during the summer opening. Walk-up tickets may be available on quieter days, but popular dates sell out weeks or months ahead.
Can children visit Buckingham Palace?
Yes. Children under 5 enter free but must have a booked ticket. Reduced prices are available for children and young adults. Pushchairs must be checked in at the entrance.
What is the London Royal Pass?
It bundles Westminster Abbey, the Royal Mews, and a Changing of the Guard walking tour into one discounted pass. It is available year-round and each experience can be used on different days within the validity period.
Is there a student discount?
Young adults aged 18 to 24 receive a reduced ticket price. There is no separate student discount, but the 18 to 24 rate serves a similar purpose.