Buckingham Palace

Tickets & tours

Buckingham Palace Tours & Tickets

Compare official admission options and third-party guided tours. We always name the provider fulfilling the booking. This independent guide is not the official ticket seller for Buckingham Palace.

Compare ticket optionsView official admission (opens official Royal Collection Trust site)
Inside the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace
State Rooms entry is sold by the Royal Collection Trust when a public opening is running.

Choose the right Buckingham Palace ticket or tour

Compare official admission with guided and combination experiences to find the option that best fits your visit.

Official admission versus guided experiences

Use this brief comparison to decide whether you need straightforward attraction entry or a curated tour-style experience. This site is independent and is not the official ticket seller.

Official admission

  • Sold by the Royal Collection Trust for standard attraction entry
  • Intended for timed or dated State Rooms (and other Palace attractions when open)
  • Usually self-guided unless the official listing states otherwise
  • Tied to attraction opening dates and published visitor routes
  • Confirm inclusions, access and cancellation terms on the official listing before booking

View official tickets (opens official Royal Collection Trust site)

Guided and combination experiences

  • Supplied by independent tour operators (for example via Viator)
  • May include guided royal walks, Changing the Guard positioning or afternoon tea
  • Durations and meeting points vary by product
  • Some products may include palace entry and some may not: never assume admission is included
  • Always check the provider listing for dates, inclusions and cancellation terms before booking

Browse guided tours →

Buckingham Palace opening dates and seasonal availability

Autumn 2026: the King’s Gallery remains open and the Royal Mews is open until 1 November. Standard State Rooms summer admission has ended.

Guided tours are separate from standard State Rooms admission. Some hosted Palace experiences may still be available outside the summer opening. Confirm inclusions and dates on the listing before you book.

Opening times guide →Official seasonal admission (opens Royal Collection Trust site)

Compare tickets and related experiences

A curated shortlist spanning official admission and independent guided experiences. This is not the full catalogue. Confirm inclusions on the provider listing before you book.

  • Official admission

    Buckingham Palace State Rooms

    Standard timed attraction entry when the State Rooms season is open, sold by the Royal Collection Trust. Generally self-guided unless the official listing states otherwise.

    Provider
    Royal Collection Trust
    Guided component
    Usually self-guided multimedia visit
    Best suited to
    Visitors seeking official timed entry during the published season
    View official tickets (opens official Royal Collection Trust site)

    Provided by the Royal Collection Trust

More guided and combination tours

Additional royal London experiences for visitors who want a guided walk, ceremony or combination itinerary.

Third-party tour guidance

Independent operators sell guided and combination experiences. Use this checklist before you book so you understand what is included and what is still outdoor sightseeing only.

  • Palace entry

    Check whether State Rooms or other ticketed admission is included. Many walks cover exteriors only.

  • Meeting point

    Confirm the exact meeting place and arrival window. Crowds can slow access around the Palace and The Mall.

  • Duration

    Allow buffer time if you later have timed official entry. Ceremony days create longer walks between locations.

  • Seasonal opening

    If a product claims palace entry, confirm that the State Rooms (or other attraction) are open on your date.

  • Cancellation terms

    Review the provider’s cancellation and weather rules before you pay. Policies vary by operator.

  • Changing the Guard

    Ceremony dates are not guaranteed for every day. Check the published schedule if the ceremony is essential.

Booking information

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

BuckinghamPalace.co.uk is an independent visitor guide. We do not operate the tours or sell tickets directly.

Prices, schedules, availability and inclusions can change. Confirm the current details on the provider’s website before booking.

Official Buckingham Palace admission is managed by the Royal Collection Trust.

Product catalogue last refreshed: .

See the full affiliate disclosure.

Buckingham Palace tickets and tours FAQs

Clear answers about official admission, independent tours and how to book with confidence.

Where should I buy Buckingham Palace tickets?
For standard State Rooms (and other official palace attractions), buy from the Royal Collection Trust. Independent platforms such as Viator sell guided walks and combination experiences; those are separate products from official timed admission.
Are official admission and guided tours the same?
No. Official admission is attraction entry sold by the Royal Collection Trust when openings apply. Guided tours are offered by independent operators and may focus on outdoor routes, Changing the Guard or wider royal London. Some guided products include palace entry and some do not.
Do third-party tours include Buckingham Palace entry?
Not automatically. Many outdoor walks do not include State Rooms tickets. Always check the provider listing for inclusions before booking. Do not assume palace admission is included.
Can I combine Changing the Guard with a palace visit?
Yes in principle, but timing is seasonal and crowds can be heavy. Changing the Guard is free from public outdoor areas on published dates. Timed palace entry should leave a practical gap after any ceremony you plan to watch. Check both the ceremonial schedule and State Rooms opening dates.
When are the State Rooms open?
The State Rooms open for a published summer season rather than year-round. The 2026 standard summer opening ended on 27 September. Selected guided Palace tours may still be available. Use our opening-times guide and the official Royal Collection Trust pages before you travel.
Should I book in advance?
Advance booking is sensible for popular State Rooms dates and for guided experiences with limited capacity. Official timed slots and independent tours can sell out on peak days. Prices, dates and inclusions can change, so confirm details on the provider site.

Keep planning

Planning pages for opening hours, the visit itself and nearby royal attractions.