Buckingham Palace at a glance
Buckingham Palace is the London residence of the monarch and a working palace for official duties. It stands at the end of The Mall, with the Victoria Memorial and its flower beds in front of the gates. Visitors can see the State Rooms during the summer opening, and the palace grounds are the setting for the Changing the Guard.
The State Rooms, the King's Gallery and the Royal Mews are three separate visits with separate tickets. A Gallery or Mews ticket does not get you into the State Rooms. Watching the guard change from the street is free.
This guide covers tickets, opening dates, the guard change, tours, the garden, history, St James's Park and The Mall, how to get there, the best time to go and where to stay. It is an independent site, not run by the Royal Collection Trust, the Royal Household or any tour company. Prices are in pounds, as listed for 2026, and they change.
Four visits at a glance
Adult prices and dates for 2026. Check the current timetable before you go.
| Visit | Adult price 2026 | When |
|---|---|---|
| State Rooms | £33 in advance, £37 on the day | Daily 9 July to 31 August, Thursday to Monday 3 to 27 September |
| King's Gallery | £22 | Daily during the current exhibition, which runs to 18 April 2027 |
| Royal Mews | £18 | 5 March to 1 November 2026, Thursday to Monday, daily 9 July to 31 August |
| Changing the Guard | Free | Normally Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:00 |
Details and children's prices are on the tickets page, the opening times page and the guard change page.
Our picks: Buckingham Palace tours
One tour with State Rooms entry, one outside walk with the guard change, and the Royal Mews.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Royal walking tour with State Rooms entry
A guide for the royal walking tour, then State Rooms entry with the official audio guide and free time inside. The rooms are open in the summer season only.
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Guided walk to Buckingham Palace and the guard change
A two-hour guided walk that includes the Changing of the Guard on selected days. Palace entry is not included, so this is an outside tour.
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Royal Mews entry with multimedia tour
Entry to the Royal Mews with a multimedia tour in nine languages. The ticket covers the Mews only, not the State Rooms.
Check availability →Buckingham Palace tickets and tours
State Rooms entry tickets, guard change walks and royal London tours, with live prices and availability. Check which options include State Rooms entry.
Plan your Buckingham Palace visit
One page for each part of the trip.
Buckingham Palace tickets
Prices for adults, young adults and children, combinations and the 12-month pass.
Opening times
Summer dates, last entry and the seasons of the Gallery and the Mews.
Changing of the Guard
Days, times, weather and where to stand.
Tours compared
Self-guided visit, guided walks and the winter East Wing tour.
The State Rooms
What the rooms are for and what is closed in summer 2026.
The King's Gallery
The current exhibition, prices and opening hours.
The Royal Mews
Working stables, state coaches and the 2026 season.
The garden
The Garden Highlights Tour and the walk out through the garden.
History of the palace
From Buckingham House to the East Wing and the balcony.
St James's Park and The Mall
Pelicans, the lake, the Victoria Memorial and Green Park.
How to get there
Tube stations, buses, fares and the entrance for ticket holders.
Best time to visit
Which season suits the State Rooms, the guard and the parks.
Where to stay
Victoria, Mayfair and St James's, and Westminster compared by location.
A few things to know before you plan
Points that decide whether your visit works.
The State Rooms open in summer
In 2026 the regular opening ran from 9 July to 27 September. In September the palace was closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Outside the summer window the regular route is not open.
Opening times →The summer 2026 route is shorter
The White Drawing Room was not accessible, and parts of the Ballroom, Music Room and Bow Room were behind construction walls. A passage through them was planned.
State Rooms →The guard change is not daily
Normally the guard changes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:00. On Sundays there is a Sunday Parade at 10:00, and on other days a Captain's Inspection at 15:00.
Guard change →The Gallery is open daily for now
The exhibition Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style has been extended to 18 April 2027, and the Gallery is open every day while it runs.
King's Gallery →The 12-month pass has conditions
Only eligible tickets bought directly from the operator can be turned into a pass. Reseller tickets are excluded.
Tickets →What is open in which season
The palace is a summer visit, but the year is not empty.
| Season | What you can visit |
|---|---|
| Spring | Royal Mews from 5 March (Thursday to Monday), King's Gallery exhibition, Changing the Guard |
| Summer | State Rooms (9 July to 27 September 2026), Garden Highlights Tour, Gallery, Mews, Changing the Guard |
| Autumn | Gallery and Mews until the Mews season ends on 1 November, Changing the Guard |
| Winter | Gallery, the East Wing tour (6 November 2026 to 31 January 2027), Changing the Guard |
The parks and The Mall are open to walk in every season. The best time page compares weather and crowds.
Beyond the palace
Other places that have their own guides.
Westminster, with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, is a separate trip with its own guides. This site stays with the palace, its neighbours along The Mall and the practical details of getting in.
Buckingham Palace: frequently asked questions
Can I visit Buckingham Palace all year?
Not the State Rooms. They open in summer; in 2026 that was 9 July to 27 September. The King's Gallery is open daily during its current exhibition until 18 April 2027, and a guided East Wing tour is announced for 6 November 2026 to 31 January 2027. See the opening times.
How much is a State Rooms ticket?
For the 2026 summer opening, adults paid £33 in advance and £37 on the day. Young adults aged 18 to 24 paid £21.50 and £24.50, and children aged 5 to 17 paid £16.50 and £18.50. Children under 5 were free. See the tickets page.
Is the Changing of the Guard free?
Yes. You can watch from the street in front of the palace or along the route without a ticket or reservation. Paid walks are an extra service. The guard change page has times and viewing spots.
Can I walk in the palace garden?
Only on a ticket that includes it. In summer 2026 there was a State Rooms and Garden Highlights Tour combination for adults at £48. The normal exit path through the garden is a different thing. See the garden page.
Which station is closest?
Green Park, Victoria and St James's Park are the usual choices, and Hyde Park Corner is another. From Green Park it is about 9 minutes on foot. Details are on the getting there page.
Is buckingham-palace.org the official website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the Royal Collection Trust, the Royal Household or any tour operator.