Getting to Buckingham Palace
The palace stands in central London, a few minutes on foot from Green Park, Victoria, St James's Park and Hyde Park Corner. Public transport is the easiest way to arrive. There is no general visitor parking, and the roads around the palace are busy and partly closed to traffic at weekends.
This is an independent guide, not run by a transport authority or the palace. Fares below are those for 2026 and change over time. Check a live journey planner on the day for closures and changes.
By Tube
Four stations within walking distance.
| Station | Lines | Walk to the palace |
|---|---|---|
| Green Park | Jubilee, Piccadilly, Victoria | About 0.4 miles, around 9 minutes |
| Victoria | Circle, District, Victoria | About 10 minutes |
| St James's Park | Circle, District | Through the park |
| Hyde Park Corner | Piccadilly | – |
The walking times are rough guides. They depend on the exit you take, on barriers around the palace and on the entrance you need. Green Park serves the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines. Victoria suits you if you arrive by train or on the Circle and District lines.
Palace and London tours
Palace visits, walks and sightseeing trips that start near the main stations, with live prices and availability.
Which entrance do you need?
The place you queue depends on your ticket.
State Rooms in summer
The main visitor entrance for ticket holders is on Buckingham Palace Road, marked for ticket holders. It is not the same as the front gates on the forecourt side. Arrive at the time printed on your ticket and allow time for the security check. Details of the check are on the State Rooms page.
East Wing tour in winter
The winter East Wing tour uses its own access through the front gates and the forecourt. Guided tours ask you to arrive 15 minutes early. Read the tours page for the dates.
King's Gallery and Royal Mews
These are separate visits with their own tickets. The King's Gallery and the Royal Mews have their own pages with hours.
By bus
Lines near Victoria and Buckingham Palace Road.
The stop at Victoria Coach Station is served by lines 11, C1 and C10, as well as 44 and 170. Not every line stops right at the palace entrance, so look at the map before you board and expect a short walk.
A single bus fare costs £1.75 for adults in 2026. The Hopper fare lets you start a second bus or tram trip within one hour on the same card or device. The daily cap is £5.25.
Tube fares in Zone 1 on a pay-as-you-go card are £3.10 at peak times and £3.00 off-peak for adults. A paper single costs £7 where the standard fares apply.
By car, taxi or coach
Why public transport usually wins.
No visitor parking
St James's Park has no visitor car park. Plan to park outside the center and finish the trip by Tube or bus. Accessible parking depends on availability and needs a request at least 3 full working days ahead.
Congestion Charge
Driving in the charging zone costs £18 in 2026 when you pay in advance or on the day, and £21 when you pay by the third following day. Extra rules depend on the vehicle. The charge is not a parking fee.
The Mall and Constitution Hill
Both roads are closed to traffic on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Taxis and drivers should plan a different approach on those days. See the St James's Park page for the walk along The Mall.
Coaches
Coach parking inside the park has been suspended until further notice. A drive-through permit costs £21.60 including VAT. It is limited to suitable single-deck coaches on a set route, and the coach may not stop. It is not a permit for private cars.
If you travel on from Westminster, the nearby stations and the area are covered by the guide to getting to the Houses of Parliament.
Plan the rest of your day
Pages to read before you set off.
Getting there: frequently asked questions
Which Tube station is closest to Buckingham Palace?
Green Park is about 0.4 miles away, around 9 minutes on foot. Victoria is about 10 minutes away. St James's Park and Hyde Park Corner are also within walking distance.
Which bus goes to Buckingham Palace?
Lines 11, C1, C10, 44 and 170 stop at Victoria Coach Station near Buckingham Palace Road. Not every line stops at the palace entrance, so check the route before you board.
Where is the visitor entrance?
For the summer State Rooms visit, the main entrance for ticket holders is on Buckingham Palace Road. The winter East Wing tour uses the front gates and the forecourt.
Can I drive to Buckingham Palace?
You can drive into central London, but there is no visitor parking at the palace, the Congestion Charge applies in the zone, and The Mall is closed to traffic at weekends. Public transport is simpler.
How much is a Tube or bus ride?
In 2026, a Zone 1 Tube fare on a pay-as-you-go card is £3.10 at peak and £3.00 off-peak. A bus costs £1.75, with a daily cap of £5.25.