Buckingham Palace opening times, summer 2026
The State Rooms open in summer only. The 2026 season began on 9 July and ended on 27 September. From 9 July to 31 August the palace was open every day. In September it was open Thursday to Monday and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so July to September is not a daily season. All times are London time.
Your ticket has a time slot. Arrive at the time printed on it. For guided tours, plan to arrive 15 minutes earlier. A standard visit takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, and the walk out through the garden is about half a kilometre. For the next summer, check the current timetable before you book flights or hotels.
State Rooms summer 2026 timetable
London time. Last entry is the latest time you can start your visit.
| Period | Open days | Hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 July to 31 August | Every day | 09:30–19:30 | 17:15 |
| 3 to 27 September | Thursday to Monday | 09:30–18:30 | 16:15 |
After 27 September the regular summer opening was over. The prices for it are on the tickets page. In winter, the East Wing tour is announced for 6 November 2026 to 31 January 2027, Friday to Monday, with start times from 10:00 to 15:30.
Buckingham Palace tours and entry tickets
Timed State Rooms tickets, guard change walks and royal London tours, with live prices and availability. Check which options include State Rooms entry.
What the 2026 route looked like
The summer route was not complete.
In summer 2026 the White Drawing Room was not accessible. The Ballroom and parts of the Music Room and Bow Room were behind construction walls, though a passage through them was planned. Do not expect the classic full route in every season. The State Rooms page describes what the rooms are for.
Practical rules apply on every visit. You pass a security check like at an airport, and water bottles are allowed. Bags larger than 45 × 20 × 30 cm are not accepted, and small bags are carried at the side, not as backpacks. Photos and film are not allowed inside, and smoking, vaping and drones are banned. There is no formal dress code in summer. Pushchairs must be handed in, and toilets are at the end of the route.
King's Gallery and Royal Mews hours
The two other venues keep their own seasons.
| Venue and period | Open days | Hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| King's Gallery, during the current exhibition | Every day | 10:00–17:30 | 16:15 |
| King's Gallery, 9 July to 27 September 2026 | Every day | 09:30–17:30 | 16:15 |
| Royal Mews, 5 March to 6 July 2026 | Thursday to Monday | 10:00–17:00 | 16:00 |
| Royal Mews, 9 July to 31 August 2026 | Every day | 10:00–17:00 | 16:00 |
| Royal Mews, 3 September to 24 October 2026 | Thursday to Monday | 10:00–17:00 | 16:00 |
| Royal Mews, 25 October to 1 November 2026 | Thursday to Monday | 10:00–16:00 | 15:00 |
The Gallery shows its current exhibition until 18 April 2027. It is closed on 25 and 26 December 2026, so check the timetable for 24 December before you go. The Mews season ends on 1 November 2026, so check the timetable for any later dates. Read more on the King's Gallery and Royal Mews pages.
Winter and Christmas
The regular route is not open in winter.
After the summer opening the State Rooms are closed to regular visitors. The East Wing tour is the guided option from 6 November 2026 to 31 January 2027. The King's Gallery is closed on 25 and 26 December 2026. The Royal Mews season has ended by then. Do not plan a Christmas visit on the assumption that the summer timetable applies, and check the current timetable before you go.
Times outside the palace
Free things that run on their own schedule.
Changing the Guard
Normally Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:00. It is separate from the palace opening and needs no ticket.
Guard change →St James's Park
Some pedestrian and vehicle gates open at 05:00 and close at 24:00. Not every entrance follows the same hours.
St James's Park →Green Park
Some pedestrian gates are open from 05:00 to 24:00, next to the palace and Piccadilly.
Getting there →Buckingham Palace opening times: frequently asked questions
Is Buckingham Palace open all year?
The State Rooms are not. They open in summer, which in 2026 meant 9 July to 27 September. The King's Gallery is open daily during its current exhibition, and the East Wing tour is announced for 6 November 2026 to 31 January 2027.
What time does Buckingham Palace open?
At 09:30 in summer 2026. It closed at 19:30 from 9 July to 31 August and at 18:30 in September. Last entry was 17:15 and 16:15 respectively.
Is Buckingham Palace closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays?
In September 2026, yes: it was open Thursday to Monday. From 9 July to 31 August it was open every day.
How long should I plan for a visit?
About 2 to 2.5 hours for the standard State Rooms visit, plus the walk of about half a kilometre through the garden to the exit.
Can I visit the garden at other times?
Only as part of a ticket that includes it. See the garden page for the summer combination.