Buckingham Palace: when it is open and how to get into the state rooms
Every summer, Buckingham Palace opens its doors for just a few weeks. In 2026, the State Rooms welcome visitors from July 9 to September 27 (as of 09/2026, Royal Collection Trust).
The rest of the year, you can't get inside: the King works here. That's why tickets for morning time slots sell out weeks in advance, and the Changing of the Guard draws a crowd to the gates. Below you'll find dates and opening hours, prices, the guard schedule, the palace rooms, and how to get there from the Tube.
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What to know about the palace
💡 In short:
- The State Rooms are open only in summer; the rest of the year, only short tours are available.
- The Changing of the Guard is free; get a spot by the gates half an hour before it starts.
- Book timed-entry tickets online in advance: in high season, morning slots go first.
- Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website
History of the palace: how a house became a residence
Buckingham Palace grew out of a modest townhouse. In 1761, George III bought Buckingham House for his wife, Queen Charlotte, next to St James's Palace (according to royal.uk, 09/2026). The new house was quickly nicknamed the "Queen's House." Fourteen of George III's fifteen children were born here.
© Diliff · CC BY-SAPhoto: Diliff, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsEverything changed under George IV. After his coronation in 1820, he decided to turn the house into a true palace and hired the architect John Nash. Parliament approved a budget of £150,000, but the King demanded £450,000 (according to The Royal Family, 09/2026). Nash kept the main block, doubled it, and added new rooms on the west, garden side.
The exterior showed the French neoclassical style that George IV loved. The north and south wings were demolished and rebuilt, larger than before. The centerpiece of the expanded courtyard was the triumphal Marble Arch, commemorating the victories at Trafalgar and Waterloo. The rooms redesigned by Nash survive almost unchanged.
By 1829, costs had risen to nearly half a million pounds (according to royal.uk, 09/2026). The extravagance cost Nash his job: after George IV's death in 1830, his brother William IV handed the completion over to Edward Blore. William IV himself never moved in. The palace's first resident was Queen Victoria: she moved in in July 1837, and her marriage to Prince Albert in 1840 exposed a shortage of nurseries and guest bedrooms.
The solution was simple. Marble Arch was moved to Hyde Park, where it still stands today, and in its place a fourth wing was built, enclosing the courtyard. Blore added an attic story and decorated the facade with the marble friezes that Nash had prepared for the arch. The work was completed in 1847 (according to royal.uk, 09/2026).
The soft French stone of the east facade darkened from London soot and began to crumble. In 1913, the facade was refaced (according to royal.uk, 09/2026). Sir Aston Webb chose Portland limestone: a year was spent preparing the stone, and another thirteen weeks replacing the masonry. The forecourt and gates, where the changing of the guard takes place, were completed in 1911.
Changing of the guard: when and where to watch
The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace remains the most popular free spectacle in London. The old guard hands over the post to the new one, which arrives from Wellington Barracks to the music of a band. Guardsmen are recognized by their red tunics and tall bearskin caps. For enlisted men, the caps are made from the fur of female Canadian black bears; for officers, from male bears, which is why senior ranks have noticeably fuller caps.
The ceremony takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (according to The Household Division, 09/2026). It starts around 10:45 and lasts about 45 minutes. Guardsmen gather at St James's Palace and the barracks from 10:00, then march to the palace with music. The band plays not only marches; the repertoire sometimes includes Beatles hits.
There are two convenient viewing spots. At the palace gates you can see the finale and the central passage of the guard; at St James's Palace you catch the assembly and the start of the route. Get a spot by the Victoria Memorial about half an hour in advance, otherwise the view is blocked by tourists' backs. In the rain, the guard is often cancelled, and the decision is announced on the day of the event.
The ceremony is free; you only pay for transport. If you want to photograph the guards without other people's heads in the frame, stand to the side of the gates.
The guard for the palace is provided by one of the five infantry regiments of the Household Division. Regiments are distinguished by the number of buttons on the tunic and the plume on the cap. On days without the changing of the guard, the guard is still inspected: the inspection takes place in the afternoon, and on Sundays a parade with the regimental colour is held instead.
Rooms open to visitors
The palace remains a working residence, so only part of the rooms are open to guests. In summer, you walk through the state rooms: the Throne Room, three drawing rooms, and the Ballroom. The tour runs on a timed ticket and in one direction only.
© Ilya Grigorik · CC BY-SAPhoto: Ilya Grigorik, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsThrone Room
John Nash designed theatrical sets, and this is evident in the decor of the Throne Room. A canopy hangs over the royal chairs, and rich red and gold dominate the color scheme. In the center stand the thrones made for the coronations of Edward VII, George VI, and Elizabeth II.
© Matt Brown · CC BYPhoto: Matt Brown, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsGreen Drawing Room
This is the largest room on the ground floor. It first served as the salon of the Duchess of Buckingham, then was redone for Queen Charlotte, and later for George IV. Under Nash's design, the ceiling was replaced with a richly decorated one, and the fireplace on the north side was removed and another opening into the Throne Room was created. The green silk for the upholstery was brought from Ireland, and the furniture was made by the firm Morel & Seddon. By the door hangs a Copley painting with a portrait of the three youngest daughters of George III.
© wasd42 · CC BY-SAPhoto: wasd42, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsBlue Drawing Room
Before the Ballroom was built, large celebrations were held here. The chair upholstery and decorative elements are done in blue tones. In the center of the room stands the "Table of the Great Commanders" with a marble top depicting ancient heroes. The first court ball for Queen Victoria was held in this drawing room.
White Drawing Room
The room in white and gold tones houses ancient exhibits: a table by Jean-Henri Riesener and a gilded piano by Sébastien Érard, made for Queen Victoria. A distinctive detail of the drawing room: a secret door through which the queen entered to surprise lingering visitors.
Interesting facts about the palace
The palace's numbers will surprise you more than any tour. It has 775 rooms: 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. The building stretches 108 meters along the facade, extends 120 meters deep, and rises 24 meters high (according to royal.uk, 09/2026).
Every year the palace hosts more than 50,000 guests at receptions, dinners, and garden parties (according to royal.uk, 09/2026). Visitors have included Mozart, Johann Strauss, Charles Dickens, John Kennedy, Neil Armstrong, Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela. In 2002, for Elizabeth II's jubilee, Brian May played "God Save The Queen" from the palace roof.
Tickets, hours and admission
Tickets and hours are worth checking before your trip: the palace is not open year-round. Outside the summer season, visitors are admitted only on limited tours in December, January and at Easter. The entry time is printed on your ticket, so arriving late is not an option.
What to see | When | Admission |
|---|---|---|
State Rooms | July 9 to September 27 | timed ticket |
Winter and Easter tours | December, January, Easter | ticket required, limited places |
Changing the Guard | Monday, Wednesday, Friday | free |
Royal Mews and The Queen's Gallery | separate dates, check the website | separate ticket |
An adult ticket for the State Rooms costs in the range of £30-40, online is cheaper than at the ticket office (as of 09/2026, Royal Collection Trust). The exact price depends on the date, so always check the current rate on the website before buying. Discounts are available for children and families, and groups book separately.
For a guided visit, royal London tours are a good fit. If you only want an entry ticket, take the first morning slot: that way you will see the rooms without the crowds.
Tours and tickets in Buckingham Palace
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.
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What else to book in London
London tickets are easier to buy online: the ticket office is more expensive, and morning slots for the main sights close well in advance. Here is what people book most often.
- London Eye tickets
- Tower of London skip-the-line tickets
- Tower Bridge: priority entry
- Westminster Abbey with audio guide
- St Paul's Cathedral skip-the-line tickets
Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral are within walking distance of the palace; the rest are easiest to reach by tube.
How to get to the palace
The palace is in Westminster, between Hyde Park and St James's Park. The nearest tube stations are Victoria, Green Park and St James's Park. From Green Park you walk through the park and along The Mall, about ten minutes on foot (according to the map).
By bus, get off at the Buckingham Palace Road stop next to the palace. Arrive at opening time or closer to the evening: at midday the main crowd gathers at the gates. If you are going to the Changing of the Guard, add St James's Park to your route, it is on the way.
Buckingham Palace on the map
The palace is easy to find along the central axis of The Mall. Below is a map with a pin at the main gates; open it to plan your route from your hotel.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Buckingham Palace?
The State Rooms are only open in late summer. Take the earliest morning slot: the rooms are almost empty then, and there are still few guided groups. In December, January and at Easter the palace offers short themed tours, but the main route through the rooms is closed.
How much does a ticket cost and what is included?
The price range is given in the tickets section above; online is cheaper than at the ticket office. The price includes entry to the State Rooms and the garden, as well as a self-guided walk. The exact rate depends on the date, so check it before buying.
How do I see the Changing of the Guard and when does it take place?
The ceremony takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, starting around 10:45 and lasting about 45 minutes (as of The Household Division, 09/2026). Arrive at the gates half an hour early, ideally from the Victoria Memorial side. In rain the guard may be cancelled, and the decision is announced the same day.
Can you go inside the palace in winter?
In winter the state rooms are closed: the palace hosts receptions and official meetings at that time. Only short tours are opened in December, January and at Easter, and places are limited. Tickets for those dates sell out in advance, so check the schedule on the official website.
Can you combine the palace with other sights?
Yes. Westminster Abbey is within walking distance of the palace, while St Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London are easier to reach by tube. Add the London Eye and Tower Bridge as separate stops on your route. Buy tickets for all of these sights online to avoid queuing.
In short: what to book
The palace is open only a few weeks a year, so it is best to book tickets and nearby sights in advance.
- If it is your first time in London: state room tickets on Tiqets and the first morning slot.
- If you want a guided tour: a selection of London tours.
- If you are looking for accommodation near Westminster: hotels on Trip.com.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.