How to Visit Buckingham Palace in 2026: Tickets, Tours and Tips

Fans of The Crown, rejoice! This summer you can live your best royal life. Buckingham Palace, the King’s official London residence, opens its doors to the public for its annual Summer Opening from 9 July to 27 September 2026. If you’re planning a London trip this summer and want to know exactly when to go, what it costs and what you’ll actually see inside, here’s everything I’ve worked out so you don’t have to.

The exclusive period offers visitors a rare glimpse into the opulent State Rooms and the rich history of one of the world’s few remaining working royal palaces.

Quick Guide: Buckingham Palace Summer Opening

• Location: Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA
• Getting there: Victoria, Green Park or Hyde Park Corner tube stations
• Currency: Pounds sterling (£)
• Best time to visit: Weekday mornings and avoid the first two weeks of August if you can
• Don’t miss: The Throne Room, the Grand Staircase and the Garden Highlights Tour add-on
• Dates for 2026: 9 July–27 September
• Book here: Royal Collection Trust website

What You’ll See on the State Rooms Tour

Guests embark on a self-guided tour through 19 magnificent State Rooms, each adorned with exquisite furnishings, chandeliers and artworks from the Royal Collection. These rooms serve as the backdrop for official ceremonies and receptions hosted by the Royal Family and a multimedia guide (now available in nine languages, including British Sign Language with subtitles) is included in your ticket price.

One question that always popped in my head when watching The Crown: I wonder what their flower budget is? Do you think they have lavish bouquets throughout the palace like in the show? Probably more!

Highlights of the tour include:

• The Throne Room: often used as a backdrop for royal wedding photographs, this room houses the thrones used for ceremonial receptions
• The White Drawing Room: an elegant space used for official entertaining, featuring a secret door through which members of the Royal Family enter
• The Ballroom: the largest of the State Rooms, hosting state banquets and investitures
• The Grand Staircase: designed by architect John Nash, this impressive staircase is lined with portraits of members of the Royal Family

You’ll also see remarkable pieces by renowned artists including Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Dyck, all part of the Royal Collection.

You can actually book tickets for the Royal State Rooms on GetYourGuide here. Or this one includes a Royal walking tour!

If you’d rather explore on foot before or after your palace visit, this self-guided walk from Westminster to London Bridge takes you past some of the best riverside views in the city.

Combine Your Visit with an East Wing Tour

You can upgrade your standard ticket to include a guided tour of the East Wing, the part of the palace that encompasses the iconic front façade and the famous central balcony. Visitors on this tour get the novelty of entering through the Palace’s front gates and across the Forecourt, the same route used for official royal events. Highlights include the Chinese Dining Room, originally created for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a family breakfast room.

The East Wing add-on runs alongside the Summer Opening (11 July–27 September 2026) and pushes the adult ticket up to £93 in advance, so it’s worth deciding in advance whether it’s worth it for you. If you can’t get a summer slot, the Royal Collection Trust also runs a separate 90-minute East Wing Exclusive Guided Tour over winter, though numbers are capped at 20 people per tour and they’re still really pricey at £100!!

Add a Garden Highlights Tour

You can also enhance your visit with a Garden Highlights Tour, exploring select areas of the Palace Garden including the Herbaceous Border, Summer House, Rose Garden and Waterloo Vase. It’s a nice, quieter way to end the visit after the crowds of the State Rooms and it’s bookable as a combined ticket alongside your State Rooms entry (11 July–27 September 2026). This one is about £48 for adults as opposed to the £93 option above.

Buckingham Palace Tickets and Prices for 2026

Booking in advance is cheaper across the board and same-day tickets (subject to availability) cost more:

Standard admission (State Rooms only)

• Adult: £33.00 in advance / £37.00 on the day
• Young Person (18–24): £21.50 / £24.50
• Child (5–17): £16.50 / £18.50
• Disabled Person: £16.50 / £18.50
• Access companion: Free
• Under 5: Free (tickets still required)

Plus a Garden Highlights Tour

• Adult: £48.00
• Young Person (18–24): £31.20
• Child (5–17): £24.00
• Disabled Person: £24.00

Plus an East Wing Tour

• Adult: £93.00 in advance / £97.00 on the day
• Young Person (18–24): £81.50 / £84.50
• Child (5–17): £76.50 / £78.50
• Disabled Person: £76.50 / £78.50

If you’re on Universal Credit or another named UK benefit, it’s worth knowing that Royal Collection Trust offers £1 tickets. Check eligibility on the RCT website before you book at full price.

Buckingham Palace Opening Times 2026

• 9 July–31 August: Daily, 9:30am–7:30pm
• 1–27 September: Thursday to Monday, 9:30am–6:30pm

Entry is on a timed-admission basis, so you’ll be given a slot when you book and latecomers may not be admitted, so build in some buffer.

How to Book Buckingham Palace Tickets

Tickets are sold through the Royal Collection Trust website and advance booking is strongly recommended given how limited the opening period is. You can also combine your State Rooms visit with the Royal Mews, where the royal family’s state vehicles, including horse-drawn carriages and motor cars are displayed or with The King’s Gallery next door.

If you’re staying nearby, it’s worth booking accommodation early too, since hotels around Victoria and Belgravia fill up fast over summer.

I’ve got a London neighbourhood guide with hotel recommendations here if you need some help with that when planning your trip to London.

READ MORE: The Ultimate London Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Plan Your Trip in 2026

How Long You’ll Need at Buckingham Palace

A typical visit lasts two to three hours, which is enough time to explore the State Rooms at a comfortable pace and enjoy a walk through the garden afterwards.

Is Buckingham Palace Accessible?

Buckingham Palace is wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets, limited seating and assistance services available. If you need step-free access, this must be pre-booked directly with the Specialist Sales team, since the standard admission route isn’t step-free. Assistance dogs are welcome and there’s a British Sign Language guide with subtitles as well as an audio-descriptive guide for blind or partially-sighted visitors.

Can You Take Photos Inside Buckingham Palace?

Photography isn’t permitted inside the State Rooms, to protect the artworks and furnishings, but you’re welcome to take photos in the palace gardens.

If you want a longer wander through green spaces afterwards, these are some of the best walking routes in London for the warmer seasons, several of which link up nicely with a palace visit.

How to Get to Buckingham Palace

• Tube stations: Victoria (Circle, District and Victoria lines), Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines) and Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly line)
• Bus routes: 11, 211, C1 and C10 stop nearby
• Coach station: Victoria Coach Station is a 10-minute walk away

Tips for a Memorable Visit

• Arrive early: plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled entry time
• Expect security checks: be prepared for airport-style security on entry
• Wear comfortable shoes: you’re on your feet for two to three hours, mostly on hard floors
• Use the multimedia guide: it’s included in your ticket and available in nine languages
• Combine attractions: pair your visit with the Royal Mews or The King’s Gallery or book a ticket via GetYourGuide that includes a Royal walking tour.
• Check the £1 ticket scheme if you’re on a named UK benefit, before paying full price

The Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace is a rare chance to step inside the official residence of the British monarch and see the grandeur of royal history up close, whether you’re marvelling at the State Rooms, adding on the East Wing tour or ending with a wander through the Palace Garden. Book in advance, wear comfortable shoes and give yourself the full two to three hours to enjoy it properly.

Will you visit Buckingham Palace this summer? Let me know in the comments. I’m still contemplating this one myself, because can you believe I’ve lived in London all these years and haven’t yet seen the Changing of the Guard?

What do you think is the most iconic London attraction that no one should miss?