Buckingham Palace is one of London’s most recognizable landmarks, but visiting the working royal palace requires more planning than simply arriving at the gates. Public access changes throughout the year, tickets use timed entry, and the State Rooms, Royal Mews, The King’s Gallery and garden experiences have different admission arrangements. Checking the current schedule before you travel will help you avoid closed dates and make better use of your time.
Quick Answer
For the 2026 summer opening, Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms are open from 9 July to 27 September. Standard adult admission starts at £33 when booked in advance. Allow about 2 to 2½ hours, prebook your timed ticket, bring a small bag, and check the official Changing the Guard calendar separately.
Key Takeaways
- For 2026, the State Rooms are open from 9 July through 27 September, with fewer opening days in September.
- Book in advance because Buckingham Palace uses timed admission and popular dates can sell out.
- Allow about 2 to 2½ hours for the standard State Rooms route.
- The Royal Mews and The King’s Gallery are separate attractions unless you buy a combination ticket.
- Photography and filming are not permitted inside Buckingham Palace.
- Changing the Guard does not follow the article’s old daily-summer schedule, so always check the Household Division calendar before going.
When to Visit Buckingham Palace in 2026
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of His Majesty The King and remains a working royal palace. Its State Rooms open for a summer visitor season, while selected guided tours may also be offered at other times of year.
For the 2026 Buckingham Palace summer opening, the public State Rooms schedule is:
- 9 July–31 August 2026: open daily from 09:30 to 19:30, with last admission at 17:15.
- 3–27 September 2026: open Thursday through Monday from 09:30 to 18:30, with last admission at 16:15.
- September: the standard summer opening is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
2026 Update: Buckingham Palace is undergoing reservicing work. During the 2026 Summer Opening, the White Drawing Room is not accessible to visitors, and the Ballroom plus parts of the Music Room and Bow Room are affected by protective hoardings. Check the official visitor page shortly before your trip because a working palace can also close or change arrangements at short notice.
Royal Collection Trust recommends allowing about 2 to 2½ hours for a standard summer visit. The route also includes a walk of roughly half a kilometre through the garden toward the exit, so comfortable shoes are more useful than formal clothing.
Booking Tickets and Tours
Advance booking is the safest option, especially during weekends, school holidays and the final weeks of the summer opening. Standard admission uses timed entry in 15-minute slots, so select a time you can comfortably reach rather than planning to arrive much earlier.
For 2026, standard State Rooms admission purchased in advance costs £33 for adults, £21.50 for ages 18–24, and £16.50 for children ages 5–17 and disabled visitors. Children under five and access companions are admitted free. On-the-day prices are higher and availability is not guaranteed.
Pro Tip: For the standard Summer Opening, arrive for the entry time printed on your ticket rather than substantially earlier. If you book an exclusive guided tour, follow the separate instructions on that ticket, which may require arrival around 15 minutes before the scheduled start.
Immersive Experiences
The standard State Rooms ticket includes a complimentary multimedia guide, allowing you to move through the route at your own pace while hearing commentary about the rooms, artworks and royal ceremonies.
Visitors seeking more access can choose from separately priced products when available. For summer 2026, Royal Collection Trust offers options that combine the State Rooms with a Garden Highlights Tour or a guided East Wing tour. A Buckingham Palace and Royal Mews combined ticket is also available during the summer season.
The East Wing option is particularly different from standard admission because it gives guided access to selected spaces in the part of the Palace containing the famous central balcony. Availability is limited, so these add-on products should be booked early.
Special Exhibitions
Do not confuse exhibitions at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace with the State Rooms tour. The King’s Gallery is a separate attraction near the Palace and usually requires its own ticket unless it is included in a combination product.
For 2026, The King’s Gallery is presenting Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, an exhibition marking the centenary of the late Queen’s birth. The exhibition runs from 10 April 2026 into 2027, and 2026 adult admission is £22.
The Palace itself can also feature temporary displays within the State Rooms as part of the summer visit, so check exactly what your selected ticket includes before paying for additional attractions.
Planning Ahead
Read the current ticket description rather than assuming every Buckingham Palace attraction is included. The State Rooms, Royal Mews, King’s Gallery, East Wing tour and Garden Highlights Tour can have different opening dates, prices and admission points.
Keep your confirmation accessible on your phone or in print, travel with as little luggage as possible, and check the official visitor information again shortly before leaving for the Palace.
Getting to Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace sits in central London at the western end of The Mall. If you are already staying in Westminster, Victoria, Mayfair or the West End, walking can be an easy way to arrive while seeing St James’s Park and surrounding landmarks.
According to Transport for London, useful nearby Underground stations include:
- Victoria: Circle, District and Victoria lines, plus National Rail services.
- Green Park: Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines.
- St James’s Park: Circle and District lines.
Numerous London bus routes also operate in the surrounding area. Check TfL on the day because road closures, royal events, demonstrations or ceremonial activity can affect nearby routes.
Walking through St James’s Park is a pleasant approach when the weather is suitable. Taxis and private-hire vehicles can also get you close to the area, although central London traffic can make public transport faster at busy times.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Before entering Buckingham Palace, you and your belongings pass through airport-style security screening. Bringing only what you need makes the process quicker.
The Palace follows a one-way visitor route. During the Summer Opening, you move through the State Rooms and eventually continue toward the garden and exit. Because re-entry against the flow is generally not possible, take your time in each room before moving forward.
There are no visitor toilets at the beginning of the standard summer route. Toilets and baby-care facilities are located in the garden near the end, so it is sensible to use facilities before joining the entrance queue if necessary.
Inside, the experience focuses on the Palace’s ceremonial and official spaces, Royal Collection works, architecture and the way rooms are used for State occasions. The complimentary multimedia guide adds historical and curatorial context without requiring you to join a conventional group tour.
Exploring the State Rooms
Buckingham Palace has 19 State Rooms used for ceremonial occasions, official entertaining and receptions. Their interiors largely reflect the tastes of George IV and contain paintings, furniture, sculpture, porcelain and decorative art from the Royal Collection.
Highlights typically include the Grand Staircase, Throne Room, Ballroom, Blue Drawing Room, Green Drawing Room and Picture Gallery, although room access can change because Buckingham Palace remains an operational royal residence.
The Picture Gallery received a major redisplay for 2026, increasing the number of paintings on view from 63 to 120 works from the Royal Collection.
The updated Picture Gallery includes works associated with artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, Caravaggio, Canaletto, Vermeer and Zoffany. Its 2026 presentation uses a denser arrangement inspired partly by historic displays at the Palace.
The Throne Room is also more complex than a room containing a single pair of thrones. Among its important furnishings are Chairs of Estate made for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1953, along with throne chairs connected with other monarchs and coronations.
The Ballroom is the Palace’s largest State Room and remains an important setting for State Banquets and major ceremonial occasions. During the 2026 reservicing programme, however, visitors should expect parts of the Ballroom route to be visually affected by hoardings.
Visiting the Royal Mews
The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace is a separate visitor attraction and a working part of the Royal Household responsible for road transport.
Its most famous exhibit is the Gold State Coach. Built in the 18th century, the coach has been used at every coronation since that of William IV in 1831 and most recently featured at the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
The coach is approximately seven metres long, around 3.6 metres high and weighs about four tonnes. Eight horses are needed to draw it, and it travels only at walking pace.
The Mews also contains other historic and modern state coaches and vehicles. Because it remains a working stable, the exact experience can vary depending on operational requirements.
For 2026, standalone Royal Mews admission is £18 for adults. A Buckingham Palace and Royal Mews combined ticket is available on eligible summer dates and costs £45.90 for an adult when booked in advance.
Enjoying the Buckingham Palace Gardens
Buckingham Palace’s private garden covers about 39 acres and includes lawns, mature trees, a lake, flower beds and areas used for royal Garden Parties and official entertaining.
A standard summer Palace visit ends with a walk through part of the garden toward the exit, but this does not mean standard admission gives unrestricted access to the entire garden.
Visitors who want a closer look at features such as the Rose Garden, Herbaceous Border and Waterloo Vase should consider the separately ticketed Garden Highlights Tour when it is offered.
The Rose Garden contains 25 rose beds with 60 bushes in each bed, or about 1,500 rose bushes in total. This replaces the incorrect claim that the garden contains more than 12,000 roses.
During the Summer Opening, the Garden Café on the West Terrace provides light food, cakes, afternoon tea and hot and cold drinks near the end of the visitor route. An ice-cream parlour is also located farther along the garden path toward the exit.
Note: The Garden Café is a summer-opening facility. When guided Palace tours operate from October through May, food and drink are not normally available for purchase inside the Palace.
Tips for Seeing the Changing of the Guard
Changing the Guard is one of London’s best-known royal ceremonies, but you should not rely on the old rule that it happens daily during summer and every other day during winter.
The Household Division’s official Changing the Guard calendar is the best source for individual dates. Its current general schedule lists the King’s Guard change at Buckingham Palace on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with the main handover taking place around 11:00.
Soldiers begin assembling earlier at St James’s Palace and Wellington Barracks, and parts of the ceremony and marching route can be seen before the main handover. Arrive early if you want a good position because the Palace railings and Victoria Memorial area become crowded.
Warning: Ceremonial activity can be altered or cancelled at very short notice, particularly in wet weather. The Household Division notes that a final decision can sometimes be made as late as 10:45 on the day, so recheck the official calendar before travelling solely for the ceremony.
Watching from along The Mall or near St James’s Palace can provide a different view of the marching guards and bands, although these locations do not give the same view of the handover inside the Buckingham Palace forecourt.
Etiquette and Rules for Visiting Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is a working royal residence with tighter visitor rules than many ordinary museums. Follow staff instructions and posted signs throughout your visit.
Security and Bags
All visitors undergo airport-style security screening. Bags larger than 45 × 20 × 30 cm cannot be brought into Buckingham Palace. Small bags are permitted but should be carried at your side rather than worn on your back.
Large luggage should be stored elsewhere before arrival. Nearby Victoria Station has luggage-storage options.
Bottled water is permitted, but eating and drinking are not allowed inside the Palace apart from water.
Photography and Mobile Phones
Photography and filming are not permitted inside Buckingham Palace. Personal, non-commercial photography is generally allowed in permitted outdoor areas after the interior route. Photography is also prohibited on the guided Garden Highlights Tour.
Visitors are asked not to make or answer phone calls inside the Palace.
Dress Code
There is no formal dress code for ordinary Buckingham Palace visitors. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, particularly because the summer route finishes with a fairly long walk along a gravel garden path.
Families and Pushchairs
For safety reasons, pushchairs and buggies cannot be taken through Buckingham Palace and must be checked in. Baby carriers and hip seats may be available to borrow, subject to availability.
Breastfeeding is welcome inside the Palace, and baby-care facilities are available near the end of the visitor route.
Accessibility
Buckingham Palace and the Palace Garden have accessible options. Visitors who require a step-free route or accessible parking should review the official Buckingham Palace practical information before booking so appropriate arrangements can be made.
Disabled visitor tickets are offered at a concessionary rate, and an access companion can be admitted free.
Shopping and Dining Opportunities
Royal Collection Trust shops sell souvenirs, books, china, gifts and items inspired by the Royal Collection. Purchases support the charitable work of Royal Collection Trust, including care of the collection and public access.
During the Buckingham Palace Summer Opening, the Garden Café is the main refreshment stop and is reached after you have passed through the State Rooms. Because the route is one-way, you cannot use the café as a pre-tour waiting area.
Outside the Palace, the Victoria, St James’s and Mayfair areas contain numerous cafés, pubs and restaurants if you prefer a full meal before or after your visit.
Making the Most of Your Buckingham Palace Experience
A good Buckingham Palace visit starts with deciding which parts of the royal complex matter most to you. If your priority is Palace interiors, concentrate on the State Rooms and allow at least two hours. If royal transport interests you, add the Royal Mews. Art and fashion enthusiasts should check the current programme at The King’s Gallery.
If you want to see Changing the Guard as well as tour the State Rooms, check the ceremony schedule first and build your timed Palace admission around it. Do not assume that a Guard ceremony will take place simply because the Palace is open.
Nearby attractions can also turn your Palace visit into a full central-London day. St James’s Park is immediately nearby, while Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and other major landmarks are within walking distance for many visitors.
Before travelling, check the official Buckingham Palace page again for your exact opening date, ticket conditions and any short-notice operational changes. That final check is especially important because Buckingham Palace remains a working royal residence rather than a permanently open museum.
Sources
- Royal Collection Trust — Buckingham Palace — current opening dates, tickets, prices and visitor products.
- Royal Collection Trust — Buckingham Palace Practical Information — security, bags, photography, visit length, accessibility, food and visitor rules.
- Royal Collection Trust — Royal Mews — Royal Mews tickets, opening information and visitor details.
- Royal Collection Trust — The King’s Gallery — current exhibitions, ticket information and prices.
- Royal Collection Trust — Buckingham Palace Garden — garden size, history and landscape information.
- The Household Division — Changing the Guard Calendar — official ceremony dates and current schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the visiting hours for Buckingham Palace?
For the 2026 Summer Opening, the State Rooms are open from 9 July to 27 September. From 9 July through 31 August they are open daily from 09:30 to 19:30, with last admission at 17:15. From 3 through 27 September they are open Thursday to Monday from 09:30 to 18:30, with last admission at 16:15.
How much does it cost to visit Buckingham Palace?
For the 2026 Summer Opening, advance standard admission is £33 for adults, £21.50 for ages 18–24 and £16.50 for children ages 5–17 and disabled visitors. Under-fives and access companions are free. On-the-day prices are higher.
Are there any insider tips for visiting Buckingham Palace?
Book your timed ticket in advance, allow 2 to 2½ hours, bring as little luggage as possible, wear comfortable shoes and remember that toilets are near the end of the standard visitor route rather than at the entrance.
What are the must-see attractions at Buckingham Palace?
Inside the State Rooms, highlights include the Grand Staircase, Throne Room, Ballroom and Picture Gallery. The Royal Mews and The King’s Gallery are also worthwhile but are separate attractions unless your ticket package specifically includes them.
Can visitors take photos inside Buckingham Palace?
No. Photography and filming are not permitted inside Buckingham Palace. Personal, non-commercial photography is generally permitted in allowed outdoor areas after the interior route. Photography is also prohibited on the guided Garden Highlights Tour.
How long should I allow for Buckingham Palace?
Royal Collection Trust recommends approximately 2 to 2½ hours for the standard Summer Opening route. Allow additional time if you also book the Royal Mews, The King’s Gallery, East Wing or a Garden Highlights Tour.
Can standard Buckingham Palace visitors explore the entire garden?
No. The normal summer visitor route includes a walk through part of the garden toward the exit, but broader access to highlights such as the Rose Garden requires a separate Garden Highlights Tour when that product is available.
