Buckingham Palace is the King’s official London home and the backdrop for the Changing of the Guard. Its State Rooms open to visitors only in summer: in 2026 from 9 July to 27 September, with adult tickets at about £33. So as of October 2026 the palace is closed for regular visits until summer 2027. You can still watch the Changing of the Guard at 11:00 on set days (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in October 2026, plus some Sundays at 10:00), visit the Royal Mews until late October and the King’s Gallery until 18 October, or book a small-group East Wing tour from 6 November 2026 to 31 January 2027 (£100). Tickets are sold only by Royal Collection Trust, at rct.uk.
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Tickets and tours for Buckingham Palace
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Why Buckingham Palace matters
Built as Buckingham House for the Duke of Buckingham in the early 18th century, it was bought by George III in 1761 as a family home and enlarged into a palace by John Nash for George IV. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live here, from 1837, and added the East Wing, whose central balcony is where the royal family appears on great national occasions. Today it is the working headquarters of the monarchy, with offices, state banquets, investitures and garden parties, which is why public visits are limited to the summer weeks when the King is usually at Balmoral.
What you can see and when
- The State Rooms (summer only): the grand rooms used for state banquets and receptions, hung with paintings from the Royal Collection, and a walk through part of the palace garden. 2027 dates and prices will be published on rct.uk.
- The Changing of the Guard (all year, on set days): the King’s Guard hands over in the palace forecourt at 11:00, with a military band. It is free and you watch from outside the railings.
- The Royal Mews: the working stables with the royal coaches, including the Gold State Coach. The 2026 season ends in late October; adults pay £18, ages 18–24 £12 and ages 5–17 £9.
- East Wing Exclusive Guided Tour (winter): 90-minute tours for up to 20 people, from 6 November 2026 to 31 January 2027 on Fridays to Mondays, with some extra dates over Christmas. £100 per person; they do not include the State Rooms.
- The King’s Gallery: the Royal Collection’s exhibition space next to the palace. Its 2026 show, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, runs daily 10:00–17:00 until 18 October 2026 (adults £22); check rct.uk for the next one.
The Changing of the Guard
The ceremony starts at 11:00 in the forecourt and lasts about 45 minutes. In October 2026 the Household Division’s official calendar lists it on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, plus Sunday parades at 10:00 on 18 and 25 October; it runs more often in summer and is cancelled in very wet weather or for state events. Check the calendar on householddivision.org.uk the day before, and arrive by 10:15 to stand at the railings or on the steps of the Victoria Memorial. For a closer, quieter view, watch the mounted Household Cavalry change at Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall, about a kilometre away.
Tickets and how to visit
As of October 2026, from Royal Collection Trust:
- State Rooms: open in summer only (9 July to 27 September in 2026, daily in July and August, Thursday to Monday in September). Adults paid about £33 in 2026; a combined ticket with the Royal Mews cost £45.90 in advance. Book on rct.uk as soon as the 2027 dates are announced, as tickets sell out.
- One-year pass: State Rooms tickets bought directly from Royal Collection Trust can be converted into a pass for free re-entry for a year.
- Under-5s: free at the Royal Mews and the King’s Gallery, with reduced prices for young people and visitors with a disability.
- Buy only from rct.uk: Royal Collection Trust is the official seller for the palace, the Royal Mews and the King’s Gallery.
Expect security screening at the entrance on summer visits and leave large bags at your hotel; the Changing of the Guard is outdoors, so watch your belongings in the crowd.
Accessibility
Royal Collection Trust publishes access details for each site, including step-free routes and assistance, on its accessibility pages at rct.uk; check them before you book, as winter tours and summer openings follow different routes. Viewing the Changing of the Guard needs no ticket, and the pavements around the Victoria Memorial are wide and level.
Getting there
The nearest Tube stations are Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines) and St James’s Park (District and Circle), each about ten minutes on foot. Victoria station, for the Victoria, District and Circle lines and mainline trains, is a slightly longer walk, and Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly) is close to the Wellington Arch side. Walking through St James’s Park from Westminster is the prettiest approach.
Combine it with
Westminster Abbey is about a kilometre east through St James’s Park, with Parliament and Big Ben beside it. From the palace, The Mall leads to Trafalgar Square and on to the free museums of the West End, including the British Museum. Green Park and Hyde Park are on the doorstep for a picnic. For more ideas, see our London travel guide and city sightseeing guide.
Buckingham Palace FAQ
Can you go inside Buckingham Palace?
Only at set times. The State Rooms open in summer (9 July to 27 September in 2026), and small-group East Wing tours run from 6 November 2026 to 31 January 2027. The 2027 summer dates will be published on rct.uk.
How much are Buckingham Palace tickets?
Adult State Rooms tickets cost about £33 in summer 2026. The winter East Wing tour costs £100 per person, and the Royal Mews £18 for adults.
What time is the Changing of the Guard?
At 11:00 in the palace forecourt on set days: in October 2026 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, plus Sunday parades at 10:00 on 18 and 25 October. Check the Household Division’s calendar the day before.
Where is the best place to watch the Changing of the Guard?
At the palace railings or on the Victoria Memorial steps, if you arrive by 10:15. For fewer crowds, watch the Household Cavalry at Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall.
Is the Changing of the Guard cancelled in the rain?
It can be cancelled in very wet weather or for state events. The Household Division’s official calendar is updated when that happens.
Is the Royal Mews open in winter?
No. The 2026 season ends in late October. Check rct.uk for the 2027 reopening date.