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The King's London palace

The best Buckingham Palace tours

State Rooms tickets with a royal audio app, Changing of the Guard walking tours, the Household Cavalry Museum and a private royal London tour: here is what you can book, with honest advice on when the palace is open, crowds at the Changing of the Guard, and refunds.

By the Things to Do in London editorial team 6 tours compared Prices checked 24 October 2026

See our 6 picks
Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial behind red flower beds under a blue sky
Short answer

Yes, you can tour Buckingham Palace, but only in summer when the State Rooms open. The 2026 season ended on 27 September, so the State Rooms are closed now.

All year, Changing of the Guard walking tours here start from €55, with free cancellation. GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.

Our 6 picks for Buckingham Palace

Five tours you can do now, then the summer-only State Rooms ticket. Only the State Rooms ticket is non-refundable.

Buckingham Palace tours compared

Buckingham Palace tours compared
TourFromDurationFree cancellationWho it suitsWhy we picked it
Guided walk with the Changing of the Guard 4.7 (17)€62
per person		2 hoursYesFirst-timers who want the guards with a guideA small group and free cancellation, with 4.7 from 17 reviews.
Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard tour 4.9 (9)€55
per person		3 hoursYesVisitors who want to go inside a royal church tooThe guards plus the Abbey, with 4.9 from 9 reviews so far.
Household Cavalry Museum ticket 4.1 (108)€13
per person		1-day ticketYesFamilies and anyone who loves horsesThe cheapest royal sight here, from €13, with 4.1 from 108 reviews.
Changing of the Guard, British Museum and Jack the Ripper 5.0 (3)€54
per person		4–6 hoursYesVisitors who want a packed dayThree tours from €54, though it has only 3 reviews so far.
Private tour: the palace, Big Ben and the Abbey 4.1 (10)€327
per group up to 2		6 hoursYesCouples who want their own guidePrivate and unhurried, with 4.1 from 10 reviews.
State Rooms entry and Royal London audio app (summer only) 4.6 (157)€45
per person		2 hoursNoSummer visitors who want to go insideThe only way inside the palace here, with 4.6 from 157 reviews.

  • Guided walk with the Changing of the Guard

    €62 per person2 hours 4.7 (17)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    First-timers who want the guards with a guide
    Why we picked it
    A small group and free cancellation, with 4.7 from 17 reviews.

  • Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard tour

    €55 per person3 hours 4.9 (9)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    Visitors who want to go inside a royal church too
    Why we picked it
    The guards plus the Abbey, with 4.9 from 9 reviews so far.

  • Household Cavalry Museum ticket

    €13 per person1-day ticket 4.1 (108)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    Families and anyone who loves horses
    Why we picked it
    The cheapest royal sight here, from €13, with 4.1 from 108 reviews.

  • Changing of the Guard, British Museum and Jack the Ripper

    €54 per person4–6 hours 5.0 (3)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    Visitors who want a packed day
    Why we picked it
    Three tours from €54, though it has only 3 reviews so far.

  • Private tour: the palace, Big Ben and the Abbey

    €327 per group up to 26 hours 4.1 (10)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    Couples who want their own guide
    Why we picked it
    Private and unhurried, with 4.1 from 10 reviews.

  • State Rooms entry and Royal London audio app (summer only)

    €45 per person2 hours 4.6 (157)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    No
    Who it suits
    Summer visitors who want to go inside
    Why we picked it
    The only way inside the palace here, with 4.6 from 157 reviews.
  • Group size is stated for 2 tours only: Guided walk with the Changing of the Guard, up to 10; Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard tour, up to 20. The private tour is for your group only.
  • None of the 6 includes hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point.
  • Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.

Buckingham Palace tours and tickets: when you can go inside

You can go inside only in summer, when the State Rooms open. In 2026 they opened from 9 July to 27 September. They are closed now.

The 2026 adult price was £33 on the official site. Check rct.uk for 2027 dates.

Outside summer, the Royal Collection Trust offers guided tours of the State Rooms on selected winter and spring dates. Check rct.uk for winter tour dates and prices.

For a royal sight you can visit in winter, look at the Tower of London.

What you can see now

The King's Gallery at Buckingham Palace is open. Its show "Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style" runs to 18 April 2027. Adults pay £22 on the official site.

The Changing of the Guard goes on too. Dates are published through November 2026.

The Royal Mews

Check rct.uk for the Royal Mews' times and prices before you go. No ticket for it is sold here.

The Changing of the Guard: times and the best tours

The Guard Change at Buckingham Palace starts at 11:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, says the Household Division.

In late October 2026 it falls on the 26th, 28th and 30th. On some Sundays there is a parade at 10:00, such as 25 October and 1 November.

Arrive early for a good view. A guided walk helps, as the guide knows where to stand.

Guard Change dates in November 2026 (Household Division calendar)
TypeTimeDates
Guard Change11:002, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30
Sunday Parade10:001, 15, 22, 29

Things to do near Buckingham Palace

Several sights sit close to the palace. These fit well around the guards.

  • Household Cavalry Museum: horses, stables and uniforms on Horse Guards Avenue, from €13.
  • St James's Park: the park next to the palace. Two of the tours here walk through it.
  • Westminster Abbey: the royal church, where kings and queens are crowned. See Westminster Abbey tickets.

Before you book

  1. Check the refund line

    The State Rooms ticket is non-refundable. Every other pick shows free cancellation on GetYourGuide.

  2. Check the guard dates

    The Guard Change does not happen every day. Check the Household Division calendar before you book a guards walk.

  3. Find the start

    The guided walk meets at the Statue of Goddess Diana, near the palace. The private tour meets at 150 Piccadilly.

  4. Mobility access

    For the State Rooms, visitors who need mobility access must book directly with Buckingham Palace. See getting around London for travel.

Buckingham Palace FAQ

Can you tour Buckingham Palace?
Yes, but only in summer, when the State Rooms open. The 2026 season ran from 9 July to 27 September. Outside summer, there are a few guided tours on selected dates.

When is Buckingham Palace open to visitors?
The State Rooms open in summer only; they are closed now. For a palace you can visit outside summer, see Kensington Palace. It opens Wednesday to Sunday.

How long does a Buckingham Palace tour take?
The State Rooms ticket here lists about 2 hours. Changing of the Guard walks take 2 to 3 hours.

How much does a Buckingham Palace tour cost?
In 2026, an adult State Rooms ticket was £33 on the official site. Here, the State Rooms ticket with an audio app is from €45. Guard walks start from €55.

Is a Buckingham Palace tour worth it?
Yes, if you visit in summer and love royal history. The listing names 19 rooms with art by Rembrandt and Rubens. Out of season, a guards walk is the better buy.

More Buckingham Palace tours

More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.

See all of these with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.

Browse all on GetYourGuide

Browse all of them on GetYourGuide

More royal and historic London

Sources (4), facts checked on 24 October 2026

Written by the Things to Do in London editorial team.