Buckingham Palace Tickets & Tours

Determining the best time for a Buckingham Palace sightseeing tour depends on what’s most important to you.  If you want to check out the state rooms, then you’ll have to book your Buckingham Palace tickets for the summer, when the Queen takes her annual summer vacation.  This usually occurs in late July until late September.  But, you’ll have to keep an eye on the Queen’s travel plans to be sure.  Otherwise, if you simply would like to check out the Royal Mews and watch the Changing of the Guard, then any time of the year will do.  Winter sees the least amount of tourism due to poor weather; but, if you’d like to see the Changing of Guards without having to elbow your way to the front, then winter would be the best time.  The shoulder seasons of spring and fall present a happy medium.  You’ll encounter less tourists than you would during the summer and fairly unpredictable weather.  Regardless of what the forecast says, you should carry an umbrella everywhere you go.

Because Buckingham Palace sits in the heart of London, getting there is quite simple.  If you’re coming by train, you’ll need to hop off at the London Victoria or London Charing Cross stations.  Should you decide to use the Tube, alight at the Victoria, Green Park, St. James Park, or Hyde Park Corner stops.  If you plan on bussing it, you should take the 11, 211, C1, or C10 bus to Buckingham Palace Road.  Those taking a coach will have to stop at Victoria Coach Station and walk for about 10 minutes in order to reach the palace.  Taxis also provide an easy, hassle-free way to reach Buckingham Palace.  However, this is also, by far, the most expensive mode of transport. 

On a tight budget?  That’s alright!  You can save a bunch of money by pairing your Buckingham Palace trip with other London attractions.  Why not combine your Buckingham Palace tickets with a trip to Stonehenge or Afternoon Tea at the Rubens Hotel?  It’s what to do in London!

Dazzle your friends with this interesting Buckingham Palace trivia!

• The core of Buckingham Palace was built in 1703 for John Sheffield, 1^st Duke of Buckingham and Normanby.
• Despite Buckingham Palace’s association with the Queen, she does not own the property.  It belongs to the Crown Estates.
• You can tell whether the Queen is in residence at Buckingham Palace based on which flag is flying.  If it’s the Queen’s Royal Standard, then she’s home.  If it’s the Union Jack, then you’ll have to leave a message.
• In 1982, a man by the name of Michael Fagan broke into Buckingham Palace and made it all the way to the Queen’s bedroom.