Buckingham Palace Is Open to the Public This Summer: Dates, Tickets, and What to Expect

What You'll Actually Get to See Inside Buckingham Palace

There are 19 State Rooms in total, and they do not disappoint. Think soaring ceilings, dazzling chandeliers, silk-covered walls, and furniture that almost certainly costs more than your apartment. The rooms aren't just for looking at, either. They're working spaces, used throughout the year for official functions, state banquets, and royal receptions.

Highlights on the self-guided tour include the Throne Room (yes, with actual thrones, and yes, you'll recognize it from approximately every royal wedding photo you've ever seen), the Grand Staircase, the Music Room, the White Drawing Room, and the Picture Gallery, which is home to works by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Van Dyck. There's also a temporary exhibition running during the summer months, so there's usually something new to discover even if you've been before.

Every room comes with a multilingual multimedia guide included in your ticket price, so you won't be left guessing what you're looking at.

How Much Does It Cost to Visit Buckingham Palace?

Tickets are actually pretty reasonable for what you’re getting access to. Adults (25+) pay £33 (about $41), while visitors aged 18 to 24 are £21.50 (about $27). Kids over five are £16.50 (around $21), and little ones under five get in free, though you’ll still need to reserve a ticket for them in advance.

If you wait and buy on the day, you’ll usually pay an extra £2 to £4 (roughly $2.50 to $5) per person, and that’s if tickets haven’t already sold out, which happens more often than you’d think. Booking ahead is definitely the safer move.

When Is Buckingham Palace Open for Tours?

The 2026 summer opening runs from July 9 to September 27. Hours vary slightly across the season. Through August 31, the palace is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. From September 1 to September 27, it shifts to Thursday through Monday only, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Entry is on a timed admission basis, so plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your ticketed slot. The self-guided tour typically takes between two and three hours, so give yourself a proper chunk of the day.

It’s easy to write off royal attractions as something for checklist travelers, but the State Rooms are genuinely impressive no matter where you land on the monarchy. The scale, the art, and the novelty of walking through spaces usually reserved for heads of state make it worth the time.

If you want to turn it into more of a full day, there are combo options with Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, or even afternoon tea. A Royal London walking tour with palace entry is also a solid way to add context to what you’re seeing.

The summer opening runs through September 27, and tickets do fill up, so it’s worth booking ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions: Buckingham Palace Summer Tours 2026

When can you visit Buckingham Palace in 2026?

The summer opening runs from July 9 to September 27, 2026.

How much do Buckingham Palace tour tickets cost?

Adults 25 and over pay £33 (about $41). Visitors aged 18 to 24 pay £21.50 (about $27). Children over five are £16.50 (around $21), and under-fives are free, though they still need a ticket booked in advance.

Can I buy tickets on the day?

Yes, but expect to pay £2 to £4 more per person (roughly $2.50 to $5), and tickets often sell out. Booking ahead is strongly recommended.

What’s included in the ticket price?

Entrance to the State Rooms, a multilingual multimedia guide, and access to a temporary royal exhibition.

How long does it take to tour Buckingham Palace?

Plan for two to three hours for the self-guided State Rooms tour.

What are the opening hours?

July 9 to August 31: open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

September 1 to 27: open Thursday to Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

How do I get to Buckingham Palace?

The closest Tube stops are Victoria, Green Park, and Hyde Park Corner. Several bus routes also serve the area.

Is there anything extra to see beyond the State Rooms?

The tour includes a walk through part of the palace gardens, with views of the lake and the west front of the building. Combination tickets are also available for Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, afternoon tea, and guided walking tours.