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How to Beat the Crowds at Buckingham Palace

By the BeatTheCrowd team · Updated 20 October 2026 · 3 min read

Quick answer

The palace interior (the State Rooms) only opens in summer, roughly July to September, by timed ticket booked in advance on the Royal Collection Trust site, so book as soon as dates are released. For the free Changing of the Guard, arrive 45-60 minutes early and stand on the Victoria Memorial steps or by Wellington Barracks, not pressed against the main gates.

At a glance

State Rooms: Summer only, roughly mid-July to late September
Ticket: £33 adults 25+, £21.50 ages 18-24, £16.50 children, under-5s free (book even for them)
Book on: The Royal Collection Trust website

What are the crowds like at Buckingham Palace?

There are two very different visits here. The State Rooms tour is only open for a few weeks each summer, by timed ticket, so the main 'line' is getting a ticket at all. The Changing of the Guard outside is free, and it's one of the most crowded spectacles in London: on a summer morning, thousands of people pack around the gates and the Victoria Memorial.

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Before you go, check how busy Buckingham Palace is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for school holidays, bank holidays and weather.

Check today’s crowds at Buckingham Palace →

Touring the State Rooms

Who	Price
Adults 25+	£33
Ages 18-24	£21.50
Children over 5	£16.50
Under 5	Free, but still needs a booked ticket

Dates: the State Rooms usually open from mid-July to late September, daily in July and August and Thursday to Monday in September. Expect similar summer dates.

Timed entry: arrive no later than 15 minutes before the time on your ticket.

Vouchers: if you bought a voucher from a reseller rather than a ticket, you'll need to swap it at the ticket office at Gate A, which means queueing. Booking direct avoids that.

Seeing the Changing of the Guard without the crush

Check the schedule first. The ceremony usually starts at 11 am on set days of the week (more often in summer) and is cancelled in very bad weather or for state events. The Household Division publishes the official calendar.

Arrive 45-60 minutes early in summer.

Don't stand at the palace gates. You'll mostly see the backs of heads. The Victoria Memorial steps give a raised view, and Wellington Barracks on Birdcage Walk is where the guard forms up, with much more space.

Or follow the band. Catch the soldiers marching along The Mall or Birdcage Walk instead of fighting for a spot at the end.

Best (and worst) times to go

State Rooms: weekday afternoon slots in early July or September tend to be calmer than August.

Outside the palace: early morning and evening are peaceful. Late morning on Changing of the Guard days is the busiest time.

Worst: summer school holidays and bank holiday weekends.

🔑 The free skip-the-line hack

Our hourly forecast for Buckingham Palace shows how busy each hour is expected to be, including UK school and bank holidays.

Check today’s crowds at Buckingham Palace →

Practical info

Getting there	Tube to Green Park, Victoria or Hyde Park Corner, then a short walk.
State Rooms visit	About 2-2.5 hours including the garden walk.
Security	Airport-style checks at the visitor entrance. Large bags aren't allowed.
Out of season	Outside summer, you can still see the palace and the guard ceremony from outside for free.

FAQs

Can you go inside Buckingham Palace?

Yes, but only in summer, when the State Rooms open for a few weeks (roughly mid-July to late September), by timed ticket.

How much does a Buckingham Palace tour cost?

£33 for adults aged 25 and over, £21.50 for ages 18-24 and £16.50 for children over 5. Under-5s are free but need a ticket.

Where is the best place to watch the Changing of the Guard?

The Victoria Memorial steps or Wellington Barracks on Birdcage Walk. Arrive 45-60 minutes early in summer.

When is the Changing of the Guard?

Usually at 11 am on set days of the week, more often in summer. Check the official Household Division schedule before you go.