Are Buckingham Palace State Rooms worth it?
Yes if you visit between July and September — the only time the State Rooms open. Book the 9:30am slot online to skip the gate queue.
📍Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA
Our pick: State Rooms Entry · Free cancellation
Bottom line — are Buckingham Palace State Rooms worth it?
Yes — if you're visiting between late July and end of September. Book online to skip the gate queue, allow 90 minutes, and pair it with the Changing of the Guard at 11am.
Quick Facts
- Opening hours
- 9:30 AM – 5:15 PM (July–September only)
- Location
- Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA
- Age suitability
- All ages — older kids enjoy it most
- Wheelchair accessible
- Yes
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation (most tickets)
How we scored the Buckingham Palace State Rooms
Our method£32 for 90 mins is on the pricier side, but you're walking through the actual working royal palace.
Genuinely impressive interiors: Throne Room, Ballroom, Picture Gallery. Excellent audio guide.
Timed entry keeps the inside manageable; the queue outside can build at peak times. Book online to skip.
A unique 'only-open-in-summer' attraction. Less essential than the Tower, but special if you can time it right.
Best time to visit the Buckingham Palace State Rooms
Mostly indoorBuckingham Palace State Rooms is mostly indoor — weather only matters for getting there. Crowds drive most of the scoring.
- 9am☀️Clear, 27°CGreat
- 4pm☀️Clear, 35°CGood
- 6pm☀️Clear, 35°CGood
- 9am☀️Clear, 20°CGreat
- 4pm☀️Clear, 24°CGood
- 6pm☀️Clear, 23°CGood
Typical hour-by-hour →
Book the 9:30am opening slot. The Changing of the Guard happens at 11am — visit the Palace first, then watch the ceremony.
Best Buckingham Palace State Rooms tickets, compared
All London attractions →| Ticket Type | What's Included | Price from | TripScore | Our Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
RECOMMENDED State Rooms Entry Self-guided + audio |
| £32.00 per adult | 7.8 Best Overall | View tickets → |
Palace + Changing of the Guard Combo experience |
| £33.00 per adult | 8.2 | View tickets → |
King's Gallery Royal Collection art |
| £19.00 per adult | 7.0 | View tickets → |
Royal Mews Carriages + cars |
| £17.00 per adult | 7.4 | View tickets → |
We compare prices from GETYOURGUIDE · KLOOK · VIATOR · TIQETS …
What visitors say
Visitor reviews currently unavailable for this attraction. See ticket options for partner-specific ratings.
Why the Buckingham Palace State Rooms is worth it
- ✓The only chance most people get to walk inside an actual working royal residence.
- ✓19 State Rooms used by the King for state banquets and official receptions.
- ✓Picture Gallery with works by Rembrandt, Rubens and Vermeer.
- ✓Includes a stroll through 39 acres of Buckingham Palace gardens on exit.
Common Buckingham Palace State Rooms mistakes
- ✗Trying to visit outside July–September — the State Rooms are closed.
- ✗Skipping the audio guide — it's where most of the story lives.
- ✗Standing at the gate during Changing of the Guard — the back of the crowd sees nothing. Arrive 45 min early.
- ✗Not pairing with the Royal Mews — half the price, often quieter.
How the Buckingham Palace State Rooms compares
Other top London attractions ranked by TripScore.
Yes — one of the highest-rated experiences in London. Book the round-trip transfer ticket, take an early-morning weekday slot, and allow at least 3–4 hours inside.
Yes — one of London's most underrated attractions. Book the 4pm slot for the calmest visit and allow 2-3 hours to do the Churchill Museum justice.
Buckingham Palace State Rooms FAQ
Are Buckingham Palace State Rooms worth visiting?▾
Yes if you can visit during the July-September summer opening — it's a genuinely unique chance to walk inside an active royal palace. Book online for the early-morning slot.
When can you visit Buckingham Palace?▾
The State Rooms are open to the public only from mid-July to the end of September each year. The Royal Mews and King's Gallery (next door) are open year-round.
How long does the Buckingham Palace tour take?▾
About 90 minutes for the State Rooms self-guided audio tour, plus 15-20 minutes for the garden walk on exit.
Can you see Changing of the Guard for free?▾
Yes — Changing of the Guard happens outside the palace and is free to watch. Arrive 45 minutes early for a front-row spot. It runs on alternating days at 11am.
Add to your London itinerary
Plan your perfect day in London with our free itinerary builder.
People also ask
Yes — at £22 for a UNESCO botanical site you can spend 4–6 hours in, it's outstanding value. Pick a clear spring or autumn day and head straight for the Treetop Walkway.
Yes — one of London's most underrated attractions. Book the 4pm slot for the calmest visit and allow 2-3 hours to do the Churchill Museum justice.
Yes for the price — £16 buys glass-floor walkways and the Victorian engine rooms. Time your visit around a scheduled bridge lift for the best photo.
Yes — one of the highest-rated experiences in London. Book the round-trip transfer ticket, take an early-morning weekday slot, and allow at least 3–4 hours inside.
Our pick · From
£32 · State Rooms Entry
Last reviewed · Editorial verdict by tickets.uk editorial team · Structured feed