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: Palace + Changing of the Guard · 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£33 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, 20°CGreat
- 4pm🌤️Mostly sunny, 27°CGood
- 6pm☁️Cloudy, 25°CGood
- 9am🌤️Mostly sunny, 20°CGreat
- 4pm🌦️Drizzle, 25°CGood
- 6pm☁️Cloudy, 25°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 Palace + Changing of the Guard Combo experience |
| £33.00 per adult | 8.2 Best Overall | 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
4.5/5 · 3,131 reviews"Visitors to the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace have praised the tour for its unique insight into the heart of the British monarchy. With its stunning architecture, beautiful artwork, and fascinating history, the State Rooms are a must-see for anyone interested in royalty and history. While some visitors have noted that the tour can be quite crowded, the vast majority have praised the tour for its informative and engaging guides, as well as its stunning setting. Overall, the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are a truly unforgettable experience that is sure to leave visitors in awe."
Summary of 3,131 visitor reviews aggregated from booking partners.
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.
Worth it for royal history without the crowds: Victoria's childhood home, royal fashion displays and the Diana statue gardens, all in about two hours.
Yes for history lovers, less so otherwise. Book the 9:30am slot, use the Jeremy Irons audio guide, and don't visit on a Sunday — it's closed to tourists.
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.
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People also ask
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Worth it as the anchor of a Greenwich day: the walk beneath the hull of the world's last tea clipper is unique. Pair it with the Royal Observatory.
Worth it only if you average about three paid attractions a day. For most visitors the Explorer pass from £54 with 60 days' validity beats All-Inclusive.
Worth it for families and animal lovers: a full day across 36 acres with lions, gorillas and penguins. Go on a term-time weekday and start at 10am opening.
Our pick · From
£33 · Palace + Changing of the Guard
Last reviewed · Editorial verdict by tickets.uk editorial team · Structured feed