Is Windsor Castle worth it?
Yes, the best royal day trip from London. Go for 10am opening between Thursday and Monday, and see St George's Chapel before the coach groups arrive.
📍Windsor, about 1 hour from central London
Our pick: Entry Ticket · Free cancellation
Bottom line — is Windsor Castle worth it?
Yes, Windsor Castle is the best royal day out from London. Book the 10am entry, head straight for St George's Chapel before the coach groups arrive, and remember the castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Quick Facts
- Opening hours
- 10:00 AM – 5:15 PM, Thu–Mon (closed Tue & Wed)
- Location
- Windsor, about 1 hour from central London
- Age suitability
- All ages
- Wheelchair accessible
- Yes, with step-free routes to most areas
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation (most tickets)
How we scored the Windsor Castle
Our method£31 covers the State Apartments, St George's Chapel and Queen Mary's Dolls' House. Fair for 3+ hours of sightseeing.
A genuine working royal residence with nearly 1,000 years of history. St George's Chapel alone justifies the trip.
Coach groups flood in between 11am and 2pm. Arrive at opening or after 2:30pm for a calmer visit.
The best royal day trip from London, as long as you plan around the Tuesday and Wednesday closures.
Best time to visit the Windsor Castle
Mostly indoorWindsor Castle is mostly indoor — weather only matters for getting there. Crowds drive most of the scoring.
- 9am🌤️Mostly sunny, 18°CGreat
- 11am☁️Cloudy, 20°COK
- 3pm🌤️Mostly sunny, 23°CGood
- 9am🌤️Mostly sunny, 20°CGreat
- 11am☀️Clear, 23°COK
- 3pm🌤️Mostly sunny, 26°CGood
Typical hour-by-hour →
Arrive for 10am opening and see St George's Chapel first, before the coach groups arrive. The castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays.
Best Windsor Castle tickets, compared
All London attractions →| Ticket Type | What's Included | Price from | TripScore | Our Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
RECOMMENDED Entry Ticket Castle, chapel & State Apartments |
| £31.00 per adult | 8.6 Best Overall | View tickets → |
Half-Day Tour from London Transport + entry |
| £57.00 per adult | 7.9 | View tickets → |
Buckingham Palace + Windsor Full-day royal tour |
| £109.00 per adult | 7.6 | View tickets → |
Windsor + Stonehenge + Bath Full-day combo tour |
| £165.00 per adult | 7.4 | View tickets → |
We compare prices from GETYOURGUIDE · KLOOK · VIATOR · TIQETS …
What visitors say
4.5/5 · 9,848 reviews"Visitors to Windsor Castle rave about the castle's stunning architecture, rich history, and world-class exhibits. With over 1,000 years of royal history to explore, there's something for everyone to enjoy. While some visitors found the crowds and security checks to be a bit overwhelming, most agreed that the experience was well worth it."
Summary of 9,848 visitor reviews aggregated from booking partners.
Why the Windsor Castle is worth it
- ✓The oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, still a working royal residence.
- ✓St George's Chapel, burial place of ten monarchs including Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II.
- ✓Lavish State Apartments with works by Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Dyck.
- ✓Easy to reach: under an hour by train, with Windsor town on the doorstep.
Common Windsor Castle mistakes
- ✗Turning up on a Tuesday or Wednesday, when the castle is closed.
- ✗Arriving midday, when the coach-tour crowds peak.
- ✗Missing St George's Chapel: it closes to visitors on Sundays for worship.
- ✗Allowing only a couple of hours. With travel, this is a half-day trip minimum.
How the Windsor Castle compares
Other top London attractions ranked by TripScore.
Yes — one of London's highest-rated paid attractions. Arrive at 9am opening to see the Crown Jewels before queues build, then join a free Beefeater tour.
Yes: a real Tudor palace, 60 acres of gardens and the famous maze for £28 make it the best-value royal day out near London. Allow at least half a day.
Windsor Castle FAQ
Is Windsor Castle worth the trip from London?▾
Yes. It is the biggest and most complete royal sight you can see near London: the State Apartments, St George's Chapel and the Dolls' House together fill 3 to 4 hours, and the town of Windsor is lovely to wander afterwards.
How long do you need at Windsor Castle?▾
Plan 3 to 4 hours inside the castle, plus about an hour of travel each way from central London. Treat it as a half-day to full-day outing.
Is Windsor Castle open every day?▾
No. The castle is normally open Thursday to Monday and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. As a working royal residence it can also close at short notice, so check before you travel.
How do you get to Windsor Castle from London?▾
Trains run from London Paddington (change at Slough, around 30 to 40 minutes) or direct from Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside (around 55 minutes). Both stations are a short walk from the castle. Guided coach tours with entry included are the low-effort option.
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People also ask
Worth it once, done right: the 5,000-year-old circle genuinely awes, but it's a long coach day for two hours on site. Combine it with Bath or Windsor.
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: £24 covers the cathedral, crypt and a 528-step dome climb with one of London's best views. Go at 8:30am opening, and note it's closed to sightseeing on Sundays.
Yes, it's London's best immersive art experience and a perfect rainy-day plan. Timed entry keeps it calm, and you can stay as long as you like.
Our pick · From
£31 · Entry Ticket
Last reviewed · Editorial verdict by tickets.uk editorial team · Structured feed