Buckingham Palace Entrance | Your Guide to Tickets & Access

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The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace Tickets

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1 hr. 30 min. - 2 hr. 45 min.

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Buckingham Palace Ticket

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Changing the Guard Ceremony at Buckingham Palace

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Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour

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Ticket	Use this entrance	Notes
State Rooms	Gate C on Buckingham Gate	This is the main Buckingham Palace entrance for the summer opening tour. Arrive 15 mins before your scheduled entry time.
Royal Mews	Royal Mews Entrance on Buckingham Palace Road	This is a separate attraction with its own dedicated entrance.
The King's Gallery	The King's Gallery Entrance on Buckingham Palace Road	This is a standalone gallery visit with a separate, specific entrance.

Choose the right entrance for you

There isn't a single Buckingham Palace entrance for all visitors. Each of the main attractions has a dedicated gate, so it’s essential to know which one you need before you arrive.

State Rooms

Location: Buckingham Gate, London SW1A 1AA
How to spot: The main entrance for tours is through Gate C, which is clearly signposted on the side of the Palace.
Best for: Visitors with a pre-booked ticket for the State Rooms tour. This is the official and only entrance for the palace's summer opening.
Crowds & waits: The tour is timed, so the wait is typically for security screening, which can be 15-30 mins during peak summer months.
Accessibility: The State Rooms route is step-free and fully accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
Parking/Drop-off: The closest drop-off point is on Buckingham Gate or along Buckingham Palace Road. There are no public car parks at the Palace.
Pro tip: Arrive at least 15 mins before your scheduled entry time to allow for security checks.

Visiting the palace? Book your State Rooms tickets.

The Royal Mews

Location: Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0QH
How to spot: The entrance is a distinct gated archway on Buckingham Palace Road, just a short walk from the main Palace.
Best for: Anyone with a ticket to see the royal stables, carriages, and coaches. This entrance is separate from the Palace itself.
Crowds & waits: Wait times are generally low as this is a separate tour with its own ticketed entry.
Accessibility: The Mews are step-free and accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
Parking/Drop-off: The closest drop-off point is on Buckingham Palace Road.
Pro tip: Keep an eye out for the horses in their stables, as they are often visible from the courtyard.

Interested in royal transport? Book your Royal Mews tickets.

The King's Gallery

Location: Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1A 1AA
How to spot: This entrance is a separate building on Buckingham Palace Road, distinguished by its classical façade.
Best for: Visitors with tickets for the rotating art exhibitions. The gallery entrance is separate and located near the Royal Mews.
Crowds & waits: Wait times are usually minimal as the gallery has its own entrance and is less busy than the State Rooms.
Accessibility: The Gallery is fully accessible with a lift to all floors.
Parking/Drop-off: Located near Victoria Station, there are multiple bus stops and a drop-off area directly in front of the Gallery.
Pro tip: Check the official website for details on the current exhibition before you visit, as it changes regularly.

A fan of royal art? Book your The King’s Gallery tickets.

Accessible entrances at Buckingham Palace

All public visitor attractions at Buckingham Palace are committed to being accessible to guests with disabilities. Each has a specific Buckingham Palace entrance designed to accommodate a variety of needs.

Step-free access to the State Rooms must be pre-booked. Visitors requiring this service should contact the Specialist Sales team at +44 (0)303 123 7324 or via email at specialistsales@rct.uk. Visitors who have pre-booked step-free access will enter via a different entrance at the front of the Palace. Once inside, they will join the main visitor route and experience the palace in the same way as other visitors.

The Royal Mews and The King’s Gallery each have their own designated accessible entrances on Buckingham Palace Road. Both attractions offer step-free access throughout, with ramps and elevators providing easy navigation to all public areas.

Security, bags & re-entry

Crowd gathered at Buckingham Palace gates in London.

For your visit via the correct Buckingham Palace entrance, you and your belongings will be subject to airport-style security checks. To expedite your entry, travel as light as possible. Bags larger than 45cm x 20cm x 30cm are not permitted, and there are no luggage storage facilities available on-site. The nearest lockers are a short walk away at Victoria Station.
Once you exit any of the attractions, re-entry is not permitted.
Additionally, photography and filming are strictly prohibited inside the State Rooms and other public areas of the Palace.

Frequently Asked Questions about Buckingham Palace entrances

Which entrance should I use based on my ticket type?

Your Buckingham Palace entrance depends on your ticket. For State Rooms tours, use the main entrance on Buckingham Gate. The Royal Mews and The King’s Gallery have their own separate entrances located on Buckingham Palace Road.

Where is the main entrance located in relation to public transport?

The main visitor Buckingham Palace entrance on Buckingham Gate is a short 5-10 min walk from both Victoria Station (Victoria, District & Circle lines) and St. James's Park Tube Station (District & Circle lines).

What should I do if I don’t have a ticket?

A pre-booked ticket is mandatory for entry to any of the paid attractions. Without one, you cannot enter. The other gates are for official access and do not grant visitor entry to the Palace or its attractions.

What is the average wait time at the Buckingham Palace entrance?

As all tickets are sold for specific time slots, there is no long wait to purchase tickets. The queue is for the mandatory security check, and wait times are typically short, so you should arrive 15 mins before your scheduled entry.

Which entrance should I use for accessibility needs?

Buckingham Palace is accessible, but visitors who require step-free access must pre-book by contacting the Specialist Sales team at +44 (0303) 123 7324 or specialistsales@rct.uk. You will enter via a different entrance and join the main route inside. The Royal Mews and The King’s Gallery entrances are wheelchair accessible.

Can I re-enter with the same ticket?

No, re-entry is not permitted. Once you exit the attraction for which you have a ticket (whether the State Rooms, Royal Mews, or The King's Gallery), your ticket becomes invalid for re-entry on the same day.

Can I visit all three attractions with one ticket?

No, the State Rooms, the Royal Mews, and The King's Gallery require separate tickets for entry. You will need to purchase individual tickets for each if you wish to visit all three.