Buckingham Palace Tours

4.4(28,082)

Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.

Buckingham Palace Guided Tours
























































Hear from our guests

Loved by 43 million+
Beatriz Selene Vargas Carmona
MX

Beatriz

Mexico
Aug 2025
5/5

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I love our tour lady, the best guide that i ever have in Europe, the most kind, knows a lot of the history, i enjoy every story that she told us. Was our best day in London!! The best tour ♥️!! Very complete, we learn a lot from the history that she told us.
Laura hallifax
GB

Laura

United Kingdom
Aug 2025
5/5

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Having done a different walking tour previously, I had a certain expectation, this tour blew it out of the water!! We hit specific spots at specific times and had such good views!! It was fast paced in places but the guide was kind enough to make sure everyone in the group kept up at all points! Absolutely brilliant, and Brendan the guide was just fantastic, I couldn't recommend this tour highly enough, it was worth every penny!!
Natalie Allen
GB

Natalie

United Kingdom
Aug 2025
5/5

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River cruise was fantastic - got to see Big Ben, London Eye and Tower Bridge. Staff were really friendly and the commentary on the boat was hilarious. My daughter and I had a lot of fun. Easy to book, reasonable prices too.
Colin Usher
GB

Colin

United Kingdom
Aug 2025
5/5

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Very informative about history and the buildings with great humour. Made the trip well worth it. Will do it again. The commentary given was spot on!!!!!!
Emma Tweed
GB

Emma

United Kingdom
Aug 2025
4/5

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+1 more

Very quick entry and super friendly staff who try to make the visit special. My mum was treated like a VIP. She stuggles with stairs and escalators but lots of fuss was made of her and she was shown to a lift every time.
Popoola Olamilekan Victor
GB

Popoola

United Kingdom
Aug 2025
5/5

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It was a memorable moment. I was happy to see the famous 2005 instabul champions League trophy. I watched the match as a teenager in Nigeria so it's so refreshing to see the trophy life.I urge every football lover to go to Anfield and enjoy the moment regardless of the club you support. As a Barca fan myself I was happy to be there.
Gayle Dadekian
US

Gayle

United States
Aug 2025
5/5

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Our guide , Adrian, was amazing. Very informative and animated- he held our grandson's attention. We learned so much history . The tour was at a great pace for all 3 generations in our group.
Donna England
US

Donna

United States
Jul 2025
5/5

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I loved the London Eye because you could see all over London with a bird's eye view. Unfortunately, my timing was a little off and I was unable to ride the boat on the Thames.. I had thought I could ride the boat back to London Eye, but due to a concert, I was unable to do that.

Top things to do in London

A Buckingham Palace tour is…

With a Royal London expert

Your experience begins with a licensed local guide, an expert in royal history and London's key landmarks. Before you enter the Palace, your guide will lead a small-group walking tour, providing fascinating stories and historical context that you would not get from an audio guide alone.

Without the crowds (and with the facts)

The guided portion ensures you arrive at the Palace with pre-booked, timed-entry tickets, allowing you to skip the long lines at the ticket office and enter without delay. While you are inside the Palace, your tour is self-guided, but the information you received from your guide beforehand provides context and deeper meaning to everything you see.

Efficient and comprehensive

This tour is designed to maximize your time. Your guide will provide a concise and engaging overview of the Palace's exterior, the Royal Mews, and the surrounding area. After this, you will proceed to the State Rooms, where a free multilingual audio guide will take you through the official interior route at your own pace.

Enriching and interactive

Your guide will lead you through London's royal landmarks, from St. James's Park to the gates of the Palace. This is your chance to ask questions and engage in a dialogue about the royal family and their history, making the experience more personal and memorable than a standard ticket alone

Note: Buckingham Palace tours do not take place inside the State Rooms, but they provide essential context and an efficient entry process that elevates your entire visit. It combines the benefits of an expert-led walking tour with the flexibility of a self-guided interior experience.

What to expect on a Buckingham Palace tour

Tour guide with City Wonders flag in front of Buckingham Palace, London.
  • Meet your expert guide & begin your royal walk: Your journey begins at a designated meeting point near the palace. Here, your licensed local guide awaits to provide a lively introduction to the history and traditions of the royal family. This is the start of your live guided tour experience.
  • Explore the royal landmarks: Your guide will lead you on a short walking tour to the gates of Buckingham Palace. Along the way, you’ll discover the history of the surrounding royal landmarks, from St. James’s Park to the iconic East Front of the Palace itself, learning stories that bring the royal family's past to life.
  • Skip the ticketing line & enter the palace: With pre-booked timed-entry tickets, you will bypass the long general admission queue. After a security check, your guide will hand you a free multilingual audio guide for the internal tour. Please note: The live guide will not enter the Palace with you.
  • Tour the State Rooms at your own pace: Inside, the audio guide will be your companion, leading you through the State Rooms, including the Throne Room and the Picture Gallery. You are free to explore these spaces at your own pace, taking as much time as you like to admire the royal collections.

Which Buckingham Palace tour is best for you?

Visitors using audio guides at Buckingham Palace with a royal carriage in the background.

Official self-guided tours

Duration: 1.5–2.5 hours
Languages: Multimedia guide in 9 languages

This is the only way to get inside Buckingham Palace. You will receive a multimedia guide and tour the State Rooms, The King's Gallery, or the Royal Mews at your own pace based on the ticket you purchase. This tour is perfect for those who want to see the interiors or the priceless Royal Collection and have the flexibility to take their time.

Tour guide speaking outside Buckingham Palace during a guided tour of the State Rooms.

Live-guided walking tours

Duration: 1–4 hours
Languages: English-speaking guide

Ideal for those who want an in-depth, interactive experience with a local expert. The guide provides historical commentary and stories as you walk through the royal landmarks of Westminster, witness the Changing the Guard, or explore the surrounding area. Please note that these tours do not include entry to the Palace.

Buckingham Palace illuminated at night, London, part of guided tour with Windsor Castle.

Combined tours

Duration: 3–5 hours
Languages: English-speaking guide

Get the best of both worlds with a live-guided walking tour that includes a Changing the Guard tour. Your guide will provide an engaging tour of the exterior of the palace as well as the military ceremony, in addition to the Tower of London, a Thames River cruise, or a royal coach tour based on the ticket you choose.

Highlights covered on a Buckingham Palace tour

Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London.
Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace with chandeliers, ornate columns, and regal portraits.
Throne Room at Buckingham Palace with ornate chandeliers and red decor.
Buckingham Palace State Rooms banquet hall with chandeliers and long dining tables.
Buckingham Palace Picture Gallery with ornate paintings and elegant decor.
Buckingham Palace State Rooms with ornate chandeliers and gilded decor.
Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace with ornate carriage and horses, guide explaining to visitors.
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Changing the Guard

Witness the iconic military ceremony, a spectacular display of music and pageantry at the palace gates.

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State Rooms

Explore lavishly decorated public rooms where The King hosts official ceremonies and guests.

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Throne Room

Step inside the heart of the palace to see the thrones used for coronations and royal weddings.

Grand Ballroom

Walk through the largest room in the palace, used for state banquets and official investitures.

Picture Gallery

Admire a changing display of masterpieces by renowned artists from the priceless Royal Collection.

White Drawing Room

Discover a secret passage in this intimate reception room, discreetly hidden by a piece of furniture.

Royal Mews

Get up close with the royal carriages, including the famous Gold State Coach, and see the horses that pull them.

Things to keep in mind when you go on a Buckingham Palace tour

Facilities

  • Restrooms and cloakrooms are available at designated areas inside the palace, at the end of the visitor route.
  • Small cafés in the Palace Gardens offer light refreshments during your break.

What to bring

  • A valid ID
  • Comfortable footwear, as you will be walking through large rooms and corridors.
  • A small water bottle (keep it in your bag) and a light jacket in cooler weather.

Tips

  • Book your tour in advance during the Summer Opening (July–September) to secure your spot.
  • Arrive 15 mins early for check-in and security screening.
  • Engage with the guide and ask questions to enrich your experience.
  • Respect the palace’s rules: no flash photography inside the palace, and maintain low noise levels in the rooms.

Frequently Asked Questions about Buckingham Palace tours

What languages are available for the Buckingham Palace tours?

The Buckingham Palace tours are available in English.

How long is the average Buckingham Palace tour?

The average guided tour of Buckingham Palace typically lasts around 1 to 4 hours, depending on the itinerary and specific rooms visited during the tour.

How much walking is involved?

The self-guided tour through the State Rooms typically takes between 1.5 to 2 hours. The Changing the Guard tour involves significant walking. Your guide will lead the group on a route to get the best viewing spots. The tour itself can last up to 90 mins and does not include entry to the State Rooms, the Royal Mews, or The King’s Gallery. The amount of walking on a walking tour that includes Westminster and Buckingham Palace depends entirely on the specific tour you book. Most of these tours are designed to be comprehensive walking experiences and can last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. They often cover a distance of 3 to 5 km, visiting landmarks like Westminster Abbey.

Are there any age restrictions for the Buckingham Palace tours?

There are no age restrictions for tours of Buckingham Palace, but children under 16 require adult supervision.

Are there additional facilities or amenities included with the Buckingham Palace tour?

Yes, you can witness the historic Changing the Guard ceremony with some Buckingham Palace tours.

Do the guides have professional training or certifications related to Buckingham Palace?

Yes, tour guides leading guided tours of Buckingham Palace have professional training or certifications related to the palace's history, architecture, and significance. They are knowledgeable experts who provide informative commentary throughout the tour.

Can I take photographs during the tour?

You can take photos outside Buckingham Palace. However, photography is not permitted inside Buckingham Palace. Instead, your tour guide will provide further guidance if needed.

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Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.