Buckingham Palace Tours

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Buckingham Palace Guided Tours
























































Hear from our guests

Loved by 49 million+
Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5

Barbe A

Group
Last week


I was truly surprised by the London Eye experience—a magnificent, breathtaking view in complete safety. And what can I say about the Sky Garden? It’s an absolute must-see with a splendid view; the combination of the garden and the height feels almost unreal. Thank you for these wonderful moments.

Aideen F

Ireland
Family
Last week



We had a fabulous day. Even with the rain spilling from the sky and the wind blowing like crazy, the atmosphere was amazing. My son really enjoyed his 13th birthday. Will definitely visit again

Alonzo C

France
Solo
Last week


The tour was great—you can even get a French-speaking guide for free. It's really very interesting.

Charlotte K

United Kingdom
Family
Last week


The Paddington experience was amazing, my two year old nephew absolutely adores Paddington bear and was just completely star struck and couldn't believe he got to see him. The actors were great, really enthusiastic and engaging with the children.

Liam T

Malta
Group
Last week


The tour guide was welcoming and very accurate about the history of Oxford and it's colleges. Harry Potter was just amazing with all the props, the sets, gringotts, diagon alley etc... Excellent souvenir shops at both destinations, and I would recommend to others.

Robin P

Germany
Group
Last week



Nick was a great guide. We were traveling with a group of 23 people and saw a lot all day long. First Oxford, then Harry. We’d love to do it again. It was worth the money.

Angela H

Couple
2 weeks ago



+5 more

Everything went smoothly and without a hitch. Check-in was quick. The Tower, the history, and the Crown Jewels are all worth seeing. The whole experience was enhanced by the interesting audio guide. I highly recommend it!!

Petra S

Germany
Solo
2 weeks ago



Our tour guide, Babs, was full of energy and kept guiding us to the best spots so we could get the best view of the changing of the guard. Her English was so clear that it was easy to understand.

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?

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.

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.

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

The Buckingham Palace tours are available in English.