Skip to main content‌

Directions to Buckingham Palace in London

Where is Buckingham Palace located?

Address: London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom | ​Find on maps

Buckingham Palace is located in the heart of London, situated in the City of Westminster. It stands as a central, ceremonial hub for the United Kingdom. Overlooking the grand, tree-lined avenue of The Mall and bordered by the greenery of St James's Park, the palace is perfectly positioned at the centre of London’s royal and political life. It is within a short walking distance of other famous landmarks like Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square.

Closest landmark: Victoria Memorial, 0.2 miles away.

Compare your travel options

Mode of transportTravel timeEstimated costBest for

🚇 Tube

10 to 20 mins

From £2.90 (Zone 1 single)

Fastest, most reliable option from anywhere in central London

🚌 Bus

15 to 25 mins

£1.75 flat fare

Budget-friendly, with above-ground views on the way

🚆 Train (National Rail)

30 to 60 mins

£10 to £25, depending on origin

Visitors arriving from outside London, e.g. via Gatwick or the south coast

🚲 Bike (Santander Cycles)

10 to 15 mins

From £1.65 (first 30 mins)

A quick, scenic ride through the parks

🚶 Walking

15 to 25 mins

Free

Combining the walk with nearby landmarks like St James's Park

🚗 Car / ride-hail

10 to 20 mins

£10 to £20 (short central trip)

Convenient, but not recommended — no visitor parking, and the area sits inside the Congestion Charge and ULEZ zones

Getting to Buckingham Palace by public transportation

  • Travel time: About 10 mins’ walk from Victoria, Green Park, St James’s Park, or Hyde Park Corner.
  • Nearest tube station: Victoria, Green Park, St James’s Park, and Hyde Park Corner.
  • Fare: From £2.90 off-peak or £3.50 peak for a Zone 1–2 pay-as-you-go journey.
  • Accessibility: Green Park is the nearest wheelchair-accessible tube station.
  • Tip: Around Changing the Guard, approach from Victoria and avoid Green Park, where crowds gather.
  • Travel time: About 10 mins’ walk from Victoria Coach Station; buses run close to the Palace on Buckingham Palace Road.
  • Nearest bus stop: Buckingham Palace Road.
  • Routes: 11, 36, 211, C1, and C10.
  • Fare: From £1.75 per journey; the Hopper fare allows unlimited bus and tram journeys within 1 hour.
  • Accessibility: Routes 11, 36, 211, C1, and C10 are accessible for wheelchair users.
  • Tip: Avoid travelling by bus around Changing the Guard, when roads around the Palace can close and traffic may be slow.
  • Travel time: 10 mins’ walk from London Victoria or 20 mins from London Charing Cross.
  • Closest train stations: London Victoria and London Charing Cross.
  • Fare: Varies by origin and ticket type; check the current National Rail fare before travelling.
  • Accessibility: London Victoria has step-free access to its platforms. If you need step-free access at Buckingham Palace, the Palace’s access route must be pre-booked.
  • Tip: Use London Victoria around Changing the Guard; the Royal Collection Trust recommends approaching from the direction of Victoria at this time.

For further information, visit the ​Transport for London website.

Getting to Buckingham Palace by car

Driving route

  • Travel time: 5–10 mins from central London, depending on traffic.
  • Distance: About 3km from Trafalgar Square.
  • Peak traffic hours: 8–10am and 5–7pm.
  • Routes: Via The Mall for the most direct approach; Victoria and Grosvenor Place can be alternatives depending on traffic.
  • Traffic alert: Roads around Buckingham Palace can close for Changing the Guard and other ceremonies. Driving is best avoided at these times.

Parking facilities

On-site parking: Not available for general visitors. Accessible parking is available for disability parking pass holders who require step-free access, but it must be pre-booked.

Nearby parking: The nearest public on-street parking bays are on Palace Street. The nearest public car parks are Q-Park Victoria and Care Park London Victoria Coach Station.

  • Q-Park Victoria: 13-min walk; 24/7; 6 accessible bays. Pre-booking available; rates vary by date and duration.
  • Care Park London Victoria Coach Station: About 15-min walk; 24/7; 2 accessible bays. From £4 for 1 hour, £8 for 1–2 hours, or £40 for 9–24 hours.
  • APCOA Victoria Station: About a 12-minute walk; 24/7; from £9 for 1 hour, £11 for 2 hours, or £30 for 24 hours.
  • St Peter’s Church Car Park, Eaton Square: About 12-min walk; 24/7; £5.80 per hour or £37.50 per day; pre-booking available.

Accessibility

Wheelchair access sign indicating barrier-free entry.

Buckingham Palace is accessible, but step-free access must be pre-booked. The separate access route avoids the main entrance steps but crosses the gravel forecourt and quadrangle. 2 lifts serve the Palace, while manual wheelchairs and rollators are available to borrow free of charge, subject to availability.

  • Public transport: Green Park is the nearest wheelchair-accessible tube station. Accessible buses 11, 36, 211, C1, and C10 serve close to Buckingham Palace.
  • Driving & parking: There is no general visitor parking at the Palace. Accessible parking is available for disability parking pass holders who require step-free access and must be pre-booked.
  • Entrance: The Access Route uses a separate front entrance. Accessible toilets are available at the start of the Access Route and in the Garden.
Plan your visit

Cycling/Walking to Buckingham Palace

  • Best for: Landmark-filled walks, sightseeing, active travellers
  • Travel time: Walk for about 15-18 minutes / Cycle for around 5-10 minutes
  • Distance: About 1.2km from Trafalgar Square

Walking from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace is a scenic way to explore central London. Follow The Mall past Admiralty Arch and St James’s Park for a direct approach to the Palace. Cycling offers a quicker alternative for exploring central London, although bicycles cannot be taken into Buckingham Palace or its Gardens.

How to get to Buckingham Palace

The main visitor entrance for the State Rooms tour is located on Buckingham Palace Road, near the corner of Grosvenor Place. This entrance is exclusively for visitors who have pre-booked a ticket for the official tour of the Palace. You can easily get there by taking the London Underground to Victoria Station or St. James's Park, both of which are a short walk away. The entrance is also a short walk from the Wilton Street bus stop, serviced by several bus routes.

Frequently asked questions about getting to Buckingham Palace

London's public transport system is highly efficient for reaching Buckingham Palace. The most convenient options are the Underground (Tube), National Rail trains, and buses. Walking from nearby stations is also a popular and scenic choice.