- Access point: Castle Hill, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1NJ, United Kingdom.
- Closest landmark: St George's Chapel, 50m
- Neighbourhood pointers: 5-min walk from Windsor & Eton Central Station | 8-min walk from Windsor & Eton Riverside Station | 45-min train ride from Central London (Paddington/Waterloo)
A guide to getting to Windsor Castle
At a glance
The Windsor Castle stands in the historic town of Windsor in Berkshire, overlooking the River Thames just west of London. The fastest way in from London is by train to Windsor & Eton Central; the most scenic is taking the Riverside line from Waterloo or driving through the Great Park. Scroll down for entry details, ticket options, and structural highlights.
Compare your options
| Mode of transport | Travel time | Est. cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
🚊 Regional train | 25 to 60 mins | £ (£8.90–£12.00) | Fastest, most reliable independent option from central London |
🚌 Bus | 75 to 100 mins | £ (£2.00–£5.00) | Budget travelers wanting a direct route from Victoria |
🚗 Car/Ride-hail | 45 to 75 mins | ££ to £££ (£40.00–£70.00) | Maximum comfort, traveling in groups, or carrying heavy luggage |
Getting to Windsor Castle by public transport
- Travel time: 25 to 60 mins from London Paddington or London Waterloo.
- Frequency: Every 15 to 30 mins. Trains run directly from Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside, or from Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central (via a quick 6-minute change at Slough).
- Fare: £8.90 to £12.00 single; day-return tickets are generally cheaper than two singles. Railcards apply.
- Booking: No advance booking required; purchase via the National Rail app, train operator apps, or at station ticket machines.
- Last mile: Both Windsor stations are directly in the town centre. Windsor & Eton Central is a 5-minute uphill walk to the castle; Windsor & Eton Riverside is an 8-minute walk.
- Accessibility: Both stations feature step-free access, ramps, and accessible toilets. South Western Railway and Great Western Railway trains provide dedicated wheelchair spaces.
- Pain point + hack: Changing trains at Slough from Paddington can feel rushed. If you prefer a seamless, zero-transfer journey, take the direct train from Waterloo to Riverside—it takes slightly longer (around 55 minutes) but removes all transit stress.
- Travel time: 75 to 100 mins from Central London (depending on London traffic).
- Closest stop: Windsor, Parish Church (High Street), a 2-minute uphill walk to the main visitor entrance.
- Timings: First departure from London Victoria around 6:40am; last return service from Windsor departures around 7:50pm.
- Lines or routes: Windsor Express/London Line 702 (operated by Reading Buses).
- Fare: £3.00 single (capped under the UK Government's fare cap scheme scheme); £6.00 return. Group tickets are available for up to 4 travelers for £27.00.
- Accessibility: Fully accessible, modern low-floor double-decker buses equipped with dedicated wheelchair spaces and ramp access at boarding.
- Description: Board the London Line 702 directly from Green Line Coach Station (Stop 1) near London Victoria, or catch it at intermediate stops like Hammersmith Bridge Road. The route cuts straight through west London, dropping you right outside Windsor Castle at the Parish Church stop. One practical hack: Keep an eye out for Windsor Changing the Guard times; buses divert via Alma Road during the ceremony, bypassing the closest stop.
Guided tours
While independent travel via train or bus is incredibly straightforward and cost-effective, booking an organized day tour from London is an excellent, stress-free alternative if you want to maximize your sightseeing. Joining a guided excursion allows you to sit back and relax while a professional driver handles the route, and it seamlessly pairs your Windsor Castle visit with other iconic English heritage sites like Stonehenge, Bath, or Oxford in a single, perfectly coordinated day.
Getting to Windsor Castle by car
⚠️ Caution: Driving into central Windsor is highly discouraged due to narrow historic roads, heavy pedestrian traffic, and strictly limited, expensive town-centre parking. Use the regional train if traveling from London.
- Travel time: 45 to 75 mins from Central London; up to 90 mins during peak windows.
- Distance: ~40 km (25 miles) west of London.
- Peak traffic hours: 7:30am–9:30am and 4:30pm–6:30pm.
- Routes: Fastest via the M4 motorway (Exit 6); scenic via the A308 passing through Windsor Great Park.
- Accessibility: Blue Badge holders can use designated on-street bays on Castle Hill right outside the entrance, or park for free in council-run car parks.
Parking
- On-site parking: Not available.
- Nearby parking lots:
- River Street Car Park (350m): £5.50/hr, closest to the riverside. Google Maps
- King Edward VII Car Park (700m): £3.00/hr, better for longer stays. Google Maps
- Romney Lock Car Park (750m): £2.50/hr, a scenic walk up. Google Maps
- River Street Car Park (350m): £5.50/hr, closest to the riverside. Google Maps
- Accessible bays: Windsor Dials and River Street feature dedicated Blue Badge spaces with a paved, step-free path up to the main Castle Hill visitor gates.
Traffic, timing, and practical tips
- Daily peak hours: Road traffic on paths from London peaks between 7:30am–9:30am and 4:30pm–6:30pm.
- Tourist peak windows: Coach traffic and station crowds surge between 10am–11:30am.
- Days to avoid: Castle closures occur on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Saturdays are exceptionally busy; try to visit on a Thursday or Friday morning instead.
- Mode switch tip: During peak morning gridlock, a taxi from London can stall for up to 90 minutes. Switching to the South Western Railway train from Waterloo guarantees a fixed 55-minute journey.
- Live check: Always check Google Maps for live delays on the M4 motorway or A308 before driving.
Frequently asked questions about getting to Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is in Windsor, Berkshire, west of central London, at Windsor SL4 1NJ, United Kingdom. It sits above the town center and is easy to spot once you’re in Windsor. Book Windsor Castle tickets if you want entry sorted in advance.
Windsor Castle is in the town of Windsor, in Berkshire, not in central London itself. That’s why many visitors treat it as an easy day trip from the capital rather than a London attraction you reach on foot or by Underground.
The most common options are train, coach, or car. Trains are usually fastest, especially via Paddington and Slough, while coach tours from London are simpler if you want bundled transport and entry.
The two main London departures are Paddington and Waterloo. Paddington is faster, with a change at Slough for Windsor & Eton Central, while Waterloo is slower but direct to Windsor & Eton Riverside. Your best choice depends on whether you value speed or fewer changes.
For most travelers starting in London, the fastest option is train from Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central via Slough. If you’re starting at Heathrow instead, a taxi or rideshare is often faster than piecing together rail connections, especially with luggage.
The cheapest route is usually rail booked smartly in advance or a budget coach option from London, depending on your date. If you want predictable pricing with transport bundled in, a half-day tour is worth considering.
Yes. From Windsor & Eton Central, the castle is about 350 m (0.2 mi) away and usually takes 5–8 minutes on foot. From Riverside, it’s about 800 m (0.5 mi), or 10–15 minutes. Both routes include an uphill finish at Castle Hill.
Yes, but not at the castle itself. You’ll need to use a nearby town-center car park and then walk to the entrance. Distances vary from roughly 450 m to 1.2 km (0.3–0.75 mi), depending on which parking facility you choose.
It can be, but route choice matters. Windsor Castle is partially wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible, though the final approach is uphill and some surfaces may feel uneven. A shorter walk from Central station or a direct coach transfer is often easiest for families.
Yes. Weekend traffic can slow coach and car journeys, and sunny Saturdays often make Windsor busier overall. Windsor Castle is also closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while St George’s Chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays. Always check live rail times and the castle calendar before traveling.
