Can you visit both Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace in one day?

Yes, but doing it alone via public transport feels very rushed. A <experience type="Popup" tgid="3354" title="guided combo coach tour" id="3YBruPQQ" /> is the best way to handle both in a single day, as it eliminates train transfers and guarantees timed entry at both gates.

Which palace is more budget-friendly?

Base ticket prices are very similar, costing around £32–£33 for adults. However, Windsor Castle offers better comparative value because it remains open year-round.

Which is better for first-time visitors to the UK?

If you want the quintessential, postcard-perfect London experience, choose Buckingham Palace. If you are looking for deep historical value, medieval architecture, and a scenic trip outside the city center, choose Windsor Castle.

Which is better for families with kids?

Windsor Castle is much better for families. The open-air courtyards give children room to breathe, the castle fortress theme is highly engaging, and the multimedia guides feature a fun, interactive children's audio track.

Which palace has the better Changing the Guard ceremony?

Buckingham Palace hosts the large, world-famous pageant featuring full military brass bands. Windsor Castle hosts a smaller, more intimate version, but it offers a unique backdrop against ancient stone fortress walls.

Which site is larger?

Windsor Castle is significantly larger. It covers over 13 acres of land and stands as the largest inhabited castle on Earth. While Buckingham Palace has a massive floor plan with 775 rooms, its surrounding grounds are smaller.

Windsor Castle vs Buckingham Palace

If you’re planning a trip to the UK, chances are that Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace are both on your radar. These iconic residences of the British monarchy each offer their own kind of royal magic. But if you only have time or budget for one, which should you choose? Let’s break it down.

Quick comparison

Feature	Windsor Castle	Buckingham Palace
Location	Windsor (~40 km west of London)	Central London (Westminster)
What is it?	Fortified medieval castle & active royal palace	Sovereign's official administrative headquarters
Price range	Entry from £32; Tours from £57	Entry from £18 (Mews); State Rooms from £33
Built/Age	11th century (c. 1070)	18th century (c. 1705)
Size	484,000 sq ft (13-acre estate)	828,821 sq ft (775 rooms)
Timings	Open year-round (Closed Tue/Wed)	State Rooms open July–September only
Duration needed	3 to 4 hours (plus travel time)	1 to 2 hours
Average wait time	Medium (30–45 mins)	High (45–60 mins during summer)
Best time to visit	Weekday mornings	July–September mornings
Kid-friendly	Yes (Spacious courtyards & family trails)	No (Formal, indoor-only tour structure)
Dining options	On-site Undercroft Café	No indoor dining (Garden café in summer)
Nearby attractions	Windsor Great Park, Eton College, LEGOLAND®	St James's Park, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben
Photography rules	Allowed outside; Banned inside buildings	Prohibited inside; Allowed in the gardens

Verdict – Which should you visit?

Short on time in London? Go for Buckingham Palace—it is central and quick to explore during its summer opening window.

Want a full royal day out? Choose Windsor Castle—the world’s oldest and largest occupied fortress offers deep medieval history and year-round access.

Want the ultimate royal experience? Do both! Book a day tour to experience London's ceremonial heart and the monarchy's historic stronghold in one trip.

Book Windsor Castle & Buckingham Palace tickets

Buckingham Palace & Windsor Castle Full-Day Tour

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#Windsor Castle Tickets with Optional Train/Coach Transfers from London

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How will your experience vary?

What to expect at Windsor Castle

A living fortress with 900 years of history, Windsor is immersive and family-friendly. You’ll explore sprawling grounds, Gothic chapels, and medieval towers. Expect a half-day trip with travel outside London, some uphill walking, and busier weekends, but also the richest dive into royal history.

What to expect at Buckingham Palace

Right in the heart of London, Buckingham is iconic and ceremonial. You’ll catch the famous Changing the Guard, elegant Neoclassical rooms (open in summer), and its vast garden. Visits are short and queues long, and younger kids may find it less engaging, but it’s the most symbolic “royal London” stop.

Why settle when you can see both?

A Windsor Castle & Buckingham Palace combo tour is the most cost-effective way to experience royal London. With transfers included and pre-booked entry, you’ll save time, money, and the stress of managing two separate visits. Perfect for first-timers.

What to expect

Major differences between Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace explained

History & architecture

Windsor Castle: Founded by William the Conqueror, Windsor has stood for nearly a millennium. It is an authentic, fortified castle featuring imposing medieval battlements, gothic towers, and sprawling defensive courtyards.
Buckingham Palace: Originally built as a townhouse in the early 1700s, it evolved into a grand neoclassical palace. It features a stately 19th-century facade designed for royal pageantry rather than military defence.

Experience highlights

Windsor Castle: Home to the spectacular St. George’s Chapel (the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II and Henry VIII), the tiny, intricate Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, and the majestic Waterloo Chamber.
Buckingham Palace: Showcases the dazzling Grand Staircase, the iconic Throne Room, and the formal Picture Gallery. Outside, it hosts the grandest version of the Changing the Guard ceremony.

Atmosphere & audience

Windsor Castle: Offers an adventurous, historically layered atmosphere. The large outdoor courtyards and interactive multimedia trails make it highly engaging for children, seniors, and history buffs alike.
Buckingham Palace: Exudes a strictly formal, regal ambiance. The experience relies heavily on indoor art appreciation, making it ideal for art historians, architecture enthusiasts, and adult travelers.

Location & surroundings

Windsor Castle: Set in a picturesque, walkable riverside town outside London. A trip here lets you explore the historic streets of Eton and the ancient trees of Windsor Great Park.
Buckingham Palace: Situated right in the bustling heart of central London. It sits directly between the royal greenery of St. James's Park and the historic monuments of Westminster.

What you’ll see at Windsor Castle

St George’s Chapel

Stunning Gothic chapel, final resting place of monarchs including Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II.

Windsor Castle interior with ornate paintings and antique furniture in a richly decorated room.

Guards in red uniforms marching at Windsor Castle courtyard, England.

Queen Mary's Dolls House library with miniature books and furniture.

Windsor Castle viewed from the Long Walk on a day tour.

What you’ll see at Buckingham Palace

White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace with ornate gold decor and chandeliers.

State Rooms

Magnificent ceremonial rooms with gilded ceilings and priceless art, open to the public only in summer.

Guards in red uniforms and bearskin hats perform at Changing of the Guard, London.

Artworks and ornate furniture inside the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace.

Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace with ornate carriage and horses, guide explaining to visitors.

Visiting Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace

Windsor Castle: Standard admission covers the State Apartments, St. George's Chapel, and the grounds. To avoid navigating commuter trains independently, most travellers prefer organised coach tours from London that bundle entry tickets with direct transport.
Buckingham Palace: Access inside the State Rooms requires a specialised summer ticket that must be booked months in advance. The Royal Mews and The King’s Gallery operate on separate tickets and remain open most of the year.
How to visit both: Booking a guided combo tour is the easiest, most convenient option. Doing both independently on the same day via public trains is possible but highly rushed, leaving little time to actually enjoy the sights.

Morning – Windsor Castle (9am – 1pm)

Take an early train from London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central (~35 mins).
Walk up to the castle, explore the State Apartments, and view the tombs in St. George's Chapel.
Watch the castle's intimate Changing the Guard ceremony at 11am (on scheduled days).

Lunch (1pm – 2:30pm)

Dine at Windsor's historic Undercroft Café or stop by a traditional pub in the town centre.
Catch the return train back to central London.

Afternoon – Buckingham Palace (3:30pm – 5:30pm)

Arrive at Buckingham Palace via the Green Park tube station.
Tour the gilded State Rooms (if visiting in summer) or visit the historic carriages in the Royal Mews.
Stroll through St. James's Park afterwards for classic photos.

Evening (Optional)

Walk over to nearby Westminster to see Big Ben illuminated, then enjoy a pre-theatre dinner and a show in London's West End.

Windsor Castle

Address: Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1NJ | Find on Maps
By Train: Great Western Railway (GWR) from Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central (via Slough).
By Bus: Green Line services 702 or 703 from London Victoria Coach Station.

Get directions

Buckingham Palace

Address: London, SW1A 1AA | Find on Maps
By Tube: Jubilee, District, or Circle lines to Green Park or St. James's Park stations.
By Bus: Routes 11, 211, C1, or C10 to Victoria.

Get directions

Windsor Castle timings: Open Thursday through Monday from 10am to 4:15pm (winter) or 5:15pm (summer). St. George's Chapel is closed to sightseers on Sundays. See more
Buckingham Palace timings: State Rooms open daily from mid-July to late September (9:30am to 7:30pm). The Mews and Gallery open Thursday through Monday, 10am to 5pm. See more
Best photo spots: Capture Windsor's majestic scale from the Long Walk. For Buckingham Palace, secure the best view from the concrete steps of the Victoria Memorial.
Dress codes: Dress respectfully inside St. George's Chapel, as it remains an active place of worship. Hats should be removed indoors.

Frequently asked questions about Windsor Castle vs Buckingham Palace

Yes, but doing it alone via public transport feels very rushed. A guided combo coach tour is the best way to handle both in a single day, as it eliminates train transfers and guarantees timed entry at both gates.