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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

FeatureWindsor CastleBuckingham 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.

How will your experience vary?

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

What you’ll see at Windsor Castle

St George's Chapel exterior with Gothic architecture, Windsor Castle, London.

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.

Buckingham Palace State Rooms with ornate chandeliers and red decor.
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)

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)

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.