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1 / 6Each summer, while the King is away from London, Buckingham Palace opens its doors and visitors can walk through the grand State Rooms that sit at the heart of the working royal residence. It is one of the capital's most sought-after tickets, and for good reason: 19 lavishly decorated rooms, Royal Collection masterpieces, and a route that ends in the Palace garden. Before you book, there are two things worth knowing plainly: this is a seasonal, summer-only opening, and entry is strictly timed with no late admission.
🎟️See Buckingham Palace State Rooms tickets on GetYourGuide →Where it is
The visitor entrance is The State Rooms Visitor Entrance (Gate A), on the south side of the Palace at Buckingham Gate, Westminster, London SW1. This is a different point from the main Palace forecourt where the Changing of the Guard takes place, so head specifically for Gate A on Buckingham Gate.
What to see
- The 19 State Rooms still used today for official royal ceremonies, including the Throne Room and the Ballroom.
- Treasures from the Royal Collection, with paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens, sculptures by Canova and Sevres porcelain on display.
- An included multimedia audio guide, available in several languages, to lead you through the route at your own pace.
- The Garden Cafe at the end of the visit, with views across the Palace lawn.
Skip-the-line vs guided tour
You have a genuine choice in how you visit, and both options include actual entry to the State Rooms.
Timed-entry admission ticket. The straightforward option is a timed-entry ticket that gets you in and includes the multimedia audio guide, letting you explore independently. On GetYourGuide this is sold as "Buckingham Palace: The State Rooms Entrance Ticket" (entry plus multimedia audio guide), which is its top-selling London product, rated 4.6/5 from more than 8,200 reviews. The upside is flexibility and pace; the trade-off is that you guide yourself rather than having a live expert.
Bundles and combos. If you want more context around your visit, there are options that pair State Rooms entry with a Royal London audio-app tour, or combine entry with a royal walking tour of the surrounding area. These add background and a wider London angle, at a higher price, but entry to the Palace itself is still included rather than tour-only.
Whichever you pick, buy from an authorised seller: the official Royal Collection Trust site, or authorised retailers including GetYourGuide, See Tickets and the VisitBritain Shop. Prices and inclusions vary between them, so it is worth comparing rather than assuming any one is cheapest.
Book Buckingham Palace State Rooms tickets & tours
GetYourGuide has the widest choice for Buckingham Palace State Rooms — GYG sells genuine timed-entry admission: "Buckingham Palace: The State Rooms Entrance Ticket" (entry + multimedia audio guide) is its #1 London seller, 4.6/5 from 8,200+ reviews. Also lists a State Rooms entry + Royal London audio-app bundle and a State Rooms + royal walking-tour combo. Entry IS included, not tour-only., most with free cancellation. Check live prices:
Prices and availability change. Some links are affiliate links — booking through them supports the site at no extra cost to you.
Insider tips
- Arrive on time. Entry is strictly timed and late arrivals are refused admission, so build in a buffer for security and finding Gate A.
- There is no re-entry, so plan to see everything in one go before you leave the route.
- The opening is seasonal, running roughly mid-July to late September. For 2026 the booking window is 9 July to 27 September, so it is not available year-round.
- Leave time for the Garden Cafe and garden views at the end, rather than rushing the final stretch.
Is it worth it?
For a rare look inside a working royal palace, most visitors find it well worth the ticket. The State Rooms are genuinely grand and the Royal Collection artworks are world-class. The main caveats are practical rather than about value: it only opens for a limited summer window, and the timed, no-late-admission policy leaves little room for a relaxed morning. If your London dates fall inside the opening season and you can commit to an entry slot, it is one of the city's standout experiences.
Getting there
The nearest Underground stations are Green Park, St James's Park and Victoria, each a short walk away. Numerous central London bus routes stop near Victoria and along Buckingham Gate.
FAQs
Is Buckingham Palace open all year? No. The State Rooms open seasonally in summer, roughly mid-July to late September. In 2026 the booking window runs 9 July to 27 September.
What happens if I arrive late for my slot? Entry is strictly timed and late arrivals are refused admission. There is also no re-entry once you leave the route, so aim to arrive with time to spare.
Where should I buy tickets? Buy from the official Royal Collection Trust site or an authorised retailer such as GetYourGuide, See Tickets or the VisitBritain Shop. Avoid unverified resellers.
🎟️ Top things to do in London
Skip the queues with pre-booked tickets. Compare prices across GetYourGuide and Tiqets — both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
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