Windsor Castle & Buckingham Palace Full-Day Tour: Complete Review for 2026
The Windsor Castle & Buckingham Palace full-day tour covers both of Britain’s most famous working royal palaces in a single day. The tour departs early morning from Victoria (approximately 07:45), visits Windsor Castle first, then returns to London for an afternoon visit to Buckingham Palace State Rooms. The total tour runs approximately 7.5 to 9 hours. Critically, Buckingham Palace is only open to visitors in summer — the State Rooms open from 9 July to 27 September 2026. This tour is only available and relevant during that window.
Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace are both working royal residences, both managed by the Royal Collection Trust, and both among the most visited heritage sites in Britain. Combining them in a single day is an ambitious itinerary — and one that, on the right day, delivers an unparalleled immersion in British royal life. But the Buckingham Palace component comes with a significant constraint: the State Rooms are only open to the public in summer.
This guide covers everything you need to know to decide whether to book this tour, including what you see at each palace, how the day is structured, and the honest trade-offs.
Critical Information: When Is This Tour Available?
Buckingham Palace State Rooms are only open in summer. In 2026, the dates are:
- 9 July to 31 August 2026: Open daily, 09:30 to 19:30
- 1 to 27 September 2026: Open Thursday to Monday, 09:30 to 18:30
Outside these dates, Buckingham Palace is not open for standard public visits. This tour is therefore only available and meaningful from mid-July through late September. If you are visiting Windsor Castle outside this window, book a Windsor-only tour instead.
Buckingham Palace State Rooms are open to visitors from 9 July to 27 September 2026. From 9 July to 31 August it is open daily; from 1 to 27 September it is open Thursday to Monday. Outside this period, public visits are not available except on limited small-group guided tours during other months.
What’s Included
- Return coach transport from Victoria to Windsor and back
- Windsor Castle admission (State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House)
- Buckingham Palace State Rooms admission
- Free multimedia audio guides at both palaces
- Professional guide on the coach
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
The Itinerary
07:30 — Check-in at Victoria Coach Station, Gate 18–20 (164 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TP).
07:45 — Depart for Windsor Castle.
~09:00–12:00 — Windsor Castle. The tour arrives among the first visitors of the day — before the mid-morning coach group rush. Explore the State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel, and Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. Your guide is not permitted inside the castle buildings; the free multimedia audio guide covers the full visitor route. St. George’s Chapel closes at 16:00 — visiting it first thing is recommended.
~12:00 — Depart Windsor for London.
~13:00 — Arrive back in London. Transfer independently to Buckingham Palace (approximately 10–15 minutes walk from Victoria, or a short tube ride to Green Park or Hyde Park Corner).
~13:00–15:30 — Buckingham Palace State Rooms. The palace’s visit is self-guided with an audio guide. The 19 State Rooms form the ceremonial heart of Buckingham Palace — the Throne Room, the White Drawing Room, the Ballroom, the Picture Gallery, and the Blue Drawing Room. Masterpieces from the Royal Collection include paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, and Canova sculptures. The visit concludes with a walk through part of the palace garden. Allow 2 to 3 hours.
~15:30–16:00 — Tour concludes. Return to Victoria approximately 18:30 if travelling by coach on specific tour variants. Confirm exact tour end logistics on your booking voucher.
What You See at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace’s 19 State Rooms are the formal ceremonial rooms used by His Majesty The King for official state occasions, investitures, and diplomatic receptions. Among the highlights:
The Throne Room — The setting for official photographs following major royal ceremonies. The two crimson thrones used at the Coronation of King Charles III are on display.
The White Drawing Room — Considered one of the most beautiful rooms in the palace. Spectacular crystal chandelier, gilded furniture, and the concealed door through which the Royal Family enters for formal occasions.
The Picture Gallery — A 47-metre long gallery housing some of the finest paintings in the Royal Collection, including works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Van Dyck.
The Ballroom — The largest room in the palace, used for State Banquets and investiture ceremonies.
The Garden — Visitors exit through a section of the 42-acre palace garden, passing the lake and the famous rose garden.
Windsor Castle vs Buckingham Palace: How Do They Compare?
| Windsor Castle | Buckingham Palace | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | ~950 years | ~200 years (current form) |
| Setting | Hilltop castle overlooking River Thames | Central London |
| Scale | 1,000 rooms, 13 acres | 775 rooms, 42-acre garden |
| Visit duration | 2.5–3 hours | 2–3 hours |
| Open year-round | Thurs–Mon | Summer only (July–Sept) |
| Royal tombs | Yes (St. George's Chapel) | No |
| Art collection | Exceptional | Exceptional |
| Best for | Royal history, architecture, heritage | State ceremony, formal grandeur |
Both offer genuine access to rooms still used by the Royal Family. Windsor Castle has the edge in terms of historical depth, architectural variety, and year-round accessibility. Buckingham Palace offers a uniquely formal grandeur and the opportunity to see the rooms where coronations, State Banquets, and investitures still take place.
Is It Worth Doing Both in One Day?
The honest answer: it is a genuinely demanding day. Windsor Castle alone deserves 2.5 to 3 hours; Buckingham Palace deserves another 2 hours. Add coach travel and the transfer between sites, and you are looking at a full 9-hour day on your feet.
Visitor feedback consistently notes that Windsor feels rushed when combined with Buckingham Palace in a single day. If both palaces are important to you and you have more than one day, visiting them on separate days is significantly more rewarding.
If you only have one day and both palaces are on your list, this tour is still the most practical way to achieve it — but go in knowing it is an ambitious itinerary.
It is possible but demanding. Each palace deserves 2 to 3 hours for a thorough visit. Visitor feedback suggests Windsor in particular can feel rushed when combined with Buckingham Palace in a single day. If time allows, visiting on separate days is more rewarding. If one day is all you have for both, this tour is the most efficient way to do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Buckingham Palace open to visitors in 2026?
The State Rooms are open 9 July to 27 September 2026. Daily from 9 July to 31 August; Thursday to Monday from 1 to 27 September. Outside these dates, standard public visits are not possible.
Is Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace more impressive?
Both are extraordinary, but they offer different experiences. Windsor Castle has greater historical depth, a wider variety of spaces, and the remarkable St. George’s Chapel. Buckingham Palace offers a uniquely formal grandeur and the 19 State Rooms used for official state ceremonies. Many visitors find Windsor more personally moving; Buckingham Palace is more immediately spectacular.
How long do you spend at each palace on this tour?
Approximately 2.5 to 3 hours at Windsor Castle and 2 to 3 hours at Buckingham Palace. The day runs approximately 7.5 to 9 hours in total.
Can I take photos inside Buckingham Palace?
No. Photography is not permitted inside the Buckingham Palace State Rooms. Photography is also not permitted inside Windsor Castle’s State Apartments or St. George’s Chapel.
Is the tour guide permitted inside both palaces?
No. Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace rules do not permit regular tour guides inside the buildings. Both visits are self-guided using the free audio guides provided with admission.
What if Windsor Castle is closed on the day of my tour?
As a working royal palace, Windsor Castle can close at short notice for state occasions. In the event of an unexpected closure, the tour operator typically offers a Windsor town walking tour as an alternative or a partial refund.
