Plan Your Visit to Windsor Castle
Everything you need to know before visiting Windsor Castle — from getting there to what to bring. Learn opening hours, accessibility options, and insider tips for the best experience.
Book online in advance to skip the queue — adult entry is around £30 and includes a free annual pass for return visits.
Check opening hours before travelling, as the State Apartments close without notice for royal events and state occasions.
Arrive when gates open at 10 AM on a weekday to explore the State Apartments before crowds build. Allow at least 2–3 hours for a full visit.
Bag searches are thorough, so travel light. Collect your free multimedia guide at the entrance and check what to expect for the latest security procedures.
Essential Guides
The most important information for planning your Windsor Castle visit.
Opening Hours & Seasonal Closures
Daily opening hours, seasonal closures, and last-admission times for Windsor Castle, including State Apartments and St George’s Chapel schedules.
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Best Time to Visit Windsor Castle
A season-by-season guide to visiting Windsor Castle — crowd levels, weather, events, and which months offer the best experience for different types of visitors.
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Official Website of Windsor Castle
Explains how to use the official Royal Collection Trust website to book timed tickets, check opening hours, and plan your Windsor Castle visit.
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Is Windsor Castle Worth Visiting?
A practical guide weighing Windsor Castle’s highlights, crowds, and costs to help you decide if it’s worth adding to your itinerary.
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Getting to Windsor Castle
A practical guide covering transport options to Windsor Castle from London and nearby areas, including train routes, driving directions, and parking information.
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Accessibility
Wheelchair access, step-free routes, and available assistance for visitors with mobility needs at Windsor Castle, including parking and entrance options.
Read guide →Before You Go
Facts, floor plans, FAQs, and practical guides for your visit.
Windsor Castle Facts
Windsor Castle’s key historical facts, royal connections, and architectural milestones — what shaped the castle from William the Conqueror to today.
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Windsor Castle Floor Plan
A room-by-room layout of Windsor Castle showing the State Apartments, Semi-State Rooms, and key areas to help you navigate your visit efficiently.
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FAQs About Windsor Castle
A concise guide answering common visitor questions about Windsor Castle, including entry requirements, visit duration, accessibility, and what to expect during your tour.
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Visiting with Children
A practical guide to exploring Windsor Castle with kids, covering family-friendly highlights, age-appropriate routes, and tips to keep young visitors engaged.
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Food, Drink & Shopping
A guide to dining options, pubs, and shops near Windsor Castle, including what to find in the town centre and castle gift shop.
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Photography & Filming Rules
Covers where cameras are allowed, restricted zones, tripod and drone policies, and tips for capturing the best shots inside and outside the castle.
Read guide →Visitor Tips for Windsor Castle
Transport routes, comparisons, and what to expect when you arrive.
Windsor Castle from London
A practical guide to visiting Windsor Castle from London, covering transport options, journey times, and tips for planning your day trip.
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Heathrow to Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is about 25 miles west of Heathrow Airport, reachable by bus or taxi in under an hour without needing to travel into central London.
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Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle
A practical guide covering transport options, journey times, and tips for visiting Windsor Castle as a day trip from Buckingham Palace.
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Windsor Castle vs Buckingham Palace
Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace compared side by side — locations, visiting hours, what you’ll see, and which to prioritize if time is limited.
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Windsor Castle vs Kensington Palace
Windsor Castle vs Kensington Palace: a practical comparison of visit duration, ticket costs, highlights, and which royal residence to prioritize if you only have time for one.
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What to Expect on Arrival
A practical overview of the arrival experience at Windsor Castle, including entry procedures, security checks, and what visitors encounter upon entering the grounds.
Read guide →Practical Information
Quick-read guidance for scheduling, pacing, and general comfort during your visit.
Getting There
Windsor Castle sits in the heart of Windsor town, well connected by train, bus, and car from across southern England.
- Two train stations serve Windsor — Windsor & Eton Central (from Paddington via Slough) and Windsor & Eton Riverside (direct from Waterloo), both a 5-minute walk to the castle gates.
- If you’re arriving from the airport, the journey from Heathrow to Windsor Castle takes around 30 minutes by taxi or bus.
- Drivers should use the Victoria Street or King Edward VII car parks; neither is large, so arrive before 10 am on weekends.
- Day-tripping from the capital is straightforward — see our full guide on visiting Windsor Castle from London for the quickest routes.
- Coach tours from London typically include Stonehenge or Bath as a second stop, making for a long but rewarding day.
Timing Your Visit
Windsor Castle is a working royal residence, so opening times and access vary more than most historic sites.
- The castle generally opens at 10 am and closes between 4:15 pm and 5:30 pm depending on the season — check the latest opening hours and seasonal closures before you go.
- The State Apartments close without notice for royal events and state occasions, particularly during June (Garter Day) and the Ascot racing period.
- Weekday mornings in term time are the quietest; Saturday and Sunday queues can stretch past 45 minutes by midday.
- Allow at least 2.5 hours to see the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel, and the grounds at a comfortable pace.
- The Changing of the Guard happens at 11 am on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays — arrive by 10:30 am for a good vantage point on the High Street.
What to Bring & Know Before You Go
A few practical details will save you time at the entrance and help you get more from the visit.
- Airport-style security screening is in place — bags are X-rayed and large luggage or suitcases are not permitted inside.
- Photography is allowed in the castle precincts and courtyard but prohibited inside the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel — see the full photography and filming rules.
- The free multimedia guide is included with admission and available in twelve languages; pick it up just after the security check.
- Wear comfortable shoes — the cobbled Middle and Upper Wards and the Long Walk involve a fair amount of standing and walking.
- Admission tickets purchased at full price convert into a one-year pass — ask staff to stamp your ticket on the way out.
Families & Accessibility
Windsor Castle welcomes families and visitors with mobility needs, though parts of the medieval site present access challenges.
- Children under 5 enter free, and a family trail activity booklet is available at the entrance to keep younger visitors engaged through the State Apartments.
- Wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge, and a ramp route bypasses the main staircase into the State Apartments — full details are on our accessibility guide.
- St George’s Chapel is step-free at ground level, but the Albert Memorial Chapel has a small step at the entrance.
- Pushchairs must be left at the pushchair park near the entrance; baby carriers are a better option for the interior rooms.
- The on-site café and gift shops are located in the Lower Ward and are accessible without re-entering the ticketed area.
Things to Know Before You Book
Key reminders for a hassle-free visit.
Continue Exploring Windsor Castle
Discover what to see inside and find the right ticket for your visit.
Tickets & Tours
Compare entry tickets, guided tours, and combo deals. Book online in advance.
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What to See
Explore the must-see highlights, hidden gems, and top attractions inside the castle.
Explore highlights →Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions visitors ask when planning their trip.