How to Buy Windsor Castle Tickets
The best way to buy Windsor Castle tickets is online in advance through the Royal Collection Trust website (rct.uk). Advance tickets guarantee entry, save money versus on-the-day prices, and can be converted into a one-year pass on arrival. Third-party booking platforms offer the added benefit of free cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit.
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and one of the most visited royal attractions in the United Kingdom. With over one million visitors each year, securing your ticket before you arrive is not merely recommended — it is essential, particularly during peak season, school holidays, and weekends.
This guide covers every way to purchase your Windsor Castle admission ticket, compares the options clearly, and tells you exactly what to expect at each step.
Option 1: Buy Directly Through the Royal Collection Trust (Official Website)
The official booking portal is rct.uk, operated by the Royal Collection Trust — the charity that manages Windsor Castle on behalf of the Crown. This is the most authoritative and comprehensive booking route available.
Why book through the official website:
- Access to the full range of ticket types including family tickets, disabled visitor rates, and the £1 benefit ticket
- The only platform through which you can convert your ticket into a Windsor Castle One Year Pass on the day of your visit
- Timed-entry slots are available, allowing you to plan your arrival precisely
- Tickets are delivered as e-tickets to your email — no printing required
How to book step by step:
- Visit rct.uk and navigate to the Windsor Castle booking page
- Select your visit date and preferred entry time slot
- Choose your ticket type (adult, child, family, concession, disabled)
- Complete payment by card
- Receive your e-ticket by email — present it on your mobile at the entrance
Official tickets are non-refundable. If flexibility matters to you, consider booking through a third-party platform instead.
Option 2: Buy Through a Third-Party Platform (Flexible Cancellation)
Third-party booking platforms such as the one linked below offer the Windsor Castle Entry Ticket at the same price as the official website, with the significant advantage of free cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit. This makes them the preferred option for travellers whose plans may change.
Buy This TicketOption 3: Book a Guided Tour from London
If you are travelling from London, a guided day tour is often the most convenient and cost-effective way to visit Windsor Castle. Tour operators handle transport, entry, and often a guide — removing all logistical planning from your side.
Popular options include:
- Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, & Bath Day Trip from London
- Windsor Castle Tours from London — see our full comparison of London departure tours
For a complete overview of tour options, visit our Windsor Castle Guided Tours: Which Option Is Worth It? page.
Option 4: Buy On the Day
A limited number of tickets are available for purchase at the castle entrance on a walk-up basis. However, on-the-day tickets are priced higher than advance online tickets, and availability is not guaranteed — particularly during weekends, public holidays, and the summer months (June to August).
On-the-day ticket buying is not recommended unless your schedule is entirely unpredictable. For the Changing of the Guard ceremony days especially, advance booking is essential as entry can sell out.
What to Know Before You Book
Yes, on-the-day tickets are sometimes available at the castle gate, but they cost more than advance online prices and are not guaranteed. Advance booking through the official website or a third-party platform is strongly recommended, especially for weekends and school holidays.
Opening days: Windsor Castle is open Thursday to Monday. It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. As a working royal palace, it may also close at short notice for state occasions and royal events — always check the Opening Hours & Seasonal Closures page before travelling.
Last admission: Last entry to the State Apartments is 30 minutes before the castle closes for the day. Plan your arrival accordingly.
Ticket conversion: Tickets purchased through the official Royal Collection Trust website can be converted into a one-year pass on the day of your visit by speaking to a member of staff at the castle. See our full guide to the Windsor Castle One Year Pass.
Children: Children under 5 enter free. See our Windsor Castle Ticket Prices & Passes: The Complete 2026 Breakdown guide for a full breakdown of all ticket categories.
Which Buying Option Is Right for You?
| Your Situation | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Maximum flexibility & cancellation | Third-party booking platform |
| Best price guarantee & year pass option | Official rct.uk |
| Travelling from London with no car | Guided day tour |
| Last-minute decision | On-the-day at the gate |
| Groups of 15 or more | Official website or telephone |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book Windsor Castle tickets in advance?
Advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly for weekends, public holidays, and school holidays. While walk-up tickets are sometimes available at the gate, they cost more and are not guaranteed. Booking online secures your entry time and saves money.
Can I buy Windsor Castle tickets on the day?
Yes, a limited number of on-the-day tickets may be available at the castle entrance, but they are priced higher than advance tickets and cannot be guaranteed. For popular dates — especially during summer and the Changing of the Guard — same-day availability can be very limited.
Are Windsor Castle tickets refundable?
Tickets purchased through the official Royal Collection Trust website are non-refundable. For refundable bookings with free cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit, book through a third-party platform.
Can I convert my Windsor Castle ticket into a year pass?
Yes, but only if you purchased your ticket through the official Royal Collection Trust website. Speak to a member of staff on the day of your visit to convert it into a one-year pass. A small transaction fee applies.
Where is the best place to buy Windsor Castle tickets?
For the widest ticket selection, including family and benefit tickets, use the official rct.uk website. For flexible cancellation, use a third-party booking platform. For combined transport and entry from London, book a guided day tour.
Can children enter Windsor Castle for free?
Children under the age of 5 enter Windsor Castle free of charge. Children aged 5 to 17 pay a reduced child ticket rate. See our Windsor Castle Ticket Prices & Passes: The Complete 2026 Breakdown guide for full details.
