The Best Time to Visit Buckingham Palace in London: Tips and Tricks
When you’re living in London or just passing through, Buckingham Palace isn’t just another tourist stop-it’s the beating heart of the city’s royal history. But showing up at noon on a busy summer day means battling crowds, long queues, and the feeling that you’ve missed the real experience. The truth? The best time to visit Buckingham Palace in London isn’t when everyone else is there. It’s when the light hits the gold railings just right, when the Changing of the Guard feels like a quiet ceremony instead of a photo op chaos, and when you can actually hear the birds over the clatter of boots.
Go in the Shoulder Seasons-April to June and September to October
The palace opens to the public only during the summer months, usually late July through late September. But that’s not the only time you should plan your visit. If you want to see the palace without the backpacks and selfie sticks, aim for the shoulder seasons-April to June and September to October. The weather in London is still decent, the days are long enough to explore, and you’ll avoid the peak tourist crush that swarms after school holidays.
Early April is especially quiet. The cherry blossoms along The Mall are just starting to bloom, and the Queen’s Gallery is often less crowded. You can walk from St. James’s Park station, grab a coffee from St. John’s Coffee on King Charles Street, and stroll toward the palace gates without feeling like you’re in a human tunnel. The same goes for late September. The summer heat fades, the crowds thin out, and the palace gardens are still lush from months of care.
Arrive Early-Before 9:30 AM
If you’re visiting during the public opening season, get there before 9:30 AM. The palace opens at 9:30, but the gates to the courtyard open earlier for ticket holders. Show up at 9:15, and you’ll be among the first 50 people inside. That means you get the empty state rooms to yourself, the chance to snap photos of the balcony without ten people in the frame, and a better shot of the royal crest on the ceiling of the Grand Reception Room.
Pro tip: The palace tickets sell out fast, especially on weekends. Buy them online in advance at royalcollectiontrust.org. Don’t wait until you’re standing at the ticket booth-by 10:30 AM, you’ll be handed a ‘Sold Out’ slip and told to come back tomorrow. And yes, that’s happened to plenty of Londoners who thought they had time.
Watch the Changing of the Guard-But Not at Noon
The Changing of the Guard is iconic. But if you show up at noon on a Saturday, you’re not seeing tradition-you’re seeing a spectacle designed for Instagram. The real magic happens on weekdays, especially Tuesday and Thursday mornings, when the ceremony is shorter, quieter, and more focused.
Head to the palace gates by 10:45 AM. The guards march from St. James’s Palace, and if you stand near the gate on Birdcage Walk, you’ll get a clear view without the crush of people blocking the path. You’ll hear the brass band play ‘Rule, Britannia!’ and see the precise footwork of the Grenadier Guards-no one’s yelling, no one’s shoving. It’s a moment of British discipline, not a photo op.
And if you’re really lucky, you’ll catch the Queen’s Guard in their winter uniforms-black bearskin hats with red plumes, wool greatcoats buttoned tight against the London chill. That only happens from October to March, and it’s a rare sight even for locals.
Combine Your Visit with the Queen’s Gallery and St. James’s Park
Most people leave after the palace tour. Don’t. The Queen’s Gallery, right next to the palace, is one of London’s best-kept secrets. It rotates exhibitions from the Royal Collection-think rare Tudor portraits, Victorian jewelry, and royal carriages. The current exhibit in 2025 features Queen Elizabeth II’s personal tiaras, many never displayed publicly before.
Afterward, walk through St. James’s Park. It’s the oldest royal park in London, and in autumn, the trees turn golden over the lake. You’ll see pelicans-yes, real pelicans-floating near the bridge. They’ve lived here since the 17th century. Feed them? No. But watch them. Locals know this spot better than any guidebook.
Avoid Bank Holidays and Royal Events
If you’re planning your visit around a royal birthday, coronation anniversary, or state visit, think again. On days like the King’s Birthday (November 14), the palace is closed to the public. The streets around Westminster are blocked off, and the Tube runs on a reduced schedule. Even if you manage to get in, you’re not seeing the palace-you’re seeing a security perimeter.
Same goes for Trooping the Colour in June. The palace becomes a military staging ground. You’ll get a view of the balcony from afar, but you won’t step inside. Save your visit for a weekday in early autumn. You’ll get more peace, more access, and more meaning.
Bring the Right Shoes and a Light Jacket
London weather doesn’t care if you’re visiting a palace. Rain comes fast, and the cobblestones outside the palace courtyard get slick. Wear sturdy, flat shoes-no heels, no new sneakers. The palace floor is marble, and the walk from the entrance to the State Rooms is over 500 meters. You’ll be on your feet for at least two hours.
Even in summer, bring a light jacket. The interior rooms are kept cool to preserve the artwork. The air feels like a cellar-crisp, dry, and quiet. It’s not air-conditioned. It’s just old stone and centuries of stillness.
What You Won’t See on Tour
The public tour doesn’t show you the private apartments where the royal family lives. That’s intentional. But you can see traces of daily life: the kitchen where meals are prepared for state dinners, the laundry room where uniforms are pressed, the garden shed where the King keeps his gardening tools. These aren’t on the map, but they’re there. Look closely. Notice the small door near the East Terrace-that’s where the staff enter. Notice the CCTV cameras hidden in the ivy. This isn’t a museum. It’s a working home.
Final Tip: Go When You Can Feel It
The best time to visit Buckingham Palace isn’t measured in hours or months. It’s measured in presence. Go when you’re not rushing. Go when you can stand in the courtyard and hear the distant chime of Big Ben. Go when the light slants just right across the balcony, and you imagine a family stepping out for a photo, just like any other day.
This isn’t just a landmark. It’s a living piece of London. And the city doesn’t rush it. Neither should you.
Can you visit Buckingham Palace in winter?
The palace is closed to the public during winter months (October to March). However, you can still view the exterior, watch the Changing of the Guard (if scheduled), and walk through the surrounding gardens. The royal family lives here year-round, so the building is always active-even if you can’t go inside.
Is Buckingham Palace free to visit?
No. There’s an admission fee for the State Rooms during the summer opening, typically around £28 for adults. The Queen’s Gallery has a separate ticket. The Changing of the Guard is free to watch, but you need to arrive early to get a good spot. Some London Passes include entry, so check if you’re using one.
How long does a visit to Buckingham Palace take?
Plan for at least 2 to 2.5 hours. The tour itself lasts about 60-75 minutes, but you’ll want extra time to explore the Queen’s Gallery, walk the gardens, and take photos. If you’re a history buff, add another 30 minutes to read the display panels. Don’t rush it.
Can you take photos inside Buckingham Palace?
Yes-without flash. Photography is allowed in the State Rooms and the Queen’s Gallery. Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted. Some areas, like the throne room, have signs asking you to keep your phone away. Respect it. This isn’t just a museum-it’s still a royal residence.
What’s the best way to get to Buckingham Palace from central London?
The easiest way is by Tube: St. James’s Park (District and Circle lines) or Victoria (Victoria line and National Rail). Both are a 5-minute walk. If you’re coming from Westminster, walk along Birdcage Walk-it’s scenic and quiet. Avoid driving. Parking is scarce, and traffic around the palace is heavy. London’s public transport is designed for this.
Charles Mitchell
November 14, 2025 AT 11:53I visited last October and it was magical. No crowds, just me, the golden light on the palace walls, and the sound of pigeons taking off like a chorus. The Changing of the Guard at 10:45 on a Tuesday? Pure poetry. I stood there for ten minutes just watching the precision of it-no one yelling, no one filming. It felt sacred. And the Queen’s Gallery had those tiaras? I cried. Not because I’m sentimental, but because you can feel the weight of history in those jewels.
Also, the pelicans in St. James’s Park? They’re not just for show. One of them glared at me like I owed it money. I loved it.
Abagail Lofgren
November 16, 2025 AT 11:36The suggestion to avoid bank holidays is critical. I arrived on the King’s Birthday expecting a quiet tour and found myself stuck behind a barricade with 200 people holding flags and singing ‘God Save the King’ at the top of their lungs. The palace was closed, the Tube was delayed, and my rental car got towed. Do not underestimate the logistical chaos of royal events. Plan like a diplomat, not a tourist.
rafael marcus
November 18, 2025 AT 02:04Y’ALL. I just got back from London and I’m still buzzing. This post? It’s the holy grail of travel advice. I followed every single tip-arrived at 9:15, bought tickets online a month ahead, skipped the noon Guard change, and went for the 10:45 Tuesday show. And guess what? I got to see the winter uniforms. The bearskin hats were taller than me. I swear one of the guards winked. I didn’t cry. I screamed silently into my jacket.
Also, the laundry room? The ironing board was still warm. Someone had just pressed a uniform. That’s real. That’s alive. That’s not a museum. That’s a family home. I’m never going to look at royalty the same way again. Thank you for writing this.
Michelle Zhong
November 18, 2025 AT 17:18There’s something quietly revolutionary about visiting a place that’s still living, not just preserved. Buckingham Palace isn’t a monument to the past-it’s a vessel carrying the present. The fact that the King still leaves his gardening tools in the shed, that the staff still enter through that small door near the East Terrace, that the pelicans have been here since Charles II… it’s not nostalgia. It’s continuity.
We treat history like something to consume, like a snack you photograph and move on from. But this place? It breathes. And if you go when the light slants just right, when the air is cool and the crowds are gone-you don’t just see it. You feel it. Like you’ve been let in on a secret the city has been whispering for centuries.
Kim Kemper
November 18, 2025 AT 21:09Just did it! Went in early April. So quiet. So beautiful. The cherry blossoms were like pink snow over The Mall. 🌸 And I didn’t even know about the Queen’s Gallery tiaras-so stunning. I’m already planning my next trip for late September. 😊💕
Yzak victor
November 20, 2025 AT 17:27Minor correction: the palace opens to the public from late July to late September, not the entire summer. The article says ‘usually late July through late September,’ which is accurate, but then later says ‘only during the summer months,’ which is misleading-summer in the UK technically ends in August. Also, the King’s Birthday is November 14? No, it’s November 9. And the Queen’s Gallery ticket price isn’t mentioned-should be around £18. Small details matter, especially when people are planning trips based on this.