Buckingham Palace: Changing the Guard Is Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and Inside Costs 100 Pounds

You cannot get inside Buckingham Palace for most of the year, and the one way in costs 100 pounds. The State Rooms open to visitors each summer, and outside the summer the Palace opens only on selected dates for Exclusive Guided Tours, which are 100 pounds per person. The Royal Collection Trust, which sells the tickets, says so on its own page.

What is free is the ceremony outside, and it does not happen every day. Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace is on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the other mornings the guard is at Windsor.

Changing the Guard

The Household Division, which runs it, gives the days: the King’s Guard at Buckingham Palace on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the Windsor Castle Guard on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The ceremony is at 11am, in front of the Palace.

The Old Guard, the soldiers on duty, form up in front of the palace and are relieved by the New Guard, who arrive from Wellington Barracks accompanied by a band. Soldiers gather at St James’s Palace and Wellington Barracks from 10am and march to the Palace, where the change begins at about 10.45 and lasts around 45 minutes. The Household Division says to arrive early for the best view.

Two things to plan around. First, the ceremony can be altered or cancelled at very short notice, especially in wet weather, and the decision can be made as late as 10.45 on the day. Second, the Household Division warns that pickpockets have been known to operate in the crowd, and asks visitors to take care of their belongings.

On days with no Changing the Guard, the Guard is inspected by the Captain at 3pm. On Sundays the inspection moves to 10am and becomes the Sunday Parade, when the regimental Colour is marched through the guard to the national anthem and then escorted back to St James’s Palace.

Going inside

The Palace is the King’s official London residence and a working royal palace, and the State Rooms are open to the public each summer. Outside that season, the way in is an Exclusive Guided Tour on selected dates, at 100 pounds per person, with a free access companion ticket for a disabled visitor, which is booked by telephone after the disabled ticket is booked online.

Two tours were listed when we checked. The Exclusive Guided Tour of Buckingham Palace had its next date on 3 October 2026, with tours starting at selected times through the day, and the first listing carried a sold out label. The East Wing Exclusive Guided Tour starts on 6 November 2026 and runs Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday, from 10am to 3.30pm, again at 100 pounds per person.

The Royal Collection Trust says that signing up to its email list is the way to hear of ticket announcements first. The King’s Gallery, a separate building, was hosting Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style.

Round the Palace

Mayfair is the district to the north and Jermyn Street is on the walk toward Piccadilly. The royal parks run alongside the Palace, and Hyde Park is the walk away from the crowd once the guard has changed.

The 1 pound ticket, and the pass your ticket already is

Two things the Royal Collection publishes and almost nobody repeats. Both apply here and at Windsor Castle.

A 1 pound ticket is available to anyone receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance. You can claim for up to six people per household, only one person needs to show supporting documents, and that person must be part of the visit.

Buckingham Palace tickets for summer 2027 go on sale in November.

And the one that applies whatever you paid: any ticket bought directly from the Royal Collection becomes a 1-Year Pass if you sign and print your name on it before you leave. That gives twelve months of free re-admission from the date of your first visit. Coming back, you either telephone to pre-book a guaranteed slot for a 2 pound fee, or turn up with the pass and proof of signature and take your chances on availability.

Under 18s do not need to show proof of signature.

Where to go next

Mayfair is the district beside the Palace, and Jermyn Street is the walk to the shirtmakers.

The best restaurants in Mayfair covers lunch after the guard, and afternoon tea at the Ritz is the other thing within a short walk.

Windsor Castle is covered by the same 1 pound scheme and the same 1-Year Pass rule, and Hampton Court Palace runs its own 1 pound ticket.