Buckingham Palace Summer Opening 2026: Tickets & Visit Tips
Planning a trip to London this summer? Discover how to visit Buckingham Palace during its exclusive 2026 summer opening, including ticket tips!
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Planning a trip to London this summer? Discover how to visit Buckingham Palace during its exclusive 2026 summer opening, including ticket tips!
Hello, everyone!
Practical tips so you don't get lost on your first European adventure,
this is Lalahyun's Travel Guide!
London, UK
Buckingham Palace Summer Opening
Written by ⓒ Lalahyun
For those visiting London in July,
I have some exciting news!
Buckingham Palace is opening its doors to welcome summer,
and it's a rare chance to explore the Palace itself!
I covered the Changing of the Guard ceremony in a previous post,
so if you're interested, feel free to check it out 👇
London Travel Destination Recommendation: Buckingham Palace Changing of the Guardblog.naver.com
Today, I'll be summarizing everything you need to know,
from the exciting news of Buckingham Palace's opening,
to how to book tickets, what to expect inside,
and important things to keep in mind, all in one place.
If you're planning a trip to London between July and September, this is a must-read!
lalahyun's Travel Guide |
Contents 1. Buckingham Palace Summer Opening 2. Opening Dates & Hours 3. Exploring Buckingham Palace 4. Visiting Tips & Things to Know |
1. Buckingham Palace Summer Opening
Every year between July and September, His Majesty King Charles III
leaves London for a long summer break at Balmoral Castle,
the royal residence in Scotland ✈️
Since the King isn't in residence and official duties are paused during this period,
the Palace interiors and gardens are opened to visitors.
This tradition has continued since 1993,
when Queen Elizabeth II was on the throne.
Looking at the interior photos, it makes me want to visit! Wow...
2. Opening Dates & Hours
Period | Opening Hours | Last Entry |
Jul 9 - Aug 31 | 09:30 - 19:30 | 17:30 |
Sep 1 - 27 | 09:30 - 18:30 | 16:30 |
✔️ Closed on Tuesdays/Wednesdays in September
✔️ White Drawing Room unavailable (under renovation)
Currently, Buckingham Palace is undergoing a major renovation project,
expected to last approximately 10 years.
Therefore, some rooms may not be accessible even during the opening period.
Discounted Tickets & Advance Booking
Official Website | Klook |
Advance Booking £33 (~$47) At the Door £37 (~$52) | ~$46 |
For Buckingham Palace admission tickets,
you can often find better deals by using Klook instead of the official website.
You can book your tickets at an even better price!
▼ Snag discounted tickets and book now! ▼
Buckingham Palace Tickets London - Klookaffiliate.klook.com
3. Inside Buckingham Palace
Visiting Buckingham Palace interiors is only allowed for a few months out of the year!
Before you go, make sure to check out which rooms you can explore.
The State Rooms
The State Rooms
The State Rooms are the public spaces within the Palace where members of the Royal Family host and welcome guests for official ceremonies, state banquets, and other formal events.
The Throne Room
The Throne Room
The rich red hues here are truly luxurious and magnificent...!
And no, this isn't from 'Game of Thrones' – it's the actual British Throne Room!
The stunning red fabric and grand canopy behind the thrones were designed by architect John Nash.
Apparently, his extensive background in theatrical stage design heavily influenced his work here.
The Grand Staircase
The Grand Staircase
This magnificent staircase was also designed by John Nash, drawing inspiration from his work in London theaters.
The golden staircase, adorned with a luxurious red carpet, is absolutely captivating!
Beyond these, you'll find other must-see areas like the grand Ballroom (a state banquet hall),
the opulent Green Drawing Room, which houses magnificent treasures,
and the exquisite Picture Gallery.
Given the strict copyright on interior photos, I highly recommend checking out more stunning images on the official website!
Personally, I'm absolutely dying to see the Ballroom! :-)
▼▼▼
Highlights of Buckingham Palacewww.rct.uk
The King's Gallery Exhibition
The King's Gallery
Currently, The King's Gallery is hosting the incredible exhibition,
<Queen Elizabeth II: A Reign in Splendor>.
Apparently, this is the largest exhibition of the Queen's fashion ever, held to commemorate her 100th birth anniversary!
(Featuring everything from her early days as a princess to her reign as Queen, including both ceremonial and everyday wear!)
And guess what? I found something truly amazing!
It's a virtual tour of the exhibition! 😆
▼▼▼
Explore Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style in 3Dmy.matterport.com
• Exhibition Period •
26.04.10 - 27.04.18
Tickets | 2026 | 2027 |
Adult | 22 Pounds | 24 Pounds |
Youth (18-24 years old) | 14 Pounds | 15.50 Pounds |
Child (5-17 years old) | 11 Pounds | 12 Pounds |
* Separate from the Palace State Rooms ticket
Prices in the UK just keep rising, don't they? 💷🪽
It's probably best to visit this year rather than next, wouldn't you say?
>> Book King's Gallery Exhibition Tickets (Official Website) <<
4. Viewing Tips & Important Notes
The Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace
draws an enormous crowd of travelers from all over the world.
Especially if your visit overlaps with the Changing of the Guard ceremony,
even more people will flock there, so
I recommend visiting in the afternoon rather than the morning.
And make sure to familiarize yourself with the important notes below before you go!
📌 Important Notes |
• No Photography or Filming Inside Photography and video recording are strictly prohibited. (No food or drinks allowed, except plain water) Restrooms are located in the final garden area after your tour, so it's a good idea to use them before entering the Palace. • Bag Size Restrictions [45cm (width) x 20cm (depth) x 30cm (height)] Large backpacks or suitcases exceeding these dimensions are not permitted, so please store any large luggage at the Victoria Station luggage storage facility! |
💡 LallaHyun's Tip |
Make up for it in the Palace Garden! While indoor photography isn't allowed, you're free to take photos in the Palace Garden area near the exit of your tour route. |
So, that's the exciting news about the
Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace, with its many wonders and a few important rules to keep in mind!
Stay safe from the heat, everyone,
and I hope you have a wonderful trip to the UK!
▼ Book discounted tickets now! ▼
📍 Buckingham Palace
London, SW1A 1AA, UK
© 2020-2026 lalahyun. All rights reserved.
Buckingham Palace will be open for its summer opening from July 9 to September 27, 2024. From September 1 to 27, it will operate from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM, with the last admission at 4:30 PM. The Palace will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in September.
You can book Buckingham Palace tickets at a better price through Klook than on the official website. Tickets are available on Klook for ~$46, while the official website charges £33, and on-site purchase is £37.
Photography and video recording are strictly prohibited inside the Palace. Large backpacks or suitcases exceeding 45cm (width) x 20cm (depth) x 30cm (height) are not allowed. Larger luggage must be stored at the Victoria Station luggage storage facility.
The 'Queen Elizabeth II: A Glorious Reign' exhibition at The King's Gallery will run from April 10, 2026, to April 18, 2027. The adult ticket price for 2026 is £22, and this ticket is separate from the Palace opening ticket.
Due to extensive renovation work, the White Drawing Room is currently unavailable for viewing even during the opening period. It's advisable to visit in the afternoon rather than the morning, as crowds become very large when coinciding with the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
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