Buckingham Palace is the symbol of British royalty and heritage. As the royal family’s official residence, it has a unique place in the hearts and minds of Britishers. For me, visiting Buckingham Palace is a dream.
So, as a budget traveler, there was always a question in my mind: can I visit Buckingham Palace for free? No, I cannot visit it free of cost. I have always heard many fascinating things about this place: the Garden, the Queen’s Gallery, the Parade, etc. All of those storytellers indicated that it was expensive.
Finally, I got the answer by visiting myself. Let’s check this in detail.
Top Sites at Buckingham Palace
As a normal tourist, I knew visiting every corner of the palace wouldn’t be possible. There are very few spaces within the premises that allow tourists entry. Also, tourists can only enter these places during the summer when the royal family is away from this residence. Below is the list of those places:
- The State’s Apartments
- The Queen’s Garden
- The Queen’s Art Gallery
- Parade show of the royal guards.
- The Thorne Room
- Royal Mews and so on.
So, what about the ticket cost? Let’s check the options and expenses. Moreover, learn the dress code for the Buckingham Palace garden party.
Full Guide: Can You Visit Buckingham Palace for Free
Well, there is no chance to visit Buckingham Palace for free of cost. To see the above-mentioned areas of the palace, a ticket is needed. During my August visit, an adult’s ticket price was £30. I collected information about the ticket prices for every age group. Learn the best things to do near Buckingham Palace.
- For children over five years of age, the price is a bit less: the ticket price is £16.50
- For those below 18 years old, the ticket price is £19.50.
- Children below five years old can enter the palace free of charge.
So, you can count that only kids below five years old do not need to pay to visit Buckingham Palace.
The Free-of-Cost Option
You can watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace for free! It happens every morning at 11:30 a.m. in the summer, and in the winter, it’s every second morning. It’s a cool royal tradition to see, and you won’t have to spend any money.
On my last visit, I saw this event two times and didn’t pay a single penny. However, it is an outside event; People stand beside the parade road in front of Buckingham Palace, Victoria Memorial, etc.
I must inform you that you will be able to see the parade and the palace’s exterior free of charge, not a single portion of the palace inside. Plus, does the London Underground run all night?
Getting a Tour Pass
If you plan to visit the whole of London with a tour guide, I recommend contacting a local travel agency. Even though I didn’t take their service, I have researched their offers and prices. If you are not a full-time tourist like me and eventually need help navigating the interwinding roads of London, I suggest you take the service of these tour agencies.
Generally, they issue a pass to visit several places in London, including admission fees for the respective places, transport, guide, etc. If you include Buckingham Palace in the list, you have no headache to book and pay for the ticket. The agency will arrange everything.
Get a 1-year Pass
In this case, you pay for your first visit to Buckingham Palace and get a free entry facility for the next twelve months. To avail of such, you must purchase the initial ticket from the “Royal Collection Trust.” At the end of your visit, you have to inform the respective official about your willingness to convert the ticket to a 1-year pass.
Now, you need to sign and print your name on the ticket first. Then, you have to go to the respective staff to get it stamped. After they stamp the ticket, it becomes a 1-year pass. To use this pass in the future, there are two ways out.
- Make a booking for your next visit over the phone. Call +44 (0)303 123 7334 and make the booking. However, here you need to spend £2.
- The second option is to go directly to the palace and show this pass along with some identity proof like a passport, driving license, etc.
So, this option you can count as a way to visit Buckingham Palace for free. I took this opportunity and plan to use this pass next year’s summer.
Final Words
So, can you visit Buckingham Palace for free? I hope that now you have a clear idea. You must be at least five years old to visit the palace inside for free. However, if you take the 1-year pass, your second visit is free of charge.