Buckingham Palace State Rooms

What it is

The nineteen State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, the ceremonial rooms used for official entertaining by the monarch, opened to visitors during limited periods of the year.

Why travelers go

Because these are the rooms actually used for state occasions, at a scale and level of finish that photographs flatten. The Throne Room and the Picture Gallery in particular are hard to compare to anything else open to the public in London.

What is genuinely good

Genuine ceremonial interiors rather than a museum reconstruction, a meaningful advance-booking saving of 4 pounds a head, and a 1 pound ticket for visitors on Universal Credit and other named UK benefits. Seasonal opening keeps the visit feeling like an event.

Downsides and tourist traps

At 33 pounds in advance and 37 on the day this is one of the most expensive tickets in London. Opening is limited to parts of the year, so most visitors cannot go at all. The route is fixed, crowded and photography-restricted.

Best for

Visitors with an interest in the monarchy or in interiors, anyone in London during the opening season who has budgeted for one major paid attraction, and UK benefit claimants who qualify for the 1 pound ticket.

Consider skipping if

You are visiting outside the opening season, in which case the question is settled for you. Skip it too if you are choosing between this and Westminster Abbey or St Paul's on a limited budget, since all three are expensive and this is the most so.

Practical advice

Book in advance rather than paying on the day, which saves 4 pounds per adult and guarantees entry. Check the opening dates before building a trip around it. If you or anyone in your party receives Universal Credit or another named UK benefit, check the 1 pound ticket before booking anything else.

Tickets and reservations

Adults pay 33.00 pounds in advance or 37.00 pounds on the day. Young people aged 18 to 24 pay 21.50 in advance or 24.50 on the day. One pound tickets are available for those on Universal Credit and other named UK benefits.

Getting there

Green Park on the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines, St James's Park on the Circle and District lines, and Victoria station are all within a short walk.

Where it sits

At the western end of St James's Park where The Mall meets Constitution Hill, with Green Park to the north and Victoria to the south. The park itself is free and is the better half of the surrounding area.

How long to allow

Two to two and a half hours for the State Rooms with the audio guide, longer if a garden route is included in your ticket.

Accessibility

Partly accessible, and the palace is direct about the limit: the standard admission route is not step-free. Step-free access has to be pre-booked through the specialist sales team, as does accessible parking, which needs at least three full working days' notice. A free access companion ticket can be booked online.

The RuinMyTrip verdict

Expensive, seasonal and worth it once if the interiors interest you. Book in advance to save the 4 pounds, check the opening dates before you plan around it, and check the 1 pound benefits ticket if it might apply to you.

Sources

Every figure above was checked against these before publication. If one has since changed, tell us and we will correct it.

• Adults pay 33.00 pounds in advance and 37.00 pounds on the day. source
• Young people aged 18 to 24 pay 21.50 pounds in advance and 24.50 pounds on the day. source
• One pound tickets are available for visitors on Universal Credit and other named UK benefits. source
• The standard admission route is not step-free, and step-free access must be pre-booked with the specialist sales team. source
• A free access companion ticket is available and can be booked online. source

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