A Buckingham Palace visit works best when you plan it before you land. The palace sits at the end of The Mall in Westminster, and you can see it for free from the outside any day of the year. Going inside the State Rooms is a different matter. That takes a ticket, a summer trip and some forward planning. This guide shows US visitors what to see, when to go and how to fit the palace into a London day.
What You Can See at Buckingham Palace
Most visitors do one of two things. They stand outside the gates and take photos, or they book a tour of the State Rooms. Both are worth doing, and they suit different trips.
The front of the palace, the gates and the Victoria Memorial
The famous front is free to see. The Victoria Memorial stands in the circle in front of the gates, topped with a gold figure of Victory. Sculptors finished the memorial in 1911. The palace front you see today dates from 1913, when Sir Aston Webb refaced the east side in Portland stone.
Flower beds line the approach and change with the seasons. Come in the morning for softer light on the stone. Come at dusk and the front glows. Most crowds gather at the gates, so walk to the memorial steps for a clearer view.
The State Rooms
The State Rooms are the 19 formal rooms the monarch uses to receive guests and host events. They include the Throne Room, the Picture Gallery and the Ballroom. The palace opens them to paying visitors in the summer only, so a winter trip will not include a tour. Dates change from year to year. Check the Royal Collection Trust visitor pages for this year’s dates and tickets before you book flights.
Book your slot in advance. Slots for popular dates sell out, and the tour is timed. Plan about two hours inside, and allow extra time for security. Bags are limited, so pack light.
The palace and the royal family
The palace is both a working headquarters and a royal residence. Official events, receptions and audiences take place there. The flag on the roof tells you something about the day: the Royal Standard flies when the monarch is in residence, and the Union Flag flies when the monarch is away.
A Short History of the Palace
The building began as a townhouse. The Duke of Buckingham built Buckingham House on the site in 1703. King George III bought it in 1761 as a family home for Queen Charlotte. Architects then spent decades enlarging it, first John Nash and later Edward Blore.
Queen Victoria became the first monarch to live there, moving in soon after she took the throne in 1837. Her reign turned the house into the centre of royal life. Later, the east front gained the balcony where the royal family waves to crowds on big occasions.
Planning London from the US? Get one free London story a week →
Changing the Guard
Changing the Guard is the ceremony most visitors want to see. Soldiers in red tunics and bearskin hats march to the palace, hand over duty and march away to music. The official Household Division site lists the ceremony in the late morning, lasting about 45 minutes. It happens on set days of the week, and the schedule shifts, so check the official Changing the Guard page before you go.
The ceremony can change or cancel at very short notice, especially in wet weather. Treat it as a bonus, not the reason for your whole day.
Where to stand
Arrive early. The area along the palace railings fills up fast. The Victoria Memorial steps give a raised view, and many visitors find that more comfortable than the crush at the gates. Watch your belongings in the crowd.
How to Get to Buckingham Palace
The palace has no Tube station of its own, so you walk the last part. Four stations sit within a short walk. St James’s Park is the closest for most visitors. Victoria, Green Park and Hyde Park Corner also work well. Our guide to getting around London explains Oyster and contactless payment for US cards.
The most scenic route is on foot. Walk through St James’s Park, which runs from Horse Guards to the palace, and you arrive at the front with the lake behind you. Our list of the best parks in London covers the park in more detail.
How to Fit the Palace into Your Day
The palace sits in the middle of royal and historic London, so you can pair it with several nearby sights in a single day.
A Westminster morning
Start with the palace front, then walk to Westminster. The history of Westminster Abbey explains why it has hosted coronations for nearly a thousand years. Next door, the Palace of Westminster tells the story of the 1834 fire and the Gothic rebuild.
An art and city afternoon
After lunch, take the short walk to Trafalgar Square. Our National Gallery planning guide shows how to see the highlights in a couple of hours. If you only have a few days in the city, our 3-day London itinerary places the palace in a full plan. You can also add free sights using our guide to free things to do in London.
Walks Around the Palace
The Mall is the wide red road that links the palace to Admiralty Arch and Trafalgar Square. Walk it on a quiet morning and you see the palace framed at the far end. Green Park lies on the north side of the palace and gives you a calmer green space away from the gates. Both walks cost nothing and take less than an hour.
If the weather turns, step into the Westminster area for indoor sights. Several museums and churches sit within a short walk, so you can swap plans without losing the day. Many US visitors build a loose plan and keep one indoor option ready for rain.
Practical Tips for US Visitors
Wear comfortable shoes. The area is flat, but you will walk a lot. Check the weather, because the ceremony outside is open-air. Keep your passport and ticket confirmation handy, as security checks are strict at the entrance.
Buy tickets only from the official Royal Collection Trust site, not from resellers who add fees. Plan at least a morning for the palace area, and allow the afternoon for somewhere else nearby.
Buckingham Palace FAQ
Can you go inside Buckingham Palace?
Yes, but only in the summer. The palace opens its State Rooms to ticket holders for a limited period each year while the monarch is away. Book through the official Royal Collection Trust site.
What is the best time to see Buckingham Palace?
Go in the morning for fewer crowds and softer light on the stone. A weekday visit usually feels calmer than a weekend. For the guard ceremony, check the official schedule first.
How do I get to Buckingham Palace from central London?
Take the Tube to St James’s Park, Victoria, Green Park or Hyde Park Corner, then walk. Each station is a short walk from the gates. Walking through St James’s Park makes the best approach.
Is Buckingham Palace worth visiting if I cannot book a tour?
Yes. The front, the Victoria Memorial and the gardens along The Mall are free to see all year. Many visitors spend an hour there before they move on to Westminster.
Join 3,000+ London Lovers
Every week, get London’s lesser-known corners, local stories and secrets, straight to your inbox.
Subscribe free — enter your email:
Free forever · One email per week · Unsubscribe anytime