Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle Escorted Tour from London

Buckingham Palace opens its doors to a small slice of the public each summer, and this tour pairs that rare look inside with a visit to Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. I like the two very different royal settings: polished State Rooms in central London, then a working fortress with a chapel and sweeping views. I also like having admission and transport arranged for you.

The catch is the schedule. You walk from Buckingham Palace to the Evan Evans office before the Windsor departure, and the day can involve more than 16,000 steps. This is a ticket-and-transport tour more than a fully guided tour, so you should not book it expecting a guide to lead you through every room.

Key points

• Buckingham Palace State Rooms: See the White Drawing Room, Music Room, Throne Room, and other ceremonial rooms during the summer opening.
• Windsor on your own: Use the free multimedia tour to explore the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel at your pace.
• A long transfer between sights: Walk 10 to 15 minutes, or roughly 15 to 20 minutes depending on your route, from the palace to the Evan Evans office.
• Guides vary by departure: Ruth, Ursula, Deborah, Lesley, and Godfrey have been praised for lively commentary, but some departures provide little narration.
• A full nine-and-a-half hours: The tour starts at 9:15 a.m. and finishes around 6:30 p.m. at Victoria Station.
• Best for convenience: You pay for reserved admission, a coach, and coordination, not for a personal guide inside the palaces.

Two royal residences, one demanding day

This experience gives you a chance to see the monarchy from two angles. Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the King, and its State Rooms are designed for ceremony, diplomacy, and formal entertaining. Windsor Castle feels older, larger, and more connected to the long sweep of royal life.

That contrast is the tour’s strongest idea. At Buckingham Palace, you see rooms made to impress. At Windsor, you move through a vast castle complex that has been a royal home for almost 1,000 years. The two places are not interchangeable, and seeing both helps you understand how the monarchy uses different residences for different purposes.

The day begins at 9:15 a.m. in front of the King’s Gallery entrance at Buckingham Palace. You must arrive on time. One late arrival led to a missed palace entry, and the company did not allow the party to join later. I would arrive early, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area.

The tour finishes at London Victoria Station at approximately 6:30 p.m. That makes this a practical choice if you want your transport and return point arranged, but it is not a relaxed half-day outing.

Inside Buckingham Palace during the summer opening

The Buckingham Palace portion lasts about two hours and includes admission to the State Rooms. These are the 19 grand rooms used for official occasions and royal entertaining when the palace is not carrying out its working duties.

The White Drawing Room is one of the visual highlights. Its crystal chandelier, pale decoration, and formal arrangement give you a sense of the palace as a stage for royal ceremony. The Music Room has a more specific diplomatic role: visiting dignitaries may be presented there during a State Visit.

The Throne Room adds a modern royal connection. It has been used for formal photographs after important royal events, including the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales. You are not simply walking through attractive rooms. You are seeing spaces still tied to public life, ceremony, and the image of the Crown.

At Buckingham Palace, you generally explore independently with the palace’s audio material rather than following your tour leader room by room. This matters. Some people prefer moving at their own pace and stopping when something catches their eye. Others expect an escorted tour to supply a steady stream of explanation and may find the arrangement thin.

Allow time for the entry procedure. There is an airport-style security check, and bags larger than 45 by 20 by 30 centimeters are not permitted. Pack light. A small day bag is the sensible choice, and leaving bulky items behind will make the walk and the rest of the day easier.

The walk to the Evan Evans office

This is the awkward part of the itinerary. After Buckingham Palace, you are not picked up directly outside the palace. You walk to the Evan Evans office, where the Windsor portion departs at 1 p.m. You should check in by 12:45 p.m.

The walk is described as roughly 10 to 15 minutes in the practical instructions, though some people find the total route closer to 15 to 20 minutes or more. The palace grounds themselves take time to exit, and you also need to allow for finding the office, checking in, and arranging lunch.

The gap can be useful if you want a quick meal. It can also feel like dead time, especially after spending the morning on your feet. The coach should not be expected to meet you at the palace exit. Mark the office location before you begin the palace visit, and keep an eye on the time.

This transfer is the main reason I would not recommend the combined day to anyone who dislikes walking or prefers an unhurried schedule. Several people counted more than four miles of walking, with one estimate reaching 16,000 steps. Comfortable shoes are not optional here.

Coach travel to Windsor

The Windsor portion uses a superior coach with Wi-Fi and USB charging. The charging facility may not always work, so bring a portable battery if your phone is important for maps, tickets, or family communication.

The driving itself takes care of the biggest transport headache. You do not need to work out trains, find the Windsor station, or manage the return to London after a long day. That convenience has real value, especially if you are visiting London for the first time or want all admissions and transport handled together.

The quality of the ride depends partly on the guide assigned to your group. Ruth has been praised for giving a lively mini-tour from the coach, and Godfrey has been singled out for sharing historical stories on the road. Guides including Ursula, Deborah, Lesley, Eileen, and others have also received warm praise for their friendly manner and useful commentary.

Still, the description of the service can create the wrong expectation. The tour leader may organize entry, explain meeting points, and offer commentary, but you should be prepared for an independent visit inside both royal sites. Some departures have had little or no commentary on the bus or at the attractions. If detailed interpretation is your top priority, a dedicated guided tour may suit you better.

Traffic is another variable. London and the roads around Windsor can slow the coach, cutting into your time at the castle. That is not a problem the operator can always prevent, but it makes the tight afternoon schedule more noticeable.

Windsor Castle and its State Apartments

Windsor Castle occupies more than 10.5 hectares and gives you far more ground to cover than the Buckingham Palace visit. The State Apartments contain furnishings and works from the Royal Collection, including pieces associated with Charles II and George IV.

The rooms show how the castle changed as royal tastes changed. You may find the interiors more varied than those at Buckingham Palace, since Windsor combines medieval origins, royal apartments, ceremonial spaces, and a working residence. The scale also changes your experience. Buckingham is a controlled sequence of formal rooms. Windsor feels like a whole historic complex.

You explore with a free multimedia tour. It provides structure, but the clock remains the problem. The Windsor segment is listed as about one hour and 30 minutes, while some departures give you a little over two hours on site once transport and group arrangements are taken into account. That is enough for a meaningful visit, but not enough to see everything slowly.

If the Semi-State Apartments are open during your visit from October through March, they add another layer. These were George IV’s private rooms in the 19th century and are among the more elaborate areas of the castle. Openings can vary, as can access to parts of the State Apartments, so do not build your entire plan around seeing every room.

St George’s Chapel deserves priority

Make St George’s Chapel your first stop at Windsor if it is open. The chapel is associated with the 2018 wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, but its importance reaches much further back. It is also the burial place of figures including Henry VIII and Charles I.

This is the stop most likely to be squeezed if you leave it until the end. The chapel visit is listed at about 20 minutes, and the wider castle visit already asks you to cover a lot of ground. Head there early, then continue to the State Apartments and other areas.

St George’s Chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays. If the tour date falls on a Sunday, you will need to adjust your expectations. The chapel may also close for special services or other official reasons, and the State Apartments can occasionally be unavailable.

The Royal Standard may be flying from the Round Tower if the King is at Windsor. That is a matter of timing, not something the tour can promise, but it adds a small sense that Windsor remains a working royal residence rather than a museum frozen in time.

What the $172.25 price really buys

At $172.25 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Windsor Castle. You can arrange individual admissions and public transport yourself, and independent planning may save money if you are comfortable with London’s rail system and do not need the combined itinerary.

The price makes more sense if you value convenience. It includes Buckingham Palace State Rooms admission, Windsor Castle admission, coach transport, a guest service assistant, and the coordination needed to connect two major sights in one day. You also avoid buying separate tickets and working out how to return from Windsor.

The value drops if you expect a private guide or detailed history throughout. At both sites, the main interpretation comes through the palace audio or multimedia systems. In effect, you are paying for entry, transport, timing, and support.

I would compare the cost against your priorities. For a first London visit with limited time, having both royal residences booked in advance may justify the premium. If you have several days in London, I prefer giving Windsor its own day and visiting Buckingham Palace separately. You will see more, walk less hurriedly, and have room for lunch and the town itself.

Who will enjoy this royal day

This tour suits you if you want to see both royal residences and do not want to plan every train, ticket, and meeting point yourself. It also suits first-time visitors who appreciate having a clear start and finish in central London.

It is a good fit for people who enjoy independent sightseeing once they are inside. You receive the basic framework, then follow the palace audio and multimedia material at your own pace.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone with limited mobility, young children who tire quickly, or anyone who dislikes strict meeting times. The walking, standing, palace security, transfer to the coach office, and short Windsor window create a physically full day.

It is also a poor match if you want a traditional guided tour with a single expert explaining every room. Some guides, such as Ruth, Ursula, Deborah, Lesley, and Godfrey, have made the coach portions warm and informative. But the level of commentary can vary, so book for the logistics rather than a guaranteed lecture.

Practical ways to make the day work

Arrive early at the King’s Gallery entrance. The scheduled start is 9:15 a.m., and a small delay can mean missing the Buckingham Palace entry.

Wear shoes built for pavement and stone floors. Plan on several miles of walking, even though much of the distance between London and Windsor is by coach.

Bring a compact bag only. Buckingham Palace does not permit bags larger than 45 by 20 by 30 centimeters, and security is similar to an airport check.

Locate the Evan Evans office before leaving the palace. You must be there by 12:45 p.m. for the 1 p.m. Windsor departure.

At Windsor, visit St George’s Chapel first, then use the multimedia tour for the State Apartments. This order gives you the best chance of seeing the chapel before time gets tight.

Keep your phone charged, but do not rely fully on the coach USB ports. Wi-Fi and charging are included, though equipment may not always perform perfectly.

If you need a refund, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and a minimum number of participants is required for the tour to operate.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your main goal is to see Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle in one day with admission and coach transport arranged. The palaces are the real reward, and the contrast between them is memorable.

Do not book it expecting a slow, fully escorted historical tour. The walk between the palace and the coach office, the tight Windsor schedule, and the variable commentary are genuine drawbacks.

My practical choice would be simple: choose this combined tour when convenience matters more than time. If Windsor is high on your list, give it a separate day. You will have a better chance to explore the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel, and the castle grounds without watching the clock.

FAQ

How long is the Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle tour?

The experience lasts approximately 9 hours and 30 minutes. It starts at 9:15 a.m. and finishes around 6:30 p.m. at London Victoria Station.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is in front of the King’s Gallery entrance at Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA.

Where does the tour end?

The tour finishes at Victoria Station in London.

Is admission to Buckingham Palace included?

Yes. Admission to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms is included.

Is Windsor Castle admission included?

Yes. Windsor Castle admission is included, along with access to its free multimedia tour.

Is St George’s Chapel included?

St George’s Chapel is part of the Windsor Castle visit, but it is closed to visitors on Sundays. It can also be unavailable on some occasions.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You have free time between the Buckingham Palace visit and the Windsor departure, when you can arrange food yourself.

Do I walk from Buckingham Palace to the Windsor coach?

Yes. The transfer is not provided directly from Buckingham Palace. You walk to the Evan Evans office, approximately 10 to 15 minutes according to the tour information, and must arrive by 12:45 p.m.

What size bag can I bring into Buckingham Palace?

Bags larger than 45 by 20 by 30 centimeters are not permitted. You also pass through an airport-style security check.

Is the tour fully guided?

No. The palace visits are mainly independent, using audio or multimedia guides. A guest service assistant is provided, and some guides offer commentary on the coach, but the amount of narration can vary.