Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle Escorted Tour from London

You get two of England’s grandest royal sights in one long day: the glittering State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, then the medieval walls and royal chapel at Windsor Castle. I like the included admissions and coach transport, especially if you want someone else to handle London traffic and the trip west.

I also like the chance to see St George’s Chapel, where Prince Harry married Meghan Markle, and where kings including Henry VIII and Charles I are buried. The catch is the schedule: you may walk more than four miles and have only about two hours at Windsor after the transfer, lunch, and check-in process.

Key points to know before booking

• Buckingham Palace opens the day: Spend about two hours in the State Rooms during the seasonal opening, with access to rooms such as the White Drawing Room, Music Room, and Throne Room.
• Windsor needs your best walking shoes: The castle covers more than 10.5 hectares, with slopes, courtyards, rooms, and a chapel to cover.
• The afternoon transfer is not door to door: You walk roughly 10 to 15 minutes, and sometimes longer depending on your pace, from Buckingham Palace to the Evan Evans office.
• Guidance varies by departure: Some guides, including Ruth, Ursula, Deborah, and Godfrey, have provided lively commentary, but the attractions themselves are largely explored independently.
• Sunday changes the plan: St George’s Chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays, and the State Apartments can occasionally close.
• The price buys convenience more than a private tour: At $172.25 per person, admissions and transport are included, but lunch, hotel transfers, and a fully guided palace experience are not.

Two royal homes, one demanding day

This is a sightseeing marathon rather than a gentle country outing. You begin at 9:15 a.m. outside The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace and finish around 6:30 p.m. at London Victoria Station. In between, you pass through royal reception rooms, board a coach for Windsor, and walk through one of Britain’s most important castles.

The main appeal is simple. You do not need to work out separate admission times, buy a train ticket to Windsor, or navigate the return trip. A superior coach, Wi-Fi, USB charging, and a guest service assistant are included. The coach is especially useful for anyone who dislikes changing trains or driving on London’s busy roads.

The tradeoff is that this is not a private guided tour with one expert beside you at every room. At Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, you generally proceed at your own pace with audio or multimedia material. On some departures, the guide adds useful commentary during the coach ride. On others, the service may feel closer to organized transport with tickets attached.

That distinction matters. If you want a clear historical talk before every room, you may find the experience thin. If you want the practical work handled for you and prefer to explore royal interiors independently, the structure can work well.

Buckingham Palace State Rooms

Buckingham Palace is the morning centerpiece. During the summer opening, when the palace is not being used for its official duties, you enter 19 State Rooms normally used for ceremonies, receptions, and official entertaining.

The White Drawing Room is a highlight, with a large crystal chandelier and elaborate decoration. The Music Room has hosted formal presentations connected with State Visits. The Throne Room is tied to royal ceremony and has been used for formal wedding photographs. These are working rooms, not museum displays built only for tourists, which gives the visit its special force.

You should expect a self-guided visit rather than a group walk led room by room. Audio information helps explain what you are seeing, and it lets you set your own pace. I like this arrangement for visitors who want time to look closely at furniture, paintings, chandeliers, and objects from the Royal Collection.

The planned visit lasts about two hours. That sounds generous, but the palace can absorb every minute. You may want to stop for details that a fast-moving group would pass. At the same time, the schedule leaves little room for a slow breakfast, a long lunch, or a missed meeting time.

Security is similar to an airport check. Bags larger than 45 by 20 by 30 centimeters are not allowed, so pack lightly. Arrive at the meeting point on time, since one late arrival caused a visitor to miss the palace portion entirely. The palace staff and the tour company operate on a fixed schedule, and a few minutes can matter.

The walk to the Windsor departure

This is the part I would explain most carefully before you book. The Windsor coach does not collect you directly outside Buckingham Palace. After leaving the palace grounds, you must make your way to the Evan Evans office, where the Windsor portion departs at 1 p.m. You should arrive by 12:45 p.m. for check-in.

The walk is usually described as about 10 to 15 minutes, though your total time can feel longer after leaving the palace, orienting yourself, and finding somewhere to eat. The gap is intentional, giving you time for lunch and the transfer, but it can also feel like dead time.

The arrangement has two practical effects. First, you need comfortable shoes. Second, you should keep an eye on the clock rather than lingering too long near Buckingham Palace. The coach will not wait indefinitely for a late arrival.

A guide or staff member may give you directions and a wristband for the afternoon portion. Communication has not always felt equally smooth on every departure, so I would save the meeting instructions and confirm the exact office location before setting off. Do not assume that the bus will be waiting at the palace exit.

The coach ride to Windsor

The coach is one of the stronger reasons to consider this package. Windsor is easy to reach by train, but the coach removes the need to find the right platform, manage a transfer, or work out the return journey after a tiring afternoon.

The drive can take longer when London traffic is heavy. Some departures have lost time on the road, leaving less time at the castle. That is not always within the operator’s control, but it is a real risk in a tightly timed day.

The quality of the ride depends partly on the tour leader. Guides named Ruth, Deborah, Godfrey, and Ursula have been praised for adding stories and historical context on the road. Ruth has been especially noted for lively commentary, while Godfrey gave a talk during the drive. Other departures have offered little or no commentary.

So, think of the coach commentary as a possible bonus, not the main product. The guaranteed value is transportation and admission. The added value depends on the person leading your departure.

Windsor Castle and its State Apartments

Windsor Castle has a different character from Buckingham Palace. Buckingham feels like a formal London residence designed for ceremony and official display. Windsor combines royal rooms with fortress walls, courtyards, a working community, and a long connection to English monarchy.

It is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, and it has served as a royal home for almost 1,000 years. The grounds cover more than 10.5 hectares, so the scale is easy to underestimate when you first arrive.

Inside, the State Apartments contain furniture, paintings, and decorative objects from the Royal Collection. The rooms reflect changing royal tastes, particularly those connected with Charles II and George IV. The value here is not just size or glitter. You can see how different monarchs reshaped the same residence over centuries.

Windsor provides a free multimedia tour for independent exploration. From October through March, the Semi-State Apartments may also be open. These were George IV’s private rooms in the 19th century, and they offer a more personal contrast to the grand public rooms.

The difficulty is time. The scheduled Windsor visit lasts about an hour and a half, while the full afternoon at the castle may provide only a little more than two hours once arrival and departure arrangements are counted. That is enough for the major sights if you move steadily. It is not enough for every room, every audio stop, the chapel, the views, and a relaxed meal.

I would head first to the places you care about most. If the State Apartments matter most, begin there. If St George’s Chapel is your priority, go there before the castle becomes a race against the clock.

St George’s Chapel is worth protecting time for

St George’s Chapel is easy to treat as an optional extra when you are hurrying. I would not. The chapel is one of the most memorable parts of Windsor, both for its architecture and its royal connections.

It was the setting for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s 2018 wedding. It is also the burial place of kings and queens, including Henry VIII and Charles I. The chapel gives Windsor a more intimate and solemn character than the polished reception rooms at Buckingham Palace.

The chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays. If you are booking a Sunday departure, check the exact schedule carefully, since you will not be able to enter even though Windsor Castle itself may remain part of the visit. The State Apartments may also close on occasion, so conditions can change.

If the Royal Standard is flying from the Round Tower, His Majesty is in residence at Windsor. That detail is not guaranteed, but it adds a small thrill if you happen to see it.

Price and value at $172.25

At $172.25 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the two sites. The value depends on how much you place on convenience.

You are paying for Buckingham Palace admission, Windsor Castle admission, a coach, a service assistant, and the comfort of having the day organized around timed entries. Wi-Fi and USB charging are included on the coach, though charging equipment has not always worked perfectly.

You are not paying for lunch, hotel pickup, or hotel drop-off. You also should not assume that the tour leader will guide you through every interior. Both royal sites supply their own audio or multimedia material, and much of your time inside is independent.

For comparison, Windsor can be reached by public transport, and you can arrange the attractions separately. That route may give you more control over your time. This package makes more sense if you value a single booking, included admissions, and a coach ride over building your own day.

The price feels fair for a smooth departure with a strong guide and driver. It feels less convincing if your departure involves long waits, unclear instructions, limited commentary, or a traffic delay that cuts into Windsor time.

Walking, crowds, and physical effort

The fitness warning is important. This is not a tour where you sit on a coach and step out briefly at each sight. You may cover more than 16,000 steps, and some people have walked over four miles outside the vehicle.

You will walk through palace rooms, castle grounds, courtyards, and streets between meeting points. Windsor also requires steady movement if you want to fit in the State Apartments, chapel, and multimedia stops.

Wear supportive shoes and carry water. Keep your bag small for palace security. If you have limited mobility, ask for current access details before booking, because the timetable and walking distance may make the day tiring even before crowds and weather enter the picture.

The group can contain up to 53 people. That size helps keep the price lower, but it can also mean waiting while everyone checks in, boards, or returns to the coach. Punctuality is not a minor detail here. One delayed person can affect the whole afternoon.

Who will enjoy this royal day?

I would choose this tour if you have one open day in London and want to see both royal residences without arranging separate tickets and transport. It suits first-time visitors who prefer a clear framework and do not mind a full schedule.

It also suits anyone who wants Buckingham Palace as the morning priority but would rather reach Windsor by coach than train. The included admissions remove much of the planning work.

I would choose separate visits if you care about every room, every audio stop, or an unrushed lunch in Windsor. A dedicated Windsor day gives you a better chance to see the castle at a calm pace. A separate Buckingham Palace visit also avoids the mid-day walk and transfer.

Families with older children may appreciate the variety, but the long day and walking can test younger children. Anyone with a firm evening reservation should also allow extra margin, since London traffic can delay the return to Victoria Station.

Booking details worth remembering

The start time is 9:15 a.m. at The King’s Gallery entrance near Buckingham Palace. The tour finishes at approximately 6:30 p.m. at London Victoria Station, not at your hotel.

The experience is offered in English. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the tour operates near public transport. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded, and the minimum group requirement applies.

Most important, check the date. Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms are available during the seasonal opening, while St George’s Chapel is closed on Sundays. Also allow time to get from the palace to the Evan Evans office for the 1 p.m. Windsor departure.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is two major royal sights in one organized day, with admissions and coach transport handled for you. The best departures feature a lively guide such as Ruth, Ursula, Deborah, or Godfrey, and the contrast between Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle is genuinely rewarding.

Skip it if you want a fully guided experience, dislike fixed schedules, or want several hours for Windsor. The tour’s weak point is the middle of the day: the walk to the afternoon meeting point, the possibility of traffic, and limited time at the castle.

My practical verdict is this: it is a convenient royal sampler, not the deepest way to visit either place. Wear good shoes, pack light, protect your Windsor priorities, and arrive early. If that sounds like a fair bargain for $172.25, it can make a memorable day. If not, split the sights across two days and keep control of your time.

FAQ

How long does the Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle tour last?

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

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is outside The King’s Gallery entrance at Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Victoria Station in London. Hotel pickup and hotel drop-off are not included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The schedule provides time between the Buckingham Palace visit and the Windsor departure for you to find food.

How do I get from Buckingham Palace to the Windsor coach?

You walk from Buckingham Palace to the Evan Evans Tours office. The transfer usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and you should arrive at the office by 12:45 p.m. for the 1 p.m. Windsor departure.

Is St George’s Chapel open every day?

No. St George’s Chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays. The State Apartments at Windsor Castle can also close on occasion.

What size bag can I bring into Buckingham Palace?

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