Does the London Pass include Buckingham Palace? Only partly. In 2026 it covered the State Rooms from 1 August to 27 September, as walk-up afternoon entry from 12pm, subject to availability. Outside that window you need a separate timed ticket from the Royal Collection Trust, and the State Rooms open only in summer.
Does the London Pass Include Buckingham Palace?
For 2026: the all-inclusive London Pass covers the State Rooms only between 1 August and 27 September, with afternoon walk-up entry from 12pm, subject to availability. The palace itself opens for summer visits from 9 July to 27 September 2026 (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays in September), and standard tickets cost £33 for adults, £21.50 for ages 18–24 and £16.50 for children — booked directly through the Royal Collection Trust. The 2026 opening ended on 27 September, so the next chance to see the State Rooms is the summer 2027 opening.
What Is the London Pass and What Does It Include?
The London Pass is Go City’s sightseeing pass: one price covers entry to more than 100 London attractions. You choose 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 consecutive days, or a non-consecutive version, and the pass activates on its first scan. Each day ends at midnight, you have a year from purchase to start it, and some attractions need a reservation.
Key Features and Coverage
Headline inclusions within reach of the palace:
- Westminster Abbey, about 15 minutes’ walk from the palace.
- The Tower of London and the Crown Jewels.
- St Paul’s Cathedral, including the galleries in the dome.
- Windsor Castle, the King’s weekend home, about an hour west by car.
Inclusions change from season to season, as the Buckingham Palace arrangement shows, so check the live list on the day you buy.
Access to Buckingham Palace State Rooms
The heart of the experience lies in the State Rooms 19 lavishly furnished rooms used by the Royals for official functions. Delve into centuries of history as you admire the dazzling chandeliers, priceless artworks, and the Throne Room, where state banquets and ceremonies unfold.
The King’s Gallery and the Royal Mews
The Queen’s Gallery was renamed The King’s Gallery in 2023. It and the Mews, home of the Gold State Coach, are sold as separate tickets, or together with the State Rooms as a Royal Day Out ticket. Check the current London Pass list before assuming either is covered.
Recommended Nearby Hotels
Enhance your royal visit by staying in one of London’s most prestigious hotels. Consider:
- The Ritz London
- Claridge’s
- The Savoy
- The Langham
- The Dorchester
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Planning Your Visit: Booking, Timing and Entry
Plan the visit around the summer opening: the State Rooms receive visitors only from July to late September, and timed tickets for weekends and the final days sell out first.
How to Use a London Pass in Three Steps
- Buy the pass from Go City or an authorised seller and load it into the Go City app.
- Reserve any attraction on your list that needs a timed slot before you set out.
- Activate it with the first scan in the morning; each pass day runs until midnight, so an early start is worth more sights.
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What Comes With a State Rooms Ticket?
- Multimedia guide in several languages, included in the ticket.
- The route: the Grand Staircase, Throne Room, Picture Gallery and Ballroom, ending with a walk through the Palace Garden.
- Time: allow about 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Photography: not allowed anywhere inside the palace; pictures are fine in the garden.
Visiting During the Summer Opening
The State Rooms open to visitors only in summer, while the King is away at Balmoral. In 2026 the opening ran from 9 July to 27 September, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in September, and London Pass holders could walk up from 12pm between 1 August and 27 September.
What If You Don’t Have the Pass?
Most visitors simply buy a timed State Rooms ticket from the Royal Collection Trust at the prices above; under-fives go free but still need a ticket. Buy direct and you can convert the ticket into a free pass for return visits within 12 months.
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Is the London Pass Worth It?
It is worth it if you will see at least three paid attractions a day and start early; it is poor value for a slow day built around one palace. Price it in four steps:
- List the paid sights you will really visit on each day.
- Add up their gate prices from each official site.
- Compare that total with the pass price for the same number of days; longer passes cost less per day.
- Drop any sight that needs a timed slot you cannot get.
Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral make a strong three-sight pass day, and a private tour guide in London can add the history between them.
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Crafting the Perfect Royal Itinerary
Planning is everything when it comes to getting the most from your visit. Follow these insider tips and time saving strategies to experience every jewel of the palace and beyond.
1. Arriving Early – Beat the Crowds
The first slot of the morning is usually the quietest. London Pass walk-up entry in 2026 began only at 12pm, the busiest part of the day, so if crowds matter, a bought ticket for an early slot is the better plan.
2. Using the Multimedia Guide
The multimedia guide comes with every State Rooms ticket and follows the one-way route from the Grand Staircase through the Throne Room and Picture Gallery to the garden exit. Skip the extended tracks in the first rooms if you are short of time; the Picture Gallery deserves the longest stop.
Combining Attractions Efficiently
The King’s Gallery and the Royal Mews both sit on Buckingham Palace Road, about 10 minutes’ walk from the State Rooms exit, so a Royal Day Out ticket covers all three in one day: the State Rooms in the morning, lunch, then the gallery and the Mews.
Seasonal Highlights – Summer Opening Tips
The last days of the opening book up first: in 2026 the palace was closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in September, and the final weekend usually sells out, so secure September dates early.
Beyond the palace gates. The State Rooms open for only part of the year, but the royal story continues around the city. A chauffeur-driven day around London’s landmarks links Buckingham Palace with Westminster Abbey and the Tower, the car waiting at each stop, and the King’s weekend home is reachable on a private day trip from London to Windsor Castle with the driver waiting at the gate.
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Preparation and Practical Advice Before You Go
Ensuring a seamless experience starts long before you reach the Palace gates. With a few simple preparations, you’ll maximize every royal moment and sidestep common pitfalls.
Dress Code and Photography Guidelines
There is no dress code, but every bag goes through airport-style security, so travel light. Photography and filming are not allowed anywhere inside the palace; you are free to take pictures in the Palace Garden at the end of the route.
Accessibility and Special Assistance
The palace offers a step-free route, wheelchairs on loan and accessible tickets for visitors with disabilities. Book these directly with the Trust and mention any needs when you choose your time slot.
Getting There by Car
There is no visitor parking at Buckingham Palace. In summer the visitor entrance is on Buckingham Palace Road, and The Mall closes to traffic on Sundays, public holidays and ceremonial days, so a driver is the easiest way to arrive: you are dropped by the entrance and collected after the garden exit at a time you agree.
Best Times to Visit
To avoid crowds, book a weekday morning slot, especially outside school holidays. During the Summer Opening, arriving at the very start of your time slot lets you enter the State Rooms before peak hours. Late afternoons can also be quieter ideal if you want to linger in the King’s Gallery or the Royal Mews.
FAQ
What is included with the Buckingham Palace London Pass?
There is no separate Buckingham Palace pass. In 2026 the standard London Pass included the State Rooms in August and September as walk-up entry from 12pm, subject to availability, with the multimedia guide. The King’s Gallery and the Mews are sold separately.
Is Buckingham Palace included in the London Pass?
Only for part of the summer. In 2026 the State Rooms were included from 1 August to 27 September on a walk-up basis in the afternoon. Outside that window, and for guaranteed timed entry, buy a timed ticket from the palace’s official seller.
Does the London Pass cover the Buckingham Palace State Rooms?
Yes, but only within the window agreed each year. In 2026 pass holders presented the pass at the ticket office and were given the next available slot from 12pm. Final-weekend slots often sold out.
How do I visit Buckingham Palace with a London Pass?
During the pass window, go to the ticket office from 12pm, show your pass and take the next free time slot. Arrive on a weekday, allow 2 to 2.5 hours for the State Rooms, and avoid the last weekend of September, when entry often sells out.
Can I access the King’s Gallery and Royal Mews with my Pass?
Do not assume so. The King’s Gallery, called the Queen’s Gallery until 2023, and the Royal Mews are sold as separate tickets or as a Royal Day Out with the State Rooms. Check the live London Pass list before you buy.
When is the Buckingham Palace Summer Opening, and can I use the Pass then?
In 2026 the State Rooms opened from 9 July to 27 September, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in September. London Pass holders could visit only from 1 August, after 12pm. Check the official site for the 2027 dates.
Can I buy Buckingham Palace tickets without the London Pass?
Yes, and most visitors do. Timed State Rooms tickets are sold by the Royal Collection Trust for the summer opening: £33 for adults, £21.50 for ages 18 to 24 and £16.50 for children. Buy direct and you can convert the ticket into a free 12-month return pass.
Where can I purchase or collect my London Pass?
Buy it online from Go City, the company that runs the pass, or from an authorised seller, then load it into the Go City app. It activates on the first scan and must be started within a year of purchase. Tripyana does not sell the London Pass.
Conclusion
Buckingham Palace and the London Pass overlap for only a few summer weeks, so plan them separately. Use the pass for full days built around Westminster Abbey, the Tower and St Paul’s, and buy a timed State Rooms ticket direct when the palace visit itself matters most.