Can you get cheaper tickets to visit Windsor Castle? (2024)

After clsosing its doors following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Windsor Castle has reopened to visitors today (September 29)

The popular Berkshire attraction has long been a fascination for royal fans, as not only is Windsor Castle open at times to the public, but it was home to Her Majesty and husband Prince Philip during their last years.

Both are now buried in the castle’s King George VI Memorial Chapel, alongside Her Majesty’s parents and sister Princess Margaret.

If you’re keen to visit soon, you won’t be alone – but many will have to work the £25+ entry fee into their usual budget.

So, is it possible to secure cheaper tickets?

How much do Windsor Castle tickets usually cost?

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From Sunday to Friday, one adult entry ticket to Windsor Castle costs £26.50, or on Saturdays £28.50.

Tickets for disabled people cost £14.50 from Sunday to Friday, going up by £1 on Saturdays.

Those aged 18 to 24 get a cheaper standard rate of £17.50 – paying £18.50 on Saturdays, while tickets for children aged 5 to 17 cost £14.50 or £15.50. Under 5s go free.

Tickets can be bought directly via the Royal Collection Trust website.

How to get cheaper tickets to Windsor Castle

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Sadly, there aren’t many options for cheap tickets to Windsor Castle for everyone, but some can save on the entry free – while local residents can get in totally for free.

And if you’ve been once, you can visit again for free within a set period of time, too…

Local residents

If you live in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, you can get in to Windsor Castle for free.

Residents who pay council tax can apply for a yellow Advantage Card, which provides free entry to Windsor Castle – as well as discounts to Savill Garden, Legoland Windsor and other leisure activities in the area.

Submit an application via the Royal Borough’s council website.

Children can also get an Advantage Cards, as soon as they are old enough to pay for leisure activities.

London Pass

Entry to Windsor Castle is usually included in the cost of the London Pass.

Essentially, this is a card ideal for tourists, which you pay a one-off fee for and in return get entry into a range of London (or nearby) attractions.

These include The View from the Shard, the Tower Bridge, the London Bridge Experience, Cutty Sark, Kew Gardens, the Royal Observatory Greenwich and a host of museums, football tours, boat trips, sightseeing bus trips, among many others (though not the London Eye).

Royal attractions The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Kensington Palace, Royal Mews and The Queen’s Gallery are also included (though not Buckingham Palace).

If you’re keen to visit lots of these places, it may be more cost effective overall to buy the Pass than to pay roughly £20 to £30 a pop for each experience per person.

However, ensure you’ll definitely be making a saving on entry fees before you purchase – and keep in mind that the Pass works on a credit system, and isn’t totally unlimited.

At the time of writing, the London Pass costs £76 for one adult for one day, £98 for two days or £115 for three days – with options for trips lasting up to 10 days up to £170. You can find out more here.

Family discount

If you’re travelling with more than one child, you’ll be given a family discount upon checking out.

This will apply to ‘bookings of at least one adult and two children, up to two adults and four children’ – saving up to £22 on entry per family. And remember, under 5s also go free.

Get the discount by booking your slot directly through the Royal Collection Trust (RCT) website.

Visit again for free

If you booked directly through the RCT website, you can turn your admission ticket into a one-year pass.

You’ll need to fill in your name and sign your ticket, and have it stamped and validated on your way out, in order to use it again in the next 12 months – during the Castle’s usual public opening times.

Your one-year pass can then be shown on arrival (with proof of signature, such as ID), granting you complimentary entry next time you visit, or used when pre-booking.

For more on how it works, visit the RCT’s FAQ page.

So, though you do pay full entry price for your first visit, you’ll at least get some extra value from your ticket.

MORE : Who could inherit Windsor Castle following The Queen's passing?

MORE : Queen’s corgis and pony wait patiently for her coffin as she arrives at Windsor

MORE : Who else is buried at Windsor Castle as Queen Elizabeth II joins husband Prince Philip and her late mother and father?

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Can you get cheaper tickets to visit Windsor Castle? (2024)

FAQs

How much of Windsor Castle can you see without paying? ›

Hi, you can see the splendour of the castle from outside and the 'long walk' stretches for 2 miles from the castle into the great park which of beautiful. However still definitely worth paying to go in and see the rooms.

Is it worth paying for Windsor Castle? ›

Yes. I visited it quite a few years ago. Easy to get a train there plus a short walk to the castle. There are guided tours you can join as well.

How much does it cost to go into Windsor Castle? ›

Key information
AdvanceOn the day (subject to availability)
Adult£30.00£33.00
Young Person (18-24)£19.50£21.50
Child (5-17)£15.00£16.50
Disabled£15.00£16.50
2 more rows

Can you just turn up to Windsor Castle? ›

If you turn up on the day, admission will be provided on the next available timeslot, subject to availability. To book in advance please call the Ticket Sales and Information Office on +44 (0)303 123 7304. Please note that a £2.00 transaction fee is payable on all telephone bookings.

How much time do you need at Windsor Castle? ›

Handy information
⏰ Suggested Duration:2-3 hours
☀️ Best Time to Visit:12:30 pm
💜 Must See:St. George's Chapel
🎟️ Windsor Castle Ticket:£26.50
😍 Windsor+Bath+Stonehenge:£69
Dec 28, 2023

Is there a dress code for Windsor Castle? ›

No, there is no dress code to follow at Windsor Castle. However, given the importance of the attraction to the UK's heritage, wear respectable and modest clothes. Avoid shorts and flip-flops.

What is the best time to go to Windsor Castle? ›

Consider visiting Windsor Castle after 1 pm. If you have a London Pass you'll need to do that anyway for free entry, but this is because the castle is quieter during the afternoon. Do bear in mind, though, that the last entry for the day is around an hour and 15 minutes before closing time.

Is Stonehenge close to Windsor Castle? ›

Stonehenge is located about 65 miles from Windsor Castle, so the other option is to drive there. Our Windsor Castle Tours are available throughout the week.

Is Buckingham Palace better than Windsor Castle? ›

Buckingham Palace beats Windsor Castle when it comes to gardens. The palace boasts the biggest private garden in all of London, sprawling over a whopping 39 acres. Windsor Castle has its own East Terrace Gardens, but it's only 13 acres; impressive, but not quite as grand.

How far apart are Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle? ›

The distance between Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace is 26 miles. The road distance is 22.3 miles.

How long is the long walk in Windsor? ›

The Long Walk Windsor distance is 2.64 miles (4.2 km) each way. If you walk from the gates of the state entrance to Windsor Castle to the Copper Horse statue and back again you'll cover more than 5 miles (8.4km) in total.

How far is it from London to Windsor? ›

The distance between London and Windsor is 21 miles. The road distance is 24 miles. How do I travel from London to Windsor without a car? The best way to get from London to Windsor without a car is to train which takes 34 min and costs $7 - $45.

Do you have to prebook tickets for Windsor Castle? ›

The main reason you need to prebook tickets for Windsor Castle in advance is to avoid waiting in line at the entrance. During the summer months, Windsor Castle gets really busy, and you can wait up to 1 hour to enter the complex. The advantage of prebooking tickets is that it guarantees fast track, skip the line entry.

Is there a lot of walking at Windsor Castle? ›

You can go as slow as you want thru the castle and grounds. There are lots of places to stop and rest, and not a lot of stairs. There's a good amount of walking to go through everything but you can take your time.

Can you walk around Windsor Castle without paying? ›

You can walk in Windsor Great Park, along the Long Walk for free, but no, you can't get in the walls without paying, or being invited. Your first picture is outside the Henry VIII exit, and your second is within the walls. Actually, another way to "get" within the walls is to attend a church service on a Sunday at St.

What parts of Windsor Castle can you see? ›

Highlights of Windsor Castle
  • State Apartments - Ceremonial Rooms. Grand Reception Room© ...
  • The Semi-State Rooms. The Crimson Drawing Room© ...
  • Queen Mary's Dolls' House. The Library in the Dolls' House contains over 200 books. ...
  • St George's Chapel. St George's Chapel© ...
  • Moat Room. © ...
  • Changing the Guard. ...
  • Treasures of the Castle.

Can you see Windsor Castle without going in? ›

Yes, it's huge. You may even see the castle from your plane if you land at Heathrow. The town of Windsor goes right up to the castle walls.

Can the general public visit Windsor Castle? ›

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It is open to visitors throughout the year. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has since been the home of 40 monarchs.

Can you see Buckingham Palace without paying? ›

Though the Palace is generally not open to the public, during summer you can visit its State Apartments (admission charge) and see the Queen's large garden and collection of artwork. You can however see the Changing of the Guard for free at 11.30 am every morning during summer and every second morning during winter.

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