Windsor Castle ticket prices
Royal Collection Trust (RCT), which runs visitor access to the castle, publishes one standard admission price list for 2026 on its Windsor Castle page (checked 12 October 2026):
| Visitor | Advance | On the day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £32 | £36 |
| Young person (18–24) | £21 | £24 |
| Child (5–17) | £16 | £18 |
| Disabled person | £16 | £18 |
| Access companion | Free | Free |
| Under 5 | Free | Free |
An adult saves £4 by booking ahead, and RCT's ticket bookings page says it does not hold back tickets for on-the-day walk-ups, so on a busy date you may not get in without a booking. For two adults and a 10-year-old, that is £80 in advance or £90 on the day.
RCT also sells an exclusive guided tour from 27 November to 28 December 2026 at £85 per person, held after the castle has closed to day visitors.
If you bought directly from RCT, you can turn your ticket into a free 1-Year Pass for standard admission by signing and printing your name on it before you leave the site.
Which days the castle is open
RCT's highlights page describes the castle as open Thursday to Monday, and the practical information page states: "Windsor Castle is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday." The practical information page also warns that the whole castle or the State Apartments can close at short notice, as Windsor is a working royal palace.
Inside the precincts, St George's Chapel has tighter hours. On open days it closes to visitors at 16:15, with last entry at 16:00, ahead of the 17:15 evening service. On Sundays it is closed to visitors because services run all day, although worshippers are welcome. So if the chapel matters to you, go on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Monday, and reach it before 16:00.
RCT's day trip guide suggests allowing at least 1½ to 2 hours for the castle.
Changing the Guard at Windsor
RCT says castle visitors can usually watch the guard on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, starting just before 11:00, weather permitting. On Thursdays and Saturdays the guard marches through the town into the castle for the full changeover; on Mondays and Fridays a smaller Captain's Inspection takes place inside the castle only. Seeing the whole ceremony inside requires an admission ticket.
The army's Household Division calendar for October 2026 lists Windsor guard changes at 11:00 on Thursday 15, Saturday 17, Thursday 22, Saturday 24, Thursday 29 and Saturday 31 October, with Captain's Inspections on most other weekdays. It also shows a guard change on Tuesday 27 October, a day the castle is closed to visitors. Its Windsor guard page gives the general pattern as Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11:00, which differs from RCT's visitor guidance; the calendar for your exact date is the one to trust.
By train from London
Windsor has two stations, and the Visit Windsor travel page says both are within a few minutes' walk of the castle.
| From Paddington | From Waterloo | |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Great Western Railway | South Western Railway |
| Route | Change at Slough for the branch line | Direct |
| Arrives | Windsor & Eton Central | Windsor & Eton Riverside |
| Journey | About 35 minutes; fastest 22 | About 55 minutes |
| Frequency | Almost every 20 minutes on average | Check the timetable |
| Step-free | Category A: step-free to the platform | Category B1: short ramps, then level access |
The journey times and frequency for the Paddington route come from GWR's London to Windsor route page, which notes that journeys can take longer at weekends and on public holidays. Visit Windsor describes the Slough to Windsor branch as a 6-minute ride, gives the Waterloo route as about 55 minutes, and notes that the Elizabeth line also reaches Slough for the same change.
Step-free categories come from GWR's Windsor & Eton Central page and SWR's Windsor & Eton Riverside page. We have not stated fares: neither operator page gives a fixed fare for the route, so check the price in the journey planner for your date and time.
From the station to the castle
The castle sits at the top of a steep hill. RCT's mobility access page says visitors walk uphill from the High Street to the Admission Centre, and points to Shopmobility at the Alma Road coach park, 5–10 minutes' walk from the entrance, for anyone who needs help.
Security and bags
All visitors go through airport-style screening. According to RCT's practical information page:
- Bags too large for the scanners cannot be brought in, and very large suitcases or heavy luggage are allowed only at staff discretion.
- All bags and pushchairs stay with you in the grounds; the only cloakroom is in the China Museum at the entrance to the State Apartments, about 10 minutes' walk uphill from the Admission Centre.
- Large backpacks and pushchairs are not allowed in the State Apartments.
- Pen knives, scissors and sealed alcoholic drinks must be checked in and collected afterwards.
- Bicycles, skateboards and drones are not allowed.
If Windsor is one of several royal visits, compare it with Buckingham Palace's State Rooms and winter tours, and see Stonehenge by train for the other big day trip west of London.