Compare Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court, Kensington Palace and the Tower of London. Know what you are booking before you choose your tickets.
A little planning. A much better day.Find your kind of royal London. Start with the experience you want to have.
WestminsterStep inside the ceremonial heart of royal London. Choose a State Rooms ticket if the interiors are the reason for your visit.
Windsor, outside LondonMake a day of the castle, State Apartments and Windsor itself. Decide between independent entry and a tour with transport from London.
Richmond upon ThamesExplore Tudor courtyards and the palace gardens at a gentler pace. This is a destination to linger in, rather than a quick photo stop.
Kensington GardensPair a visit to historic royal rooms with time in Kensington Gardens. A practical choice when you want a palace experience within a relaxed London day.
Tower HillAdd a royal fortress to your shortlist. The Tower offers a very different day from the furnished apartments and gardens of London’s palaces.
Entry, guided visits and extras can mean very different things. Our comparisons explain what to look for.
Explore ticket options →Compare Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle by interior access, travel from London, season and ticket inclusions. Choose the visit that fits your dates.
Compare the experiences →Clear recommendations, with a reason to choose each experience.
Compare Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle by interior access, travel from London, season and ticket inclusions. Choose the visit that fits your dates.
Read the comparison →Choose Windsor Castle for a working royal castle and a day in Windsor; choose Hampton Court Palace for Tudor history, larger garden plans and a palace-led outing. Both need travel from central London. If you have only a short morning, choose one rather than squeezing both into the same day.
Read the comparison →Kensington suits a palace visit within a central London park day. Hampton Court suits a larger outing built around the palace and its gardens.
Read the comparison →Compare Windsor Castle and Hampton Court at Christmas: festive experiences, admission, separate extras and travel from London.
Read the comparison →Choose your interests, available time and group. Compare three starting points with reasons and practical checks.
An editorial matching tool, not a live availability search. Planning allowances are approximate. Your choices stay in this browser.
Select a priority to see our recommendation.
Choose Buckingham Palace for the Throne Room, ceremonial interiors and a central London setting. It fits a royal London day without an out-of-town journey.
Planning allowance: Half a day
Keep in mind: A Changing the Guard walk is not the same as State Rooms admission. The Royal Mews and gallery are separate experiences unless explicitly included.
Read the guide and compare tickets →Choose Windsor when you want a destination beyond central London. Independent tickets give you more freedom in town; coach tours simplify the journey but have fixed return times.
Planning allowance: Most of a day with travel
Keep in mind: Windsor is not in London. A day trip that names Windsor does not necessarily include castle entry. Working-palace closures can affect the route.
Read the guide and compare tickets →Choose Hampton Court for Henry VIII history, contrasting palace architecture and a substantial outdoor visit. It works well as the main event of the day.
Planning allowance: Half to a full day
Keep in mind: Garden access, the maze and family play areas can follow different opening arrangements. Seasonal events may require separate tickets.
Read the guide and compare tickets →Choose Kensington for a visit that combines easily with the surrounding park. Check the current exhibition before booking if a particular royal story is your main interest.
Planning allowance: Half a day
Keep in mind: An afternoon tea or garden walk near the palace does not automatically include palace admission. Public gardens and ticketed interiors are different visits.
Read the guide and compare tickets →Choose the Tower for the Crown Jewels, fortress buildings and layered royal history. It is a strong alternative when a conventional palace interior is not what interests you most.
Planning allowance: Half a day
Keep in mind: The Tower of London and Tower Bridge are separate attractions. General entry, early access and the Ceremony of the Keys are different products.
Read the guide and compare tickets →The practical details that make the day run more smoothly.
Build each day around one main ticketed attraction. Add nearby free outdoor time, and keep Windsor clearly separate as a trip outside London.
Plan your visit →The cheapest-looking royal tour may be a walk outside. Compare what you will enter, how you will get there and how much flexibility you keep.
Plan your visit →Choose around your children’s interests, walking stamina and need for breaks. The most famous palace is not automatically the best family choice.
Plan your visit →Plan Hampton Court Palace at Christmas 2026: Winter Palace dates, Festive Fayre weekends, admission inclusions, separate skating tickets and travel from London.
Plan your visit →Plan a Windsor Castle Christmas visit in 2026. Check the Festive Weekend dates, admission versus transport, family activities and a realistic day trip from London.
Plan your visit →Choose a rail route or a half-day tour, then plan castle entry, the uphill walk and your return to London.
Plan your visit →Find Hampton Court station, plan palace and garden time and avoid mistaking a summer boat trip for a quick transfer.
Plan your visit →Compare standard Tower of London admission with a Beefeater meet-and-greet product. Understand Crown Jewels access, queues and what to book separately.
Plan your visit →Explore the first-booking offer and check eligibility before choosing your tickets.
