Buckingham Palace by Train: Everything You Need to Know

Daniel Clark

Published: June 13, 2025

Updated: May 9, 2026

Buckingham Palace by Train: Everything You Need to Know

Buckingham Palace is an iconic London landmark, and an essential stop on any London sightseeing tour. The home of England’s royalty combines history and ceremony, as well as a central London location that makes it easy to reach Buckingham Palace by train. Enjoy fast, efficient travel from across the UK, and rapid connections on the London Underground.

Whether you want to peer at the palace from outside, or step inside the majestic building, Buckingham Palace offers something for everyone. If you can time it right, stick around for a Changing the Guard ceremony for a truly British experience.

This guide reveals everything you need to know about taking the train to Buckingham Palace, from getting to the attraction, to how to buy cheap train tickets when booking in advance with TrainPal.

Getting to Buckingham Palace by train

Located between Green Park and St James’s Park, north of Westminster, Buckingham Palace is connected to all parts of London by various Underground stations and lines. Getting to Buckingham Palace by train is easy, with several options depending on your starting point.

Arriving at London Victoria

The closest train station to Buckingham Palace is London Victoria. Passengers from Ashford, Brighton, Gravesend, Dorking, or West Croydon, can arrive at London Victoria on Southern or Southeastern services. From the station, you’ll be able to stroll to Buckingham Palace in only 10 minutes.

Arriving at London Charing Cross

Visitors getting into Charing Cross have arguably the best approach to Buckingham Palace by train. Southeastern trains drop passengers from Dartford, Hayes, and Ramsgate at Charing Cross station, from where you can walk along The Mall. This iconic road connects Trafalgar Square with Buckingham Palace, and offers a majestic approach to the grand palace.

Arrive at other London train stations

If you are coming from further afield, you may be arriving at other London stations, including London Liverpool Street and London Euston. Wherever you end up, you can take the London Underground to James’s Park station, travelling on either the Circle or District Line. Alternatively, Hyde Park Corner station (Piccadilly Line) is a good choice for a slightly longer walk down Constitution Hill.

Whichever way you travel, be sure to buy cheap train tickets in advance when booking your travel with TrainPal.

Buckingham Palace opening hours, tickets and tips

It doesn’t cost anything to enjoy the grand building from the outside! Pose for a picture, and check to see if the King is home by looking for the flag that indicates this.

If you want to delve deeper into your royal visit, you can enter Buckingham Palace for guided tours on select dates; check before you travel.

Typically, the palace is open from July to August between 09:30 and 19:30. From September to October, tours finish earlier at 18:30.

Tip: For guided tours, it is essential to book tickets online. You will be asked to choose a timeslot, and should arrive promptly 10 minutes prior to the start of your tour.

Various ticket types exist to cater to different visitors, whether you’re looking for palace entry only, or want to make the most of a Royal Day Out, which entitles you to visit the State Rooms, as well as rare Japanese artwork and Samurai armour. Prices for tickets to Buckingham Palace start from £30 for an adult, or £16.50 for a child (5-17).

Top things to see and do at Buckingham Palace

Even though most of the time you can’t get inside, Buckingham Palace remains near the top of most London visitors’ itineraries. With so much history and heritage, the palace is an unmissable landmark. Here are our top recommendations for what to see and do at Buckingham Palace:

Bask in British history

Originally intended as a private retreat for Queen Charlotte, and known as The Queen's House, Buckingham Palace was later renovated under George IV. As the building turned into a true palace, its striking U-shaped structure was formed, with two wings and a grand court in the middle. Visitors today can feel the history of the grand old building, and get a sense of the power and privilege that underpins the British monarchy.

Watch the Changing of the Guard

For a full experience of English pomp and circumstance, don’t miss the Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. This is where the King's Guard hands over responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace to the New Guard. Typically, Changing the Guard ceremonies take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 11:00.

See the State Rooms

To get inside Buckingham Palace, look out for opening times and book your visit before you travel, as tours only operate at certain times of the year. The State Rooms are an iconic set of 19 rooms where the monarch and other members of the Royal Family entertain official guests. Spot treasures from the Royal Collection, and don’t miss the Throne Room.

Planning your trips to London by train

Oxford to London

Travel by train from Oxford to London Marylebone on direct services with Chiltern Railways. The journey takes just 1 hour 20 minutes, and will drop you off in the heart of London. From Marylebone, take the 2 Bus to Hyde Park Corner, or the Jubilee Line to Green Park.

Cardiff to London

Travelling by train to Buckingham Palace from Cardiff? Enjoy fast, affordable travel on Great Western Railway (GWR) services from Cardiff Central to London Paddington, arriving into London in about 1 hour 50 minutes. From Paddington, you can take the Circle Line to St James’s Park.

Sheffield to London

Passengers from Sheffield to London can board direct trains to London St Pancras, arriving in the capital in two hours. After travelling on an efficient East Midlands Railway service, you’ll be able to hop on the Victoria Line to Green Park, to arrive in style at Buckingham Palace.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip