Windsor Castle: Day Trips and Tours from London

A stone's throw from London, Windsor Castle has been the home of many of Britain's most notable monarchs for over 900 years. Day trips to Windsor Castle from London allow you to explore traditional English heritage and take a peek at how royalty lives.

You will find below everything you need to know about Windsor Castle, one of the best destinations for a day trip from London.

Directions to Windsor Castle from London

Windsor Castle is located in the county of Berkshire, approximately 35 kilometers west of London.

• By car: The quickest route to Windsor Castle is via the M4, which takes about 45 minutes by car.
• By train: from London's Paddington station, you can travel to Slough, and change to another train for Windsor & Eton Central. This journey takes just under an hour. Alternatively, direct trains from London Waterloo take just over 1 hour to reach Windsor Castle.
• By bus: Multiple buses depart from London Victoria daily and take roughly 2 hours to reach Windsor Castle.
• Guided tour to Windsor Castle from London: The most convenient and relaxed way of visiting Windsor Castle is by joining a day trip. These half or full-day excursions take care of all logistics and include a knowledgeable guide, making them great value for money.

Windsor Castle ticket prices

• Adults: £30 (US$38)
• Young persons (ages 18-24): £19.50 (US$25)
• Children (ages 5-17): £15 (US$14)
• Visitors with disabilities: £15 (US$14)

Windsor Castle opening hours

• March 1 - Oct. 31: 10 AM - 5:15 PM
• Nov. 1 - Feb. 28: 10 AM - 4:15 PM

Last admission to the castle is an hour and 15 minutes before closing.

Windsor Castle is closed to visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. St George’s Chapel is open for tours on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, while on Sunday it is only open for worship.

Typical itinerary of Windsor Castle tours from London

Itineraries of tours differ depending on the location you're visiting alongside Windsor Castle. After a scenic drive from London, you'll visit Windsor Castle, either alone or with a guide.

Once you've toured the Castle, you may either return to London or continue to other destinations. Many tours visit Stonehenge, which has existed since prehistoric times.

Some tours may include the option to visit Oxford, famous for the prestigious Oxford University, or Bath, which was founded by the ancient Romans and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. After this visit, which typically includes a bus or walking tour, you return to London.

Types of Windsor Castle tours from London

Half-day tours to Windsor Castle from London

This tour allows you to wander the castle at your own pace. You'll travel by bus, and have access to an audio guide to escort you on your self-guided tour of Windsor Castle. There, you'll visit St. George's Chapel, which is the resting ground of several Royals, along with the luxurious State Apartments and Queen Mary's Dolls' House.

Our pick: Windsor Castle Half-Day Tour

• Includes: Roundtrip luxury bus transfers, multilingual audio guide, Windsor Castle entry
• Price: £79 (afternoon) or £89 (morning) per person
• Duration: 5.5 hours

Day trips to Windsor Castle plus Oxford and Stonehenge from London

To start this day trip, you'll head to Windsor Castle and roam its opulent rooms, with a guide on hand to point out artworks by Leonardo da Vinci. You'll then visit the UNESCO-listed Stonehenge, which baffles scientists to this day. Lastly, you'll explore the university town of Oxford, where you'll take a walking tour around its many historic buildings.

Our pick: Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Oxford Day Trip

• Includes: Roundtrip bus transfers, expert multilingual guide, Oxford walking tour, Stonehenge tickets, optional Windsor Castle tickets
• Price: £99 for adults, £96 for seniors (65+), £89 for children (3-16), +£25 for Windsor Castle entry
• Duration: 11.5 hours

Day tours to Windsor Castle plus Bath and Stonehenge from London

This Windsor Castle day tour stops for a traditional pub lunch where you'll have the opportunity to try British favorites, which include fish and chips, and a roast dinner. As well as touring Windsor Castle and Stonehenge, you'll enjoy a coach tour of Bath, which took its named from the ancient Roman baths that are still visible today.

Our pick: Stonehenge, Windsor Castle & Bath Tour

• Includes: Roundtrip bus transfers, expert multilingual guide, Bath walking tour, Stonehenge tickets, optional Windsor Castle and Roman Baths tickets
• Price: £99 to £155 for adults, £94 to £150 for seniors (65+), £89 to £145 for children (3-16), depending on entries
• Duration: 11 hours

Private Excursions to Windsor Castle

Kick back, relax and enjoy the ride on a private excursion to Windsor Castle! These day trips generally follow the itinerary of guided tours and are designed for small groups. This allows for greater flexibility and more time to appreciate the additional attractions and cities you visit, including Stonehenge, Bath or Oxford.

Our pick: Private Stonehenge, Windsor & Bath Tour

• Includes: Roundtrip private transfers, driver/guide, guided tour of Bath
• Price: £995 per group (up to 8 travelers)
• Duration: 11 hours

Prices of Windsor Castle trips from London

Half-day tours of Windsor Castle cost approximately £80 to £90 per traveler.

Windsor Castle excursions that include Oxford and Stonehenge cost between £85 and £125. Tickets for Stonehenge are generally included, however Windsor Castle entry is optional.

Prices for Windsor Castle day trips that include Bath and Stonehenge cost between £85 and £155.  Tours on the lower end of this price range visit Bath by coach, while those on the higher end take a walking tour of Bath.

Private tours to Windsor Castle and other destinations are generally priced on a group basis, with prices ranging from £65o to £1,100. The final price will depend on the itinerary, duration, group size and inclusions.

Highlights at Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle was originally built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror. To date, it remains both the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Over the centuries, it has housed almost 40 monarchs, including King Henry VIII, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II.

State Apartments

It's hard to believe the level of grandeur when you step into the ceremonial rooms, which feature gold-covered walls. The ceremonial rooms are still used today to host official events and welcome leaders from other countries. The State Apartments also contain a series of historic rooms, which were built for King Charles II and feature intricately painted ceilings.

Queen Mary's Dolls' House

More than just a regular toy, the dolls' house was created by over 1,500 artists. It features electricity, running water and working lifts. More elegant than the average dolls' house, the model includes a wine cellar and a library with hand-drawn children's books.

St. George's Chapel

Designed in a classic Gothic style, St. George's Chapel is the final resting place for many of England's royals. King Henry VIII is buried at the chapel, alongside his third and favorite wife — Jane Seymour. Alongside burials, the chapel has hosted several royal weddings, including that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Changing the Guard

The iconic Changing the Guard ceremony takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11 AM. On a Windsor Castle excursion, you can see the smooth handover of duties from one set of royal guards to another. The guards are always decked in traditional bear-skin hats and dashing red uniforms.

Accessibility

Windsor Castle is accessible to wheelchair users, deaf or hard of hearing visitors, blind or partially-sighted visitors, and visitors on the autism spectrum. Consult the official website for more details.

Best time to visit Windsor Castle

The best time to organize a Windsor Castle day trip is during the summer months. While the castle is busier at this time of year, the weather is usually sunny and warm. This enables you to have a pleasant stroll around the grounds and stop for a picnic if you choose.

Travel tips

• If members of the British Royal Family are in residence, parts of the castle may be closed at short notice.
• While photos are allowed of the exterior of Windsor Castle, they are prohibited inside.
• It's best to wear comfortable shoes on your Windsor Castle day trip. The castle is large and you'll cover a long distance touring it.