How to Get from London to Windsor Castle: Is It Worth Visiting on a Day Trip?

I’ll admit it—I wasn’t completely sold on visiting Windsor Castle. I’d been once before—back in the 1990s—but Lori had never been, and neither had the boys.

Since we only had a week in London, I wasn’t sure it made sense to spend part of one of our sightseeing days traveling outside the city. Between the cost of admission, transportation, and the time involved, it doesn’t exactly make for a spontaneous outing.

In the end, we decided to go. And, I’m very glad we did.

If you’re debating whether to make the trip—or wondering how to get from London to Windsor Castle—you’re asking the same questions we did while planning our visit.

There are several ways to make the journey, and we feel each has its advantages depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style.

We chose to visit independently by train, but after dealing with delays and cancellations in both directions, I came away thinking there isn’t one perfect answer.

For some travelers, the train is still the best option. For others, booking a guided day trip or shuttle from central London may be well worth the extra cost.

In this guide, we’ll explain the best ways to travel from London to Windsor Castle, what we thought of visiting independently, whether the castle is worth the trip, and how much time we think you should plan to spend there.

Along the way, we’ll also share our firsthand experience exploring the castle grounds with our two boys and the lessons we learned that we’d draw on if we were to visit again.

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Why Visit Windsor Castle?

If you’ve spent any time researching day trips from London, you’ve probably noticed one destination appears on just about every list: Windsor Castle.

And there are very good reasons for that, of course.

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Unlike many historic castles that function solely as museums, this one remains an official residence of the British monarch and continues to play an important role for the Royal Family.

That much became obvious as soon as we arrived.

Flying above the Round Tower—smack-dab in the middle—was the Royal Standard (the Union Jack normally flies here), telling all around that King Charles III was in-the-house during our visit.

Even if you’re only casually interested in British history, it’s quite a trip to stand inside a castle that has been home to monarchs for nearly 1,000 years.

Few attractions in England combine so much history with such an active royal role, which is part of what makes Windsor Castle one of the country’s most popular day trips from London.

I had toured Windsor Castle decades earlier, when much of it was still closed following the devastating 1992 fire. Seeing the impressively restored State Apartments and the magnificent St. George’s Hall alone made the trip worthwhile.

And, standing mere inches away from the remains of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Henry VIII, and other notable royals in St. George’s Chapel made seemingly ancient history feel surprisingly real for our kids.

How to Get from London to Windsor Castle

Once we’d decided that Windsor Castle was worth visiting, the next question was figuring out how to actually get there.

Which Option is Best?

At first glance, it seems straightforward. Windsor is only about 25 miles (40 km) west of central London, so we thought getting there would be simple.

In reality, we had several different options, and the “best” one for you depends on how much you value convenience, flexibility, and cost.

Some travelers prefer the freedom of visiting independently by train, while others would rather let someone else handle the transportation so they can simply enjoy the day.

We chose to travel independently by train because it offered the most flexibility. We could leave when we wanted, spend as much time at the castle as we liked, and return whenever we were ready.

With that said, we experienced delays in both directions (the final shuttle train between Slough and Windsor was abruptly cancelled due to a malfunction, and all trains were significantly delayed on the return journey).

We still enjoyed the day, but it reminded us that even the UK’s rail network isn’t immune to disruptions.

Here’s a closer look at the different ways to get from London to Windsor Castle and who each option is best suited for.

If you’d rather skip train schedules, transfers, and the chance of delays, there are several excellent guided day trips from London that include transportation and Windsor Castle admission. Here is our short list of what we’d do next time:

• Half-Day Windsor Trip from London (GetYourGuide)
• *Private* Half-Day Windsor Tour (Viator)
• Full-Day Windsor, Bath AND Stonehenge (Viator)

Option 1: Take the Train (What We Did)

For independent travelers, taking the train is usually the most popular way to reach Windsor Castle.

The journey is relatively quick, trains run throughout the day, and both railway stations are within an easy walk of the castle.

If you’re comfortable navigating London’s public transportation, it’s a straightforward trip that gives you control over your schedule (provided that there aren’t disruptions).

Depending on where you’re staying in London and which train you choose, you’ll either travel from London Paddington or London Waterloo.

London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central

This is often the fastest route on paper.

From Paddington Station, you’ll take a Great Western Railway train to Slough, where you’ll transfer to a short shuttle train that continues to Windsor & Eton Central Station.

The entire journey usually takes around 30 to 40 minutes, although that depends on your connection at Slough.

The transfer is generally easy, but it does mean you’ll need to change trains. If you’re traveling with luggage, strollers, or young children, it’s something to keep in mind.

Once you arrive at Windsor & Eton Central Station, you’re only about a five-minute walk from Windsor Castle’s entrance.

This is the route we used on our outbound journey.

You can buy rail tickets with the Great Western Railway app, at the station, or at www.gwr.com. See more tips below.

London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside

The second option leaves from London Waterloo via the South Western Railway.

Unlike the Paddington/GWR route, this train travels directly to Windsor & Eton Riverside Station without requiring a transfer.

The downside is that the journey usually takes a little longer—typically between 50 minutes and one hour—but if you want a more straightforward journey without a transfer, this might be a better option.

From Windsor & Eton Riverside Station, it’s about a 10-minute walk uphill to Windsor Castle.

If you’re staying near Westminster, South Bank, or Waterloo, this route may actually be more convenient despite the longer travel time.

You can buy rail tickets with the South Western Railway app, at the station, or at www.southwesternrailway.com. See more tips below.

✪ Please Note Windsor & Eton Riverside Station is different from Windsor & Eaton Central Station. However, the walk from either one to the castle is not long.

Tips for Buying Train Tickets

One nice thing about visiting independently is that purchasing train tickets is easy.

You can buy them in advance online (www.GWR.com or SouthWesternRailway.com), use their respective apps, purchase them at the station, or buy them from ticket machines before you board.

And if your travel dates are fixed, booking ahead sometimes saves a little money as well.

Otherwise, flexible return tickets can provide some peace of mind if you’re unsure exactly how long you’ll spend exploring Windsor.

Since trains run frequently throughout the day, many visitors simply buy their tickets the morning of their trip.

✪ Hot Tip I found that using an app on my phone was my preferred choice. However, you may not want to buy too far in advance if you’re not sure which route you’ll be taking back, as advance tickets are often not interchangeable between South Western Railway and Great Western Railway (see restrictions printed on your ticket).

✪ Important The tap-in tap-out/ Oyster system won’t work for tickets all the way to Windsor, so you’ll need to purchase tickets using one of the methods, above, for this day trip.

See our Practical Tips section below for helpful information on buying Windsor Castle tickets for those planning on visiting independently.

Option 2: Package Day Trip

If time and convenience are your top priorities, a package day trip probably offers the best value for your money.

Most tours depart from central London by coach and include transportation, timed admission to Windsor Castle, and the services of a knowledgeable guide (to/from and around Windsor, but generally not in the castle, itself—but there’s an included multimedia guide for that).

Instead of worrying about train schedules, transfers, or potential delays, you simply board the coach and let someone else handle the logistics (usually accompanied by some very entertaining commentary).

These are the top-rated tours (with free-cancellation) that we were eyeing:

• Half-day Windsor trip from London w/ticket (GetYourGuide)
• *Private* half-day Windsor tour w/ticket (Viator)

After our experience with the trains, we now understand why this option is so popular.

For first-time visitors to London—or anyone who doesn’t want to spend vacation time navigating transportation—a package day tour removes much of the planning and stress.

Many tours also include skip-the-line entry or reserved admission times, which can make the day feel even more efficient during busy travel seasons.

Once you add together train fare and castle admission, the total cost of visiting independently can be closer to a package tour than you might expect.

Option 3: Combination Day Tours

If you’re only spending a few days in London, you may be tempted by one of the many combination tours that pair Windsor Castle with other top-tier destinations.

The most popular itinerary combines Windsor Castle with Stonehenge and Bath in a single day. This highly-rated tour offers free cancellation:

• Viator: Full-Day Windsor, Bath AND Stonehenge from London
• Get Your Guide: Full-Day Windsor, Bath AND Stonehenge

These tours obviously don’t allow as much time at each stop, but they’re an efficient way to see several of England’s most iconic attractions without renting a car or navigating public transportation.

The trade-offs, of course, are pace and flexibility.

Expect a long day with plenty of time on the coach and relatively limited time at each destination. However, if your goal is simply to see as much of southern England as possible, these tours make a lot of sense.

Option 4: Taxi or Ride Share

You can also take a taxi or use a ride-sharing service such as Uber from central London.

This is certainly the simplest option from a logistics standpoint. A driver picks you up at your hotel and drops you near the castle entrance.

The downside is the price (and sometimes traffic).

Depending on traffic, expect the journey to take anywhere from 45 minutes to well over an hour, with fares varying significantly based on demand. During rush hour, both the travel time and cost can increase substantially.

For most travelers, it’s difficult to justify the expense unless you’re traveling as a larger group and can split the fare.

Option 5: Driving Yourself

Renting a car is another possibility, although it’s probably the option we’d recommend least.

Driving in central London can be intimidating (especially if you’re not used to driving on the left-hand side of the road!), and you’ll also have to deal with congestion, parking, and navigating unfamiliar streets before you even reach Windsor.

Parking is available in Windsor, but spaces can fill quickly during busy periods, and parking fees add to the overall cost of the day.

That said, driving becomes much more attractive if Windsor Castle is just one stop on a larger road trip through southern England (or you’re starting your day in the western outskirts of Central London).

If you’re planning to continue on to places like Stonehenge, the Cotswolds, Bath, or Oxford, having your own vehicle gives you much more flexibility.

For a standalone day trip from London, though, we’d choose almost any of the other options first.

Independent Visit vs. Package Tour: Which Is Better?

After making the trip ourselves, we don’t think there’s a universally “best” way to visit Windsor Castle.

Instead, it comes down to what kind of traveler you are and what you hope to get out of your visit.

If you enjoy planning your own itinerary, don’t mind using public transportation, and like the freedom to explore at your own pace, visiting independently by train is still an excellent choice.

The journey is relatively straightforward, and having complete control over your schedule is a big advantage. That’s why we decided to go this route.

On the other hand, if you’re visiting London for the first time, traveling with older family members, or simply don’t want to spend part of your vacation figuring out train schedules and connections, a package day trip is hard to beat.

The cost difference also isn’t always as large as people expect.

If I were traveling solo or as a couple, I’d compare prices carefully before making a decision.

What to See at Windsor Castle

Once you’ve made the trip from London to Windsor Castle, the next question is how to make the most of your visit.

Although Windsor Castle is enormous, the visitor route is well organized and easy to follow.

Even though we visited during a busy holiday weekend, the crowds never felt overwhelming, and the included multimedia guide does a pretty good job of explaining the history as you go (our kids really liked the multimedia aspect as well).

Unless you’re like our oldest son who loves to read every exhibit panel, you can comfortably see the highlights in about two to three hours.

If you have the time, our biggest piece of advice is don’t rush it.

Start with the State Apartments

If it’s your first visit, we recommend making a beeline for the State Apartments.

Why? This is the single most popular section of the complex and can quickly get congested. On top of that, a long queue forms pretty early on most days.

So why bother, then? Well, the State Apartments were one of the highlights of our visit, and likely will be one of yours as well.

These ornately decorated rooms form the heart of the visitor experience, showcasing the pomp and grandeur of the British monarchy more than any other section at Windsor.

Room after room is filled with elaborate ceilings, priceless artwork, antique furniture, armor, and decorative details.

The multimedia guide provides just enough historical context without slowing the visit down. We found ourselves listening to nearly every stop, even the kids stayed engaged longer than we expected.

One of the biggest highlights for us was St. George’s Hall, the impressive banquet hall that was painstakingly restored after the devastating fire in 1992.

Even if you’ve seen photos online, it’s worth taking a few extra minutes here to take a closer look at the craftsmanship of the ceiling, in particular. The intricate timber roof alone is pretty amazing.

So, if the State Apartments are so great, why don’t I have any photos posted here? Photo-taking is forbidden inside the State Apartments (but there’s lots of photos elsewhere online if you’re curious…or you can wait until your visit and be surprised).

Don’t Skip Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House

It would be easy to assume that Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House is mainly for children. It’s not. In fact, many adults seemed just as fascinated as the younger visitors.

Built in the 1920s, this detailed miniature residence includes tiny books, working lights, beautifully furnished rooms, and even miniature wine bottles in the cellar. The attention to detail is amazing, and it’s one of those attractions that’s probably unlike anything else you’ll see during your visit.

The lines can become long later in the day, so it’s worth visiting earlier if possible.

Visit St. George’s Chapel

For us, St. George’s Chapel ended up another one of the highlights of our Windsor Castle visit.

The Gothic architecture alone makes it well worth visiting, with soaring stone ceilings, intricate carvings, and centuries of royal history lurking in its walls.

The chapel is also the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, Britain’s oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry.

That’s great and all, but we think most visitors probably peek inside to take a gander at the royal tombs—the eternal resting place to a few people who may have heard of…

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are buried here alongside King George VI, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and several other members of the Royal Family.

Henry VIII and Jane Seymour are also interred beneath the chapel floor, something many visitors are surprised to learn.

Whether you’re interested in royal history or not, it’s a peaceful place worth seeing and offers a nice contrast to the grandeur of the State Apartments.

Just keep in mind that St. George’s Chapel is an active place of worship. Services are held regularly, and the chapel occasionally closes to visitors, so it’s worth checking the schedule before your visit if seeing it is high on your list.

Exploring Windsor Town

Once you leave the castle, we recommend lingering for just a bit before heading to the train station (if you’ve got the time).

Although the town of Windsor isn’t especially large nor exceedingly charming, it’s worth it in our opinion to spend another hour or so wandering around after your tour.

We stopped for a traditional cream tea, which was a nice way to slow down after a morning of sightseeing. Afterwards, we strolled through town, browsed a few shops, and walked toward the River Thames before making our way back to the station.

If you have more time, we’d also recommend crossing the pedestrian bridge into neighboring Eton. Compared with the busier streets around the castle, Eton feels quieter and more residential, and the historic buildings of Eton College—one of the world’s most famous schools—is worth the trek here, alone.

We seriously considered doing a Windsor Riverboat Tour along the River Thames, but simply ran out of time. These short cruises offer a different perspective of the town and castle, and make for a nice afternoon excursion following a visit Windsor Castle (provided the weather cooperates).

Just beyond the town, there’s also The Long Walk, a long, straight tree-lined avenue that stretches out from Windsor Castle into Windsor Great Park. It’s one of the most iconic viewpoints in the area, especially for photos looking back toward the castle.

We also realized afterward that we didn’t spend as much time simply enjoying the River Thames as we probably should have. There are some really nice walking paths along the water, and in better weather, it would have been an easy way to unwind after the castle visit.

Another option that came up during our planning was LEGOLAND Windsor Resort. This one is obviously a very different experience, but if you’re traveling with younger kids—or planning a full day in the area—it can easily turn Windsor into more of a family-focused destination.

We didn’t include it on this trip since our focus was primarily Windsor Castle, but it’s clearly a major attraction just outside the town center and something many families seem to combine with a castle visit.

A Few Practical Tips

A few things we learned during our visit might be worth keeping in mind for your own…

Take Advantage of the Multimedia Guide

One of the pleasant surprises was how good the included multimedia guide was.

Admission includes a handheld device with commentary that you can follow at your own pace, allowing you to linger where something catches your interest and skip ahead if it doesn’t.

If you’re visiting independently, we’d definitely recommend using it.

How Much Time Do You Need?

Before our trip, one of our biggest questions was how much time to allow.

Looking back, we think two to three hours inside the castle will be about right for most visitors.

That should give you enough time to see the State Apartments, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, and St. George’s Chapel at a comfortable pace without feeling rushed.

If you’re someone who enjoys lingering over every exhibit or taking lots of photos of the castle grounds, you could certainly spend longer. On the other hand, if you’re visiting as part of a multi-stop coach tour, expect your visit to be a little more condensed.

For us, combining the castle with lunch and a walk around Windsor made for an ideal half-day excursion from London.

Timing

We recommend aiming to arrive as close to opening (10am) as possible. The castle grounds were much quieter when we first arrived than when we left, and this gave us more flexibility later in the day.

Like most popular London attractions, weekends, holidays, and summer months tend to be busiest, so you’ll want to plan your visit outside of those times if you want to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Currently, Windsor Castle is open Thursday to Monday from 10am to 5:15pm, with the last admission being 4pm. In the winter months, the last admission is 3pm and the grounds close to visitors by 4:15pm.

✪ Important In addition to being closed on Tuesdays and Wednesday, it’s worth taking into account that Windsor Castle remains a fully-functioning royal residence. So don’t be too surprised the grounds are closed for special occasions from time to time.

Windsor Castle Tickets

If you’re visiting independently, we strongly recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the busy spring and summer months or over school holidays. By doing so, you ensure your preferred day and time are available AND you also get a discount on the ticket price.

✪ Hot Tip You can buy your tickets directly through the Royal Collection Trust, but we recommend using Viator or GetYourGuide. Currently, there’s no markup AND Viator/GetYourGuide offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Admission includes access to the State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel (when open to visitors), Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, and the excellent multimedia guide that accompanies you throughout the visit.

If you’re booking a guided day trip from London, castle admission is often included in the tour price. Be sure to read the tour description carefully, though, as some lower-priced options include transportation only and require you to purchase your Windsor Castle admission separately.

Our Windsor Castle Day Trip

When we were planning our week in London, Windsor Castle was one of the attractions we went back and forth on the most.

I’d visited years ago, but Lori had never been, and neither had our boys. We knew it would take us away from central London for part of the day, and once we added up the cost of transportation and admission, it wasn’t exactly a cheap outing.

In the end, the Castle won out.

We caught a morning train out of London, looking forward to seeing whether Windsor Castle would live up to my three-decade-old memories and Lori and the boys’ expectations.

We took the Great Northern Railway from Paddington to Slough, planning to catch the short shuttle onward to Windsor & Eaton Central Station. But as mentioned previously, that was not to be the case, as all trains were cancelled due to a track malfunction.

So, we scrambled last-minute to find a connection and ended up in an Uber, which dropped us just on the Eaton side of the bridge (our driver saved us—and himself—15 minutes of sitting in traffic by doing this).

From there, it was a short walk to the main gate of Windsor Castle. We joined the line at the gate just before 10am and were ushered right into the grounds.

Upon entering, the flag flying above the Round Tower (the big central tower that rises above the castle grounds) immediately caught my eye. It was the Royal Standard rather than the Union Jack, which meant King Charles III was in residence.

We obviously weren’t expecting to bump into His Majesty during our visit (though that definitely would have made things very interesting), but it was fun knowing he was around today.

After all, how often do you get to share a castle with a king for a few hours?

Once inside, we picked up the multimedia guide and began making our way around the grounds.

Although I’d visited Windsor Castle before, there was a lot more to see this time around.

My previous visit had been not long after the 1992 fire, when large sections of the castle remained closed while restoration work continued.

I remembered enjoying that visit, even if we weren’t able to see some of the most famous areas (like the bulk of the State Apartments). This time around was very different.

St. George’s Hall was one of the areas that had been more or less gutted in the fire, and they did a really bang-up job restoring it. It’s hard to believe that the entire wing nearly burnt to the ground.

I think the State Apartments are really the centerpiece of the tour for most visitors. Like ceremonial halls and historic chambers in many royal residences, these are designed to impress, and they certainly succeed in that.

Every room seems bigger and bling-ier than the last, with intricate craftsmanship, priceless paintings, elaborate fireplaces, and gilded flourishes that evoke the British monarchs’ lavish lifestyles over the centuries.

The State Apartments took much longer to get through than I had thought (you’ll probably want to plan to dedicate the bulk of your time to this area).

After we wrapped up, it was on to St. George’s Chapel—which might just be the largest “chapel” I’ve seen.

The nave on its own is worth a visit—not just for its beauty but for all the history that has taken place over the centuries here.

Even so, I get the sense that most visitors come to the chapel to see the final resting places of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and, to a lesser extend, check out where infamous Henry VIII is buried.

Our walk through the chapel sparked an abundance of questions from the boys. Who was buried where? Why were they buried at Windsor instead of London? How old is St. George’s Chapel?

That’s one of our favorite parts about traveling with kids. You never really know what’s going to capture their attention, and it’s often something we didn’t expect.

After leaving the castle, we didn’t head straight back to the train station.

Lori made reservations for a cream tea at Clarence Brasserie & Tea Room. We thought it was a bit overpriced for what it was, but the location is very convenient and the scones were tasty.

From there, we wandered around the town of Windsor a bit. We had hoped that we might get our small-English-hamlet fix in Windsor, but no.

The town, itself, does not exude a tremendous amount of charm, and the High Street is nothing more than tourist trinket shops and overpriced restaurants that don’t look that appealing.

In this way, Windsor seems to do a good job of supporting its namesake landmark. But if you’re looking for an evocative and charming place to poke around in, Eton—just across the river—gets you somewhere in the ballpark without going too far.

Even so, we enjoyed strolling through town and spending a little time along the River Thames before making our way back toward the station.

Unfortunately, our return train was affected by cancellations (once again), forcing us to adjust our plans and wait longer than expected to get back to London.

It wasn’t a huge deal. Travel delays happen, and we eventually made it back without too much trouble.

But if we were recommending this excursion to friends who were visiting London for the first time—or to anyone who didn’t enjoy navigating public transportation—we’d probably suggest considering a package day trip before automatically booking train tickets.

Final Thoughts

So, after all the planning, the train schedules, the walking, and a full morning inside Windsor Castle, was it worth it?

For us, the answer is yes.

Windsor Castle ended up being one of the highlights of our week in and around London, even though we weren’t entirely sure about the trip when we first started planning it.

The history, the scale of the castle, and the fact that it’s still an active royal residence all make it feel different from other historic sights in the metro area.

Seeing the Royal Standard flying, walking through the restored State Apartments, and visiting the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II in St. George’s Chapel all added up to an experience that felt both educational and genuinely memorable, even after having already toured a number of castles and palaces around Europe.

Is Windsor Castle worth visiting from London?

Yes—especially if you’re already spending several days in London and want to add a meaningful day trip to your itinerary.

That said, it’s not a “casual” side stop. Even though it’s relatively close to central London, it still takes time and effort to get there and back. Once you factor in travel time, you’re realistically committing at least half a day.

But we think for most travelers, that trade-off is probably worth it.

What’s the best way to get from London to Windsor Castle?

There isn’t one perfect answer, but there are two strong options.

If you’re comfortable navigating public transport and want flexibility, the train is still a great way to go. It’s relatively quick, runs frequently, and gives you full control over your schedule.

That’s what we chose, and while we had some delays, the journey itself was straightforward and manageable.

However, if convenience matters more to you—especially if you’re visiting London for the first time or traveling with family—a package day trip is worth serious consideration.

Having transportation, timing, and sometimes even admission handled for you removes a lot of uncertainty from the day.

After our experience with train delays in both directions, we can see why so many visitors prefer this option.

How much time should you spend at Windsor Castle?

For most visitors, dedicating a half-day to the excursion is probably going to be the sweet spot.

We spent around that much time exploring the castle, visiting St. George’s Chapel and the State Apartments, and still had time for a relaxed cream tea and a short walk through Windsor before heading back to London.

If you like to move slowly or plan to explore more of the town and nearby Eton in depth, you could easily stretch it into a full day. But for us, a half-day felt like the right balance between sightseeing and still having time back in London.

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Featured Image: Simon Hurry / Unsplash