Private Windsor Castle Day Trip from London
A Thousand Years of Royal History — the State Apartments, St George's Chapel and Windsor Great Park, at Your Own Pace
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, and the place the British royal family has called home for nearly a thousand years. Ten monarchs are buried within its walls. St George's Chapel — one of the finest examples of late-Gothic architecture in England — has been the setting for royal weddings, funerals, and investitures for six centuries. The State Apartments contain one of the greatest collections of art and armoury in any royal residence in Europe. And Windsor Great Park, stretching three miles to the south, is a royal landscape of ancient trees, long avenues, and open parkland that most day visitors never reach.
A Windsor Castle day trip from London by private car takes under an hour from central London — making it the most accessible significant royal landmark in England. With a private vehicle and a driver at disposal, you arrive when you choose, stay as long as the castle demands, and are free to explore Windsor town, Eton College, and the Long Walk through the Great Park without a fixed return time hanging over the day.
This is one of the most rewarding half-day or full-day trips from London available — and with a private car, there is no reason to rush any of it.
📍 Windsor Castle · St George's Chapel · Windsor Great Park · Eton | 🚗 Private Car at Disposal | 🕐 Half Day & Full Day Options | 🪪 TfL Licensed: 01094601
How to Get to Windsor Castle From London — Your Options
This is a question with several answers — and each one involves a different trade-off between cost, convenience, and time.
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By Train
How to get to Windsor Castle from London by train involves one of two routes. The fastest is from London Waterloo, changing at Slough, arriving at Windsor & Eton Central — typically around 50 minutes total. The alternative is from London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Riverside, also approximately 50 minutes with a change.
Both routes are viable for passengers travelling light from central locations near those termini. For passengers staying in South Kensington, Mayfair, or elsewhere in London who are not near Waterloo or Paddington — and for anyone travelling with luggage, a pushchair, or children — the train involves a journey to the station before the journey even begins.
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By Coach
The Windsor Castle bus from London option involves Green Line services from Victoria Coach Station, taking approximately 90 minutes to Windsor. It is the cheapest ground transport option. It is also the least flexible — fixed departure times, no waiting once you are in Windsor, and the return journey on the same terms.
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By Private Car The Recommended Option
A private car to Windsor Castle from London collects you from your door. It takes 40–55 minutes of comfortable, direct travel. Your driver parks on site and waits while you explore. The return journey begins when you choose. You see the castle on your terms, not a timetable's.
For international visitors — who have often travelled thousands of miles to be in England — spending half the day managing train connections and fixed coach schedules is not the best use of limited time in the country. A windsor castle private tour from london by car solves this entirely.
Windsor Castle — What to See and How Long to Allow
Windsor Castle is not a single attraction — it is a complex of buildings, chapels, apartments, exhibitions, and gardens spread across a significant site. Most visitors significantly underestimate how much time they need.
The State Apartments
The State Apartments are the formal rooms used by the Royal Family for official occasions — a succession of rooms of extraordinary grandeur containing paintings, armour, furnishings, and objects accumulated over centuries. Allow at least 60–90 minutes for the State Apartments alone.
St George's Chapel
St George's Chapel is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England and one of the most historically significant chapels in the world. It is the burial place of ten monarchs including Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour, Charles I, George VI, and Queen Elizabeth II. The chapel is also where several royal weddings have taken place in recent decades.
St George's Chapel opening times vary — it is closed to visitors on Sundays and during services, and has seasonal closing dates. Check the Royal Collection Trust website before visiting to confirm it will be open on your date.
Allow 30–60 minutes for St George's Chapel. It rewards time and attention.
Queen Mary's Dolls' House
Queen Mary's Dolls' House is one of the most remarkable objects in the Royal Collection — a perfectly scaled palace in miniature, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in the 1920s. Every detail works: the lifts run, the books in the library were written by real authors in miniature, the wine cellar contains real vintage wines.
It is a brief visit — 15–20 minutes — but extraordinary.
The Long Walk
The Long Walk is the three-mile avenue stretching from the castle gates to the Copper Horse statue of George III on Snow Hill. It is one of the great formal landscape features of England — and it is entirely free, requiring no ticket. Most visitors walk a portion of it rather than the full six miles return.
On a clear day, the view back to the castle from the hill is among the best in the Home Counties.
Windsor Town and Eton
The historic town of Windsor is immediately below the castle walls — a pleasant pedestrian high street with restaurants, shops, and the covered Windsor Royal Shopping arcade. Eton is a five-minute walk across the Thames bridge, worth seeing for its extraordinary High Street and the exterior of Eton College.
Allow an additional hour for the town and Eton if you wish to explore them.
Windsor Castle Opening Times
Windsor Castle opening times vary by season and are subject to closure for state events and ceremonies. As a general guide, the castle is typically open to visitors most days of the year — usually from around 10am, with last entry approximately two hours before closing. Closing time varies between approximately 4pm and 5:15pm depending on the season.
Always confirm current Windsor Castle opening times directly with the Royal Collection Trust before travelling, as closures for state visits, investitures, and other royal events are not always announced far in advance. Booking your car tour a day ahead is wise — booking your castle tickets in advance is essential, as popular dates sell out.
St George's Chapel opening times differ from the main castle — it is closed on Sundays and on certain dates throughout the year. Check separately before booking.
Windsor Castle Entry Fee
Windsor Castle entry fee is set by the Royal Collection Trust and covers admission to the State Apartments, St George's Chapel, and Queen Mary's Dolls' House. Admission is not included in the private car tour price.
We recommend booking Windsor Castle tickets directly through the Royal Collection Trust website in advance — popular dates, particularly in summer, can sell out several weeks ahead.
Windsor castle entry fee is subject to change — always check current pricing on the Royal Collection Trust website at rct.uk. As a guide, adult tickets are typically in the range of £26–£28, with concession, child, and family rates available. A windsor castle family ticket and group rates for larger parties are also available — check the official site for current pricing.
The Itinerary
A Suggested Day
This is a guide, not a fixed schedule. Your day is exactly what you make it.
Morning departure from London — most visitors find that leaving between 9am and 10am means arriving at Windsor as the castle opens, before the majority of coach groups arrive. Your driver collects you at your specified London address.
Journey to Windsor — 40–55 minutes. Comfortable, direct, private. Free Wi-Fi on board if you want to use the journey to review your castle plan.
State Apartments — 60–90 minutes. Start here — it is the most substantial part of the visit and benefits from being tackled when you are fresh.
St George's Chapel — 30–60 minutes. Walk across the Lower Ward from the State Apartments.
Queen Mary's Dolls' House — 15–20 minutes. Usually included with the State Apartments ticket.
Lunch in Windsor town — the High Street and the surrounding streets have a range of restaurants and cafes for every taste, from traditional pubs to modern dining.
The Long Walk — walk as far as suits you. Even a mile in each direction gives a sense of the scale and beauty of the avenue.
Eton — cross the Thames bridge, walk the High Street, see the College exterior.
Return to London — your driver is waiting. Depart when you are ready.
Total time at Windsor: 4–6 hours for a thorough visit, 2–3 hours for a focused half-day.
Optional Additions to Your Windsor Day
Your driver and vehicle are yours for the duration. Additional stops can be requested at the time of booking.
Runnymede — on the Thames between Windsor and London, Runnymede is where King John sealed Magna Carta in 1215. The meadow is free to visit, with monuments to Magna Carta, the Kennedy Memorial, and the Air Forces Memorial nearby. A 15-minute detour that adds a genuinely significant piece of English history to the day.
Savill Garden — within Windsor Great Park, the Savill Garden is a 35-acre ornamental garden open to the public year-round with an entry fee. Particularly spectacular in late spring and early summer. Add 90 minutes if you wish to visit.
Eton College — the exterior and chapel of one of England's most famous schools is a short walk from Windsor town and can be combined naturally with a post-lunch walk across the bridge.
Combining Windsor With Other Destinations
Windsor can be combined with other destinations for a longer day, depending on your starting time and pace.
Windsor and Stonehenge — Windsor in the morning, Stonehenge in the afternoon via the A303. A long but achievable day departing early from London.
Windsor and Oxford — Windsor in the morning, Oxford in the afternoon. Approximately 90 minutes between the two. A full day, well spent.
Windsor and Hampton Court Palace — both are Thames-side royal palaces and make a natural pair for visitors with strong interest in the royal history of England. A full day, allowing approximately two hours at each.
Call 0208 129 2660 to discuss combined itineraries and receive a fixed price for the full day.
What Is Included in Your Private Tour
✅ Private vehicle exclusively yours — no shared passengers, no fixed stops
✅ Dedicated driver for the day — waits on site while you explore, ready when you are
✅ Door to door — collected from your London hotel, home, or address and returned at the end
✅ Fixed price confirmed at booking — no meter running while you are inside the castle
✅ Free Wi-Fi and bottled water on board
✅ Flexible timing — depart when you choose, stay as long as you wish
✅ Executive Mercedes or BMW available — for visitors who want a premium vehicle
✅ Child seats available — request at booking
✅ VAT receipt — for business visitors or expense purposes
Vehicles Available
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Saloon
Up to 4 passengers
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Executive
Up to 4 passengers, premium comfort
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MPV
Up to 5 passengers
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8-Seater
Up to 8 passengers, ideal for family groups and small parties
FAQ — Windsor Castle Private Tour From London
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Approximately 40–55 minutes from central London depending on your starting point and traffic conditions. From West London (Kensington, Fulham, Hammersmith) it is typically closer to 35–45 minutes. From the City or East London, allow 55–70 minutes.
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Most visitors need at least two hours for a focused visit to the State Apartments and chapel. A thorough visit including the Long Walk and Windsor town is better suited to a half day or longer.
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Yes. Additional stops can be requested at the time of booking. Your driver will incorporate them into the route and the fixed price will be adjusted accordingly.
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Windsor Castle is typically open most days from around 10am with last entry approximately two hours before closing. Closing times vary seasonally and the castle occasionally closes for state events. Always confirm on the Royal Collection Trust website before travelling.
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The castle is generally open on Sundays, but St George's Chapel is closed to tourists on Sundays. Check current opening information on the Royal Collection Trust website for the specific date of your visit.
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Yes, with an early departure. Windsor in the morning and Stonehenge or Oxford in the afternoon is achievable in a long day. Call 0208 129 2660 to discuss combined itineraries.
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Use the quote form linked below or call 0208 129 2660. Your fixed price is confirmed immediately. Private tours can be booked the same day subject to availability, but we recommend at least 24 hours' notice to guarantee your preferred vehicle and driver.
Book Your Windsor Castle Day Today
The world's oldest and largest inhabited castle, 25 miles from your London hotel. Your driver is at your door in the morning. Your vehicle is yours for the day. Windsor Castle is open when you arrive, and the Long Walk is waiting when you want a breath of air. No coach schedule. No shared group. Just the castle.