CityBuddy
What to Book in Advance in London
A per-attraction verdict for London: what must be booked in advance and how far ahead, when tickets are released, the quietest time to visit and what it costs. Sorted by how early you need to act.
Verdicts checked 2026-09-29 · 30 verified verdicts
Book these in advance
Buckingham Palace
Book 3 weeks aheadBooking ahead is recommended
State Rooms visits require timed tickets that commonly sell out, so book well ahead in summer.
- How far ahead:
- 3-4 weeks in summer, less off-season
- Ticket release:
- State Rooms tickets released on the Royal Collection Trust site in advance
- Timed entry:
- Yes
- Quietest time:
- Weekday afternoons late in the season
- Typical price:
- GBP 32
Tower of London
Book 7 days aheadBook in advance, it sells out
Advance timed tickets sell out on peak days and avoid long queues at the gate.
- How far ahead:
- About a week ahead, more in summer holidays
- Ticket release:
- Tickets released online in advance on the Historic Royal Palaces site
- Timed entry:
- Yes
- Quietest time:
- First entry slot, weekdays in term time
- Typical price:
- GBP 35
Windsor Castle
Book 7 days aheadBooking ahead is recommended
Windsor Castle is one of the most visited royal sites; booking ahead avoids long queues on busy days.
- How far ahead:
- Up to a week ahead in summer, a few days off-season
- Timed entry:
- Yes
- Quietest time:
- Weekday afternoons after 14:00
- Typical price:
- GBP 30-35
Walk around Greenwich and the Royal Observatory
Book 7 days aheadBooking ahead is recommended
The Royal Observatory sells timed-entry tickets that sell out on busy days, so booking ahead is wise.
- How far ahead:
- About a week ahead in summer, less off-season
- Timed entry:
- Yes
- Quietest time:
- Weekday late afternoons
- Typical price:
- GBP 16
London Eye
Book 5 days aheadBook in advance, it sells out
Timed entry slots regularly sell out in high season, so advance booking is expected.
- How far ahead:
- A week in summer, same week otherwise
- Timed entry:
- Yes
- Quietest time:
- First morning slots on weekdays
- Typical price:
- GBP 30
Westminster Abbey
Book 5 days aheadBooking ahead is recommended
Timed tickets are recommended to avoid long lines and sold-out slots on busy days.
- How far ahead:
- Up to a week in summer
- Timed entry:
- Yes
- Quietest time:
- Late afternoon before closing
- Typical price:
- GBP 31
St. Paul's Cathedral
Book 3 days aheadBooking ahead is recommended
St Paul's Cathedral has timed-entry tickets that sell out on peak days, so booking ahead avoids queueing.
- How far ahead:
- A few days ahead in summer
- Timed entry:
- Yes
- Quietest time:
- Weekday late afternoons
- Typical price:
- GBP 25
Christ Church College
Book 3 days aheadBooking ahead is recommended
Christ Church College draws large queues for Harry Potter fans; booking timed entry in advance is wise.
- How far ahead:
- A few days ahead in summer term, walk-in off-peak
- Timed entry:
- Yes
- Quietest time:
- Weekday early mornings
- Typical price:
- GBP 10-15
Bodleian Library
Book 3 days aheadBooking ahead is recommended
Bodleian Library tours require booking a timed slot, especially in high season.
- How far ahead:
- A few days to a week ahead in summer
- Timed entry:
- Yes
- Quietest time:
- Weekday early mornings
- Typical price:
- GBP 8-12
Walk around Greenwich and Royal Observatory
Book a day aheadBooking ahead is recommended
Royal Observatory uses timed entry and sells out on peak days, so booking ahead is wise.
- How far ahead:
- A few days ahead in summer
- Timed entry:
- Yes
- Quietest time:
- Late afternoon before closing
- Typical price:
- GBP 19-21
Visit Tower Bridge Exhibition
Book a day aheadBooking ahead is recommended
Tower Bridge Exhibition has timed slots and long queues, so booking ahead saves time.
- How far ahead:
- A day or two ahead in summer
- Timed entry:
- Yes
- Quietest time:
- Late afternoon
- Typical price:
- GBP 12-13
Discover Leighton House Museum
Book a day aheadBooking ahead is recommended
Time-slot ticketing is used, so booking ahead online avoids disappointment on busy days.
Not verified yet, check the official site before you go
- How far ahead:
- A day or two ahead, especially weekends
- Timed entry:
- Yes
- Quietest time:
- Weekday afternoons
- Typical price:
- GBP 11
Free, no ticket needed
British Museum
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
General admission is free; you just join the entry line.
- Typical price:
- Free
Big Ben
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
It is a street landmark viewed from outside with no admission charge.
- Typical price:
- Free
Tate Modern
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
General collection admission is free, though special exhibitions are separately ticketed.
- Typical price:
- Free
Natural History Museum
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
General admission is free, though special exhibitions have separate tickets.
- Typical price:
- Free
Covent Garden
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
Covent Garden is an open public square and market area with no admission charge, so you just walk in.
- Quietest time:
- Early weekday mornings
- Typical price:
- Free
Borough Market
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
Borough Market is a public food market with no admission charge, so you simply walk in.
- Quietest time:
- Tuesday to Friday mid-morning
- Typical price:
- Free
South Kensington Food Market
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
South Kensington Food Market is an open street market with no admission charge, so you just walk in.
- Quietest time:
- Early Saturday opening hour
- Typical price:
- Free
Leadenhall Market
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
Leadenhall Market is an open covered shopping arcade with no admission charge, so you just walk in.
- Quietest time:
- Early mornings, weekday evenings
- Typical price:
- Free
Visit Columbia Road Flower Market
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
Columbia Road Flower Market is an open street market with no admission charge, so you just walk in.
- Quietest time:
- Very early Sunday opening
- Typical price:
- Free
Visit Broadway Market
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
Broadway Market is an open street market with no admission charge, so you just walk in.
- Quietest time:
- Early weekend mornings
- Typical price:
- Free
Visit the Victoria and Albert Museum
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
The V&A is a free museum; just walk in, though timed tickets may be needed for special exhibitions.
- Quietest time:
- Weekday mornings, Friday late evening
- Typical price:
- Free
Try street food at Maltby Street Market
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
Maltby Street Market is an open street food market with no admission charge; just turn up.
- Quietest time:
- Late afternoon just before closing
- Typical price:
- Free
Visit Hampstead Heath
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
Hampstead Heath is a public park that is free to enter all year round.
- Quietest time:
- Early weekday mornings
- Typical price:
- Free
Windsor Great Park
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
Windsor Great Park is a free open public park with no admission charge.
- Quietest time:
- Weekday mornings
- Typical price:
- Free
Covered Market
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
Oxford Covered Market is a public shopping market with no admission charge.
- Quietest time:
- Weekday mid-morning
- Typical price:
- Free
Walk in Kensington Gardens
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
Kensington Gardens is a public park, open and free to enter at any time.
- Quietest time:
- Early morning on weekdays
- Typical price:
- Free
Visit the Museum of London
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
Museum of London is free to enter, just walk in during opening hours.
- Quietest time:
- Weekday mornings
- Typical price:
- Free
Imperial War Museum
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
Imperial War Museum is free entry and generally easy to walk in on the day.
- Quietest time:
- Weekday afternoons
- Typical price:
- Free
Science Museum
Free entryFree, no ticket needed
Science Museum general entry is free, though paid exhibitions may sell out separately.
- Quietest time:
- Weekday late afternoons
- Typical price:
- Free
Booking questions about London
What should I book in advance in London?
Book these first: Buckingham Palace (3-4 weeks in summer, less off-season), Tower of London (About a week ahead, more in summer holidays), Windsor Castle (Up to a week ahead in summer, a few days off-season), Walk around Greenwich and the Royal Observatory (About a week ahead in summer, less off-season), London Eye (A week in summer, same week otherwise). Everything else can be bought on the day or is free.
Do I need to book Buckingham Palace in advance?
It is recommended. State Rooms visits require timed tickets that commonly sell out, so book well ahead in summer. How far ahead: 3-4 weeks in summer, less off-season.
Do I need to book Tower of London in advance?
Yes. Advance timed tickets sell out on peak days and avoid long queues at the gate. How far ahead: About a week ahead, more in summer holidays.
Do I need to book Windsor Castle in advance?
It is recommended. Windsor Castle is one of the most visited royal sites; booking ahead avoids long queues on busy days. How far ahead: Up to a week ahead in summer, a few days off-season.
Do I need to book Walk around Greenwich and the Royal Observatory in advance?
It is recommended. The Royal Observatory sells timed-entry tickets that sell out on busy days, so booking ahead is wise. How far ahead: About a week ahead in summer, less off-season.
Do I need to book London Eye in advance?
Yes. Timed entry slots regularly sell out in high season, so advance booking is expected. How far ahead: A week in summer, same week otherwise.
Do I need to book Westminster Abbey in advance?
It is recommended. Timed tickets are recommended to avoid long lines and sold-out slots on busy days. How far ahead: Up to a week in summer.
Do I need to book St. Paul's Cathedral in advance?
It is recommended. St Paul's Cathedral has timed-entry tickets that sell out on peak days, so booking ahead avoids queueing. How far ahead: A few days ahead in summer.
Do I need to book Christ Church College in advance?
It is recommended. Christ Church College draws large queues for Harry Potter fans; booking timed entry in advance is wise. How far ahead: A few days ahead in summer term, walk-in off-peak.
Verdicts are compiled from official ticketing policies and visitor demand and are checked periodically. Always confirm on the official site before you travel.
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