Advance Online Booking Discount
The simplest and most universally available discount is advance online booking. Everyone qualifies—no special status required. Simply book your tickets online before arriving at Windsor Castle.
How Much You Save
| Ticket Type | Advance Price | On-the-Day | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (25+) | £32.00 | £36.00 | £4.00 |
| Young Person (18-24) | £21.00 | £24.00 | £3.00 |
| Child (5-17) | £16.00 | £18.00 | £2.00 |
Prices from Royal Collection Trust.
For a family of four (two adults, two children), advance booking saves £12 compared to buying on the day. That's enough for lunch at a Windsor café.
💡 Advance Booking Tips
- Book at least 24 hours ahead to guarantee availability
- Peak dates (weekends, school holidays) can sell out—book earlier
- E-tickets work on mobile phones; no printing required
- Most booking platforms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Young Person Rate (18-24 Years)
Visitors aged 18 to 24 receive substantial savings—approximately 35% off the standard adult price. This isn't technically a "student discount" but rather an age-based rate, meaning you don't need a student card to qualify.
Requirements
- Age 18-24 on the day of visit
- Photo ID showing date of birth (passport, driving license, or ID card)
- No student status required
- Applies to visitors of all nationalities
The price: £21 advance / £24 on-the-day, compared to £32/£36 for full adults. That's an £11 saving at the advance rate.
Students over 24 sometimes ask about ISIC cards or NUS discounts—unfortunately, Windsor Castle doesn't accept these. The 18-24 rate is the only youth-related discount available. If you're 25 or older, consider the 1-Year Pass for value on return visits.
Disabled Visitor Concessions
Windsor Castle offers meaningful support for visitors with disabilities. The discount applies regardless of disability type—physical, sensory, cognitive, or hidden disabilities all qualify.
What's Included
- Reduced admission: £16 advance / £18 on-the-day (same as child rate)
- Free Access Companion: One person accompanying you enters free
- Accessible multimedia guide: BSL interpretation and audio description
- Priority entry: Wheelchair users and those with mobility challenges use accessible routes
The Access Companion doesn't need to be a registered carer. Any friend or family member providing assistance qualifies. Book the companion ticket online alongside your own ticket, or add them at the entrance.
Booking Accessible Visits
For visitors with specific accessibility needs, the Specialist Sales team can arrange additional support. Contact them at +44 (0)303 123 7324 or email specialistsales@rct.uk at least 48 hours before your visit.
£1 Tickets for Benefits Recipients
The most significant discount available: UK residents receiving certain benefits can visit Windsor Castle for just £1 per person. This program aims to make heritage accessible regardless of financial circumstances.
Eligible Benefits
- Universal Credit
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
How to Book
- Go to the official Royal Collection Trust website
- Select "£1 Tickets" option
- Choose Windsor Castle and your preferred date
- Add up to 3 guests at £1 each
- Bring proof of benefit to show at entry
Acceptable proof includes: benefit award letter (dated within 12 months), Universal Credit statement, or council tax reduction notice.
💡 £1 Ticket Tips
- Book early—slots are limited, especially during school holidays
- The ticket holder must be the benefits recipient
- Guests can be anyone (family, friends) at £1 each
- Program also covers Buckingham Palace and other Royal Collection sites
- Available year-round, not just off-peak
Group Discounts (15+ Visitors)
Organizing a group visit? Parties of 15 or more paying visitors receive discounted rates. This applies to tour operators, school groups, social clubs, church groups, and even informal gatherings of friends.
Group Benefits
- Discounted rates: Approximately 10-15% off standard prices
- Free organizer places: 1 free place per 20 paying visitors
- Dedicated entrance: Skip the main visitor queue
- Flexible payment: Invoice option for tour operators
- Group coordinator support: Dedicated contact for logistics
How to Book Group Visits
Group bookings require advance arrangement. Contact the Groups department via the Royal Collection Trust website or call the booking line. Provide:
- Proposed visit date and time
- Exact number of visitors (or best estimate)
- Age breakdown (adults, children, seniors)
- Any accessibility requirements
- Whether you need a guided option
Bookings should be made at least 2 weeks in advance; 4+ weeks recommended for peak season.
The 1-Year Pass: Free Unlimited Returns
This isn't marketed heavily, but it's one of the best value propositions Windsor Castle offers. Any standard admission ticket can be converted to a 1-Year Pass—allowing unlimited return visits for 12 months at no additional cost.
How It Works
- Purchase a standard admission ticket (any price tier)
- Visit Windsor Castle normally
- Before leaving, ask staff about the 1-Year Pass conversion
- Receive your pass (physical card or digital)
- Return as many times as you like for 12 months
The only ongoing cost: a £2 booking fee when reserving return visit dates online. This helps manage visitor numbers and isn't a profit mechanism.
Why This Matters
Windsor Castle changes throughout the year. The Semi-State Rooms only open from late September through March—these lavish private apartments aren't accessible during summer visits. With a 1-Year Pass, you can return specifically to see them.
Temporary exhibitions rotate regularly. The Changing the Guard ceremony happens certain days only. Special events (evening tours, holiday decorations) require separate tickets but become more worthwhile when entry itself is free.
Discounts That DON'T Exist
To save you time searching, here are commonly asked-about discounts that Windsor Castle does not offer:
- Senior/over-65 discount: No age-based discount for seniors
- ISIC/student card discount: Only the 18-24 age rate applies
- London Pass inclusion: Windsor Castle is NOT included in the London Pass
- National Trust membership: Windsor Castle is Royal Collection Trust, not National Trust
- English Heritage membership: Also not included
- Military discount: No specific armed forces rate
- NHS discount: No healthcare worker rate
- Birthday free entry: Not offered
I regularly receive questions about London Pass and National Trust coverage. Windsor Castle operates under Royal Collection Trust—a separate charity. The only "membership" equivalent is the 1-Year Pass, which you create by converting your first ticket.
Combo Tours: Hidden Value?
Several tour operators offer Windsor Castle combined with transport and other attractions. Do these represent genuine savings?
Windsor + Transport from London
Typical price: £65-85 per adult. Includes coach transfer and castle admission. Value comparison:
- Train from London: £12-20 return
- Castle admission: £32
- Total DIY: £44-52
- Combo premium: £13-33
The premium buys convenience (no navigation), guaranteed entry time, and sometimes a guide. Worth it for visitors unfamiliar with UK transport; less compelling for independent travelers.
Multi-Attraction Day Trips
Windsor + Stonehenge combos run £95-130. Windsor + Bath + Stonehenge: £120-160. These pack multiple bucket-list items into one day but involve significant travel time and rushed visits at each stop.
For budget-conscious visitors: visiting each attraction independently across multiple days almost always costs less and provides better experiences.
Seasonal Considerations
While ticket prices stay constant year-round, the value proposition changes with seasons:
Winter (Late September – March)
- Bonus content: Semi-State Rooms included at no extra charge
- Lower crowds: Especially weekday mornings
- Shorter daylight: Less time for exterior photography
Summer (April – September)
- Longer hours: More time for your visit
- Better weather: Outdoor areas more enjoyable
- Higher crowds: Book further in advance
- No Semi-State Rooms: Private apartments closed
For value, winter visits provide more castle access for the same ticket price. Summer offers practical benefits for photography and outdoor exploration.