This post covers how to get discounted tickets to Kensington Palace.
We include tourist passes, 2-for-1 tickets, how to get there, and what exhibits you can see.
Set in the beautiful parkland of Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace is most well known for at one point is home to members of the royal family like Princess Diana, Prince Harry, and Prince William & Kate Middleton.
Dating from the 17th century, the Palace is open all year round for visitors.
TICKETS
Tickets include access to special exhibitions.
Peak Ticket Prices
- Adult: £23
- Child (5 - 15): £11.50
- Children 4 and Under: Free
- Concessions (65+, full-time students): £18.40
- Purchase tickets here.
Off-Peak Ticket Prices
- Adult: £19.50
- Child (5 – 15): £9
- Children Under 15: Free
- Concessions (65+, full-time students): £14
- Purchase tickets here.
You don't have to pay full price, though! Get in for free or at a steep discount with a discount pass or other discount in the section below.
DISCOUNTS
This section lists the various ways you can find free or discounted entry into the Palace.
And another way to save money while discovering London is to take one of our walking tours.
1. Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
Entry into Kensington Palace is included with multiple attraction passes that bundle discounts for many of London’s most popular attractions.
Admission to Kensington Palace is included on these passes:
These tourist passes also cover the admission price for several additional activities and attractions such as the following:
- Tower Bridge
- Windsor Castle
- Tower of London
- Westminster Abbey
- St. Paul's Cathedral
- View From The Shard
- Hampton Court Palace
- Churchill War Rooms
- And more!
Check out our detailed post on tourist attraction passes so you can save the most time and money on your trip to London.
All you have to do is scan your card and you’ll be allowed in ahead of everyone waiting in line for a ticket.
2. Family Saver Discounts
If you’re looking to purchase tickets for a family that includes children aged 15 or younger, the family-saver discounts could save you quite a bit.
This discount is available directly from the Kensington Palace online ticket service.
- Family Saver 1 (1 Adult, 3 Children): £40.20
- Family Saver 2 (2 Adults, 3 Children): £63.20
3. 2 for 1 National Rail
If you purchase and use a National Rail ticket on the same day you go sightseeing, it could give you a 2-for-1 deal at over 150 London sites and attractions.
Kensington Palace is one of the eligible locations. Check our full post for 2-for-1 discount details.
4. Historic Royal Palaces Members
Royal history buffs might want to get a Historic Royal Palaces membership.
The purchase of one membership allows you unlimited entry into all the major royal, historic palaces: Hampton Court, Kensington Palace, Hillsborough Castle, Kew Palace, Tower of London, and the Banqueting House.
It includes a 10% discount in the official Palace shops, cafes, and restaurants. Even without this discount, it pays for itself by the third Palace visit.
Prices:
- Adult Membership: £59
- Joint (2 Adults) Membership: £89
- 1 Adult + 6 Children Family Membership: £82
- 2 Adults + 6 Children Family Membership: £116
TIP: If you already bought tickets for another palace, you can upgrade to the full membership in person at Kensington Palace!
5. Military Discounts
If you have a MOD90 card, Defence Discount card, or MOD Certificate of Eligibility, you can save 30% off tickets at Kensington Palace.
Here are the prices you can expect to pay with this military discount:
- Adult: £16.10
- Child: £8.10
- Family w/ 1 adult and up to 3 kids: £30.15
- Family w/ 2 adults and up to 3 kids: £42.90
Tickets must be purchased on location on the day of your visit by presenting proof of your eligibility for this discount.
6. Coupon Sites
Check out discount sites such as Groupon – they occasionally have great coupons for admission.
7. AAA Discount
In the past, there have been discounts on Kensington Palace tickets for AAA members.
This might not always be the case, but we recommend checking just in case to make sure this is not an option.
8. Concession Pricing
Before you purchase tickets for Kensington Palace, make sure to check whether or not you qualify for their concession pricing.
This ticket price is reserved for seniors over the age of 65, full-time students, and visitors between the age of 16 and 17.
In other words, it's basically a student discount, senior discount, and teen discount all wrapped up in one!
9. Teacher Discount
The Historic Royal Palaces organization has a Teacher Network which provides information to educators around the UK.
If you sign up to be part of the Teacher Network, they will send you details about special offers for schools and potential free opportunities for teachers to visit.
This isn't technically a discount, but it will keep you in the loop if they decide to offer discounts to teachers in the future!
10. Group Discount
If you're visiting with a large group of 15 or more people, you'll be eligible for a group discount.
Here are the prices you can expect to pay:
- Adult: £21.20
- Child: £10.60
- Concession: £17.00
This section will help you plan your visit including how to get there, when to go, and how long you should expect to stay.
If you’re looking for discounted entry, check out the section above.
How to Get Here
Kensington Palace is located at Kensington Gardens, Kensington, London W8 4PX, UK.
It is surrounded by the Kensington Gardens, which are connected to the west edge of Hyde Park.
We suggest using this Google link to find exact directions from your location.
Underground Stations:
- High Street Kensington
- Queensway
- Notting Hill Gate
Bus Routes:
- Bus routes 70, 94, 148, and 390 to the north of Kensington Gardens
- Bus routes 9, 10, 49, 52, 70, and 450 to the south of Kensington Gardens
Hop-On Hop-Off:
- There is a Kensington Palace stop with all major hop-on hop-off tour bus companies in London.
Best Times to Visit
- Summer Hours: 10:00 am - 18:00 (6:00pm)
- Winter Hours: 10:00 am - 16:00 (4:00 pm)
- Closed December 24 - 26
- Closed for most of January - check the website for details.
To avoid the largest crowds, we suggest you visit Monday - Thursday within a few hours of opening.
How long should you stay?
Kensington Palace is beautiful but compact - most people spend approximately 1.5 hours in the Palace itself.
You should allow for more time if you plan on eating in the Orangery or cafe, or if you want to enjoy the gardens.
Prohibited Items
As with most historic landmarks, there are certain items that you will not be allowed to bring with you to Kensington Palace.
All visitors will be required to undergo a bag check before entering this site.
In addition to things like weapons, the following items are also prohibited:
- Tripods
- Selfie Sticks
- Large bags
If you need somewhere to store your luggage or other items, we know where you can store your bags while you’re at Kensington.
Is photography permitted?
Although you are allowed to bring cameras and take photographs of the common spaces/entryway of the Palace, no photography is permitted in the special exhibits.
Seasonal Summer Cinema
During the summer months, Kensington Palace hosts an open-air cinema!
Guests are invited to pack a blanket and a picnic and enjoy classic films displayed on a giant screen near the orangery of the Palace.
Tickets cost £17 for adults.
See more of what happens during London summers on our monthly things to do posts for June, July, and August.
EXHIBITS AND TOURS
This section lists exhibits and tours to expect on your visit to the palace.
Garden History Tour
From the beginning of June through the end of September, the Palace runs Garden Tours every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 12:00 pm and 14:00.
These tours are completely free and run by enthusiastic volunteers. You'll learn about the history of the gardens, the famous Queen Victoria statue, and other interesting tidbits.
Today's Palace
In 2011 the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge began renovations on the Palace in preparation for their eventual move there.
The works that were carried out cost around £2million and took 18 months, eventually transforming the rooms that Princess Margaret previously occupied.
The couple now lives in Apartment 1A - which boasts dozens of rooms. And it is here now that they live with their children.
What’s On Now
Kensington Palace is open to the public all year round.
Guests can take audio guides that lead them throughout many different parts of the Palace, explaining the history, people, and stories that fill every room of the Palace.
The King's State Apartments
These rooms were previously used for official audiences and meetings with courtiers, dignitaries, and other visitors.
They're lavish and well-decorated with priceless works of art. Spaces of note in the apartments include the King's Staircase, presence chamber, and drawing-room.
Victoria: A Royal Childhood
This exhibit examines Queen Victoria's private life, away from her carefully-crafted public persona.
You can expect to see a variety of objects from her early years, including a scrapbook of mementos and her doll house.
The Orangery
Visitors to Kensington Palace can also visit a beautiful Georgian cafe called The Orangery.
This building was previously the setting for Queen Anne’s elaborate court entertainment and today is open to visitors who wish to take afternoon tea, or a small snack, in the beautiful surroundings of the gardens that Queen Anne commissioned designed herself.
The Queen's State Apartments
Much like the King's State Apartments, these rooms are also historically significant locations that were previously off-limits to visitors.
This is where Mary and other royal consorts once lived, slept, ate, and entertained their guests.
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