texasbookworm

We will be visiting London the week of June 1 and plan a morning trip to Windsor (probably on that Friday); DD and I should be able to take an early train and get there before opening. Will it save us any time to have tickets in hand?

janisj

It would save a little time, but not much really. You still must go through the security screening.

If it was me I'd arrive a bit later because there is quite a queue at opening time -- even the website suggests it is best to arrive after 11:30 AM

di2315

We stayed overnight in Windsor, so were easily able to be there about half an hour before opening time. Yes, there was a bit of a queue, but we then had plenty of time to wander at a leisurely pace and see all that we wanted.

Instead of following the general trail of visitors, we went to the far end of the site and viewed the inside of the State Apartments and Queen Mary's Doll House first. We were able to have lovely conversations with some of the guards in each room, and view everything without being surrounded by hoards of people.

Then we went back to St George's Chapel area and changing of the guard later. You can also get your ticket marked for re-entry at the exit gate, should you want to leave and return after a meal or rest etc.

If you leave your arrival till after 11:30am you not only miss out on quite a bit of time inside, you're also there among the crowds the whole time. Di

texasbookworm

Thanks for info; despite my initial plan to not over-plan our week, between theatre tickets and day-trip planning using a Railpass and a few "timed" events, etc., our only time to go to Windsor is a morning--need to arrive back in time to be at the British Library for 3:30 Magna Carta exhibit admission. So I think we will just go early and one of us stand in line for tix while other looks around and just get in when we can. di--might try your advice.

Thanks again.

laurie_ann

Also check but I think that WC is one of the places that there are 2-for-1 tickets for admission to the castle. There are a zillion threads on that topic here. Just be sure you do what is required (go there on paper rail ticket I think) and also DON't buy the castle tickets on line (I think) as the discount is available only on the walk up castle tickets.

texasbookworm

Yep, I am well aware of the 2for1 thing; so planning on buying paper travel cards (and have our pics needed) when we get to Paddington. When I checked yesterday,
Windsor Castle wasn't on voucher list, though. I have to check back after April 30 to see what "new" ones are included, as I can't print valid vouchers out yet. Thanks.

BigRuss

I've never seen Windsor on the voucher list. Probably because it's a crown property and there's no reason to encourage the peasants to flood the place.

You may want to enquire with national rail and see if it sells vouchers with the purchase of a train ticket to Windsor - we got a slight discount and were able to skip the ticket buyer lines.

janisj

>>Instead of following the general trail of visitors, we went to the far end of the site and viewed the inside of the State Apartments and Queen Mary's Doll House first.<<

That is always how I do it too.

Since you must be back in town for the Library, just get there early. AFAIK Windsor isn't on the 2for1 scheme. (HCP and the Tower which are both "Royal Palaces", are -- but the Queen doesn't live in either of them )

nyse

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/92346.aspx

You can save a bit by buying a combination rail/castle ticket - IIRC about &pound;5?

Hope you have an excellent visit.

texasbookworm

Don't jump on me but--we bought RailPasses--3 consecutive, Southwest, to be used for Cardiff, Alton (Chawton) and a half-day somewhere which we decided would be Windsor. I priced it out--the Pass cost less than $15 more than point to point tickets for our 3 destinations, and the flexibility is worth WAY more than that for us. So we will use the Pass to Windsor, even though a ticket, even on day of travel, would be cheap, but the trip to Cardiff even 2 months ahead was a good bit, so as I said, in the end the Pass looked like a good choice for us for this trip. SOOO---thanks nyse for tip; will be helpful for others I hope.

lovs2travel

I bought tickets online and was glad to skip the queue. We were able to breeze through security and make our way straight to the Changing of the Guard.

latedaytraveler

Hi TEXASBOOKWORM,

I don't have any advice about visiting WINDSOR CASTLE (loved it) but do hope that you do a trip report of your whole adventure in Britain.

janisj

The guard change is at 11AM so it is a bit of a problem. If you arrive at opening time you'll still be touring the Staterooms, Dolls house, Semi-State rooms so you'll miss it. And if you wait - walking down to the lower ward, visit the Chapel and get a place to view the Guard Change you won't have enough time afterwards for the State Rooms/et al since you have to get back into London.

texasbookworm

Ahhh so much to do and --dang it--still not enough time! We will do what we can, see what we can, enjoy it all, acknowledging ahead of time that we will STILL have missed some stuff. I don't really have a lot of expectations about Windsor, so whatever we get to do for probably about 3 hours (not counting travel) will be great.

latedaytraveler--definitely; the trip isn't really done for me until I've posted a Fodor's Trip Report and finished a scrapbook!

janisj

When you get there Id do the Dolls House very first. That can become a bottleneck as the crowds grow during the day. Then the State Apartments.

https://www.google.com/search?q=quee...Q&ved=0CDAQsAQ

doloresmercado

Hi, I am on the same page ..
I have Saturday 28 May 2016 to visit Windsor
would like to know if it is better to take a tour or go by myself by train?

I do not want to miss the change of guard..
I would like to be back early in London to do something else
I can take an early train to arrive there at 10 am?
Can I walk to the castle? the entrance seems so far!

Also, is it worth buying the ticket to the castle with te off of 5 pounds as nyse mentions?

thank you!!

cheers, Dolores

janisj

>> . . . or go by myself by train?<<

This

>> can take an early train to arrive there at 10 am? <<

Yes

>>Can I walk to the castle? the entrance seems so far!<<

Not very far -- if you can't walk that distance you may have problems in London. But there are two different trains -- From Paddington you change at Slough and end up at Central station which is pretty close to the castle. If you take the direct train from Waterloo (no changes) you end up at the Riverside station which is a longer walk but still not bad.

doloresmercado

THANK YOU JANISJ!!-- one more question if you please?

I can walk to Paddingtonn which is near my hotel..is it complicated the change of trains?
is there a guard telling you where to go?

Same at the castle.
how do you know where to watch the chnane of guard and then proceed to visit the castle?

sorry so many uncertainties..

thank you!

janisj

>>I can walk to Paddingtonn which is near my hotel..is it complicated the change of trains?<<

It is a very easy transfer at Slough. Other people will be making the same change -- there will be signs w/ the train destination and you can also ask most anyone.

The guard change is at the 'bottom of the castle' (farthest bit from the State Rooms) and very near St Georges Chapel. So once you are inside the castle walls, if you want to see it before visiting the State Rooms/Dolls House etc - just follow the signs towards St Georges Chapel. You will see where the guard is standing. Then maybe after visiting the Chapel, re-trace your steps back up the hill to the entrance to the State Rooms.