Major city · United Kingdom
Windsor and Eton
Day trip from London if you only want the castle; sleep one night to add Eton, the Long Walk and a slow morning before the coaches arrive.
Windsor and Eton are twin towns on opposite banks of the Thames, 30–50 minutes by train from London. Windsor Castle is the anchor: the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, still a working royal residence. Eton is a 15-minute walk across Windsor Bridge and is dominated by its college. Almost everything worth seeing sits inside a 2 km walk, so the real choice is timing, not transport.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct; check event dates
- avoid Busiest periods check (summer weekends, race days, school holidays)
- Airports
- LHR · LGW · STN
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Windsor and Eton999 ▾
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)999
- Emergency from any phone (EU-wide)112
- NHS non-urgent advice111
- Police non-urgent101
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Windsor and Eton, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetycheckLocal safety conditions check.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 112 emergency from any phone (eu-wide) · 111 NHS non-urgent advice
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLHR Heathrow (About 8 mi by road via the M4; First bus 77 or 71 from Terminal 5 takes roughly 35–55 min.).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee2026 estimate£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course2026 estimate£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week2026 estimate£6–12 (≈ US$8–16)
- Museum or sight ticketWindsor Castle adult ticket2026 estimate£26.50 (≈ US$40)
- Budget bedHostel or pub bunk, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid hotel or inn, a night, per room£140 (≈ US$190)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid hotel or inn, a night, per room£280 (≈ US$400)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £60 (≈ US$80) · Mid £110 (≈ US$150) · High £200 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LHR Heathrow (About 8 mi by road via the M4; First bus 77 or 71 from Terminal 5 takes roughly 35–55 min.) · LGW Gatwick (About 1 h by road; no direct train or bus — go via London.) · STN Stansted (About 1 h 30 min by road; no direct train or bus — go via London.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jun (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Windsor and Eton: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. Windsor Bridge and Peascod Street are pedestrianised, and Eton College Chapel to Windsor Castle is under 15 minutes on foot. Two stations: Windsor & Eton Central (from Paddington via Slough) and Windsor & Eton Riverside (from Waterloo). Local buses are thin in the evening and on Sundays. Driving between Windsor and Eton means a long loop out to the bypass — walking is faster.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
London
goDoor to door: 50–60 min
Train from Windsor & Eton Riverside to Waterloo, or Central via Slough to Paddington
Two trains an hour on each route; a return is about £13 (2026 estimate).
Runnymede
goDoor to door: About 30 min
First bus 41 toward Old Windsor, alight at the Bells of Ouzely
Meadows, Magna Carta memorial and the Air Forces Memorial; buses run Mon–Sat only.
Legoland Windsor
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min
Shuttle bus from central Windsor
Aimed at younger children; book dated tickets and expect summer queues.
Reading
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min (check)
Train to Slough, change for Reading
Useful for onward rail west and a bigger choice of shops and food.
Ascot
cautionDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Train via Slough or a short drive
Race days transform the town; check the fixture list first.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Central Windsor (Thames Street / High Street)
Walk to the castle gate in under 10 min and to both stations; priciest and noisiest on summer evenings.
Eton High Street
Quieter, 10–15 min walk over Windsor Bridge; a handful of pubs and small hotels.
Windsor riverside
Riverside walks and some cheaper rooms; walk time to the centre check.
Slough (budget fallback)
Chain hotels near the station, then a 6-min shuttle train to Windsor & Eton Central.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £55–85 (≈ US$75–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- £90–150 (≈ US$120–200) excl. bed
- High
- £160 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid hotel or inn1 × 1 night × £140 | £140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £110 | £220 |
| Windsor Castle adult ticket2 × £27 · 2026 estimate | £53 |
| Return train from London2 × £13 · 2026 estimate | £26 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8 · 2026 estimate | £16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £46 |
| Trip total≈ £251 per person per day, bed included | £501≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate
2026 estimate in pounds; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee2026 estimate | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course2026 estimate | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Cream tea or cake and tea2026 estimate | £6–9 (≈ US$8–12) |
| Windsor Castle adult ticket2026 estimate | £26.50 (≈ US$40) |
| Eton College tour2026 estimate | £10 (≈ US$14) |
| Return train from London2026 estimate | £13.20 (≈ US$18) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week2026 estimate | £6–12 (≈ US$8–16) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Windsor Castle closes some days and the State Apartments can shut at short notice; check the official site before you travel.
- No photography or video in the State Apartments or St George's Chapel.
- Buy castle tickets online a day ahead, or arrive after noon to dodge the worst queue.
- Summer weekend mornings and evenings clog up with Legoland and racecourse traffic.
- Eton College is a working school: tours run Friday afternoons May–Sep only, and term dates change access.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 999
- Emergency from any phone (EU-wide)
- 112
- NHS non-urgent advice
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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Windsor and EtonWindsor and Eton
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Emergency999
- Emergency (any phone)112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Windsor; most are in London. US Embassy: Nine Elms, London (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- London Paddington → Windsor & Eton Central: £9.40 (≈ US$13) single, about 30 min via Slough (2026 estimate)
- London Waterloo → Windsor & Eton Riverside: £9.50 (≈ US$13) single, about 50 min (2026 estimate)
- Return from London: about £13.20 (≈ US$18) (2026 estimate)
- Heathrow T5 → Windsor, First bus 77: about 40 min (check)
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry (same as English)
- Thank you — Thank you (same as English)
- One adult ticket, please — One adult ticket, please (same as English)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (same as English)
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (same as English)
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet? (same as English)
English is the only language you need here.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Windsor and Eton. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct; check event dates · avoid Busiest periods check (summer weekends, race days, school holidays) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LHR: last bus 77/71 departures, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: castle and High Street, Eton and Brocas, the Long Walk and Great Park.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Windsor Castle, St George's Chapel, Eton College Chapel, Savill Garden) and eat pages with last orders.
- Hostile arrival fixtures for race days and Legoland weekends so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialRoyal Windsor Information Centre
- officialWindsor Castle — Royal Collection Trust
- officialEton College — visits
- officialWindsor Great Park
- officialNational Rail
- officialFirst Berkshire buses
- officialNational Trust — Runnymede
- secondaryWikivoyage: Windsor and Eton, revision 5314512 (CC BY-SA 4.0)