Windsor Castle from London: Every Way to Get There in 2026
The best way to get from London to Windsor Castle is by train from London Paddington, changing at Slough, arriving at Windsor & Eton Central in approximately 22–28 minutes total. A direct train from London Waterloo takes approximately 55 minutes with no change required. By bus, the Green Line 702 from Victoria takes approximately 95 minutes. By organised coach tour, the journey takes about 60 minutes from Victoria with entry included. There is no visitor parking at Windsor Castle — drivers must park in Windsor town centre.
Windsor Castle is 22 miles from central London — close enough for a morning visit, yet requiring a minimum of planning to reach efficiently. The route you choose shapes the whole day: the train from Paddington gets you there in under 30 minutes; the direct train from Waterloo takes nearly an hour but requires no change; the bus is the cheapest option at around £3; and an organised tour removes all logistics entirely.
This guide compares every option in full so you can make the right choice for your visit.
The Two Train Routes Compared
Route 1: London Paddington → Slough → Windsor & Eton Central (Fastest)
Journey time: 22–28 minutes total Frequency: Every 10–15 minutes from Paddington (Slough–Windsor local runs every 30 minutes) Fare: From approximately £6–10 return Walk to castle: 5 minutes, flat
Take the Great Western Railway or Elizabeth Line from Paddington to Slough (approximately 15–18 minutes), then change to the local GWR service to Windsor & Eton Central (approximately 7–10 minutes). Windsor & Eton Central station is located at the base of Windsor Castle, inside the Windsor Royal Shopping complex — look for the archway signposted “Windsor Royal” as you arrive. The castle entrance is a 5-minute walk on level ground.
Important note: Oyster cards and London Travelcards are not valid beyond the London fare zone boundary. You will need a separate rail ticket for the Windsor section of the journey. Purchase at the Paddington ticket office or via apps such as Trainline, Avanti, or the National Rail Journey Planner.
Elizabeth Line advantage: If you are staying near the Elizabeth Line (Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road), you can travel directly to Slough without needing to go to Paddington first, making this route accessible from a much wider range of central London hotels.
Route 2: London Waterloo → Windsor & Eton Riverside (Direct, No Change)
Journey time: Approximately 55 minutes Frequency: Every 30 minutes Fare: From approximately £6–10 return (similar pricing to Paddington route) Walk to castle: 10 minutes, including a steep uphill section on Castle Hill
The South Western Railway service runs directly from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside with no change required. It also stops at Clapham Junction, Richmond, Twickenham, and Feltham — useful if you are staying in south or west London and would otherwise need to travel across the city to Paddington.
Windsor & Eton Riverside station sits beside the River Thames on the opposite side of Windsor from the castle. The 10-minute walk through Windsor town centre and up Castle Hill to the visitor entrance is steeper than the approach from Windsor & Eton Central. Many visitors find it worth noting this difference before they travel.
For speed, London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central (change at Slough) is the better option at approximately 22–28 minutes, with a flat 5-minute walk to the castle. For convenience of no change, London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside (direct, 55 minutes) is simpler but involves a steeper walk from the station. Both cost approximately £6–10 return.
By Bus: Green Line 702 from Victoria
Journey time: Approximately 95 minutes Frequency: Hourly Fare: Approximately £3 single (under the national bus fare cap, subject to scheme continuation through March 2027) Stop: Near Windsor town centre, a short walk to the castle
The Green Line 702 departs from near Victoria Coach Station (Stop 7 at the Green Line Coach Terminal) and drops off near Windsor town centre. It is the cheapest way to travel between London and Windsor, and particularly useful for visitors starting from central London hotels near Victoria.
The slightly longer journey time is offset by the very low cost — at £3 each way, return travel costs £6, saving money compared to rail for budget-conscious visitors.
From Heathrow Airport: Green Line 703
Journey time: Approximately 60 minutes from Terminal 5 Frequency: Regular service Stop: Windsor town centre
The Green Line 703 (Windsor Express) connects Heathrow Terminal 5 directly to Windsor. This makes Windsor an excellent option for visitors with a full day between flights or who are staying near Heathrow. For visitors whose London base is near the airport, it eliminates the need to travel into central London first. See our Heathrow to Windsor Castle guide for full details.
By Car
Journey time: Approximately 40–50 minutes from central London in normal traffic; longer during peak hours Route: A4 or M4 westbound from central London, following signs for Windsor town centre Parking: No visitor parking at Windsor Castle. Use long-stay public car parks in Windsor town centre.
The best long-stay car parks for Windsor Castle visitors are: – Romney Lock Car Park, Datchet Road (near Windsor & Eton Riverside Station) – King Edward VII Car Park, Datchet Road – Alexandra Gardens Car Park, Alma Road
All three are within a 10-minute walk of the castle and represent the most cost-effective parking in Windsor (maximum approximately £6 for the day). Avoid short-stay town centre car parks, which charge considerably more.
Park and Ride: Windsor offers Park and Ride facilities on the approach roads with free bus transfers into the town centre. Follow signs from the A308 and A332.
Driving makes most sense for visitors travelling from outside London — particularly from the south or west of England. For London-based visitors, parking logistics make car travel considerably less convenient than train.
By Organised Coach Tour from London
For visitors who prefer not to manage transport logistics, an organised coach tour from Victoria typically takes approximately 60 minutes to Windsor and includes castle entry in the ticket price. A wide range of options are available — from half-day Windsor-only tours to full-day combinations with Stonehenge, Bath, or Oxford.
See our Windsor Castle Tours from London and Windsor Castle Half-Day Tour from London guides for a full comparison.
All Routes at a Glance
| Route | Journey Time | Approx. Cost (return) | Change Required | Walk to Castle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddington → Slough → Windsor Central | 22–28 min | £6–10 | Yes (at Slough) | 5 min, flat |
| Waterloo → Windsor Riverside | ~55 min | £6–10 | No | 10 min, uphill |
| Green Line 702 from Victoria | ~95 min | ~£6 | No | Short walk |
| Green Line 703 from Heathrow T5 | ~60 min | Varies | No | Short walk |
| Car (from central London) | ~40–50 min | Petrol + parking | No | 10 min (from car park) |
| Organised coach tour | ~60 min | £50–130 incl. entry | No | Coach park walk |
Practical Tips for Independent Travel
Book your Windsor Castle entry ticket in advance. Windsor Castle operates timed-entry ticketing and can sell out on popular days. Advance online booking also saves approximately £4 per adult over the walk-up price. See our How to Buy Windsor Castle Tickets guide.
Oyster cards and Travelcards do not cover Windsor. Windsor is outside the London fare zone boundary. You need a separate rail ticket purchased at the station or via a rail app (Trainline, GWR app, National Rail). At Paddington, you can tap in on Oyster/contactless to Slough but will need to pay separately for the Slough–Windsor section.
Check your train times in advance. On the Paddington route, the Slough–Windsor local runs every 30 minutes. Arriving at Slough just after a train has departed means a 30-minute wait. Check the timetable the evening before your visit to avoid a frustrating gap.
Riverside station involves a steep uphill walk. If you have mobility concerns or will be travelling with young children in pushchairs, the Windsor & Eton Central route (via Paddington) is considerably easier — the approach from Central station to the castle entrance is largely flat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to get from London to Windsor Castle?
By train from London Paddington, changing at Slough, to Windsor & Eton Central. Total journey time is approximately 22–28 minutes, with a flat 5-minute walk to the castle entrance.
Is there a direct train from London to Windsor Castle?
Yes — from London Waterloo direct to Windsor & Eton Riverside (South Western Railway, approximately 55 minutes). From Paddington, there is a change required at Slough, but the total journey time is considerably shorter at 22–28 minutes.
Can I use an Oyster card or Travelcard to get to Windsor?
No. Windsor is outside the London fare zone. You need a separate rail ticket for the Windsor portion of your journey. Contactless payment and Oyster cards are valid from central London to Slough but not beyond.
How much does it cost to get from London to Windsor Castle?
Train fares are approximately £6–10 return. The Green Line 702 bus is approximately £3 each way (£6 return). Organised coach tours including castle entry typically cost £50–130 per person.
Is there parking at Windsor Castle?
No. Windsor Castle has no visitor car park. Drivers must use public car parks in Windsor town centre (Romney Lock, King Edward VII, or Alexandra Gardens) — all within a 10-minute walk of the castle and approximately £6 for a full day.
How long does it take to get to Windsor Castle from London by train?
From Paddington (change at Slough): approximately 22–28 minutes. From Waterloo (direct): approximately 55 minutes.
