Windsor and Eton

Royal Castles, River Walks and Tradition

Windsor and Eton lie along the Thames River in southern England. The town is home to Windsor Castle, one of Europe’s oldest royal residences. Eton College draws students from across the country for its long history and strong reputation. Both places attract visitors interested in British heritage, architecture and local culture. Public transport connects them easily to London. Walking along the river or visiting historic sites provides a clear sense of place without needing extra embellishment. The area balances tradition with everyday life for residents and travelers alike.

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Town in United Kingdom

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.7

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	10

Read details

5/5

English is universally spoken in Windsor and Eton, with excellent communication in hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Most signage and menus are in English, and staff are used to international visitors.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Windsor and Eton Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Strong for royal heritage and historic towns. Tour Windsor Castle, stroll riverside paths, explore traditional pubs and walk through charming college streets.

Place score

8.2

Best at:

Historic sites

Castles

Walkable

Spotless

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

United Kingdom – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type G Type G: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Pound Sterling (GBP)
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in the UK, especially in cities. Contactless payments and mobile payment options are increasingly popular, with smaller businesses also accepting cards. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in the UK, with 10-15% in restaurants. Taxi drivers generally expect a 10% tip or rounding up. Small tips for hotel staff are appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in many parts of the UK, especially in parks, festivals, and licensed premises. However, it's banned on public transport or in certain public spaces.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in all public spaces, including bars and restaurants. There are designated outdoor smoking areas.

Christmas (December)	Christmas is widely celebrated, expect crowded markets and higher accommodation prices.
Bank Holiday (August)	Busy periods, especially in cities and along coastal areas. Many businesses close.
New Year’s Day (January)	A major public holiday with celebrations and closures in some sectors.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 999 or 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Free Now, Ola
Other:	The UK is well-prepared for tourists, with excellent infrastructure. However, be aware of language barriers in remote areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Windsor and Eton, United Kingdom

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Windsor Castle closes to visitors on some days for state and royal events, check dates before visiting

Changing of the Guard takes place on selected days only, usually at 11am, and is not held in bad weather

Royal Ascot, mid to late June, and Windsor Horse Show, mid May, bring crowds and high hotel prices

Popular day trip from London: the castle is busiest from late morning to early afternoon

Don't miss

🏰 Tour Windsor Castle, residence of the British Royal Family
🎖️ Witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the castle
🚶‍♂️ Walk the scenic Long Walk to the Copper Horse statue
⛪ Visit St. George’s Chapel, famous royal burial site
🌉 Explore quaint Eton village across the River Thames

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Why travel to Windsor and Eton?

Windsor and Eton are perfect for anyone who loves history, architecture and a bit of British tradition. Windsor Castle is the star, with its grand State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and the famous Changing of the Guard. But there’s so much more: stroll the Long Walk in Windsor Great Park, browse the shops and antique bookstores of Eton or take a boat trip on the Thames. Eton College’s guided tours offer a peek into one of the world’s most storied schools, while local pubs and breweries keep things lively. It’s an easy day trip from London, but staying overnight lets you enjoy quieter evenings and riverside sunsets. A few cautions: Windsor can get crowded, especially on weekends and during royal events, so book tickets ahead and arrive early for big attractions. Traffic can be heavy in summer and parking is limited – walking or public transport is best. Some attractions close early in winter and while the area is safe, always keep an eye on your belongings in busy spots.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Ascot Racecourse
2 Guildhall
3 Windsor Castle
4 Windsor & Eton Central Station
5 Saint George's Chapel
6 Eton College

🎡Places for activities

1 Legoland Windsor
2 Windsor & Eton Brewery
3 Windsor & Royal Borough Museum
4 Windsor Racecourse

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 The Brocas
2 Windsor Great Park
3 River Thames
4 The Savill Garden
5 Home Park
6 The Long Walk
7 Wey Meadows

🛍️Shopping

1 Peascod Street
2 Eton Antique Bookshop
3 Pearce's Bakers

🎈Events

Changing of the Guard (regularly)
Royal Ascot (June)
Windsor Festival
Christmas Lights Switch-On
Eton College Open Days
Windsor Horse Show
Windsor Fringe Festival
Eton Summer Fete
Rowing regattas on the Thames
Open-air concerts in Windsor Great Park

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Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Book Windsor Castle tickets ahead; entry slots sell quickly.
Arrive early for The Long Walk photos, then cross to Eton on foot.
Expect crowds and security checks at the Castle; allow extra time for queues.
For a calmer afternoon, follow the Thames riverside paths and stop in Eton’s small pubs.

How to travel to Windsor and Eton

Windsor and Eton are an easy train ride from London (about 30–45 minutes), with two stations: Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside. Buses connect from nearby towns and Heathrow Airport. Driving is possible, but parking is limited – public transport is usually easier. The towns are well-signposted and easy to navigate.

Access summary

From Heathrow (LHR): Taxi or bus via Slough, about 20–40 minutes.
From central London: Direct trains from Paddington or Waterloo, roughly 30–55 minutes.
From Gatwick (LGW): Train via London or Clapham Junction, typically 1.5–2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Windsor and Eton

Accommodation ranges from boutique hotels and historic inns to family-run B&Bs and riverside guesthouses. Many options are within walking distance of the main sights. Book early for weekends and royal events, as rooms fill quickly. For a quieter stay, look for options in Eton or the nearby countryside.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

The Pinewood Hotel

8.1

Holiday Inn Express London Heathrow T5 By IHG

8.0

Copthorne Hotel Slough-Windsor

8.4

De Vere Beaumont Estate

8.2

The Crown And Cushion

9.2

Castle Hotel Windsor

9.0

Travelodge Windsor Central

7.9

Monkey Island Estate

8.6

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa

9.1

Delta Hotels Heathrow Windsor

8.6

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Windsor and Eton

Both towns are compact and best explored on foot – most sights are within a 15-minute walk. Windsor Bridge is pedestrian-only, making it easy to cross between Windsor and Eton. Local buses serve the area, but service is limited in the evenings and on Sundays. Traffic can be heavy in summer and during events and parking is limited and expensive. Cycling is a good option for exploring the countryside and boat trips offer a scenic way to see the Thames.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+17 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 17% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

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This place also uses Pound Sterling, so no money exchange necessary.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£73	£171	£442
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£75	£165
🍝 Food per day	£31	£81	£230
🚕 Transportation per day	£16	£15	£47

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£33
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£19
🍟 Fast food combo	£8.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£10
☕ Cappuccino	£3.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£5

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£4.10
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£26
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.50

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£10.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£80
🤧 Cold medication	£4.40
💇 Basic haircut	£11.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Windsor and Eton are very safe, with low crime rates. Usual precautions apply: keep valuables secure in busy areas and on public transport, especially during festivals or crowded events.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with clinics and pharmacies in both towns. Tap water is safe to drink. No special vaccinations are needed, but travel insurance is recommended.

Accessibility

Most main attractions, hotels and public transport are accessible, but cobblestone streets and some historic buildings can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Check ahead for accessibility at specific sites.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and widely available. Public fountains exist in parks and squares, but carrying a refillable bottle is handy, especially in summer or during festivals.