Get an insight into the history of time and space, along with the finest views of London’s skyline.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich is a part of the Royal Museums Greenwich, a collection of four museums – National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark, Queen’s House, and Royal Observatory Greenwich.
The observatory was created for the advancement of navigation and science.
The Prime Meridian Line, which designates where the eastern and western hemispheres converge, is one of the most well-known sights at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
This article covers everything you must know before booking Royal Observatory Greenwich tickets.
Top Tickets
# Tickets for Royal Observatory Greenwich
# Tickets for Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass
# Royal Observatory Greenwich + The Painted HallIt’s highly recommended to book your Royal Observatory Greenwich tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.
What’s ahead
What to expect at Royal Observatory Greenwich
There are many things to explore on your tour of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
The Shepherd Gate Clock, the Time Ball, and Harrison’s clocks are prominent exhibits, and the Octagon Room in the Observatory is an especially memorable area.
Get photos near the Prime Meridian Line and in each of the hemispheres.
Learn about the development of Greenwich Mean Time and the study of the cosmos.
See a planetarium show and stargaze with your loved ones!
Visit the oldest part of the Royal Observatory, designed by Sir Christopher Wren.
Grab your sketchbooks for a unique drawing class, and head to the Red Plane.
You can eat at Astronomy Café & Terrace in the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
You don’t need a museum ticket to access the café, you can have a nice meal from 10 am to 4.30 pm, and it serves lunch and snacks to visitors.
Bring your food and drinks and picnic at the Greenwich Royal Observatory.
Where to book tickets
You can buy Greenwich Royal Observatory tickets online or at the attraction.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.
When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.
Because the Royal Observatory sells limited tickets, they may sell out during peak days.
Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
How does online ticket work
Go to the Royal Observatory Greenwich booking page, choose the date, preferred time slot, and the number of tickets, and buy the tickets.
Once you purchase the Greenwich Royal Observatory tickets, they get delivered to your email address.
There is no need to get printouts of the ticket.
You can show the e-ticket on your smartphone when you visit the attraction.
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Royal Observatory Greenwich ticket prices
The Tickets for Royal Observatory Greenwich are priced at £18 for all visitors 25 years and above.
Youth ticket for visitors between 16 and 24 years costs £12.
Children between four and 15 years old get a discount of £8 and pay only £9.
The Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass costs £27 for all guests above the age of 25 years.
Youth ticket for visitors between 16 and 25 years costs £18
Children between four and 15 years get a discount of £14 and need to pay just £13.
Kids up to three years old can enjoy the tour for free.
Tickets for Royal Observatory Greenwich
With this ticket, you get access to the following:
- Royal Observatory
- The Meridian line
- Flamsteed House
- John Harrison’s timekeepers
- Camera Obscura
- The Great Equatorial Telescope
- The Astronomy Centre
- The Altazimuth Pavilion
- The Galleries
You can get access to the interactive audio guide in English.
This ticket does not include entry to the Peter Harrison Planetarium.
Free admission for carers accompanying visitors with disabilities.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (25+ years): £18
Youth Ticket (16 to 24 years): £12
Child Ticket (4 to 15 years): £9
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass
This is an offer to visit four famous attractions in Greenwich, London.
The four places included are the Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, and the Queen’s House.
The Cutty Sark is the oldest tea clipper in the world and is now a museum.
The Royal Observatory is where you can see historical astronomy equipment and the Meridian Line.
The National Maritime Museum is about the history of Britain’s seafaring past and has artifacts from Admiral Nelson’s life.
The Queen’s House is a grand former royal residence with beautiful architecture and artwork.
You can visit all four places with this pass and it’s a great opportunity to explore history, science, and culture in London’s Greenwich.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (25+ years): £27
Child Ticket (4 to 15 years): £13
Youth Ticket (16 to 25 years): £18
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Royal Observatory Greenwich + The Painted Hall
The Old Royal Naval College, home to the Painted Hall, is .6 miles (.96 km) away from Royal Observatory Greenwich, which can be reached in 13 minutes on foot or seven minutes by car.
So book this combo ticket that offers up to a 10% discount!
The tickets for the Royal Observatory include entry to various buildings and exhibitions, such as the Meridian Line, Flamsteed House, John Harrison’s Timekeepers, etc.
There is also a downloadable interactive audio guide in English.
The second attraction is the Old Royal Naval College which includes the Painted Hall, a beautiful baroque interior.
The ticket is for general admission to the Painted Hall and includes multimedia guides in seven languages.
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How to reach Royal Observatory Greenwich
Royal Observatory is located in Greenwich Park.
Address: Blackheath Ave, London SE10 8XJ, United Kingdom Get Directions
You can either take public or private transport to get to the attraction.
By Bus
The bus stop Greenwich High Road Royal Hill (Stop K) (Bus No: 129, 177, 199, 386, or N199), is only an 11-minute walk from the attraction.
By Car
You can take your own car or rent a cab to get to Royal Greenwich Observatory.
If you’re traveling by car, turn on your Google Maps and get started.
You can park your car at the numerous parking spots around the observatory.
Royal Observatory Greenwich timings
The Greenwich Royal Observatory opens daily from 10 am to 5 pm.
You can get the last entry at 4.15 pm; make sure to reach the location on time and enjoy your tour!
How long does it take
A tour of the Royal Greenwich Observatory takes two to three hours.
You can inspect the Great Equatorial Telescope and see other parts of the observatory during this time.
However, you’ll need at least half a day to explore all that the Greenwich Observatory offers.
Best time to visit Royal Observatory Greenwich
The best time to visit the Royal Greenwich Observatory is as soon as it opens at 10 am.
You can go around closing time or as soon as it opens to avoid crowds.
FAQs about the Royal Observatory Greenwich
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Royal Observatory London.
I’m a Royal Museums Greenwich member. Do I still need to book?
As a member, you can skip the pre-booking for general admissions to Royal Museums Greenwich. Just scan your card for fast-track access.
What if I miss my time slot for the Royal Observatory?
Operators will do their best to accommodate you if there’s space available. However, if there is no capacity for the time slot you initially booked, you may have to wait for the next one.
Does the Royal Observatory Greenwich have a cloakroom?
It is best to avoid bringing heavy baggage. However, a limited number is available at the National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House if you need a locker, with a £1 fee.
Is entry to the Peter Harrison Planetarium included in the Royal Observatory Greenwich ticket?
Unfortunately, no. This ticket only includes entry to the Royal Observatory, the Meridian Line, Flamsteed House, John Harrison’s timekeepers, Camera Obscura, the Great Equatorial Telescope, the Astronomy Centre, the Altazimuth Pavilion, and the galleries.
Is the Royal Observatory London wheelchair accessible?
Yes, most of the areas in the observatory are wheelchair-friendly. However, the older buildings only have restricted access.
What if I cancel the tickets on the day of my visit to the Royal Observatory?
Please note that you can only get a refund if you cancel the tickets at least 24 hours before the day of your visit.
