Windsor Castle, a historic market town in Berkshire, England, is conveniently located just west of London.
The castle is within walking distance of the town center and the River Thames.
With two train stations reachable within a ten-minute walk, Windsor Castle presents an excellent choice for a car-free day trip.
Train from London to Windsor
Two primary train stations are conveniently positioned for the London to Windsor Castle tour.
The first, Windsor & Eton Riverside, is located just outside the town center, adjacent to the River Thames, and the second, Windsor & Eton Central, is within the town center.
A variety of ticket options are available to suit passenger needs.
Opt for affordable train fares to Windsor by traveling during off-peak hours or securing advance ticket bookings.
You may enjoy further savings on your journey if you possess a Railcard.
From London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside Station
Traveling from London Waterloo, you can take the South Western Railway line, which connects London Waterloo Station to Windsor & Eton Riverside Station.
The journey takes approximately an hour, with train fare starting at £13.
The train operates every 30 minutes and stops at Clapham Junction, Richmond, Twickenham, and Feltham.
You also have the option to board the train from London Waterloo Station and get down at Staines Station.
From Staines Station, you can transfer to Windsor & Eton Riverside Station.
If you travel via Windsor & Eton Riverside Station, prepare for a steep uphill walk.
From London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central Station
You can take the Elizabeth Line from London Paddington Station to Slough Station, which will take around 30 minutes.
From there, you can reach Windsor & Eton Central Station within six- minutes via First Great Western Service.
The fare for the train from London to Windsor starts at £6.
A six-minute walk will lead you to Windsor Castle.
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# Long Walk at Windsor
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# Windsor Castle Gardens
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How to reach London Waterloo
Waterloo is a hub for South Western Railway services from destinations like Southampton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, and other South England towns.
London Waterloo is served by the Underground’s Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, and Waterloo & City lines.
You can access Waterloo via these lines from various parts of London, such as Baker Street, Oxford Circus, King’s Cross, St. Pancras, and Canary Wharf.
How to reach London Paddington
London Paddington is a major railway station serving destinations west of London, including Wales and the West of England.
You can take trains operated by Great Western Railway or Heathrow Express to reach Paddington from various locations, including Heathrow Airport, Bristol, Cardiff, and Oxford.
London Paddington is served by the London Underground’s Bakerloo, Circle, District, and Hammersmith & City lines.
You can access Paddington via these lines from different parts of London, such as Oxford Circus, King’s Cross St. Pancras, and Victoria.
Find out which suits your interest – Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace.
Advance train tickets
Advance tickets are perfect for saving money on long journeys as they must be purchased in advance and are only valid for the specified date and train.
These tickets cover single journeys, but you can combine them to complete your entire journey, including your return trip.
They are available in limited numbers, subject to availability, and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
You can purchase an Advance ticket up to 12 weeks before your travel date.
On many routes, they remain available until the day of travel, sometimes up to 10 minutes before departure.
Discounts for advanced tickets
Children aged five to 15 receive a 50% discount on all Advance fares.
Holders of a 16-17 Saver Railcard can enjoy a 50% reduction on adult Standard Class Advance fares.
Owners of any National Railcard are entitled to a 1/3 discount on Standard Class Advance fares.
Holders of a 16-25, 26-30, Senior, Two Together, HM Forces, Veterans, or Disabled Persons Railcard can also benefit from a 1/3 discount on First Class Advance fares.
Ticket reservation for Advance Tickets
If you require changes to the day or time of your travel, you can modify your ticket until your journey’s scheduled start time.
A fee of £10 may apply for ticket amendments, and any price difference between your original ticket and the new one will also be charged.
Advance tickets are typically non-refundable, except in cases where your train experiences delays or cancellations and you opt not to proceed with your journey.
Not all services provide seat reservations, but longer journeys are more likely to offer this option.
You have the option to reserve a seat at the time of purchasing your ticket.
Even if you opt not to reserve a seat, all Advance tickets must still be used on the specified date and service indicated on your ticket.
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# Restaurants near Windsor Castle
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Windsor to London by train
Depending on your location in Windsor, you can choose Windsor & Eton Central or Windsor & Eton Riverside.
Board a train from Windsor & Eton Central Station that will take you to Slough Station within six minutes. From Slough, you can transfer to London Paddington Station via Great Western Service.
You can reach London Waterloo within 90 minutes with South Western Railway if you board a train from Windsor & Eton Riverside.
Trip to Windsor from London
If you prefer to skip the hustle and bustle of boarding in and out a train, you can book a guided tour.
Embark on a half-day tour that commences at 9.50 am from London to the charming town of Windsor, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore the iconic Windsor Castle with included admission.
Journey aboard a scenic bus ride to Windsor, admiring the picturesque surroundings.
The tour also includes Round-trip transportation from London via luxury bus. The meeting point is at Bus Stop C, in front of the former Earls Court Exhibition Centre site.
