You can visit the White House free of charge, but not on a whim: the public tour must be requested in advance, through a Member of Congress for U.S. citizens and through their embassy for international visitors, and no tickets are sold on site. The tour is self-guided, lasts about 45 minutes and passes through the State Floor reception rooms. We read both official sources (the White House website and the National Park Service website), which do not give the same deadlines, and calculated the request deadlines for each month.
If the tour does not work out, the White House is easy to see from the outside, from Lafayette Square and the Ellipse. To plan the rest of your stay, see our guide to visiting Washington. See entry requirements for the United States.
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White House: key facts
- Tour hours: generally 7:30 am–11:30 am Tuesday to Thursday and 7:30 am–1:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, excluding federal holidays; hours may change without notice — checked on 16 October 2026 on whitehouse.gov
- Price: free tours — checked on 16 October 2026 on whitehouse.gov
- Booking: mandatory. Request 7 to 90 days before the desired date according to whitehouse.gov; the NPS says "at least 21 days" and up to 3 months before. International visitors: contact your embassy — checked on 16 October 2026 on nps.gov
- No-tour days: Sunday, Monday and federal holidays
- Duration: self-guided tour of about 45 minutes — checked on 16 October 2026 on whitehouse.gov
- ID: valid passport required for international visitors, children included
How do you book a White House tour?
There is no ticket office: the White House says tour requests go through a Member of Congress (representative or senator). That route is reserved for U.S. citizens; for international visitors, the National Park Service page refers them to their embassy. For a UK citizen, that means the British Embassy in Washington: ask it about the procedure and its deadlines, which we could not verify.
Spots are allocated in the order requests arrive and in limited numbers: the NPS advises submitting your request as early as possible. A confirmed tour can be cancelled at the last minute (weather, presidential schedule); the NPS invites you to call the Visitors Office information line (202-456-7041, 24 hours a day) before you go.
Tickets: why to beware of resellers
All public White House tours are free, according to the official website. So no website can "sell" you an entry ticket. Booking platforms do offer guided tours around the White House (Lafayette Square, the Ellipse, the National Mall), which do not include the interior. Read the description carefully before paying.
Request deadlines: the calculated calendar
The two official sources do not give the same window: 7 to 90 days before the visit according to whitehouse.gov, 21 days to 3 months according to the NPS. To be safe, aim for the narrower window (at least 21 days before). The table gives, for a desired visit on the 15th of each month, the first and last filing dates.
| Desired visit | Tour day? | Opens (whitehouse.gov, 90 days before) | Closes (whitehouse.gov, 7 days before) | Opens (NPS, 3 months) | Recommended close (NPS, 21 days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, November 15, 2026 | No (no tours that day) | Aug 17, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | Aug 15, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 |
| Tuesday, December 15, 2026 | Yes | Sep 16, 2026 | Dec 8, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 |
| Friday, January 15, 2027 | Yes | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 8, 2027 | Oct 15, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 |
| Monday, February 15, 2027 | No (no tours that day) | Nov 17, 2026 | Feb 8, 2027 | Nov 15, 2026 | Jan 25, 2027 |
| Monday, March 15, 2027 | No (no tours that day) | Dec 15, 2026 | Mar 8, 2027 | Dec 15, 2026 | Feb 22, 2027 |
| Thursday, April 15, 2027 | Yes | Jan 15, 2027 | Apr 8, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 | Mar 25, 2027 |
| Saturday, May 15, 2027 | Yes | Feb 14, 2027 | May 8, 2027 | Feb 15, 2027 | Apr 24, 2027 |
| Tuesday, June 15, 2027 | Yes | Mar 17, 2027 | Jun 8, 2027 | Mar 15, 2027 | May 25, 2027 |
| Thursday, July 15, 2027 | Yes | Apr 16, 2027 | Jul 8, 2027 | Apr 15, 2027 | Jun 24, 2027 |
| Sunday, August 15, 2027 | No (no tours that day) | May 17, 2027 | Aug 8, 2027 | May 15, 2027 | Jul 25, 2027 |
| Wednesday, September 15, 2027 | Yes | Jun 17, 2027 | Sep 8, 2027 | Jun 15, 2027 | Aug 25, 2027 |
| Friday, October 15, 2027 | Yes | Jul 17, 2027 | Oct 8, 2027 | Jul 15, 2027 | Sep 24, 2027 |
How to read it: for a visit on Saturday, May 15, 2027, file your request between February 15 and April 24, 2027 to satisfy both sources at once. If the 15th falls on a Sunday or Monday, choose another day of the same week: the window shifts accordingly.
Opening hours and tour days
| Day | Public tour slots |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday | 7:30 am–11:30 am |
| Friday, Saturday | 7:30 am–1:30 pm |
| Sunday, Monday, federal holidays | No tours |
Arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour time: latecomers may be refused, according to the official FAQ. Part of the visit takes place outdoors; dress for the weather.
Best time to visit the White House
Tours take place in the morning. The table combines sunrise times, useful for a 7:30 am slot, with the Washington normals already published on our city page. Summer is hot and humid (32 °C / 90 °F on average in the afternoon in July), which matters because the wait is outdoors.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | High | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:25 am | 5:10 pm | 9 h 45 min | 7.1 °C (45 °F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| February | 6:59 am | 5:45 pm | 10 h 46 min | 9.1 °C (48 °F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| March | 7:19 am | 7:15 pm | 11 h 55 min | 13.6 °C (56 °F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| April | 6:31 am | 7:45 pm | 13 h 13 min | 20.0 °C (68 °F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 5:55 am | 8:13 pm | 14 h 18 min | 24.7 °C (76 °F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| June | 5:42 am | 8:35 pm | 14 h 53 min | 29.5 °C (85 °F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| July | 5:55 am | 8:32 pm | 14 h 38 min | 32.0 °C (90 °F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| August | 6:21 am | 8:03 pm | 13 h 41 min | 31.0 °C (88 °F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| September | 6:49 am | 7:16 pm | 12 h 27 min | 27.1 °C (81 °F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| October | 7:17 am | 6:29 pm | 11 h 12 min | 20.8 °C (69 °F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| November | 6:50 am | 4:54 pm | 10 h 04 min | 14.6 °C (58 °F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| December | 7:19 am | 4:47 pm | 9 h 28 min | 9.3 °C (49 °F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
Spring (April–May) and fall (October) bring mild temperatures, but these are also very busy periods in Washington. No official source publishes crowd figures for the tour itself: since places are limited, the only useful rule is to apply early.
What you see during the visit
The public tour is self-guided and covers the State Floor: Blue Room, Red Room, Green Room, State Dining Room, Cross Hall and Entrance Hall. Secret Service officers line the route and answer questions about history, artworks and furniture. The White House recommends downloading the "White House Experience" app before the visit, which works offline.
- Before: the White House Visitor Center (1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW), run by the NPS, presents the history of the building; it is open every day from 7:30 am to 4 pm, except Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026), Christmas and January 1 (checked on 18 October 2026 on nps.gov); that is also where the restrooms are, as there are none on the tour.
- During: photos allowed with a phone or compact camera (lens shorter than 3 inches, or 7.6 cm), without flash; video prohibited.
- After: photos of the north facade from Lafayette Square, then of the south facade from the Ellipse.
- Without a tour: the Visitor Center and the surroundings are enough for half an hour to an hour.
Getting there
- Tour entrance: northeast corner of Lafayette Square, at the intersection of H Street NW and Madison Place NW — checked on 16 October 2026 on whitehouse.gov
- Metro: according to the NPS, the closest Metrorail stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (blue, orange and silver lines) and Metro Center (red, blue, orange and silver lines) — checked on 11 November 2026 on nps.gov
- Car: on-street parking is limited and the NPS strongly encourages public transportation; there is paid underground parking at the Ronald Reagan Building, about a block from the Visitor Center — checked on 11 November 2026 on nps.gov
Destination de Voyage calculation: as the crow flies, the White House is 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the Lincoln Memorial and 2.5 km (1.6 mi) from the Capitol: the National Mall can be covered on foot in the same day.
Accessibility
According to the official FAQ, the tour route is wheelchair accessible and a few wheelchairs are lent on request to a Secret Service officer on the day; registered service animals are admitted after screening. The Visitor Center offers tactile maps, touchable replicas, audio description and hearing loops. Strollers, on the other hand, are not allowed inside the White House: bring a baby carrier, which is allowed.
Common mistakes (official rules)
- Turning up without a reservation: no tour is possible without an accepted advance request.
- Coming with a bag: bags of any kind (including fanny packs and pouches) are prohibited, and there is no luggage storage. Visitors with a bag or stroller cannot enter.
- Presenting a driver’s license or national ID card: for an international visitor, only a valid passport and a few U.S. documents are accepted; no copies or digital versions.
- Giving details that differ from the passport: they must match exactly, otherwise entry may be delayed or refused.
- Bringing water, food, a metal bottle, a tablet, a tripod, a selfie stick, an interchangeable-lens camera or a smartwatch that records video: prohibited.
- Leaving a minor on their own: under-18s not accompanied by a responsible adult are turned away.
What to see nearby
The White House is at the heart of the National Mall walk, with the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol and the Smithsonian museums: everything is detailed in our guide to things to do in Washington. Combining with New York? See our page on visiting New York and the one on the Statue of Liberty.
A short history of the White House
The cornerstone of the White House was laid in 1792, on a site chosen by George Washington in 1791. The plan selected was that of the Irish-born architect James Hoban. After eight years of construction, John Adams was the first president to move in, with his wife Abigail.
During the War of 1812, British troops set fire to the residence, which was then rebuilt. Today, the Residence has 132 rooms on 6 levels, according to the official White House website; the public tour shows only a small part of it.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the White House as an international visitor?
Yes, in principle: the National Park Service says international visitors must contact their embassy. U.S. citizens go through a Member of Congress. The tour is free and a valid passport is required.
How much does the White House tour cost?
Nothing: all White House tours are free according to the official website. Paid tours sold online take place outside.
How far in advance should you request the tour?
Between 7 and 90 days before according to whitehouse.gov, and at least 21 days (up to 3 months) according to the NPS. Request at least 21 days ahead, and as early as possible.
Which days can you visit the White House?
Tuesday to Saturday, excluding federal holidays: 7:30 am–11:30 am Tuesday to Thursday, 7:30 am–1:30 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Can you bring a bag into the White House?
No. Bags of any size are prohibited and there is no luggage storage; only a phone, a wallet, an umbrella without a metal tip and a few baby items are allowed.
Where is the White House?
The White House is at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, in Washington, D.C., between Lafayette Square to the north and the Ellipse to the south. It is not in Washington State, on the West Coast.
Who built the White House?
It was designed by the Irish-born architect James Hoban; the cornerstone was laid in 1792 and John Adams was the first president to live there, after eight years of construction.
Our sources
- The White House (whitehouse.gov): "Visit The White House" and "Visit The White House FAQs" pages, consulted on 16 October 2026
- National Park Service, The White House and President’s Park (nps.gov/whho): The White House Tour, Directions (also consulted on 11 November 2026), Accessibility, consulted on 16 October 2026
- NOAA / National Weather Service: 1991–2020 normals, Ronald Reagan Washington National station, taken from our Washington page
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, IANA America/New_York time zone, applied by Destination de Voyage; deadline calendar calculated from the official rules
- Official White House website (whitehouse.gov), "The White House" page: history and figures for the Residence, consulted on 16 October 2026
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Prices and hours may change: check the official website before you go.