Public Self-Guided Tours The first, and most frequent way, is on a walk-through tour. These self-guided public tours are scheduled Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 12 noon. Visitors move from room to room at their own pace; once inside the White House, most take about 15 to 20 minutes.

Yes, you can go inside the White House in 2026, but it requires significant advance planning. Public tours are free but must be requested through your Member of Congress (for US citizens) or your embassy in Washington, D.C. (for international visitors). Requests must be submitted between 21 and 90 days in advance. Tours are self-guided and typically cover the East Wing and the Executive Residence, including the Blue, Green, and Red Rooms, the State Dining Room, and the China Room. You do not get to see the West Wing or the Oval Office on public tours. In 2026, security is tighter than ever; all guests 14 and older must provide their Social Security number and other personal data for a background check. On the day of the tour, you must bring a valid government-issued photo ID that exactly matches the info submitted. Note that no bags of any kind are allowed inside, and there are no storage lockers on-site, so plan your "carry-on" accordingly.