St Paul’s Cathedral is undoubtedly one of the most famous sights you’ll come across in London.
With a dome dominating the London skyline since 1710 and a crypt spanning the entire cathedral’s footprint, this Anglican church is synonymous with Britain’s identity and culture
St. Paul’s Cathedral started as a small 7th-century church in AD 604, and the edifice you see today was built by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666.
With more than 1.5 million tourists visiting this attraction annually, here’s everything you need to know before booking your St Paul’s Cathedral tickets.
Top Tickets
# St Paul’s fast-track entrance ticket
# Welcome to London Tour
# Walking tour + St Pauls Cathedral entry
It’s highly recommended to book your tickets for St. Paul’s Cathedral 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
St. Paul’s Cathedral tickets
There are several ways to explore the cathedral, and booking a ticket is the best way to ensure you get a reserved entry or a guided tour. Here are some popular St. Paul’s Cathedral tickets worth checking out.
St. Paul’s fast-track entrance ticket
The fast-track admission is the cheapest and most popular St Paul’s Cathedral ticket.
With this ticket, you can skip the long lines at the ticketing counter, walk right in to explore the cathedral floor, the crypt, and go up the galleries.
Just that you know, the Dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral is a marvel of engineering and a defining feature of London’s skyline.
The Dome’s Stone Gallery and the Golden Gallery offer breathtaking 360-degree views of London.
Likewise, the Whispering Gallery creates a fascinating auditory experience by allowing whispers to travel along the Dome’s curved walls.
It includes the multimedia guide, which you can pick up at the entrance.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (18 to 64 years): £20
Student Ticket (with valid ID card): £18
Senior Ticket (65+ years): £18
Child Ticket (6 to 17 years): £9
Infant Ticket (up to 5 years): Free
St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London, River Cruise ticket
This is a popular combination ticket which entails being whisked around London’s iconic landmarks and a cruise along the River Thames.
The first leg of this tour involves a guided tour of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London, after which you will be taken on River Thames cruise to Westminster Pier.
The four-and-a-half-hour tour happens in an air-conditioned coach with a personal audio headset so that you can always hear the guide.
Kids two years and below can join the tour for free.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (17+ years): £92
Child Ticket (3 to 16 years): £82
Student Ticket (with valid ID): £82
Senior Ticket (60+ years): £87
Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children): £338
St. Paul’s Cathedral entrance + walking tour ticket
This six-hour tour starts at 10 am and is the fastest way to explore 30 London attractions in a day.
The tour starts from Ritz London, and from there you pass through Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament in the Westminster area.
Next, your guide will walk you through the London Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London.
At the end of the tour, you get to step into St. Paul’s Cathedral, which is also the final resting place of Sir Christopher Wren, Admiral Nelson, and the Duke of Wellington.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (14+ years): £66
Child Ticket (3 to 13 years): £10
Infant Ticket (up to 2 years): Free
Welcome to the London Tour ticket
The Welcome to London Tour starts at 7.45 am and lasts nine hours.
You drive around London to see the significant landmarks and stop by at various places.
During the day, you also experience a scenic private cruise on the River Thames, a private tour of the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels and a tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
If you want to keep it simple, we recommend this Old London walking tour in which you get to explore St Paul Cathedral from the outside.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (17 to 59 years): £123
Senior Ticket (60+ years): £120
Student Ticket (with a valid ID): £120
Child Ticket (3 to 16 years): £113
Infant Ticket (up to 2 years): Free
Know before booking tickets
Here are some things to keep in mind before booking your tickets.
Knowing the details of how to book tickets or the best time to visit St. Paul’s Cathedral can help make your visit smooth and enjoyable.
Where to buy tickets
St Paul’s Cathedral entry tickets are available 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.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, they may sell out during peak days. Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
Recommended
How do online tickets work
Go to the St Paul’s Cathedral ticket booking page.
Select the number of tickets, preferred date, and guide language, and buy the tickets.
Once you purchase the 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.
St. Paul’s Cathedral, gallery, and mass timings
St Paul’s Cathedral opens with a prayer at 7.30 am from Monday to Saturday.
Visitors who want to explore the Cathedral can enter the premises from 8.30 am onward. The last entry is scheduled for 4 pm.
All tourists sightseeing at the cathedral must exit the premises by 4.30 pm.
Moreover, tourists aren’t allowed inside the Cathedral on Sundays as the liturgy prayers start at 8 am and go on till 7 pm.
Gallery timings
The St Paul’s Cathedral has three galleries—Whispering Gallery, Stone Gallery, and Golden Gallery. These open at 9.30 am.
The galleries, just like other sections of the Cathedral, have a detailed weekly schedule.
Mass timings
The prayer service at St Paul’s Cathedral starts at 7.30 am, followed by the Eucharist at 8 am and 12.30 pm, from Monday to Saturday.
Music is an integral part of prayer; everyone can join in the mass and eucharistic choir sessions for free.
There is a Choral Evensong at 5 pm during the weekdays; this is followed by the evening prayer.
On Sundays, the day begins with holy communion at 8 am, Mattins at 10.15 am, and a sung Eucharist at 11.30 am.
The Sunday Choral Evensong is conducted at 3.15 pm, and the Eucharist at 6 pm.
You can find the full schedule here.
Best time to visit the Cathedral
The best time to visit the attraction is before noon on a weekday—preferably Monday through Thursday.
Some tourists plan on visiting St. Paul’s first thing in the morning. This is because the Cathedral opens for sightseeing much before the other London attractions
For a more intimate experience, it is best to be at the cathedral as soon as the morning prayer ends at 8.30 am.
The Cathedral is most crowded between 12 noon and 5 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. So it is best to avoid visiting the attraction during these hours.
How long does it take to tour St. Paul’s
You will need around 2.5 hours to explore St Paul Cathedral’s main floor, the crypt, and climb to and fro the attraction’s dome.
While entry to the Cathedral and its masses is free, you need to buy a ticket to view the crypt and the galleries in the dome.
Again, St. Paul’s is a highly-rated attraction; it draws many tourists and gets crowded in no time.
Hence, we recommend booking your tickets in advance to save time and avoid the queue.
Dress code
There is no obligatory dress code for St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
However, visitors are expected to dress moderately since it is a religious place.
Even though nobody will stop you from entering the Cathedral, low-neck t-shirts and mini-skirts are not advised for women. Men should also avoid wearing caps inside the attraction.
Are you up for some adventure? Buy the London Outdoor Escape Game: The Great Fire ticket and follow the path of the 1666 Great Fire of London that razed some of the city’s most iconic attractions to ashes. Unlock clues and solve puzzles on your phone while reenacting the story of amateur fireman Gregory Grail on this self-guided tour.
How to reach St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral sits on Ludgate Hill, the highest point in London.
Address: St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, UK. Get directions.
You can reach the Cathedral via public or private transportation.
By Bus
St. Paul’s Cathedral bus stop (Bus No: 15, 17, 26, 76, N15, N21, N26, N199, N550) is just a few steps away from the attraction.
By Metro
St. Paul’s metro station is just a 2-minute walk from the cathedral. The other metro stations nearest to the Cathedral are Mansion House, Blackfriars, and Bank.
By Train
If you plan to board a train, the nearest stop is the City Thameslink station, a brisk 3-minute walk to the Cathedral.
By car
If you’re traveling by car, turn on your Google Maps and get started. There are enough parking garages around the attraction.
Save money & time! You can gain free ‘skip the line’ access to 60 London attractions for a flat fee. Buy The London Pass
St. Paul Cathedral free entry
It is possible to enter St. Paul’s Cathedral for free on Sundays. The service begins at 8 am, and on other days at 7.30 am.
Do note that you won’t be allowed inside after the prayer begins, so it is best to arrive 15 minutes early.
This is, above all, is a limited experience: You need to sit down for the service and can’t walk around and explore the Cathedral as all the other areas are blocked off during the service.
London Passes
Another way to enter St. Paul’s Cathedral for free—well, almost!—is by buying London discount Passes. These passes help you save money and time by allowing you to skip the the line at most attractions.
Our two favorites are the London iVenture Pass and the London Explorer Pass. Do check them out!
FAQs about St. Paul’s Cathedral
Visitors to this London Cathedral have lots of questions. Here are some frequently asked questions about St. Paul’s Cathedral.
What does the ticket to St. Paul’s Cathedral include?
The ticket includes access to the cathedral floor, crypt, and galleries, as well as the option to use a multimedia guide available in multiple languages. You can also join guided tours and talks based on availability.
Can I bring my luggage to St. Paul’s Cathedral?
There is no cloakroom, so bags or items larger than 45cm x 30cm x 25cm are prohibited.
Can I take videos during my visit to the St. Paul’s Cathedral?
Flashlights, Video recording, selfie sticks, tripods, and monopods are prohibited during your visit.
Can I attend a religious service at St. Paul’s Cathedral?
Yes, St. Paul’s Cathedral is an active Anglican cathedral that holds regular services. Visitors are welcome to attend these services. You do not require a ticket to participate in a service.
Is St. Paul’s Cathedral accessible to people with disabilities?
Yes, St. Paul’s Cathedral is committed to providing access to all visitors. There are ramps, lifts, and accessible restrooms available. Specific arrangements can be made for visitors with mobility impairments, including wheelchair users.
Is there parking available near St. Paul’s Cathedral?
Parking near the attraction can be limited and expensive. It’s often more convenient to use public transportation, such as the London Underground, buses, or taxis, to reach the cathedral.
What are the opening hours of St. Paul’s Cathedral?
St. Paul’s Cathedral is generally open from Monday to Saturday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, with the last admission at 4.00 pm. The Cathedral is closed for sightseeing on Sundays but open for worship.
Are there toilet facilities available at St. Paul’s Cathedral?
Yes, there are toilet facilities, including accessible toilets, available within the Cathedral. These are located in the Crypt.
Is there a café or restaurant at St. Paul’s Cathedral?
Yes, there is a café located in the Crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral, offering a variety of snacks, meals, and beverages.
Are guide dogs allowed in the Cathedral?
Yes, guide dogs and other assistance dogs are welcome in St. Paul’s Cathedral.
We visited on a sunny winter day with clear blue skies. We prebooked the tickets online since they’re cheaper that way. Entry was smooth, and the staff were super helpful with maps and guides. Climbing to the whispering gallery was awesome—it really works! I could hear my husband from the other side. The views from there were fantastic. We continued up to the Stone Gallery for fab views of London, then up the winding stairs to the Golden Gallery at the top of the Dome for even more amazing views. We definitely picked the perfect day!
Absolutely stunning and totally worth it! The tour guides are super passionate and know their stuff. Went on a Monday, so it wasn’t too crowded—just a really chill and awesome experience.
Wonderful.
I live in Slovenia.
Access to all churches is free.
Access to the main museum in Ljubljana is 50p
Rip off Britain again !