Is St Paul's Cathedral worth it?
Yes: £24 covers the cathedral, crypt and a 528-step dome climb with one of London's best views. Go at 8:30am opening, and note it's closed to sightseeing on Sundays.
📍St Paul's Churchyard, City of London
Our pick: Entry Ticket · Free cancellation
Bottom line — is St Paul's Cathedral worth it?
Yes: for £24 you get the cathedral, the crypt and a dome climb with one of the finest views in London. Arrive at 8:30am opening, climb first, and remember it's closed to sightseeing on Sundays.
Quick Facts
- Opening hours
- Sightseeing Mon–Sat, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (last entry 4:00 PM)
- Location
- St Paul's Churchyard, City of London
- Age suitability
- All ages (dome climb needs steady legs)
- Wheelchair accessible
- Cathedral floor and crypt yes; dome galleries no
- Sundays
- Open for worship only, no sightseeing
How we scored the St Paul's Cathedral
Our method£24 includes the cathedral floor, the crypt, a multimedia guide and the dome galleries. Strong value against London's other big tickets.
The 528-step climb to the Golden Gallery is one of London's great experiences, and the interior is breathtaking.
The nave swallows crowds, so it rarely feels packed. The dome stairs bottleneck late morning.
London's most underrated major ticket. Go at opening, climb the dome first, then take the crypt slowly.
Best time to visit the St Paul's Cathedral
IndoorSt Paul's Cathedral is fully indoor — weather doesn't affect your visit. Slots below are picked on crowd levels only.
- 9amQuiet — best time to goGreat
- 11amManageable crowdsGood
- 4pmBuilding crowdsOK
- 9amQuiet — best time to goGreat
- 11amManageable crowdsGood
- 4pmBuilding crowdsOK
Typical hour-by-hour →
Doors open at 8:30am. Climb the dome first while the stairs are empty and your legs are fresh, then work through the cathedral floor and crypt.
Best St Paul's Cathedral tickets, compared
All London attractions →| Ticket Type | What's Included | Price from | TripScore | Our Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
RECOMMENDED Entry Ticket Cathedral, crypt & dome |
| £24.00 per adult | 8.8 Best Overall | View tickets → |
Westminster Tour + St Paul's Guided walking tour + entry |
| £68.00 per adult | 7.6 | View tickets → |
St Paul's + Tower of London Guided day with river cruise |
| £115.00 per adult | 7.4 | View tickets → |
We compare prices from GETYOURGUIDE · KLOOK · VIATOR · TIQETS …
What visitors say
4.7/5 · 531 reviews"Visitors to St Paul's Cathedral rave about the stunning architecture and breathtaking views from the Golden Gallery. Many praise the friendly and knowledgeable staff, as well as the interactive exhibits and activities for kids. Some visitors note that the cathedral can be quite crowded, especially during peak season, but overall, the experience is well worth the visit."
Summary of 531 visitor reviews aggregated from booking partners.
Why the St Paul's Cathedral is worth it
- ✓One of the world's great cathedral interiors, 300 years old and immaculately kept.
- ✓The dome climb tops out at a 360° open-air view over the City and the Thames.
- ✓Crypt tombs of Nelson, Wellington and Christopher Wren included.
- ✓Multimedia guide included in the ticket price.
Common St Paul's Cathedral mistakes
- ✗Turning up on a Sunday, when the cathedral is open for worship only.
- ✗Underestimating the dome: 528 steps with no lift, and the last stretch is narrow.
- ✗Skipping the crypt, where Nelson, Wellington and Wren himself are buried.
- ✗Rushing past the multimedia guide, which is included and genuinely good.
How the St Paul's Cathedral compares
Other top London attractions ranked by TripScore.
Yes for history lovers, less so otherwise. Book the 9:30am slot, use the Jeremy Irons audio guide, and don't visit on a Sunday — it's closed to tourists.
Yes — one of London's most underrated attractions. Book the 4pm slot for the calmest visit and allow 2-3 hours to do the Churchill Museum justice.
St Paul's Cathedral FAQ
Is St Paul's Cathedral worth visiting?▾
Yes. For £24 you get one of the world's great cathedral interiors, the crypt with Nelson and Wellington's tombs, and a 528-step dome climb to a panoramic view of London that rivals any paid observation deck.
How many steps is the St Paul's dome climb?▾
528 steps to the Golden Gallery at the top, with the Stone Gallery as a stopping point on the way. There is no lift, and the final section is narrow and spiral, so allow 30 to 45 minutes for the round trip.
Can you visit St Paul's on a Sunday?▾
Not for sightseeing. Sundays are for worship only, though anyone is welcome to attend a service for free, including Evensong. Sightseeing runs Monday to Saturday from 8:30am.
How long do you need at St Paul's Cathedral?▾
2 to 2.5 hours covers the cathedral floor, the dome climb and the crypt at a comfortable pace. Add time if you like to linger with the multimedia guide.
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Our pick · From
£24 · Entry Ticket
Last reviewed · Editorial verdict by tickets.uk editorial team · Structured feed