Is St Paul’s Cathedral worth visiting?
The case against, taken seriously
Galip is right that it is not a cheap ticket, and I am not going to argue him out of it. London has a lot of free museums and this is not one of them. Sightseeing at St Paul’s is ticketed because the building is a working cathedral funded largely by the people who come to look at it, and attending a service costs nothing at all. That distinction catches people out constantly — I have unpicked it on what is actually free.
The other half of his review is the part people skip. The top view was amazing. Almost every complaint about value I hear in the churchyard comes from someone who did the floor, did the crypt and went home without going up. That is paying for the whole building and using a third of it.
What you are actually buying
- Wren’s dome from the inside and the outside. Built 1675–1710, the second-largest cathedral dome in the world, engineered as three shells — a painted inner dome, a hidden brick cone taking the load, and the lead dome you see on the skyline. You climb between them.
- Three viewpoints on one staircase. 257 steps to the Whispering Gallery, 376 to the Stone Gallery, 528 to the Golden Gallery. Details on the climb.
- The largest crypt in Europe. Nelson, Wellington and Wren himself, plus a 270° film. Wren’s epitaph tells you that if you seek his monument, look around you, which is the best line in the building.
- A multimedia guide in nine languages, included, plus free in-house guided tours and talks you register for on arrival on limited spots.
What works
- The dome climb is included, not an add-on, and it is the reason to come
- The ticket runs all day on the date booked, so a visit can be split in two
- 4.7 from 11,056 reviews is a large, consistent sample rather than a handful of ratings
- A building that survived the Blitz because 300-odd volunteers of the St Paul’s Watch stayed in it
Worth knowing
- It is a paid sightseeing ticket in a city full of free museums
- Skip the climb and the visit is short enough to feel thin
- No general Sunday sightseeing, and last entry is usually 4pm
- Bags over 45cm × 30cm × 25cm cannot come in and there is no left luggage
If you are weighing this against the other big paid church in London, Ineke from the Netherlands put her view plainly: if you have to choose between Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s, go for St Paul’s. I compare the two properly on St Paul’s vs Westminster Abbey.
Who I would tell to skip it
Anyone who cannot or should not do stairs and is only coming for the view. The floor and crypt are step-free and genuinely good, but if the dome is the draw and the dome is out, the maths changes. Anyone with 45 minutes and a lunch booking. And anyone visiting on a Sunday outside the seasonal dome opening, when there is no general sightseeing at all — see the opening hours before you plan around it.
Book it, or decide later
Booking online is the normal route and it is what keeps you out of the queue in the churchyard. Check the current price on the widget, and read what the ticket covers if you are travelling with children, a student card or a carer.
The ways in, compared
Most bookedCathedral entry includedSt Paul’s Cathedral Entry Ticket
Guided comboEntry fee includedWestminster Walking Tour & St Paul’s Entry
Multi-attractionSt Paul’s includedThe London Pass® — 100+ Attractions
Frequently asked questions
Is St Paul’s Cathedral worth the money?
It is if you climb the dome, which is included in the same ticket. The 528-step route to the Golden Gallery is what people remember; the visitors who feel short-changed are almost always the ones who stayed on the floor. See the dome climb.
Is St Paul’s better than Westminster Abbey?
They are separate attractions with separate tickets, so it is a real choice. St Paul’s has the climbable dome; the Abbey does not offer anything comparable. Ineke, reviewing the entry ticket, said to go for St Paul’s. The full comparison is on this page.
How long should I allow if I want it to feel worth it?
Two and a half to three hours, with the climb included. Ninety minutes covers the floor and the crypt only. See how long you need.
Can I get in without paying?
You can attend a service free of charge, and disabled visitors plus one carer, and children under 6, are admitted free. Sightseeing and the dome galleries need a ticket. Details on free entry.