- Getting to St Paul’s Cathedral by train
- How much does it cost to visit St Paul’s Cathedral?
- What to see at St Paul’s Cathedral
- History of St Paul’s Cathedral
- Planning your trips to London by train
- Explore more London attractions guides
When thinking about iconic London buildings, few can match the presence and power of St Paul’s Cathedral. For an unforgettable day out in London rich with culture and history, visit St Paul’s Cathedral by train.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about taking the train to St Paul’s Cathedral, including information on train operators, where you’ll arrive, and the best way to buy cheap train tickets for your journey. Additionally, we share here St Paul’s Cathedral visitor advice, from opening hours and ticket prices, to the cathedral’s historical and cultural significance.
St Paul’s Cathedral is one of London’s most recognisable buildings, with its iconic dome that has watched over London for more than 300 years. Standing majestically at 111 metres tall, and surrounded by spires, this dome is one of the highest in the world; indeed, St Paul’s Cathedral was once the tallest building in London. Plan your visit to St Paul’s Cathedral by train for a breathtaking sightseeing experience.
Getting to St Paul’s Cathedral by train
For history and culture seekers in London, finding St Paul’s Cathedral by train is simple. Standing tall north of the River Thames in St Paul’s Courtyard, this iconic cathedral is easy to reach by public transport.
When travelling to St Paul’s by train, you should arrange to arrive at any of City Thameslink, Blackfriars or Cannon Street stations. All three provide easy access to St Paul’s Cathedral, and serve passengers arriving from places like Brighton, Cambridge, Dartford, Bedford, and Peterborough.
Alternatively, arrive at other London stations, from London Liverpool Street to London Euston, and take the London Underground to St Paul’s Cathedral. For example, visitors from Liverpool Street will need the Central Line to St Paul’s. Options for travelling the final part of the journey by bus are available too, with a variety of lines heading to and from St Paul’s, including the 4, 8, 11, 15, 17, and 23 lines.
How much does it cost to visit St Paul’s Cathedral?
As one of London’s most iconic landmarks, visits to St Paul’s Cathedral can be busy, so it is best to book online to avoid disappointment.
General admission starts from £18 per person, with admission to St Paul’s including a visit to the Cathedral, the Dome Galleries, and the Crypt, all within the same ticket price. Concessions are available for children (£7.70), students (£16), over 65s (£16), groups, and families. Find out more about special deals and costs on the St Paul’s Cathedral website.
St Paul’s Cathedral is open to visitors from Monday to Saturday between 10:30 and 16:30.
What to see at St Paul’s Cathedral
As one of the UK’s oldest and most recognisable landmarks, St Paul’s Cathedral has an abundance of history. See the imposing cathedral from the outside, then get up close to explore its features. Here are the unmissable sights:
See the remarkable Dome
St Paul’s Cathedral has the second-largest dome in the world, so you won’t easily be able to miss it! On your tour, you’ll climb 528 steps to experience this world-famous feature from inside, with its glorious and intricate décor. Moreover, being at such a height, you’ll also gain access to some of the most stunning views of the London skyline.
Explore St Paul’s beautiful Art
Art lovers will have a field day inside St Paul’s Cathedral with so much beauty and creativity to explore. The cathedral is home to a spectacular array of masterpieces. Don’t miss Sir James Thornhill's gilded dome murals, and keep an eye out for the delicate carvings of Grinling Gibbons in the quire. St Paul’s also boasts works by modern artists, including Yoko Ono and Antony Gormley.
Visit nearby attractions
While in central London, there is so much to explore from St Paul’s Cathedral. Make your way to other London attractions like the Monument to the Great Fire of London, the Guildhall, and Sky Garden for more impressive views, history, and culture.
History of St Paul’s Cathedral
Completed in 1711, St Paul’s Cathedral is one of London’s oldest monuments. It is a Grade I listed building in the English Baroque style, and was the tallest building in London for the first 250 years of its existence (the dome is still one of the highest in the world).
Sir Christopher Wren began the design as part of a major rebuilding programme in the aftermath of the Great Fire of London, which tore through central London in 1666. The building was declared officially complete by Parliament on Christmas Day 1711, though construction continued for several more years.
Notable services held at St Paul's have included the funerals of Admiral Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, and Winston Churchill, Britain’s wartime prime minister. St Paul's has been the target of two bombing attacks, carried out as part of the suffragette bombing and arson campaign in 1913 and 1914.
Planning your trips to London by train
Cambridge to London
Travel from Cambridge to London Blackfriars in just 1 hour 15 minutes with Thameslink, and arrive at the closest station to St Paul’s Cathedral. Once you disembark from your direct train to London Blackfriars, you’ll be only a few minutes’ walk away from the iconic cathedral.
Norwich to London
On Greater Anglia services from Norwich to London, you can reach the capital in 1 hour 45 minutes on direct services to London Liverpool Street. For affordable rail travel, buy cheap train tickets in advance with TrainPal, and remember to add a Railcard discount (subject to eligibility). From Liverpool Street, take the Circle Line to St Paul’s station.
Hull to London
Get from Hull to London Kings Cross on Hull Trains services in just 2 hours 36 minutes. For a weekend away sightseeing in the capital, your journey to St Paul’s Cathedral by train couldn’t be simpler, on fast, direct trains between Hull and London. Once you arrive at Kings Cross, you’ll need to hop on the Metropolitan or Circle Line on the London Underground to Barbican, then walk for 15 minutes. Or get on the Thameslink train to City Thameslink, and you’ll be less than 10 minutes away.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip
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