Apart from Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the iconic churches situated right in the heart of London. The wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana was probably one of the most important events held in the cathedral that went down in history! Welcoming over 2 million visitors annually, St. Paul’s Cathedral has become a must-visit religious and tourist-worthy destination in the UK today! Here is everything you need to know about the location, the best routes to get there, and more.
Address: St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, United Kingdom
St Paul’s Cathedral is located in the heart of London, near the River Thames. It is surrounded by notable landmarks like the Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge, and the historic Tower of London.
Closest landmark: Millenium Bridge (0.3km)
Best for: Travelling like a local
Travel time: 20-30 minutes
Closest stop: St Paul’s (270m)
Timings: The Tube operates from 5am to 11:30pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 6:30am to 8pm on Sundays.
The cathedral is within walking distance of several London Underground stations including St Paul's (270m) which is served by the Central line, Mansion House (450m), which is served by the District and Circle lines, Blackfriars (500m) which is served by the District and Circle lines, and Bank station (750m) which is served by the Central, Northern, and Waterloo & City lines, and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR).
Best for: Budget travel
Travel time: 30-35 minutes
Closest stop: St Paul's Cathedral
Timings: London buses operate from 5am to midnight on all days with less frequency on Sundays. Night buses provide continuous service throughout the night.
Routes 4, 8, 15, 17, 23, 25, 26, 56, 76, 100, 172, 242, 521 all stop near the cathedral. All the major Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus tours also stop outside the cathedral.
Best for: Convenient travel
Travel time: 45 minutes
Closest stop: City Thameslink (300m)
Timings: London trains operate from 5am to 1am.
The cathedral is within walking distance of several mainline train stations including City Thameslink (300m), a 4-minute walk away; Blackfriars (500m), a 7-minute walk away; Cannon Street (750m), a 9-minute walk away; and Liverpool Street (1.5km), which is 19 minutes away by foot.
From Buckingham Palace, drive down The Mall, and at the roundabout, take the third exit onto Northumberland Avenue. Follow signs to Victoria Embankment, then take Arundel Street to Strand. Continue along Strand and Ludgate Hill to St. Paul's Churchyard. The drive takes approximately 30 minutes.
Parking facilities
From Buckingham Palace, head towards Constitution Hill, and take a right onto Spur Road. Continue onto Birdcage Walk towards Bridge St/A302. Then, turn left onto Victoria Embankment/A3211 and onto Puddle Dock before turning right onto Queen Victoria Street. Turn left onto St Andrew's Hill and then right onto Carter Lane and you will see St Paul’s Cathedral. The ride should take about 17-20 minutes.
Free bicycle rack parking is available on several streets surrounding the cathedral. There are also several public cycle hire bike docking stations within a 3-minute walk (300m) of the cathedral, including Santander Cycles.
Travel time: 50-60 minutes
Distance: 3.7km
Ideal for: Scenic route
Walking to St Paul's Cathedral from Buckingham Palace offers a scenic route through London's historic streets. Enjoy landmarks like Trafalgar Square and Fleet Street, soaking in the city's vibrant sights and sounds on this 50-minute walk.
Yes, most public transport apps and services in London offer directions in multiple languages. Additionally, at tourist information centers, you can find maps and guides available in various languages.
From Heathrow Airport, take the Piccadilly Line to Holborn Station. Then, switch to the Central Line and get off at St Paul’s Station. The cathedral is just a short walk from the station.
Take the Northern Line southbound to Bank Station, then switch to the Central Line westbound and alight at St Paul’s Station. From there, it’s just a short walk to the cathedral.
Peak times are typically weekdays from 7am to 9:30am and from 4:30pm to 7pm. Traveling outside these hours will likely provide a more comfortable journey.
St Paul’s Station has step-free access from the platform to the street, making it easier for visitors with mobility challenges. There are also accessible routes and entrances at the south transept entrance to the cathedral.
Yes, taxis and ride-sharing services are convenient options for reaching St Paul's Cathedral, with nearby drop-off points.
If you must drive, it’s best to avoid peak hours (7am- 9:30am and 4:30pm - 7pm) to minimize traffic delays. Additionally, consider using a navigation app to find the quickest route with real-time traffic updates.
Yes, St. Paul's Cathedral is within walking distance of many landmarks such as the Millennium Bridge, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, and the London Eye.
Yes, walking routes such as the Millennium Mile and Thames Path offer scenic walks along the river, passing by St Paul's Cathedral and other landmarks.
While central London is generally safe, it is advisable to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings when walking to St Paul's Cathedral at night. Avoid traveling alone in the dark and keep to well-lit main roads.
St Paul’s Cathedral Admission Tickets
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Westminster Small-Group Guided Walking Tour with St Paul’s Cathedral Admission Tickets
