In this guide
💡 The Short Version: St Giles’ Cathedral stopped being free on Monday 5 October 2026. General admission is £12 for visitors aged 16 and over who do not live in Scotland; residents of Scotland and everyone under 16 enter free. The ticket covers the cathedral floor, the Thistle Chapel and the guided tours, and is valid for 12 months. Book online for fast-track entry, or buy in person. Opening hours are 10.00 to 18.00 Monday to Friday, 9.00 to 17.00 on Saturday and 13.00 to 17.00 on Sunday, when there are services at 9.30 and 11.00. Buy from the cathedral at stgilescathedral.org.uk.
The tickets
Prices are from the cathedral’s visit page and its notice of the change. The cathedral says it has over 1.5 million visitors a year and that the charge supports its upkeep and a better visitor experience.
The west front and crown spire of St Giles’ Cathedral on Parliament Square. Photo: Dr Neil Clifton, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
| Ticket | Price | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| General admission | £12 | Visitors aged 16 or over who do not live in Scotland. Up to six visitors per booking |
| Under 16 | Free | Everyone under 16 |
| Resident Pass | Free | Residents of Scotland aged 16 or over, year-round. Apply online, then bring proof of address to activate it |
| Access ticket | £10 | Visitors with a disability or access requirement. A companion pass is free |
| Group booking | Seven or more adults, booked separately |
- What it includes: the cathedral floor, the Thistle Chapel and the guided tours.
- Valid for 12 months, so one ticket covers a return visit.
- Audio tour: 25 minutes, on your phone through a QR code, in English, German and Ukrainian. A digital visitor guide in ten languages is available from the Welcome Desk. Bring headphones.
Which ticket to buy
- Book online for the fast-track entrance. The cathedral recommends it, and tickets are also sold in person.
- The guided tours are part of the £12. Any page that still calls them free predates 5 October 2026.
- Only residents of Scotland are exempt. Visitors from elsewhere in the UK pay £12 as well.
- Come at 9.00 on a Saturday for the Quiet Hour, the 9.00 to 10.00 slot with reduced noise, lighting and crowds.
Tours worth paying for
The cathedral’s guided tours are inside the admission price. A walking tour covers the Royal Mile outside. Prices are GetYourGuide’s lowest “from” prices, per person.
Old Town walking tour
From £18 · 2 hours · 2,864 reviews
Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tourad by Little Fish Tours passes the Mercat Cross, St Giles’ Cathedral and the Grassmarket. It does not list cathedral admission among what it includes.
Witch trials walking tour
From £18 · 75 minutes · 1,413 reviews
Edinburgh: Old Town Walking Tour of Scotland’s Witch Trialsad is a 75-minute street tour of the Old Town.
What to see
St Giles’ was founded in 1124 as a Romanesque church and is the High Kirk of Scotland. The audio tour takes 25 minutes.
- The cathedral floor. The Robert Burns memorial window was installed in 1985.
- The Thistle Chapel. It was built from 1911 as the home of the Order of the Thistle, an order of chivalry dating from 1687, in a neo-gothic arts and crafts style. It is included in the ticket and has no wheelchair access.
- The organ. A Rieger organ was installed in 1992. Choral Evensong is on Thursdays at 18.00.
What to skip: the guided tour if you are short of time; the audio tour is the quickest route round.
The carved stalls of the Thistle Chapel. Photo: Palickap, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Hours, services and getting there
| Day | Opens |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 10.00 to 18.00 |
| Saturday | 9.00 to 17.00 (Quiet Hour 9.00 to 10.00) |
| Sunday | 13.00 to 17.00 |
- Services: Sundays at 9.30 and 11.00; Choral Evensong on Thursdays at 18.00.
- Access: wheelchair access from the West Door, the main entrance. The Thistle Chapel is not accessible and there is no accessible toilet.
- Where: High Street, EH1 1RE, in the middle of the Royal Mile. The Real Mary King’s Close is across the road.
The Royal Mile walk puts St Giles’ between the castle and Holyrood, and Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse are at either end. Free things to do in Edinburgh says what is still free. What to book before you go to Edinburgh has the closed days for every sight. To stay close, see hotels near the Royal Mile.
Common questions
Is St Giles' Cathedral free?
Not for most visitors. From Monday 5 October 2026 general admission is £12 for visitors aged 16 or over who do not live in Scotland. Residents of Scotland and everyone under 16 enter free.
What does the St Giles' Cathedral ticket include?
The cathedral floor, the Thistle Chapel and the guided tours. Tickets are valid for 12 months, and a booking covers up to six visitors.
How do Scottish residents get in free?
Apply online for a Resident Pass, available to residents of Scotland aged 16 or over, then bring proof of address on or before your visit so staff can activate it.
What are the opening hours of St Giles' Cathedral?
Monday to Friday 10.00 to 18.00, Saturday 9.00 to 17.00 (the first hour is a Quiet Hour) and Sunday 13.00 to 17.00. Services are on Sundays at 9.30 and 11.00 and Choral Evensong is on Thursdays at 18.00.
Is the Thistle Chapel accessible to wheelchair users?
No. The cathedral is wheelchair accessible from the West Door, but the Thistle Chapel is not, and there is no accessible toilet. An Access ticket is £10, with a free companion pass.
Do I need to book St Giles' Cathedral?
The cathedral advises booking in advance for fast-track access on arrival. Tickets are also sold in person.
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