Landmark · Edinburgh
St Giles' Cathedral: free entry days, tickets & hours
Independent guide, not the official St Giles' Cathedral website. Official links are under Sources.
St Giles' Cathedral is free for some visitors, not for everyone.
- Free for: Scottish residents visit free with a Resident Pass; Under-16s free with a ticketed adult; companion pass with an Access Ticket.
- Otherwise: visitor Ticket (16+, non-residents of Scotland) — £12.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free forScottish residents visit free with a Resident Pass | Scotland residents | For residents of Scotland aged 16+. | Yes |
| Free forUnder-16s free with a ticketed adult | children under 16 | The adult needs a Visitor Ticket, Access Ticket, Resident Pass or Group Ticket. | No |
| Free forFree companion pass with an Access Ticket | carers of visitors with disabilities | — | No |
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Scottish residents visit free with a Resident Pass: Register online, then activate on site with proof of address; valid 365 days.
- Ticketing started on 5 October 2026 - St Giles' was previously free with donations.
- Your ticket is valid for repeat visits for a year.
- Saturday 9-10am is a Quiet Hour.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: St Giles' Cathedral
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Official prices
St Giles' Cathedral ticket prices
| Visitor Ticket (16+, non-residents of Scotland) — New since 5 Oct 2026. Valid for repeat visits for a year; includes Thistle Chapel and audio tour. Access Ticket £10 (incl. free companion); groups of 7+ £7.50 each. No student/concession discount. | £12 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 10:00–18:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 10:00–18:00 |
| Wed | 10:00–18:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–17:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–18:00 |
| Sat | 09:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 13:00–17:00 |
Mon-Wed and Fri 10:00-18:00; Thu 10:00-17:00 (FAQ says 16:30); Sat 9:00-17:00 with Quiet Hour 9:00-10:00; Sun 13:00-17:00. Last admission 1 hour before closing.
High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1RE, United Kingdom
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
- National Museum of ScotlandRoman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire, adult advance (14 Nov 2026 - 18 Apr 2027)from £13.50 · 0.3 km
- The NationalCatherine Opie: To Be Seen, full price incl. donation (until 1 Nov 2026)from £14 · 0.3 km
- Edinburgh CastleEdinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticketfrom £41 · 0.6 km
FAQ
St Giles' Cathedral: common questions
Is St Giles' Cathedral free?
St Giles' Cathedral has no free entry for everyone. Also free: Scottish residents visit free with a Resident Pass; Under-16s free with a ticketed adult; companion pass with an Access Ticket. Otherwise the official ticket costs £12.
Who gets free entry to St Giles' Cathedral?
Scotland residents — for residents of Scotland aged 16+.. Children under 16 — the adult needs a Visitor Ticket, Access Ticket, Resident Pass or Group Ticket.. Carers of visitors with disabilities.
Do I need to book for free entry to St Giles' Cathedral?
Register online, then activate on site with proof of address; valid 365 days.
How much is a ticket to St Giles' Cathedral?
Visitor Ticket (16+, non-residents of Scotland) costs £12 on the official site.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about St Giles' Cathedral
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Sources
Where this comes from
- stgilescathedral.org.uk/faq · checked Saturday, 24 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.