For most of the last century there was one address in Egypt for Tutankhamun's gold: a salmon-pink building on Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, opened in 1902. That changed when the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) opened fully on 1 November 2025 on the edge of the Giza plateau, after close to two decades of construction.
This guide covers what the GEM holds, how it differs from the old Egyptian Museum, and the practical details of tickets, hours and timing. Prices and rules have been moving since opening, so figures below are as of October 2026.
How big is the Grand Egyptian Museum, and what does it hold?
The museum stands on a site of roughly 50 hectares and is described as the largest museum in the world devoted to a single civilisation. It displays more than 100,000 artefacts spanning from prehistory to the Greco-Roman period, though exhibition-space figures quoted in the press vary.
Visitors enter the Grand Hall, where a colossal granite statue of Ramesses II stands, the one moved from Cairo's Ramses Square; its story is told in the guide to the colossi of Ramesses II. Beyond it, the Grand Staircase is lined with large statues and leads up to the main galleries, with views toward the pyramids from the upper level. The Giza pyramids are only a few kilometres away.
What is in the Tutankhamun galleries?
Howard Carter's 1922 discovery produced over 5,000 objects, and for a century they were split between Tahrir, storage and loans abroad. The GEM displays nearly 5,400 pieces from the tomb, the figure of 5,398 being widely reported, so the collection is shown together for the first time. Highlights include the nested shrines and coffins, the jewellery, the chariots and the gold funerary mask.
The museum also houses Khufu's solar boat, a cedar vessel about 4,600 years old found in a pit beside the Great Pyramid in 1954. Its history is in the solar boat guide; check ahead how the boat is included in your ticket.
See Both Museums with a Guide
Reading about the Grand Staircase and the old halls of Tahrir is one thing; walking through them with someone who explains what you are looking at is another. These Egypt Sun Travel tours cover both.
Is the old Egyptian Museum in Tahrir still open, and where are the royal mummies?
The Tahrir museum, designed by a French architect and opened in 1902, has remained open to visitors and is being renovated and refocused on thematic displays. It does not need to be viewed as a replacement; it keeps tens of thousands of objects the GEM does not, in a historic building that is itself part of the story. Confirm current opening arrangements before you plan a visit.
The royal mummies are not at Tahrir. They were moved in 2021 to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Fustat, Old Cairo, where they are displayed in a dedicated hall.
How do you visit the Grand Egyptian Museum? Tickets, hours and timing
Since 1 December 2025 tickets are sold online only, for timed entry slots, through the official site visit-gem.com. As of October 2026 a foreign adult ticket is about USD 30, with reduced prices for students and children with valid ID; an increase to USD 35 was announced from 1 November 2026. Bring your passport or photo ID.
The museum typically opens from 9:00 to 18:00, with later hours on some evenings, and the last entry is about an hour before closing. Allow 4 to 5 hours. The first slot of the morning and evening slots are generally quieter than midday, when tour groups arrive. The museum is on the Giza side of Cairo, about 40 to 60 minutes by car from the centre, and most visitors arrive by private driver, tour or ride-hailing app.
Which museum should you choose?
With one day in Cairo, choose the GEM: the full Tutankhamun collection, the Grand Staircase and the museum's scale cannot be matched elsewhere. With two days, add the Tahrir museum for its older halls and the NMEC for the royal mummies. If you also plan the pyramids, the Giza plateau overview helps you split the day sensibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Grand Egyptian Museum ticket?
As of October 2026, a foreign adult ticket is about USD 30, with reduced prices for students and children with valid ID. An increase to USD 35 for foreign visitors has been announced from 1 November 2026, so confirm on the official site.
How long do you need at the Grand Egyptian Museum?
Plan 4 to 5 hours. The museum holds more than 100,000 objects and the Tutankhamun galleries alone can take two hours, so decide your priorities in advance.
Where are the royal mummies?
Not at the Grand Egyptian Museum and not at Tahrir. The royal mummies have been displayed at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Fustat, Old Cairo, since their 2021 procession.
Is the old Egyptian Museum in Tahrir still open?
Yes, it has remained open to visitors and is being renovated and refocused on thematic displays. It no longer holds the full Tutankhamun collection, so check current opening arrangements before you go.
Do I need to book the Grand Egyptian Museum in advance?
Yes. Since 1 December 2025 tickets are sold online for timed entry slots, and ticket sales at the gate have ended. Bring your passport or photo ID, which is needed for reduced-price tickets.
