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British Museum Tickets

4.4(987 Ratings)

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From happy customers

Loved by 35 million+
Diego MAZZI
BE

Diego

Belgium
Mar 2025
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review-image
Big thank you to Davide - our Ambassador! He made himself available on the spot 45 minutes before the beginnning. He helped us by provising all necessary info. Wondeful, great visit! Thank you Davide!!!
khatere mohammadi

Khatere

Jan 2025
review-image
Everything was great. The British Museum is always great. Unfortunately, the Silk Road Hall was closed and our plan was changed to another day.
Steven Burnham

Steven

Jan 2018
The art work in the British Museum is spectacular and quite inspiring. This is a hub for artist all over the world. Plus, the tour guide is also great here with a lot of great of information.
Hattie Dimond

Hattie

Jan 2018
There are many galleries and though I didn’t cover them all, it was great. The art is beautiful and a reflection of the past. My experience at the museum was good and hence, would recommend it to my friends and family.

Top things to do in London

The British Museum | Visit the world's first national public museum

Founded in 1753, the British Museum was the very first national public museum in the world, open to everyone. With over 8 million objects from all over the world and throughout history, going back over two million years, the museum is one of the largest and most comprehensive collections in existence. You might even recognize something famous, like the Rosetta Stone!

Why visit the British Museum

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british museum tickets
british museum tickets
british museum tickets
british museum tickets
1/5

Extensive collection from everywhere, all through time

Over 8 million artifacts, from the Elgin Marbles and the Egyptian mummies to the Rosetta Stone, tell the story of humanity for the past two million years.

Get a front-row seat to the past

From the Sophilos Vase to the Parthenon Sculptures, see historically and culturally significant objects.

An architectural feast for the eyes

The Great Court, with its massive glass roof and spacious design, designed by Sir Norman Foster, is a sight to behold.

Special exhibitions, all the time

The museum keeps things fresh with special exhibits on various topics and themes, from famous artists to specific historical periods. So you can always come back again and again and see something new and engaging!

Educational opportunities

Whether you're a kid or an adult, the museum has educational programs, talks, and workshops to keep your brain buzzing, making it a great place for learning and discovery.

Things to know before you book British Museum tickets

  • Ticket options: You can book entry tickets, tickets to the Picasso Printmaker exhibition, a priority entry ticket with an audioguide, Afternoon Tea at the museum, and a small-group guided tour. While entry to the museum is free, you still need to reserve a spot to enter the museum.
  • What’s included: The British Museum tickets include entry to the museum, entry to most of the exhibitions, access to the shops and restaurants inside, and access to the Reading Room, the library, and the study rooms. Some temporary exhibitions require paid ticketed entry, so you will need to book these separately. You can also upgrade your tickets to include priority access with an audio guide in English, Italian, French, German, and Spanish, or a 2-hour English-guided tour for 20 guests. 
  • Combo tours: If you want to make a whole day out of it, you can book a combo ticket that includes entry to the London Eye or the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels, in addition to your British Museum visit. 
  • Visiting during peak hours: Since the British Museum is a popular attraction and has free entry, wait times during peak hours can range from 30 minutes to an hour. To avoid waiting in line, choose skip-the-line tickets. Keep in mind that while these tickets allow you to bypass the ticket queue, you’ll still need to go through security screening.
  • Guided tours: The small-group guided tour and the audio tour with priority entry include skip-the-line access to maximize your time at the museum. The multilingual audio guide offers flexibility, while the guided tour provides in-depth knowledge.
  • Discounted tickets: Children under 15 can avail of discounted prices on the guided tour. Infants under 3 can enter the museum for free on a tour.
  • Cancellation policy: Your entry tickets can be canceled anytime before you enter and guided tours can be canceled 24 hours before the experience. However, the skip-the-line entry tickets with an audio guide and the Afternoon Tea tickets cannot be canceled or rescheduled.

Your British Museum ticket options explained

british museum tickets

If you are short on time

  • These tickets are best for budget travelers who want to explore the museum at their own pace.

Recommended tickets:

  • British Museum Entry Ticket
  • British Museum Audio Tour & Priority Entrance Ticket
british museum tickets

If you want an immersive experience

  • These tickets are best for art enthusiasts or those looking for a cultural experience.

Recommended tickets:

  • Picasso Printmaker Exhibition at The British Museum
  • Afternoon Tea at the British Museum
british museum tickets

If you want an in-depth experience

  • These tickets are best for history buffs and museum lovers who want a deep dive into the museum’s treasures, and for travelers who prefer a structured visit with expert commentary.

Recommended tickets:

  • British Museum Small-Group Guided Tour
  • British Museum Audio Tour & Priority Entrance Ticket
british museum tickets

If you want to explore beyond

  • Best for visitors planning to see multiple London attractions in one day and travelers who want to combine cultural exploration with iconic landmarks.

Recommended tickets:

  • Combo: British Museum + London Eye
  • Combo: British Museum + Tower of London

What to see at the British Museum

rosetta stone

Rosetta Stone (Room 4)

With its discovery in July 1799 near Alexandria, this fragment of an ancient stela became the key that unlocked the mysterious hieroglyphic script of ancient Egypt.

parthenon sculptures
hoa hakananai'a
lewis chessmen
crouching venus

What's inside the British Museum

british museum tickets

The Great Court

At the center is the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court, a 2-acre indoor courtyard and the largest in Europe. Once a garden-turned-library, its huge glass roof floods the space with light. See African art, cross-cultural exhibitions, and temporary displays, like The Lion of Knidos and the bust of Amenhotep III.

british museum tickets

Galleries and artworks

Walk through 60 rooms of history — explore Egyptian mummies and the Rosetta Stone, then turn a corner and come face-to-face with African artifacts at the Sainsbury Africa Galleries. See treasures from the Roman Empire or South Asia, digital galleries for Pacific Ocean artifacts, or digital prints and drawings.

british museum tickets

Exhibitions

Wander through ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, or check out what life was like in Asia and Africa – all in one place at the exhibitions. There are also special exhibits, like Picasso: printmaker and Silk Roads. In addition, digital displays and touch screens make exploring even more fun.

british museum tickets

Reading Room

It was built in the 1800s, with 4.8 km of bookcases and 40 km of shelves, inspired by Rome’s Pantheon. Only the likes of Karl Marx, Lenin, and novelists like Bram Stoker and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, were lucky enough to be allowed in. Today, it houses the archive for students and history buffs.

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Library and archive

The library has over 300,000 volumes on everything from ancient cultures to current global movements. The collection is divided into sections for Africa, Asia, and Europe, and one for coins and medals. They also have a massive archive filled with the museum's own history since 1753.

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Study rooms

Each department, from Africa to Asia, has a research room where you can get up close and personal with the collection (with an appointment, of course). Dig into regions like Oceania, Europe, Greece, and the Middle East, or dive into topics like horology, money, medals, or prints and drawings.

Note: The British Museum has some amazing artifacts, but there's a debate about where some of them belong and how they were acquired since many of these ways are no longer acceptable. Countries continue to request the return of objects taken a long time ago, especially under conflict and colonial activity.

Plan your visit to the British Museum

british museum tickets
  • Saturday to Thursday: 10am to 5pm (last entry at 4:45pm)
  • Friday: 10am to 8:30pm (last entry at 8:15pm)

Exception to opening hours:
Good Friday: There is no late night opening on April 18 (Good Friday).

Note: The galleries are cleared 10 minutes before closing time.
Closed: The Museum is closed December 24–26.

Best time to visit: To avoid crowds, visit in November and early December. The museum is busiest on weekends, school holidays, bank holidays, and festivals. Visit before 11am or after 4pm to avoid crowds.

Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom | ​Find on Maps

  • By bus: 1, 8, 14, 19, 24, 25, 29, 38, 55, 59, 68, 73, 91, 98, 134, 168, 188, 242, 390
    Nearest stops: British Museum and Museum Street
  • By tube: Elizabeth, Central, Northern, Piccadilly lines
    Nearest stations: Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, Russell Square, Goodge Street
  • By bicycle: Via A4
    Nearest bicycle racks: Inside the gates of the Main Entrance on Great Russell Street
  • By car: Via Charring Cross Road
    Nearest parking: NCP London Bloomsbury Square Car Park
    Disabled parking: Montague Place, Montague Street, and Coptic Street
british museum tickets

The British Museum has two entrances: the main one on Great Russell Street and the other at Montague Place.

Main entrance: The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
Second entrance: Montague Place, London WC1E 7JW

  • During busy times, the Montague Place entrance might be your only option for walk-in entry.
  • There can be lines, especially at peak times, so be prepared to wait a bit.
  • If you have a pre-booked ticket, you can enter anytime after your chosen time slot. No need to wait in the main queue!
  • There's a special, easier access queue for disabled visitors, folks with strollers and young kids, members, and anyone with an exhibition or general admission ticket.
  • The main entrance has 12 steps and a handrail. The North entrance on Montague Place has 12 steps and lift access.
  • Just like at the airport, there's a security check with a bag search at the entrance.
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  • Cloakroom: The cloakroom is right after you enter through the main entrance, on your left. You can stash your items (up to 8 kg) 1 hour before closing time, and pick them up 30 minutes before closing time for a fee.
  • Lost property: If you lose something while you're exploring the museum, just shoot an email to lostproperty@britishmuseum.org and they'll try to help you track it down.
  • Free Wi-Fi: You can stay connected while you wander through history. Just look for the network named "British Museum WiFi" and connect. You'll need to give them your full name and email address to get online.
  • Toilets: Toilets are available on Level 0 near the East Stairs, the Collections Shop, the Book Shop, and the Pizzeria.
  • Audio guide: The British Museum audio app has expert talks on 250 highlights from the collection, 65 gallery introductions, self-guided tours by theme, and an interactive map in English, Chinese, Spanish, Italian, French, Korean, Japanese, German, and British Sign Language.
british museum tickets
  • Accessibility: Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are permitted inside the Museum.
  • Wheelchairs on loan: Manual wheelchairs are available to pre-book for free and can be collected at the main entrance.
  • Lifts: Most lifts in the Museum are wheelchair accessible, have audio announcements, and include braille signage.
  • Toilets: Accessible toilets are available in the Great Court: Level 0.
  • Guide dogs: Service, assistance, and emotional support animals are welcome. They should be identifiable as working and remain on a leash.
  • Visitors with hearing impairments: Induction Loops are installed at the Ticket Desk in the Great Court. British Sign Language Guides are available on the ​British Museum app.
  • Tour tours: Touch tours are free and take place daily from 11am–4pm, subject to availability, in select galleries.
british museum tickets

There are a bunch of free activities for kids that you can collect from the Families Desk. The museum also hosts workshops during school holidays. There's a special Little Feet program for kids under 5. Plus, most special exhibits are free for kids under 16.
Families Desk opening times: 10am–12:30pm and 1:15pm–4:30pm (Weekends and school holidays)

  • Dining: All museum cafes and restaurants have high chairs on request, and there's a children's menu at the Pizzeria. You can also bring your own food to eat in the Ford Centre.
  • Prams and buggies: Prams and buggies are allowed. Fold-up prams and buggies can be left free of charge in the cloakroom.
  • Baby-changing rooms: There are baby-changing facilities at the Great Court toilet facilities, Levels 0 and 3 of the North stairs, and the Ford Centre for Young Visitors.
  • Breastfeeding: You're welcome to breastfeed or bottle-feed anywhere. The museum has special feeding rooms for extra privacy, located adjacent to the baby changing spaces.
british museum tickets
  • Photography: You can take photos and videos with a flash on your handheld camera in most parts of the museum, but commercial shoots are not allowed. Selfie sticks, tripods, and anything else that needs extra support are a no-go inside the building.
  • Prohibited items: Large luggage, sports equipment, folding bikes, scooters, skateboards, wheeled cases, and musical instruments are not allowed inside.
  • Entrance for groups: Tour groups need to enter through the Montague Place entrance. If you show up at the other entrance, you will be asked to enter through the Montague Place entrance.
  • Smoking: Smoking of any kind (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes) is a no-no inside the museum, but you can light up outside in the colonnade or forecourt area.
  • Food and drinks: Food and drinks are off-limits inside the museum (except for the cafes, restaurants, and the Great Court). Please toss your trash and uneaten food responsibly!
british museum tickets
  • Court Cafés: Need a quick bite? Head to the Court Cafes on the ground floor of the Great Court. They have fresh sandwiches, salads, cakes, and all the usual hot and cold drinks to keep you fueled up.
  • Great Court Restaurant: Treat yourself to a sit-down meal under the amazing glass roof of the Great Court Restaurant. Reservations are essential, but they might have walk-in spots available too.
  • Pizzeria: This family-friendly spot serves up fresh, hand-tossed pizzas, salads, and yummy desserts (don't forget the gelato!). They even have gluten-free crusts and vegetarian and vegan options.
  • Coffee Lounge: Located on the first floor with a great view of the iconic Reading Room, the Coffee Lounge offers a lively atmosphere and a menu with savory meals, salads, cakes, and hot and cold drinks.
  • Outdoor dining: Grab ​snacks and ​drinks from the museum's two food trucks and enjoy them in the outdoor seating areas.
british museum tickets
  • What to expect: Browse art-inspired souvenirs and gifts inspired by the exhibitions, collect replicas of the artifacts at the museum, and buy from a wide selection of jewelry, books, fashion, homeware, and games. 
  • For children: There are British Museum-themed souvenirs that are perfect for children! You can also shop from your favorite collections at the museum, like your own Lewis Chessmen replica, a Rosetta Stone replica, gifts from the Hokusai collection, or even items celebrating cats from history!
british museum tickets

You can book your stay at one of these nearby hotels according to your budget preferences:

Visitor tips for the British Museum

  • While entry to the British Museum is free, it is recommended that you pre-book your tickets to skip the long ticketing queues.
  • Pick up a map of the British Museum from the Great Court or download the British Museum app before your visit. This will allow you to visit only the parts that you are interested in and save time.
  • The queues at the toilets tend to be very long so try to use the facilities elsewhere before you enter the museum.
  • If it's your first visit, head straight to the Rosetta Stone (Room 4), the Elgin Marbles (Room 18), and the Egyptian mummies (Room 62) early in your visit when energy levels are high. These are the most crowded areas later in the day. Rooms like the Islamic World (Room 42) or Africa (Room 25) are less crowded and offer rich insights into global history. They're a refreshing break from the busier exhibits.
  • Midweek afternoons are generally quieter. Avoid weekends and school holidays when families and tourists dominate the space. The museum stays open late on Fridays, and the atmosphere is more relaxed. It's a great time to explore without the usual bustle.
  • The museum’s main entrance on Great Russell Street gets packed. Instead, use the Montague Place entrance, which is often less busy. Also, skip the crowded central lifts by using the staircases near the ends of the building.
  • Do not skip the temporary exhibits. Some of the most engaging displays are part of rotating exhibitions that are less crowded but packed with treasures you might not see again!
  • Knowledgeable museum volunteers are stationed throughout the building and love sharing lesser-known stories about the artifacts. They can point out details you might otherwise miss.

Beyond the British Museum

british museum tickets

London Transport Museum

Ever wondered what London's transportation system looked like in the past? The London Transport Museum is your time machine, filled with iconic buses, trains, and tube posters!

Book Now
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National Gallery

The National Gallery in London is a treasure trove of Western European art, from Renaissance masterpieces to da Vinci’s The Virgin of the Rocks and Van Gogh's swirling Sunflowers.

Book Now
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London Dungeon

The London Dungeon is an interactive experience that takes you through London’s dark history with live actors and spooky effects. Face your fears as you meet Jack the Ripper and Guy Fawkes!

Book Now
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SEA Life London Aquarium

Home to sharks, octopuses, jellyfish, coral reefs, turtles, and many other marine creatures, come face to face with all kinds of marine life at the SEA Life London Aquarium.

Book Now

Frequently Asked Questions about the British Museum tickets

How long does it take to explore the British Museum?

It depends on your interest. A brief visit might take 2–3 hours, but to fully immerse yourself, set aside at least half a day.

How long does it take to complete a tour?

A guided tour of the museum takes 2 hours. However, it is recommended that you spend at least 3 to 4 hours to explore the entire museum. If you plan to attend a workshop or participate in discussions or activities, it's best to reserve an entire day for the British Museum.

Are there special tours for art or history enthusiasts?

Yes, the museum offers curated tours focusing on themes like ancient civilizations, European art, and more on its app. Private and group tours are also available at an additional price.

Can I enter the museum any time during its opening hours?

While entry to the museum is free, please arrive at the time slot that you picked at the time of booking the tickets. For guided tours and other activities, please arrive at least 30 minutes before the start time as there is a security check at the entrance.

Can I visit the British Museum multiple times with the same ticket?

General admission is always free, so you can visit as often as you like. However, since the queues can be super long, we don’t recommend leaving the museum. For special exhibitions, tickets are valid for one-time entry.

Is the British Museum suitable for solo travelers?

Definitely! Solo visitors can enjoy exploring at their own pace. Audio guides and interactive displays make it a great experience for individuals.

What is the most important thing to see at the British Museum?

The Rosetta Stone from Eygpt which helped decipher hieroglyphics is probably the most famous artifact at the museum. Other famous artifacts include the Parthenon sculptures, the Egyptian mummies, drawings by Botticelli and Michelangelo, Assyrian reliefs, the Lewis Chessmen, and the Sutton Hoo treasures.

Is there a recommended route for visiting the British Museum?

While there’s no set route, the museum offers maps and themed itineraries at the entrance, such as "Around the world in 90 minutes" or "Eye opener tours."

Who designed the museum?

The British Museum was designed by Sir Robert Smirke, a renowned architect from the 1800s and a key figure in the Greek Revival movement.

Is the Kohinoor Diamond at the British Museum?

No. The Kohinoor Diamond is on display at the Tower of London.

Can I host a private event at the British Museum?

Yes, several spaces inside the museum are available for corporate hires. Please email ​corporatesupport@britishmuseum.org to learn more and to book a space.

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Headout is a brand trusted by millions of guests worldwide offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.