Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Review 2026: Tickets, Discounts & Views

This is <Your TravelSmoother>, making your journeys seamless.

I recently visited the Grand Egyptian Museum, ahead of its official opening in July 2025.

The Grand Egyptian Museum boasts a magnificent and colossal scale.

I'll be sharing various tips and information on admission fees, guides, student discounts, and luggage storage.

1. Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)

The Grand Egpytian Museum (GEM) is

the world's largest archaeological museum, situated right next to the Giza Pyramids.

It boasts an immense size of approximately 500,000 m³ (the size of 70 football fields!).

The Grand Egyptian Museum houses 100,000 artifacts, including the Mask of Tutankhamun.

It's a place where you can admire the essence of ancient Egyptian civilization, alongside the colossal statue of Ramesses II,

and it's emerging as a new symbol for Egypt.

The official opening is scheduled for July, but note that the Mask of Tutankhamun will not be available for viewing.

2. Operating Hours & Admission Fees

The Grand Egyptian Museum's operating hours are split between the GEM Complex and the Exhibition Halls.

A unique point is that it operates longer only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so make sure not to get confused.

We recommend double-checking the times before your visit.

The museum admission fee is 1270 EGP (~$24),

which is quite a hefty price.

Unlike other places that offer discounts up to age 30,

GEM offers student discounts only up to age 25, so please keep that in mind!

It's quite challenging to fully appreciate the exhibitions at GEM without a guide.

While there's no Korean guide, we highly recommend purchasing an admission ticket that includes an English guide.

🔗 [Private Guided Tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum]

3. Luggage Storage

Please note: You cannot bring suitcases or cameras inside the museum itself.

Conveniently, you can use the free luggage storage at the Security office, right next to the main entrance!

🧳Guide to Using the Luggage Storage

① Write down your personal details (Name/Contact Number) in the notebook.

② After a staff member verifies your items, you will receive a locker key.

③ Take a picture of your written personal details and the locker key number with your personal smartphone.

※When retrieving your luggage, present both the locker key and the photo you took when you checked it in.

4. Main Exhibition Halls

The Main Exhibition Halls are organized by time and theme,

featuring 12 main galleries that showcase ancient Egyptian civilization.

Exhibition Halls 1 through 12 are structured around

three core themes:

'Kingship', 'Society', and 'Beliefs'.

Please note: The Tutankhamun Artifacts Exhibition and the Solar Boat Museum are scheduled to open at a later date.

5. 4 Tips for Exploring GEM

Here are 4 handy tips to help you make the most of your efficient and enjoyable visit!

① Viewing the Obelisk

The base of the obelisk in the plaza is inscribed with the names of pharaohs,

and GEM displays it uniquely, suspended in the air, allowing for a truly distinctive viewing experience.

Don't forget to snap a memorable photo at the photo zone that spells 'Egypt' in Korean!

② Efficient Viewing Order

Entry ➡️ Escalator ➡️ Pyramid View ➡️ Main Exhibition Halls ➡️ Statues ➡️ Souvenirs

To get to the popular Pyramid View quickly, take the escalator, capture your commemorative photos, and then proceed through the Main Exhibition Halls, the stairwell statues, and finally the souvenir shop.

This route will allow you to move efficiently and see everything!

③ Souvenir Shopping

While the souvenir shops inside GEM might be a bit pricey, their quality is excellent.

Especially popular are the magnets and papyrus that can be custom-engraved by machine.

④ Allow Plenty of Time for Your Visit

The main exhibition hall is incredibly vast, so you'll need at least two hours.

If you include a guided tour and a visit to the cafe,

it's best to **allow for 4-5 hours for your visit**.

6. Wrapping Up

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is the ultimate place to experience the essence of ancient Egyptian civilization

all in one magnificent location.

While it's currently in a partial opening phase ahead of its grand official inauguration, the sheer scale and vast collection of artifacts on display

make it well worth seeing, making it a **must-visit on your Egypt itinerary**.

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