FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

After a long period of 'soft opening' in stages between 2024 and 2025, the museum officially opened to the public on 4 November 2025.

The following areas are currently accessible:

• The 12 main galleries with a chronological/thematic tour of ancient Egypt
• The Great Hall with the colossal statue of Ramses II. and other monumental artefacts
• The Grand Staircase with dozens of statues and large pieces displayed on different levels
• The GEM Children's Museum, with programmes dedicated to children and families
• the commercial complex (restaurants, cafés, souvenir shop)
• special experiences (e. g.g. Mixed Reality and immersive exhibitions on Tutankhamun) when active.

Some sections or temporary exhibitions may be closed on certain days for maintenance or set-up: for something very specific it is always best to check the official website before your visit.

The official opening hours are currently managed through the ticketing website visit-gem.com, which is the only official channel.

Current schedule (subject to change, so always check):

Every day except Wednesday and Saturday

• GEM Complex (squares, services, shopping areas): 8:30 am – 19:00 pm
• Galleries: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Last ticket sale: 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday and Saturday (extended evening opening)

• GEM Complex: 8:30 am – 10:00 pm
• Galleries: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
• Last ticket purchase: 8:00 p.m.

There are no fixed weekly closing days, but opening hours may be reduced in the event of public holidays or government events

Address (as reported by ticketing and map portals):

Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), X4VF+V38, Cairo–Alexandria Desert Road, Kafr Nassar, Al Haram, Giza.

It is located:

• next to Remaya Square, along the Cairo–Alexandria Desert Road
• about 2 km from the Giza Pyramids plateau, so very close to the pyramid complex.

Practically speaking: it can be considered part of the Giza 'tourist district'.

Yes: official and journalistic sources present it as the largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated to a single civilisation.

Key data:

• Total area of the site: about 500,000 m² (about 50 hectares)
• Permanent exhibition area: More than 24,000 m² (galleries only)
• Number of artefacts: More than 100,000 preserved objects, of which approximately 50,000 are on public display in the galleries; many others remain in laboratories and storage facilities.

The Grand Egyptian Museum is one of the pillars of the "Giza 2030" master plan, which aims to redevelop the entire area around the Pyramids of Giza: traffic management, tourist services, new access points and infrastructure (such as a future dedicated metro link).

For visitors, this means:

• improved road infrastructure and dedicated car parks
• a gradual reduction in the chaotic traffic around the pyramids
• more pedestrian areas and integrated services (museum + pyramids + new Sphinx Airport nearby).

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It is not technically necessary to book, but it is strongly recommended:

• The official system allows you to choose a date and time slot
• Some days and times will be 'unavailable if the maximum capacity for that time slot has been reached
• The museum has a daily limit of approximately 20,000 visitors to ensure a manageable flow.

There is also a ticket office on site, but:

• If a day/slot is full online, it is very likely that there will be no more places available at the ticket office
• For special experiences (Mixed Reality, Children's Museum, official guided tours), slots often sell out earlier.

Thus, on the UX side of your website, it makes sense to recommend pre-booking, especially during the high season.

The ticketing system typically distinguishes between:

1. GEM Complex
   • Access to the Grand Hall, squares, outdoor areas, restaurants, cafés, shops and some non-main exhibition areas.
   • Ideal for those who want to 'get a taste' of the atmosphere or are short on time.
2. Main Galleries (GEM Galleries)
   • Access to the 12 permanent galleries with the complete tour of Egyptian civilisation and the Tutankhamun collection.
   • This is the 'main' ticket for the actual museum visit.
3. GEM Children's Museum
   • Tour dedicated to children (aged 6–12), with a specific duration and itinerary.
4. Official Guided Tours
   • Admission + guide for 60–90 minutes, often in English (and sometimes in other languages).
5. Special Experiences / Mixed Reality / Immersive Exhibitions
   • Some packages also include access to immersive experiences (e.g. 'Tutankhamun Immersive Experience' or Mixed Reality at the Pyramids).

The exact combinations change over time, so it is best to explain the macro types on your website and refer to an updated detailed page.

The pricing structure has been updated several times during the opening phase, but the basic scheme is as follows:

• Full fare for:
  • Egyptians
  • Foreign residents
  • Arab visitors
  • Non-resident international visitors
• Reduced rates (usually ~50%) for:
  • Students (with student card)
  • Children
  • Over 60/65 (senior categories where applicable)
• Exemptions or free entry in special cases:
  • Very young children (e.often free
  • People with disabilities and, in some cases, their companions (according to the practice of Egyptian state museums, confirmed by some local guides).

Since amounts and criteria change and journalistic sources do not always agree, the most correct thing to do in the copy on your website is:

• state that discounts are available and
• link to the official price list on visit-gem.com, stating that visitors must bring their passport/ID and student card to receive the discount.

Yes, capacity is limited:

• The museum has set a target/limit of approximately 20,000 visitors per day to ensure a smooth experience.
• The booking system displays time slots (e.g. 8:30, 11:00, 13:00, etc.) and when a time slot is full it displays 'Maximum number of tours reached for this time slot'.

If the desired date or time is not available:

• you will need to select another time or another day
• it is unlikely that you will be allowed to enter the same time slot on site, precisely because of the capacity limit.

You can explain on your website that it is best to book as early as possible, especially during high season or for evening slots on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The official policy tends to be strict:

• For the GEM Children's Museum, it is explicitly stated that tickets are 'non-transferable and non-refundable'.
• For other types of tickets, the official website does not emphasise the possibility of refunds; many guidebooks mention non-refundable tickets, except in the event of museum closure or force majeure.

In practice:

• Rescheduling: sometimes only possible by contacting the ticketing support team directly (by email/phone) and not guaranteed.
• Refunds: generally not available unless the museum closes for exceptional reasons.

On your website: it is best to state clearly that tickets are normally non-refundable and that any exceptions are subject to the official GEM policy.

Yes, GEM has parking facilities on site:

• for private cars
• for coaches/minivans
• For visitors to the Children's Museum it is specified that there is parking 'on site for a fee'.

Therefore:

• parking is available,
• for a fee, with rates that may vary (not always clearly published online).

If you need it for the website: you can generically state "on-site parking available (for a fee) for cars and coaches".

How much time to devote to the visit

It depends on how much time you want to spend exploring, but the main guidebooks and websites give some suggestions:

• At least 3–4 hours for the main galleries if you want to see the "must-see" spots without rushing
• 4–6 hours for:
  • Great Hall
  • Great Staircase
  • Tutankhamun Gallery
  • a few more in-depth thematic sections
• a full day if you add:
  • Mixed Reality
  • Children's Museum (with children)
  • Lunch break + shopping in the gift shop/shopping area

On your website you could recommend, for example: "For a full visit, allow a good half day; if you want to include the pyramids in the same day, plan a full day."

Yes, absolutely, and it is one of the most natural combinations:

• The distance between GEM and the Pyramids plateau is about 2 km
• Many commercial tours offer combined packages.

Recommended sequence (depending on season and weather):

• Summer/heat:
  • Early morning at the Pyramids (less heat, better light for photos)
  • Afternoon at the GEM, in the cool air-conditioned galleries
• Milder Seasons:
  • Morning at the GEM to contextualise the story
  • Afternoon at the Pyramids to enjoy the sunset and views from outside the museum.

In any case, it is advisable to allow at least 3 full hours at the GEM and 3 hours at the Giza Complex, plus transfers.

Yes, the GEM houses the entire collection from Tutankhamun's tomb:

• 5,398 catalogued objects, displayed in two large dedicated rooms (approximately 7,000 m²) that reconstruct the original layout of the funerary furnishings.
• For the first time, all the objects are brought together in a single museum; in the past, they were scattered between the Tahrir Museum, warehouses and travelling exhibitions.

Iconic pieces:

• Golden Funeral Mask (approximately 11 kg of solid gold)
• The Three Coffins (one of gold and two of gilded wood)
• The Golden Throne, war chariots, beds, jewellery, ushabti, weapons, everyday objects.

Important note for your texts: Mummy of Tutankhamun will remain in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor and will not be transferred to the GEM.

In the Grand Hall and along the Grand Staircase you will find:

• The colossal Statue of Ramses II, over 11 metres high and weighing some 83 tonnes, which was moved from central Cairo and now stands at the main entrance to the museum
• Over 60 statues and monumental artefacts along the staircase, grouped into themes such as 'Royal Image', 'Divine Houses', 'Gods & Kings' and 'Journey to Eternity'
• The innovative Hanging Obelisk, a suspended obelisk that welcomes visitors outside, from the site of Tanis

These are the areas where 'wow' shots are virtually guaranteed: It makes sense to promote them as photogenic highlights on your website.

Yes, GEM makes extensive use of immersive technologies:

• The official website presents a Mixed-Reality Experience that 'reveals the secrets of the pyramids' using a combination of projections and MR devices.
• There is a Tutankhamun Immersive Experience/Exhibition which uses projections, 3D audio and scenography to tell the story of the discovery and burial of the pharaoh.
• The galleries are dotted with interactive displays, touch screens and AR content, especially in areas designed for families and schools.

These experiences typically require:

• a dedicated time slot
• sometimes a additional ticket (or they are included in certain packages – depending on the formula in place).

Yes, the museum is also very much geared towards a 'non-academic' audience:

• The GEM Children's Museum is a museum within a museum, offering 45-120 minute guided tours for children aged 6-12, in English and Arabic, with interactive activities.
• In the main galleries there are:
  • clear explanatory panels
  • interactive sections, reconstructions, videos
  • storytelling designed for families, not just Egyptology enthusiasts.

If your target audience is 'families', you can highlight the combination of GEM + Children's Museum + Pyramids as the perfect day out for children.

Yes. The GEM does not only have the Tutankhamun collection:

• A large part of the artefacts come from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo (Tahrir) and museums in Luxor, Minya, Sohag, Assiut, Beni Suef, Fayoum, Delta and Alexandria.
• It includes famous collections such as:
  • The Second Solar Boat of Khufu
  • The collection of Queen Hetepheres
  • The Yuya and Thuya collection.

At the same time, the Tahrir Museum continues to house thousands of objects and remains a recommended visit to complete the picture of Egyptian Egyptology.

The Grand Egyptian Museum has been designed as a family friendly environment. In addition to the main galleries, the GEM Children's Museum offers interactive tours and activities for children aged 6 to 12 that make learning about ancient Egypt fun. Some parts of the complex have clear narratives, multimedia and reconstructions to help younger visitors understand where they are, even if they are not yet interested in archaeology.

Recent visitor reports also suggest that the layout of this museum includes ramps, lifts and buggy paths, making it easier to get around with young children. Parents are advised to plan their visit around a realistic time schedule: for most families, 2-3 hours in the main galleries plus time in the Children's Museum is sufficient before fatigue sets in. Breaks in the cafes, regular access to refreshments and choosing the cooler morning or evening hours in the summer will help. Very young children should be supervised near display cases and stairs; older children need to be reminded not to run or touch exhibits.

Check the official website for current ticket policies before you travel, as many Egyptian museums offer reduced or even free entry for young visitors under certain ticket categories.

Within the complex you will find both dining and shopping options:

• Restaurants and cafés, including:
  • Zooba (Egyptian street food with a twist)
  • 30 North, Beano'?s, Starbucks and other venues
• one or more well-curated gift shops, often cited as some of the best museum shops in the country, with:
  • replicas of artefacts
  • books, papyri, jewellery, contemporary designs inspired by ancient Egypt.

It is therefore perfectly possible to:

• have lunch or a snack without leaving the complex
• spend time shopping in the museum as part of the experience.

The detailed rules are contained in an official PDF document that is not easily accessible online, but by combining various sources and the practices of Egyptian museums, they can be summarised as follows:

• Personal photography (smartphone/camera) is generally allowed in many areas, without flash.
• The use of tripods, professional lighting, stabilisers and TV equipment usually requires special permission and/or an additional fee.
• Some rooms (especially those with very fragile objects) may have no photography or video allowed: there are clear signs at the entrance.

To avoid problems, you can advise on your website:

"Feel free to take souvenir photos, but without flash and respecting the 'no photography' signs. Professional photos/videos require permission from the museum."

Yes, the GEM offers cloakrooms and lockers:

• The museum's official FAQ page confirms that there is a free cloakroom and lockers, which can be requested from the information desk.
• There is also luggage storage and large lockers for suitcases, as well as innovative mobile phone charging lockers with digital locks.

In practice:

• Bulky rucksacks and trolleys are not allowed in the galleries, but you can leave them free of charge in the cloakroom/lockers.
• This is a very useful service for those arriving direct from the airport or leaving on the same day.

There is a normal airport security check for everyone entering the Grand Egyptian Museum. Objects and bags are x-rayed and visitors pass through metal detectors before entering the main area. This is standard practice for major museums throughout Egypt and helps to protect the priceless items on display as well as visitors. To avoid a long wait at the security checkpoint, it is best to travel with fewer bags and keep things in an order that can be easily shown if asked.

There are certain items that are absolutely prohibited from the galleries and indeed the entire museum complex. Generally speaking, no weapons or sharp objects; no flammable or hazardous materials; no drones (or similar devices) are allowed. Large suitcases and bulky trolleys must be left in the cloakroom or luggage storage area as they are not permitted in the galleries. Food and drink are generally not allowed past the security line, except for small personal water bottles. Professional photography and video equipment— tripods, removable lenses, large stabilisers— usually require special permission.
As policies can change at any time, always check for the latest visitor rules and follow any instructions given by security staff on the day of your visit.

The Grand Egyptian Museum contains unique and extremely fragile objects, so a few simple rules of conduct will help protect the collection and ensure a pleasant visit for everyone. Visitors are asked not to touch statues, display cases or reliefs and to stay behind any barriers or marked lines on the floor. Running in the galleries, leaning on display cases or placing bags on plinths is not recommended for safety reasons. As in most museums, visitors should keep their mobile phones on silent mode, speak in a low voice and avoid playing audio material loudly without headphones.

Food, drink and chewing gum are not permitted in the exhibition areas and should only be consumed in the designated cafes and restaurants. Personal photography is generally permitted in many areas, but flashes, tripods and other professional equipment are often restricted or require prior permission, and some rooms may be completely 'no photography' zones – in which case signage and staff instructions must always be followed.
By following these basic museum etiquette rules, visitors will help to protect the artefacts and keep the atmosphere calm and enjoyable for families, school groups and independent travellers alike.

Yes, the offer includes (or will include as the programme stabilises):

• Tours dedicated to Tutankhamun, focusing on the collection and archaeology of his tomb
• Tours for families with children (often in conjunction with the Children?s Museum)
• evening/after-hours tours on selected days, taking advantage of the extended opening hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which are very popular during the high season.

For your website you can mention:

• 'Standard Tours'
• "Themed Tours (Tutankhamun, Families, In-depth Tours)"
• "Evening Experiences", adding a note that availability varies and should be checked for the desired dates.

The GEM is also designed to be a cultural centre:

• It hosts temporary exhibitions, special installations and educational programmes
• and has a conference centre and a auditorium for conferences, symposia and screenings.

For the latest calendar, please consult:

• The 'News' section of this website
• The Museum's official social media channels (often the first to announce events, previews and special openings).

If you are creating an information page, you can include an 'Events and Exhibitions' box with a direct link to the 'What's On' section of GEM.

Immersive experiences at GEM include:

1. Mixed Reality Experience at the Pyramids
   • a combination of projections, 3D content and MR equipment
   • allows you to 'enter' the history of the pyramids with reconstructions and visualisations that would not be possible at the actual archaeological site.
2. Tutankhamun Immersive / King Tut Exhibition
   • an immersive journey that tells the story of the life, death and discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb
   • using mapping, audio, digital reconstructions and visual insights, integrated with a visit to the royal chambers.

Practical information:

• Book via the official website or on site by selecting a time slot
• Options include:
  • included in certain ticket packages
  • or purchased as extras for an additional fee.

On your website, for an effective CTA, you can present them as:

"Next generation immersive experiences that transform your visit into a journey to ancient Egypt, ideal for both enthusiasts and families."