Egypt Monument Tickets, Photos and Dress Rules

At Egypt's state-run monuments and museums, ticket prices are in Egyptian pounds, children under 6 enter free, students aged 24 or under pay the student price with a valid ID, and photography with a mobile phone is free of charge. The Ministry advises arriving at least one hour before a site's closing time. Dress modestly, especially at mosques, and check the photography rules before you fly a drone.

Key Takeaways

• All monument ticket prices are quoted in Egyptian pounds (EGP).
• Student tickets need a valid student ID, and the holder's age must not exceed 24.
• Mobile phone photography is free at Ministry sites; the Grand Egyptian Museum has its own rule.
• At Giza, self-service machines accept bank cards, but card acceptance is not guaranteed at every site.
• Last entry at the main sites falls between 15:00 and 17:00, so go early.

Tickets and payment

Ticket prices at the monuments are published in Egyptian pounds, so the dollar amount you pay depends on the day's rate. The official ticketing portal shows the price for each site and category, and our guide to the currency of Egypt covers the notes and coins. At the Giza Plateau, self-service machines accept bank cards for site tickets, according to a Ministry news item. Card acceptance is not guaranteed at every monument, so do not assume it elsewhere.

Children under 6 enter free. A student ticket requires a valid student ID and the holder's age must not exceed 24. Egyptian seniors aged 60 and over, Egyptians with special needs and orphaned children also enter free, and at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization the exemptions do not apply on Fridays, Saturdays or public holidays. Prices differ for foreigners and Egyptians, and for each section of larger sites such as Saqqara, so check the portal before you go.

Arriving on time

The Ministry recommends arriving at least one hour before the site's closing time. Last entry is earlier than closing, so the table shows when each site opens and when it stops admitting visitors.

Sites run reduced hours in Ramadan, published per site on the ticketing portal; at the Giza Plateau they run from 08:00 with last entry at 15:30. See Egypt in Ramadan: opening hours for 32 sites for the full list, and the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Egyptian Museum or NMEC for the museum rules.

Photography

Photography with a mobile phone is free of charge at Ministry sites. Commercial, TV and cinema filming needs prior permission, and the Grand Egyptian Museum has its own rule, which our museum guide explains. The UK government's travel advice adds that it is illegal to take or share photos considered damaging to the country's image, that military sites and the Suez Canal are prohibited, and that drones need Ministry of Defence permission. It also advises asking permission before photographing people and avoiding photographs of children.

Dress

The same advice is to dress modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques and souqs, and notes that standards matter more during Ramadan and that resort norms do not apply elsewhere. For other on-the-ground habits, such as what to leave for guides and drivers, read tipping in Egypt and essential Egypt travel tips.

Choosing a day

If you would rather have the timing handled, browse Cairo day tours and Luxor day tours, or see which Cairo day trip to book.

Frequently Asked Questions

What currency are monument tickets in? Egyptian pounds.

Who gets the student price? Students with a valid ID whose age does not exceed 24.

Do children pay? Children under 6 enter free.

Can I photograph with my phone? Yes, mobile phone photography is free of charge at Ministry sites.

Can I pay by card? Self-service machines at Giza accept bank cards; acceptance is not guaranteed at every site.

How early should I arrive? At least one hour before closing time.