National Museum of Egyptian Civilization: tickets, hours and mummies

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Fustat is open every day from 9:00am to 5:00pm, and the ticket window closes at 4:00pm. On Fridays it opens again in the evening from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, with the last ticket at 8:00pm. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities lists these prices: Egyptian adults EGP 90, Egyptian students EGP 45, foreign adults EGP 550 and foreign students EGP 300. Children under 6 go in free. The ticket covers the museum, including the Royal Mummies Gallery.

Opening hours

The museum's own site gives Saturday to Thursday from 9:00am to 5:00pm, last ticket at 4:00pm, and Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm plus a second session from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, last ticket at 8:00pm. During Ramadan the ministry lists shorter hours, from 9:00am to 4:00pm, with the ticket window closing at 3:00pm. Arrive at least an hour before the last ticket if you want time for both main galleries.

Ticket prices

All prices are per person, from the ministry's page for the museum. Egyptians pay EGP 90 (adult) or EGP 45 (student). Foreign visitors pay EGP 550 (adult) or EGP 300 (student). Children under 6 enter free. The museum's site links to the ministry's ticket page for buying online, and tickets are also sold at the museum.

Entry is also free, except on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays, for Egyptians aged 60 and over, Egyptians with special needs, orphaned children, and government and Al-Azhar primary and preparatory school trips booked in advance through the Rehla platform.

Taking photos inside requires a photography ticket, according to the museum's rules; neither page publishes its price. Flash, tripods and monopods are not allowed.

What to see

The Royal Mummies Gallery holds the mummies of 17 kings and 3 queens of ancient Egypt, in a hall designed to feel like walking through the Valley of the Kings. Among the pieces the museum points out are the outer coffin of Queen Ahmose Nefertari, the coffin of King Thutmose and the canopic chest of King Amenhotep II.

The Main Gallery tells Egypt's story in order, from prehistoric times through the Pharaonic, Greek, Coptic and Islamic eras to the modern day and popular heritage. Highlights include the Nazlet Khater skeleton, about 35,000 years old, the ancient prosthetic toe of Tabaket en Mut from Luxor, the gilded chariot of Thutmose IV, a water clock from the reign of Amenhotep III and the Mahmal of King Farouk. There is also a Textile Gallery and space for temporary exhibitions.

Getting there

The museum is on Al-Fustat Road, Ain El-Sira, in Old Cairo. By car, the ministry suggests taking the Giza road over Abbas Bridge towards El-Malek El-Saleh. Parking costs EGP 20 for a private car, EGP 30 for a minibus and EGP 40 for a bus. For the metro, the museum's site names Mar Girgis as the nearest station, while the ministry's page names El-Malek El-Saleh. By taxi, ask for the Museum of Egyptian Civilization at El-Malek El-Saleh.

Rules

Bags, backpacks and parcels larger than 40 x 40 cm, umbrellas and sharp items go in the cloakroom, and bags may be searched. Pets, musical instruments, audio players and folding seats are not allowed. Food and drink are not allowed in the galleries, except small bottles of water. Smoking is banned throughout. Appropriate clothing is requested, and children must stay with an adult at all times.

Families and accessibility

Free wheelchairs and reserved parking spaces are available, every gallery can be reached by lift, Braille brochures are available on request and sign language tours can be booked in advance (info@nmec.gov.eg). For children there are workshops, school trips, children's tours and Kimet, a children's museum about daily life in ancient Egypt; bookings at education@nmec.gov.eg. On site you will find toilets, a café, an ATM, a library, a gift shop and a ramped entrance, and the museum has its own app for iPhone and Android.

Common questions

Is the mummies hall a separate ticket? Neither the museum nor the ministry lists a separate mummies ticket; the prices above are for the museum. Can I visit at night? Yes, on Fridays from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Prices can change, so check the ministry's page before you go.