After more than twenty years of construction, the Grand Egyptian Museum opened fully in late 2025, and it is now the essential partner to the pyramids, a short drive from the plateau. A colossal statue of Ramesses II greets you in the atrium, and the Grand Staircase climbs past kings, gods and sarcophagi arranged in time order towards a window framing the pyramids. The highlight is the Tutankhamun galleries, where more than 5,000 objects from the boy king’s tomb, including the famous gold mask, are shown together for the first time since the tomb was opened in 1922. Twelve main galleries tell the story of ancient Egypt, and a purpose-built hall holds the 43-metre solar boat of Khufu. Entry is by timed ticket, bought online.
How it works: the galleries open daily from 9:00 to 18:00, with late opening to 21:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and the grounds open a little earlier. Foreign visitors buy timed tickets online in advance through the museum’s official ticketing site, or as part of a tour package; arrive fifteen to twenty minutes before your slot.
What to expect: it is enormous. Allow two hours for Tutankhamun alone and at least four for a proper visit. Security checks are airport-style, and there are cafés and shops inside.
Making the most of it: do the Grand Staircase first, then Tutankhamun before the mid-morning crowds, and save the main galleries for after lunch. A late Wednesday or Saturday visit works well after a morning on the plateau.
What to expect
The experience
A timed-entry visit to a huge modern museum, self-guided or with a guide.
Best time
At opening for Tutankhamun, or a late Wednesday or Saturday visit.
How long
Four to six hours.
Tips
Book your time slot online ahead, arrive early for security and see Tutankhamun before the crowds build.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who wants the full story of the pharaohs, and every Tutankhamun fan.
- Families
- Spacious, air-conditioned and full of giant statues that children love.
- Couples
- A late-opening evening visit after a morning at the pyramids.
- Pair with
- The Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square.
- Time needed
- Most of a day.
Good questions
Is the Grand Egyptian Museum open?+
Yes. It opened fully in late 2025, with the galleries open daily from 9:00 to 18:00 and until 21:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Can I buy GEM tickets at the door?+
Foreign visitors should buy timed tickets online in advance, through the official ticket site or a tour package that includes entry.
Is Tutankhamun’s gold mask at the GEM?+
Yes. The complete Tutankhamun collection, more than 5,000 objects including the mask, is displayed together in its own galleries.
How far is the GEM from the pyramids?+
About ten minutes by car, which makes it easy to combine the two in one day.
How long should I allow?+
At least four hours, including about two hours for the Tutankhamun galleries.
