Met Museum Tickets 2026: Prices, Free Entry & What to See First

The Met is not a museum you "do." It's 2 million square feet holding 5,000 years of human creativity — Egyptian temples, Vermeer, samurai armour, a Baroque period room, a rooftop garden with Manhattan views. People walk in with good intentions and walk out four hours later having covered one wing. That's not a failure. That's the Met working as designed.

In 3 minutes, you'll know:

• What tickets cost and how to pay what you wish
• The 3-hour route that covers the essential galleries
• Why your ticket works for 3 days (and why that matters)
• The best time to visit each wing

How much are Met Museum tickets in 2026?

Standard tickets: Adults $30, seniors (65+) $22, students $17. Under 12 is always free.

Pay what you wish: New York State residents and students from NY, NJ, and CT set their own price — any amount from $0.01 up. This applies in person at the admissions desk, not online. Bring a valid ID or student card. Online tickets for visitors outside this area are fixed-price.

Your ticket includes both Met locations (Fifth Avenue and The Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park) and is valid for 3 consecutive days. Most people don't know about the 3-day validity — it changes how you plan.

What should you see first?

The Egyptian Wing. Go here first while it's quiet. The Temple of Dendur — an actual 2,000-year-old Egyptian temple reconstructed inside a glass-walled gallery — is the Met's most photogenic space. The mummy collection and painted coffins are two rooms away. By 2 PM, school groups fill this wing.

European Paintings (Floors 1 and 2). Vermeer, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, El Greco, Monet. The Met's European painting collection rivals any museum in the world. Gallery 632 (Vermeer) and Gallery 621 (Rembrandt) are the highlights. The Impressionist rooms on the second floor are calmer than the old masters below.

Arms and Armour. Medieval knights, Japanese samurai, Renaissance tournament gear. Even people who don't care about weapons stop here. The equestrian court with mounted knights is one of the most dramatic rooms in any museum.

The American Wing. Washington Crossing the Delaware (it's enormous in person), Sargent's Madame X, the Frank Lloyd Wright room, and the best collection of Tiffany glass you'll see anywhere.

When is the best time to visit?

Sunday–Tuesday, Thursday: 10 AM – 5 PM. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10 AM – 9 PM. Closed: Thanksgiving, December 25, January 1, first Monday in May (Met Gala).

Quietest times: Wednesday morning (10 AM) and weekday evenings (after 5 PM on late-night days). Weekend mornings are busy but manageable. Saturday afternoons in summer are the worst.

The 3-day strategy: Use day 1 for the European paintings and Egyptian wing. Day 2 for the American wing, Arms and Armour, and Asian art. Day 3 for The Cloisters (medieval art in a separate building in Fort Tryon Park, northern Manhattan). Most visitors don't know their ticket covers all three days.

What do most visitors wish they knew?

The rooftop garden is seasonal and spectacular. Open spring through autumn (usually May to October). Contemporary sculpture installations with views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. Included with admission. Take the elevator from the European paintings wing.

The Cloisters are included. Your ticket covers The Met Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park — a medieval art museum built from parts of five European cloisters. It's a 30-minute subway ride uptown but worth it. The Unicorn Tapestries are there.

Coat check fills up. The free coat check near the entrance hits capacity on busy days. Use the smaller coat check near the American Wing or carry a light bag.

The Great Hall is not the entrance you want. The main entrance on Fifth Avenue funnels everyone into the Great Hall. The less crowded entrance is at 81st Street (ground level, closer to the Egyptian wing). Members use the 81st Street entrance — follow their lead.

Frequently asked questions

How much are Met Museum tickets in 2026?

Adults $30, seniors (65+) $22, students $17. Under 12 free. NY State residents and NY/NJ/CT students pay what they wish — in person at the admissions desk only.

Is the Met Museum free for New York residents?

Effectively yes. NY State residents and students from NY, NJ, and CT pay what they wish at the admissions desk. Any amount is accepted. This only works in person, not online.

How long do you need at the Met?

3 to 4 hours for the highlights (European paintings, Egyptian wing, Temple of Dendur, American wing). A thorough visit takes a full day. Pick 3-4 departments and commit.

What are the Met Museum opening hours?

Sunday–Tuesday and Thursday: 10 AM – 5 PM. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10 AM – 9 PM. Closed Thanksgiving, December 25, January 1, and the first Monday in May.

What's the difference between the Met and MoMA?

The Met covers 5,000 years across all cultures. MoMA covers 1880s to now, focused on modern and contemporary. The Met needs a full day. MoMA is doable in 2-3 hours. Full side-by-side breakdown — including the same-day combination route — in Met vs MoMA: which museum to pick.

The Met is the museum where your ticket buys you three days because one isn't enough. Start with the Egyptian wing at opening, save the rooftop for late afternoon, and don't try to see everything. See how it compares in our best art museums in New York ranking, or check the free museum options — NY residents pay what they wish. Book entry on the official site ($30, valid 3 days). Want context for the first 90 minutes? Book a guided highlights tour on GetYourGuide — skip-the-line, 4.4★ (663 reviews).

Last verified: April 2026