How to visit top museums around the world for free

It’s a sad reality, but visiting museums overseas is increasingly expensive. Some, like the British Museum, remain free; others, like Rome’s Pantheon, now charge admission.

The reasons for rising prices vary. Some are driven by financial need, while others help curb crowd size. Regardless of the reason, it’s travellers who now have to count the cost.

Plan aheadCredit: Illustration: Greg Straight

However, you can visit museums on a budget. You just need to plan ahead.

Before you go, check if you’re eligible for free or discounted entry. Many museums, attractions and galleries offer deals for students, people under 25, seniors, teachers, university staff, journalists or military personnel. If you’re accompanying someone with a disability, you may also qualify for a discounted or free entry; contact the museum ahead of time.

Traditionally, many museums and galleries offered free admission on specific days, but huge crowds made this untenable, leading to restrictions. For example, MoMA ’s monthly “Free Fridays” are now ticketed and restricted to New York residents; The Louvre’s monthly free day has been restricted to after 6pm on the first Friday of the month (and never during July or August). By contrast, The Prado in Madrid does things differently. Entry is free two hours before closing (normally about 6pm).

The Louvre’s monthly free day has been restricted to after 6pm on the first Friday of the month.Credit: iStock

Before you go, research what tourist passes relevant to your destination have been developed to offer free and discounted entry. The popular Swiss Travel Pass, for example, doesn’t just cover train travel, it includes free entry to more than 500 museums and monuments. Many hotels can also access free or discounted museum tickets – ask your concierge.

Almost every city tourist office has developed a bundled discount tourist pass that offers discounts, but often with a complicated set of protocols and rules. Crunch the numbers, but also read the terms and conditions. In Rome, for example, entry to the Colosseum starts at €18 ($30) but the RomaPass costs €58.50 ($95), is valid for 72 hours, includes public transport and offers free entry to two of Rome’s top museums or archaeological sites, including the Colosseum. For some travellers, it’s a worthwhile investment; for others, better value might be found in the single ticket entry.

The Prado in Madrid offers free entry two hours before closing.Credit: iStock

Also check if your memberships include reciprocal rights. Members of The National Trust of Australia, for example, have free entry to more than 1000 properties and gardens globally when they show their card (including over 300 homes and gardens in Britain).

One-off special events can also be a good chance to see museums, although they’re often aimed at locals, like MuseumNACHT in Amsterdam, which offers entry to about 50 museums from 7pm to 2am each November for €30 ($50).

It’s also important to be vigilant when booking online. Numerous online bucket-shops have been set up to sell unofficial, discounted or cheap tickets for big name museums that often sell out. They often resell tickets at a higher rate, charge hidden fees or are simply a scam.

Lastly, head to the local tourist office, who can often provide you with a list of fabulous, free and affordable museums that will fill your cultural cup, while sparing your hip pocket.