The Museum of Modern Art, better known as MoMA, is one of the world’s leading museums for modern and contemporary art. Here you can admire legendary masterpieces like Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night”, Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon”, and Andy Warhol’s “Campbell’s Soup Cans”. MoMA is a true must-visit for art lovers and is easily one of New York City’s most acclaimed museums.
- The Best Ways to Get MoMA Tickets
- 1. Buy at the Door (Not Recommended)
- 2. Book Online (Recommended)
- 3. Book a Guided Tour
- 4. Purchase a Tourist Pass
- Useful Information for Visiting MoMA
- When is the Best Time to Visit MoMA?
- What Are MoMA’s Opening Hours?
- How Do You Get to MoMA?
- How Do MoMA and MoMA PS1 Tickets Work?
- How Much Do MoMA Tickets Cost?
Given the museum’s popularity, you’re probably wondering about the best way to buy tickets for MoMA. With several ticket types available, your choice depends on how you want to experience the museum. This guide on how to buy MoMA tickets will help you save time and money during your visit.
In a hurry? How to buy tickets for the Museum of Modern Art in New York City: the best way to get your MoMA tickets is to book online in advance here. These tickets let you skip the line and are refundable up to 24 hours before your visit. If you want to explore MoMA before the crowds, consider booking this exclusive before-hours tour with an art historian.
There are a few different ways to purchase MoMA tickets. Instead of grabbing the first ticket you see, take a moment to read our tips below. The museum welcomes around 7 million visitors annually, so it’s wise to be prepared and find the ticket that best fits your travel plans. Keep reading to find out where to buy MoMA tickets!
1. Buy at the Door (Not Recommended)
You can show up and buy MoMA tickets at the entrance, but this is not advisable. Lines can be extremely long, especially on weekends, and there are no guarantees of available tickets, as time slots often sell out. Unless you want to brave the queues like a local, consider one of the other options.
2. Book Online (Recommended)
The best way to buy tickets for the Museum of Modern Art is to choose a time slot and book in advance online. You can purchase MoMA tickets via the official website or through a third-party vendor like GetYourGuide. We recommend the latter for several reasons.
First, prices are the same, but tickets bought via GetYourGuide are much more flexible, allowing free cancellations up to 24 hours before your visit. Tickets purchased from the official website can only be refunded if you contact customer service and provide a reason for canceling.
Another advantage with GetYourGuide is that you can reserve your tickets now and pay later. This feature is great if you want to lock in your spot but aren’t ready to commit to the price yet.
All purchases include an audioguide and skip-the-line entry to MoMA. With your ticket in hand, you can head straight to security and start exploring the museum.
3. Book a Guided Tour
Another fantastic option is to book an hour-long guided tour of MoMA. Not only will you see all the iconic artworks, but you’ll also gain deeper insights from a professional art historian. A guided tour includes extra perks—tickets for both locations and exclusive pre-opening access—making it the ultimate skip-the-line experience! After your tour, you’ll have free time to discover even more of MoMA on your own.
4. Purchase a Tourist Pass
With so many things to do and see in New York City, building a budget-friendly itinerary can be tough. If you want to experience as much as possible, consider buying a tourist pass. You can save up to 40% on popular attractions like MoMA, One World Observatory, the classic Big Bus Tours, or the ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island National Immigration Museum.
Two popular passes we recommend are the New York Pass and the Go City Explorer Pass. To choose the best pass for your trip, narrow down the attractions you want to visit and pick the pass that covers most of your wishlist.
When is the Best Time to Visit MoMA?
The ideal time to visit the Museum of Modern Art is on a weekday during the off-peak periods from September to November or from March to May. This way, you’ll avoid summer holiday crowds. Although it might sound counterintuitive, the best time of day to visit is actually in the afternoon, since mornings tend to be busiest. The first Friday of every month is also especially crowded, as this is when New York residents can get free admission.
What Are MoMA’s Opening Hours?
MoMA has two locations in New York: the main one in Midtown Manhattan and MoMA PS1 in Queens. The Midtown location opens daily at 10:30 am, closing at 5:30 pm from Sunday through Friday and at 7:00 pm on Saturday. MoMA PS1 is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but opens at noon the remaining days, closing at 6:00 pm on Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday, and at 8:00 pm on Saturday. Both museums are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
How Do You Get to MoMA?
Since Manhattan is so dense, driving to MoMA is not recommended unless you want to deal with heavy traffic and expensive parking. Public transportation is the easiest way to get there. MoMA is just a few blocks from Central Park and Rockefeller Center, with several bus stops nearby. The Fifth Avenue/53rd Street subway station is also less than a block from MoMA.
If you buy a Go City Explorer Pass or New York Pass, you can also use the Big Bus Tour hop-on hop-off service to travel to and from the museum!
How Do MoMA and MoMA PS1 Tickets Work?
The Museum of Modern Art offers a general admission ticket for its Midtown location. This ticket provides entry at a reserved time slot, either the time you purchase in person or a slot selected at checkout if you book online. If you book online, simply save your ticket on your phone or print it out and bring it to the entrance. The ticket grants access to all exhibitions and events in the museum and includes an audioguide.
MoMA PS1 tickets work differently: rather than a fixed price, the museum suggests prices based on age groups—pay what you wish! You can select the suggested price or choose your own contribution. If you already hold a MoMA ticket, you can enter MoMA PS1 for free within 14 days of your main MoMA visit.
How Much Do MoMA Tickets Cost?
MoMA tickets are priced the same whether you buy them on the official website or via GetYourGuide, although GetYourGuide offers greater flexibility. Children 16 and under enter for free, while tickets for ages 17–64 cost €25. Seniors (65+) and disabled visitors can get a discounted ticket for €18. Students (with valid ID, US and international) pay €14.
New York City residents receive free entrance on the first Friday of each month between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Free tickets are also available for active military personnel.
Here are some prices for other tickets and tours:
- Tickets for a one-hour guided MoMA tour start at €99 per person, all ages.
- The price of a Go City Explorer Pass depends on the number of attractions you select. Prices start at €71 for adults and €61 for children (ages 3–12) for a two-attraction pass. If purchasing for your family, remember that children (up to 16) enter MoMA for free, so you may need fewer child passes for added savings.
- The New York Pass price depends on how many days you want it to be valid (not the number of attractions). One-day New York Passes start at €130 for adults and €98 for children (ages 3–12).
