Zayed National Museum Tickets: Price, Hours & Free Entry Rules
Zayed National Museum tickets: official adult entry is AED 70, under-18s go free. Prices, opening hours and free entry rules.
On this page
- Official adult entry is AED 70. On ClickToGuide, Zayed National Museum tickets are from AED 65. Confirm the live price at checkout.
- Under-18s go free. A family only needs adult tickets, so don't pay for the kids.
- AED 35 for UAE university students and UAE-employed teachers with valid ID.
- Free for UAE-based seniors 60+, People of Determination plus one companion, journalists on assignment and ICOM/ICOMOS members.
- The museum generally opens at 10am. Timings can change on public holidays and during Ramadan.
- Allow 2–3 hours, and dress modestly: adults should cover shoulders and knees.
Zayed National Museum opened on 3 December 2025 in the Saadiyat Cultural District, and most of the questions since have been about money. Search for tickets and you'll see two adult numbers, AED 70 and AED 65, plus a long list of people who don't pay at all. Both numbers are right. AED 70 is the official adult admission. AED 65 is where ClickToGuide's ticket starts.
The free list is the bigger deal for most visitors. Anyone under 18 gets in free, so a couple with three teenagers pays for two tickets, not five.
👉 Book Zayed National Museum tickets → Adult tickets from AED 65 against the official AED 70; under-18s don't need a paid ticket.
Zayed National Museum ticket price: who pays what
There's one full adult fare, one reduced band and a fairly generous free list. Here's how it breaks down, using the published rates from the museum's launch.
| Visitor | Official price | On ClickToGuide |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | AED 70 | From AED 65 |
| UAE university student (valid ID) | AED 35 | Official reduced rate |
| UAE-employed teacher (valid ID) | AED 35 | Official reduced rate |
| Under 18 | Free | No ticket to buy |
| UAE-based seniors 60+ | Free | No ticket to buy |
| People of Determination + 1 companion | Free | No ticket to buy |
| Journalists on assignment, ICOM/ICOMOS members | Free | No ticket to buy |
The AED 5 gap on the adult ticket isn't huge on its own. It adds up for a group of four adults, though, and booking ahead means you aren't sorting payment out at the desk.
Opening hours
The museum generally opens at 10am. It can run different hours on public holidays and through Ramadan, so check the day you're going before you set off from Dubai or the city.
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening | Generally 10am |
| Holidays and Ramadan | Timings may vary |
| Time to allow | 2–3 hours |
| Location | Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi |
Two to three hours is a realistic visit. If you're pairing it with Louvre Abu Dhabi on the same day, start at 10am and you'll still have the afternoon for the second museum.
What you're paying to see
More than 1,500 objects are on display from a collection of around 3,000. A few pieces pull most of the crowds. There's the Abu Dhabi Pearl, about 8,000 years old. There are folios from the Blue Quran, an Abbasid bronze lamp, and an 18-metre reconstruction of a Magan boat that's hard to miss.
The building does a lot of the talking too. Foster + Partners designed it, and the tall towers are shaped like falcon wings, inspired by the barjeel wind towers you'll see in old Gulf architecture. Leave a few minutes outside for photos before you go in.
Dress code
The museum asks for modest dress. For adults, that means shoulders and knees covered. A light shirt with sleeves and trousers or a long skirt is enough, and it's worth packing a scarf or overshirt if you're coming straight from the beach.
Single ticket vs combos and the Museums Pass
If Saadiyat is your museum day, a combo can make more sense than separate tickets. ClickToGuide prices below are starting prices; confirm the live price at checkout.
| Option | What's included | From |
|---|---|---|
| Zayed National Museum ticket | Zayed National Museum | AED 65 |
| Louvre Abu Dhabi + Zayed National Museum | Two Saadiyat museums | AED 105 |
| National Aquarium + Zayed National Museum | Museum plus aquarium | AED 129 |
| Louvre + National Aquarium + Zayed National Museum | Three attractions | AED 189 |
| teamLab Phenomena + Zayed National Museum | Museum plus teamLab | AED 200 |
Louvre Abu Dhabi's own ticket page also sells a Museums Pass covering Louvre Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum, plus a three-museum version that adds the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. It's listed as valid from 1 March 2026. Compare it against the combos above before you buy.
A few tips before you go
Bring ID if you're claiming a free or reduced ticket. Students and teachers need a valid card, and seniors claiming free 60+ entry should carry ID that shows they live in the UAE. If you've got under-18s with you, there's nothing to buy for them, but they still come in with you.
Planning more of Saadiyat? Our Abu Dhabi museums travel guide covers the wider district, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi ticket price guide breaks down the neighbour next door, and there's an update on the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi opening date.
Conclusion
Zayed National Museum costs AED 70 for an adult at the official rate, and it's from AED 65 on ClickToGuide. Kids under 18 go free, so families only pay for the grown-ups. It opens at 10am, give it two or three hours, and cover your shoulders and knees. If you want to fit in the Louvre too, the combo is the easier buy.
👉 Book Zayed National Museum tickets → From AED 65, or add the Louvre with the Louvre Abu Dhabi + Zayed National Museum combo from AED 105.
FAQs
How much is a Zayed National Museum ticket?
Is Zayed National Museum free for children?
Who else gets free entry?
What time does Zayed National Museum open?
How long do you need at Zayed National Museum?
Is there a dress code?
Where is Zayed National Museum?
Can I visit Zayed National Museum and Louvre Abu Dhabi on one ticket?
When did Zayed National Museum open?
Prices in this guide follow the article copy. We do not store a separate prices-checked date — confirm the live price on the ticket page before you pay.
