| If you are planning a visit to the Egyptian Museum, | | | | - The busiest time at the Museum seems to be in |
| there are a number of things you should be aware of | | | | the mornings. If you can, visit the Museum later in |
| before arriving in Cairo. The advice and tips listed | | | | the afternoon but keep an eye on the closing time |
| below, based on personal experience, will make your | | | | and remember that the Royal Mummy Room shuts a |
| experience much more rewarding. | | | | half hour before the Museum. If you arrive at |
| - The Museum has a collection of over 120 000 | | | | opening time, proceed to the Upper Floor and see |
| artifacts so it is a good idea to educate yourself | | | | the Tutankhamun exhibition while the tour bus groups |
| before you arrive and narrow your focus on what to | | | | browse through the Ground Floor. Be flexible about |
| see. You need to develop a plan of action. | | | | the order in which you see the displays. |
| - The present building, designed in 1902, leaves a lot | | | | - If you decide to hire a guide, you will find them |
| to be desired in terms of lighting, environmental | | | | sitting to the left of the ticket booth, but make sure |
| protection, acoustics (for those in large groups) and | | | | they are licensed by the government and speak your |
| labelling. Many display labels were written in the early | | | | language well. Negotiate a price based on the time |
| 20th century and some artifacts have none at all | | | | you have available. Two hours will probably cost you |
| which can leave the visitor wondering what it is they | | | | an extra LE 50, but prices vary from time to time. |
| are looking at. The remarkable collection will be | | | | Tell your guide exactly what you wish to see and be |
| moved to a new site at Giza in 2012 but for the | | | | firm about it. |
| moment visitors should be a little tolerant. | | | | - Without a guide, it is advisable to purchase a |
| - The entry fee quoted on many web sites applies | | | | colour-coded map from the book/gift store which will |
| to residents. For foreign visitors, the fee is roughly | | | | help you negotiate your way around the rooms, halls |
| twice as much. Also, once inside, if you wish to visit | | | | and galleries. You need to know where you are going. |
| the fascinating Royal Mummy Room, you must pay | | | | - Walking around the Museum is exhausting and there |
| an extra fee. So be prepared for additional expenses. | | | | is no coffee shop or restaurant inside, although there |
| - The Museum is always crowded and noisy. Getting | | | | are clean toilets. Make use of the comfortable chairs |
| through the milling throng at the entrance is often | | | | arranged in banks throughout the Museum and bring |
| challenging. It can take some time to pass through | | | | a bottle of water and snacks with you if you do not |
| the metal detector and check in your camera (taking | | | | want to patronize the coffee shop outside. Take a |
| photographs and videos is not permitted inside the | | | | break and give yourself a breathing space. |
| Museum), buy your ticket and pass through the | | | | Despite the number of frustrations when visiting the |
| automatic ticket taker. Sometimes at the height of | | | | Museum, the worst being the crowds, it can be a |
| the tourist season, December-April, this process can | | | | once- in-a-lifetime experience with a little advance |
| take up to an hour. Please be patient as the wait is | | | | planning. |
| worth it. | | | | |