Skip the lines at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

TL;DR – How to skip the lines at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met in New York is known for its extensive collection of art in multiple forms, ranging from paintings, sculptures, and artifacts, spanning several eras. Enjoy guided tours of the museum’s highlights and fast-track entry with your skip-the-line tickets.

Here’s how:

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art Highlights Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access (From $52 ): Skip the ticket line and enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the highlights at The Met.
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art Extended Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access (From $79): Skip the entry line and enjoy a 3-hour expert-led guided tour of the key works at The Met.
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art Pre-Orientation Tour with Skip-the-Line Access (From $48): Plan your visit to The Met with skip-the-line access and a 30-minute-long pre-orientation tour of the best ways to navigate the museum.
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art Private VIP Tour (From $866 for the group): Small-group private tour led by an expert, with skip-the-line access and a personalized experience allowing you to curate your visit to The Met with ease.

See all your options in detail below ↓

Book skip-the-line tickets to The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Skip waiting in the ticket lines and enjoy fast-track entry to view the museum’s works that explore the evolution of art over 5,000 years through its collections.

Pro tip: Book an extended tour for a deep dive into the museum’s collections, or a private VIP tour for a more intimate and curated experience.

























































What does skip-the-line really mean for The Metropolitan Museum of Art

With your skip-the-line tickets, you can enjoy both fast-track entry into the museum by skipping the lines at the ticketing counter and also the chance to explore the museum with a knowledgeable guide by your side. Curate your visit with multiple tour options to choose from, and enjoy exploring the museum’s vast collection of works spanning millennia and numbering over 2 million.

How long are the queues at The Metropolitan Museum of Art?

Waiting times can exceed an hour, sometimes crossing 2 hours during the summer months, holiday season, and weekends, so you can skip waiting in the long lines at popular attractions with your skip-the-line ticket.

  • Peak season: June to August, December
  • Peak hours: 11am to 3pm, 6pm onward (extended hour days)

Types of queues at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ticketing counter

  • Location: Main entrance on Fifth Avenue
  • Who it’s for: Visitors buying tickets on the spot
  • Average wait time: 5 to 15 minutes during off-season, 45 minutes to 1 hour during peak seasons and weekends
  • Skip-the-line: Can be bypassed with pre-purchased online tickets

Security screening

  • Location: Main entrance on Fifth Avenue
  • Who it’s for: Mandatory for all visitors
  • Average wait time: 5 to 15 minutes
  • Skip-the-line: Mandatory for all visitors
Enjoy VIP access to the museum’s artworks

Your small-group VIP tour (max group size 8) gives you a deep dive into the museum’s collection, along with a crowd-free experience. Enjoy learning about the works at The Met with your expert art historian guide, and personalize your tour to get deeper insight into exhibits of your choice.

All your options to skip the lines at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Book skip-the-line tickets

Book your admission tickets online and avoid waiting in long lines at the ticketing counter, along with the flexibility to choose the type of guided tour you want to join.

Recommended experiences:

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art Highlights Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art Extended Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art Pre-Orientation Tour with Skip-the-Line Access

Book a VIP tour

Visit the museum without crowds and enjoy skip-the-line entry with your tour tickets. Your private VIP tour eliminates the hassle of waiting in any lines and viewing the artworks with crowds.

Recommended experience:

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art Private VIP Tour

Visit during off-peak season/hours

Visiting during the weekdays or as soon as the museum opens can eliminate waiting for long periods of time at the ticketing counter, but The Met can remain crowded on most days during the summer months and around holidays.

Learn more about The Met’s timings here

Compare your ticket options

Ticket typeWait timesQueues skippedInclusionsTickets

On-site Tickets

Can lead up to 1 hour during peak seasons

None

Vary based on ticket type

On-site

Metropolitan Museum of Art Highlights Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access

10 mins

Ticket purchase lines

Skip-the-line admission with a 2-hr-long guided tour

From $52

Metropolitan Museum of Art Extended Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access

10 mins

Ticket purchase lines

Skip-the-line admission with a 3-hr-long guided tour

From $79

Metropolitan Museum of Art Pre-Orientation Tour with Skip-the-Line Access

10 mins

Ticket purchase lines

Skip-the-line admission with a 30-min-long guided tour to help plan your museum visit

From $48

Metropolitan Museum of Art Private VIP Tour

10 mins

Ticket purchase lines

Skip-the-line admission with a 2.5-hr-long guided tour in a small-group setting with VIP private and personalized access to the museum

From $866

Frequently asked questions about The Metropolitan Museum of Art skip-the-line tickets

Do skip-the-ticket-line tickets let me avoid all lines at The Met?

Skip-the-ticket-line tickets allow you to bypass the main ticket purchase counters. However, all visitors must still go through mandatory security screening, which cannot be skipped and may involve a short wait during peak hours.

Where exactly do I enter with a skip-the-line ticket?

You’ll enter through the main Fifth Avenue entrance and proceed directly to the security check. After screening, show your digital or printed ticket to museum staff for fast admission.

How much time does a skip-the-ticket-line ticket really save?

On busy days (weekends, holidays, and summer months), these tickets can save anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, especially during late morning and early afternoon rush periods.

Is there timed entry for skip-the-line tickets?

Yes, most skip-the-line tickets come with a timed entry slot, which helps manage crowd flow. Arriving within your selected window ensures smoother entry.

Does my skip-the-line ticket include a guided tour?

Yes. Skip-the-line tickets typically include guided tours, allowing you to enter efficiently so the tour can start on time.

Will I still go through security with a guided tour group?

Yes. All guided tour participants must pass through security screening, but groups are often processed together, which can be quicker than general admission during busy hours.

Are guided tours with skip-the-line entry better for first-time visitors?

Absolutely. The Met is vast, and guided tours focus on key highlights, helping first-time visitors avoid feeling overwhelmed while providing context you won’t get from self-guided visits.

Can I explore the museum on my own after my tour ends?

Yes. After the guided portion, you’re free to explore The Met at your own pace for the rest of the day.

Are skip-the-line tickets worth it on quieter weekdays?

On weekday mornings or during off-season months, lines are usually shorter. Skip-the-line tickets are most valuable on weekends, holidays, and during special exhibitions.

Is there a best time of day to use skip-the-line access?

Late mornings (10:30am to 2:30pm) are the busiest. Using skip-the-line tickets during this window offers the biggest time savings.

Do skip-the-line tickets work for families and groups?

Yes. Families and groups benefit significantly, as long ticket lines can be especially tiring for children and larger parties.

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Plan your visit

Collections

Paintings