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National Gallery Tickets

Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.

national gallery london
Before you book
Entry tickets to the National Gallery are free, but they still need to be purchased directly from the museum or online. But, guided tours and audio guides can be purchased in advance to secure availability and avoid long lines. Guided tours also include entry to the museum.
Before you book
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From happy customers

Loved by 47 million+
Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5
signori jeremie
FR

Signori

France
Feb 2026
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It's great 👍🏻 I highly recommend the experience, you learn a lot about the history of this monument as well as the history of the crown in general. From the age of knights to various wars, both recent and distant, the immersion is total 👌🏼 And what can I say about the crown jewels? They are simply magnificent. 🤩 I highly recommend it.
Istvan Molnar
HU

Istvan

Hungary
Jan 2026
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Easy access with Headout tickets, the growing crowd made visit of the White Tower a bit difficult, but it was still ok.
Genoud Sandra
FR

Genoud

France
Dec 2025
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+2 more

Great moment on the Tamise with audio guide. Very interesting to discover London in this way with my family. Then the sunset from London eye is just fabulous!!
Rachel Leblanc

Rachel

Sep 2025
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+2 more

The cruise and London Eye experience was absolutely amazing and memorable. A beautiful light breezy and partly sunny day made it ideal for walking, sightseeing and taking photos. It wasn't too crowded so it was easy to get to and from locations. Overall, I had an awesome experience and enjoyed every minute of it.
Alan Ian Clayton
GB

Alan

United Kingdom
Jan 2026
Absolutely amazing all the employees working there apart from the guy on the door at the front of the building was great the people playing the characters absolutely fantastic look forward to going again
Kyleigh Purton
GB

Kyleigh

United Kingdom
Aug 2025
Had a very special day out with my son 😊. The app made the whole experience easy to navigate out trip . And the two attractions we went on were amazing. All the staff were very helpful and friendly. Very happy 😊

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National Gallery | 700 years of art history

If you’re an art lover, you will love this! In the heart of London's Trafalgar Square, you'll find the National Gallery – a treasure trove of over 2,600 paintings from the mid-13th century to the 1900s! Unlike most European museums with royal collections, the National Gallery started in 1824 when the British government bought 38 paintings. From way back in the 1200s with Giotto to the legendary Cézanne, there are famous works from all the major art movements. You could spend hours wandering through the halls and soaking it all in!

So, if you're in London and looking for a free dose of art history, the National Gallery is the place to be! Here’s everything you need to know about the art gallery, the collections to see, timings, how to get there, visitor tips, and more to help plan your visit.

Why visit the National Gallery

national gallery tickets
  • Explore world-class art for free: Unlike many major museums, entry to the National Gallery's vast collection is free. You can see masterpieces by artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Van Gogh, and Monet without breaking the bank.
  • See iconic masterpieces: The collection boasts iconic works like Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Monet's Water-Lilies, and Titian's Bacchus and Ariadne, but you'll also discover lesser-known treasures, allowing you to expand your artistic horizons.
  • Learn about art history: The National Gallery offers a comprehensive overview of Western European art, from the 13th century to the early 20th century, through major artistic movements, all under one roof.
  • Perfect for all interests: Whether you're a seasoned art aficionado or a curious beginner, the National Gallery has something to offer with its diverse collection.
  • Architectural building: The National Gallery building itself is a work of art. The neoclassical building with its grand facade on Trafalgar Square is a sight to behold.
  • Entry tickets to the National Gallery are free and can only be purchased directly at the museum or online. However, we recommend going on guided tours or buying audio guides in advance to secure availability and avoid long lines. Guided tours include the entry ticket.
  • Since the National Gallery offers free entry, it can be quite crowded. Visit on a weekday for a more relaxed experience, as weekends can be extremely crowded.
  • Many Renaissance paintings feature nude figures, so consider if you want your children to see these artworks before bringing them.
  • The Sainsbury Wing galleries are temporarily closed till 2025 for the NG200 event. However, the paintings in these galleries have been redisplayed across the rest of the National Gallery and are currently still on view.
  • The National Gallery occasionally borrows and lends its artworks to other museums and art galleries. This means that some of your favorites may not be on view on the day of your visit, but you may catch sight of a painting that is permanently housed all across the globe.

Your National Gallery ticket options explained

Guided tours

  • Book a guided tour of the National Gallery, with or without entry to the attraction.
  • Booking these guided tours allows you to bypass the long queues at the ticket counter and make your experience more comprehensive.
  • You can choose between a multilingual audio guide, a live guide, and an expert-led tour with Afternoon Tea.

Recommended tickets:

  • National Gallery Entry Ticket with Guided Tour
  • National Gallery Audio Guide Without Entry
  • National Gallery Entry Ticket with Guided Tour and Afternoon Tea

Combo tickets

  • Plan a full day’s itinerary with these combo tickets. 
  • Pair your guided tour of the National Gallery with entry to the London Eye, the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels, or a Thames River sightseeing cruise.
  • These budget-friendly tickets let you save 5-10% compared to individual tickets.

Recommended tickets:

  • National Gallery Guided Tour + London Eye Tickets
  • National Gallery Guided Tour + Tower of London Tickets with Access to Crown Jewels
  • National Gallery Guided Tour + Thames Sightseeing Cruise
sunflowers by vincent van gogh
young woman standing at a virginal
entombment by michelangelo
equestrian portrait of charles I
bathers by paul cezanne

Plan your visit to the National Gallery

national gallery tickets

The National Gallery London is open daily.

  • Saturday to Thursday: 10am–6pm
  • Friday: 10am–9pm

Closed: The museum is closed between December 24 and December 26, and on January 1.

Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN

  • By tube: Bakerloo, Northern, Circle, District, and Piccadilly lines
    Nearest stations: Charing Cross, Embankment, and Leicester Square (All less than 10-mins by foot)
  • By bus: 12, 24, 88, 453
    Nearest stops: Trafalgar Square, Charring Cross Station, Charles II St, Charring Cross (All less than 4-min walk away)
  • By cycle: Santander Cycles
    Nearest docking stations: St Martin's St, Craven St, Pall Mall East, William IV St, Charles II St, and Oxendon St
  • By car: Via A4 (From Buckingham Palace)
    Nearest parking: Orange St, St Martin's St, Leicester Square, and Trafalgar Square
national gallery tickets

The National Gallery London has two entrances. The main free Gallery entrance is the Portico and the other with step-free access is the Getty Entrance. All entrance doors have walk-through metal detectors.

Portico Entrance

This entrance is at the center of the Gallery overlooking Trafalgar Square.

Getty Entrance

The Getty Entrance is on the east side of Trafalgar Square and is for visitors with exhibition tickets, visitors with mobility access requirements, and pre-booked groups. It has step-free access.

national gallery tickets
  • Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers (Until Jan 29): See a unique collection of Van Gogh’s beloved artworks from all over the world, including some rarely seen in public. See Starry Night over the Rhône, The Yellow House, Sunflowers, The Bedroom, and A Wheatfield with Cypresses up-close, all in one place.
  • Discover Constable & The Hay Wain (Until Feb 2): Find out what makes The Hay Wain special and why it holds a place in British art. Compare the iconic masterpiece alongside works of rural scenes by George Morland and William Mulready, Constable’s contemporaries.
Upcoming exhibitions
national gallery tickets
  • Souvenir shops: The Portico Shop on Level 2 offers National Gallery gifts and accessories. The Getty Shop on the ground floor has books, stationery, and exhibition essentials. You can also shop for souvenirs online.
  • Cloakroom: There is a cloakroom on the ground floor. You can store items and bags up to 56 x 25 x 45 cm for £2 per item. Wheeled luggage, cabin bags, and suitcases are not allowed.
  • Toilets: Male and female toilets with baby changing facilities are available near the entrances.
  • Free Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the gallery.
  • First aid rooms: Reach out to a staff member if you need to use the first aid rooms or require assistance.
  • Audioguides: Self-guided audio tours of the National Gallery are available in English, Italian, and French for £5. You will be required to bring your own mobile device and earphones.
national gallery tickets
  • Modified tours: The Gallery offers British Sign Language-interpreted talks on paintings and art sessions for visitors who are blind and partially sighted. Exhibition videos with subtitles and large-type transcripts of films are available.
  • Accessible entrance: Step-free level access entry is available at the Getty Entrance.
  • Wheelchairs on loan: Manual wheelchairs and rollators are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Getty Entrance. Folding stools are also available.
  • Elevator access: A lift is available at the Getty Entrance in Annenberg Court. This lift allows access between the galleries and the ground floor.
  • Toilets: Disabled and ambulant facilities are available on the ground floor near the Portico Entrance.
  • Guide dogs: Assistance dogs are allowed on the premises.
  • Carer tickets: A complimentary carer ticket can be booked with each disabled exhibition ticket.
  • Disabled parking: A designated parking space is on Orange Street, 250 m from the Getty entrance. There are also five parking spaces on St. Martin’s Street and in Leicester Square Car Park.
  • Hearing loops: Hearing loops for films and talks in the Sunley Room and the exhibition cinemas are available at all Information Desks. Live speech-to-text captioning is also provided.
national gallery tickets
  • Paintings: Do not cross the barriers, touch paintings or frames, or point torches or lasers on the paintings.
  • Eating: Do not consume food and drinks in the galleries. There are designated areas for it near the cafes and the restaurant.
  • Photography: You can take photos and videos in the gallery but not in the exhibition areas unless stated otherwise. Lighting, flash, selfie sticks, and tripods are prohibited on the premises.
  • Pets: Pets, other than assistance animals, are not allowed.
national gallery tickets
  • The National Gallery London no longer has locker facilities for your large bags. So, drop your luggage off at Charring Cross Station, a three-minute walk from the museum.
  • Small bags are checked upon arrival, so please allow extra time for security checks.
  • There is no mandatory dress code to follow when visiting the museum. However, we recommend wearing comfortable clothing and shoes as there is a lot of walking involved.
  • Before heading to the art museum, decide which periods or artists you want to focus on to streamline your visit. You can also pick up the guide leaflet at the entrance to know which parts of the museum you want to explore.
  • After your visit, consider exploring the adjacent National Portrait Gallery. It is open every day from 10:30am to 6pm and offers free entry. However, there is a charge for some of the exhibitions on display.
national gallery tickets
  • Ochre: A cocktail bar and restaurant offering modern European cooking. Try the Ham Hock & Parsley Terrine, Warm Winter Salad, and Stuffed Tamworth Pork.
    (Located next to the Getty Entrance and open every day from 11am to 6pm from Sunday to Wednesday and 11am to 11pm from Thursday to Saturday.)
  • Muriel's Kitchen: Self-serve cafe with a variety of European and British dishes, from seasonal salads and quiches to hot meals alongside cakes and patisseries. The goat cheese, red pepper, and spinach quiche and the beef lasagne are must-tries.
    (Located near the Getty Entrance and open daily from 11am to 5:45pm and from 11am to 8:45pm on Friday.)
  • Espresso Bar by Muriel's: Stop by for coffee, cakes, and light refreshments, including sandwiches, quiche, and patisseries, as well as freshly pressed juices and artisan barista coffee.
    (Located near the Annenberg Court and open every day from 10am to 5:45pm)
national gallery tickets
national gallery tickets
  • Churchill War Rooms (1.1km): Dive into London's wartime past at the Churchill War Rooms! Step back in time and explore the underground headquarters where Winston Churchill and his crew worked during World War II.
  • Buckingham Palace (1.4km): The King's official residence is a key British landmark, not just for the monarchy but for all of England. Explore the State Rooms, the Royal Mews, and the King's Gallery in this neoclassical landmark.
  • London Dungeon (2.4km): At the London Dungeon, learn about Britain's dark past. Located on the south side of the River Thames, this place is perfect for thrill-seekers who like a good scare. 
  • Thames River Cruises: Cruise down the Thames, snaking its way right through the center of the city, and see London like never before! It's the perfect way to relax, sightsee, and get a feel for the city as you whizz past the Big Ben and the London Eye.

Frequently Asked Questions about National Gallery tickets

National Gallery guided tour tickets can be canceled 72 hours before the experience and you will get a full refund.