Plan your visit to Tate Modern in London

Handy tips

Beat the queues

• Arrive early: Tate Modern is a popular tourist spot, especially during summer and school holidays. For the best experience without crowds, arrive right at opening, around 10 am, for a quieter visit.
  
• Pick calmer windows: Weekdays from Tuesday to Thursday are significantly less crowded than weekends. Late afternoons also tend to be more relaxed.

Navigate wisely

• Free entry: Tate Modern covers the permanent collection, but special exhibitions require tickets. For a deeper understanding of the art, consider joining a guided tour to get context on everything you see.
  
• Check temporary exhibitions: For an immersive experience, plan your visit around temporary exhibitions. This allows you to explore both the permanent and temporary collections without returning on a separate day.
  
• Map first: Grab a map at the ticket desk to plan your floor flow. Knowing gallery locations and lift connections helps you move efficiently and avoid backtracking in the museum.

Things to know before booking your Tate Modern tickets

• Types of tickets: Tate Modern’s permanent collection is free to enter. Special exhibitions and guided tours, however, require paid tickets and provide access to curated commentary and added context on modern and contemporary art.
  
• What’s included: Standard entry grants access to all permanent collection galleries, the Turbine Hall, the Blavatnik Building, and public viewing areas. Paid guided tours focus on the museum’s must-see highlights but do not include temporary exhibitions.
  
• Guided tours: Small-group tours are ideal for visitors seeking an in-depth experience. They provide personalized commentary and historical context and ensure you cover the permanent collection’s key works without feeling rushed.
  
• Best time to visit: For the best comprehensive experience, plan your visit around temporary exhibition schedules to maximize your experience. Some upcoming exhibitions include: Theatre Picasso (17 September 2025–12 April 2026), Nigerian Modernism (8 October 2025–10 May 2026), Gathering Ground (29 January 2025–2 November 2026), and Hyundai Commission (October 2026).

Facilities

• Free Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the museum for all visitors.
  
• Toilets: Fully accessible toilets are located on every floor on the concourses
  
• Baby changing facilities: The Baby Care Room is located on Level 0 of the Natalie Bell Building. Additional nappy-changing facilities are available in toilets on Levels 0–5.
  
• Seating: Seats and benches are located throughout the galleries and public areas. Folding seats are available on Levels 2, 3, and 4 and can be requested from staff.
  
• Water fountains: Water fountains are available next to toilets on Levels 1–4 in the Natalie Bell Building, with an additional dispenser at the Espresso Bar on Level 3.
  
• Food and drink: Tate Modern has an Espresso Bar (Level 3, Natalie Bell Building), the Restaurant (Level 6, Natalie Bell Building), and the Terrace Café (Level 1, Blavatnik Building) for quick bites.
  
• Shops: Tate Modern shops include the River Shop (Level 1, Natalie Bell Building), Terrace Shop (Level 1, Blavatnik Building), and Turbine Hall Shop (Level 0, Natalie Bell Building), offering books, prints, posters, and souvenirs.
  
• Member facilities: The Members Bar is located on Level 5 of the Natalie Bell Building, accessible by lift from Level 4.
  
• Multi-faith and contemplation room: Located on Level 4 of the Natalie Bell Building, off Room 2 of Materials and Objects, this space is available for prayer, worship, and quiet reflection.
  
• Quiet rooms: Two quiet rooms are available for neurodiverse visitors, families, or anyone seeking a calm environment. One is on Level 4 (accessed from Room 7, Materials and Objects), and the other is on Level 2 (accessed from Room 4, Artist and Society).
  
• Cloakroom: Cloakroom facilities are free of charge, and all large items must be left there during visits.
  
• Learning spaces: Tate Modern includes learning spaces such as Tate Exchange, which features a study centre, studio space, workshops, and seminar areas.

Visiting with family

• Baby changing facilities: The Baby Care Room on Level 0 plus nappy-changing in toilets on all floors make care stops easy.
  
• Pushchair and stroller friendly: All entrances and floors are step-free with lifts and ramps, so pushchairs move easily throughout.
  
• Rest areas: Seating and benches are available throughout public spaces and concourses for quick breaks.
  
• Kid-friendly dining: Espresso Bar and Terrace Café serve snacks and light meals suitable for families between galleries.
  
• Engaging spaces for children: Tate Modern often hosts family activities and art play areas to keep kids involved and creative.

Rules and restrictions

• All bags and carry-ons are subject to security screening on arrival. Bags and items larger than cabin bag size (55cm x 40cm x 20cm) are not permitted in the building.
  
• Electric skateboards, scooters, and folding bikes are not allowed in the galleries but can be stored in the cloakroom.
  
• Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere within the building.
  
• Eating is allowed on the concourses and in the Turbine Hall. Food and drink are not permitted in the gallery spaces.
  
• Photography for personal use is allowed unless stated otherwise. Flashes, camera supports, and selfie sticks are not permitted.
  
• Artworks and displays must not be touched.
  
• Only service and assistance dogs are welcome throughout the museum. Other animals are not permitted.

Insider tips

• Weekends can be busy at the Turbine Hall entrance, with lines often 40 to 60 minutes long. Try entering via the Blavatnik Building on Park Street, which is usually quieter and puts you close to the modern galleries. 
  
• The permanent collection has over 70,000 works spread across Tate Britain and Tate Modern’s multiple floors and trying to see everything usually takes 2 to 3 hours. Grab a map to chart out everything you want to see first before the crowds arrive.
  
• The Level 4 quiet room and the Level 10 viewing terrace are far calmer than the main galleries. They are ideal for resting, decompressing, or taking photos without heavy foot traffic.
  
• Eating on the concourses or in the Turbine Hall saves time and avoids repeated security checks. Grabbing food before entering gallery spaces helps keep your visit smooth and uninterrupted.
  
• Some artworks include flashing lights, strobe effects, smoke, or loud sounds. Checking the museum visual story in advance helps set expectations.