Coptic Cairo Entrance Fee: Updated Ticket Prices, Passes and Tips for Visiting
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Discover the current Coptic Cairo entrance fee, opening hours, ticket options and practical tips for visiting this historic Christian quarter in Old Cairo, Egypt.
Coptic Cairo Entrance Fee – Complete Guide for Visitors
Coptic Cairo (also known as Old Coptic Cairo or Masr al-Qadima) is one of the most important Christian heritage areas in the Middle East, home to ancient churches, a synagogue, and the Coptic Museum. Understanding how the Coptic Cairo entrance fee works is essential for planning a visit and budgeting your time and money correctly.
Unlike some single-site attractions, “Coptic Cairo” is a historic district made up of multiple religious and heritage sites. Several landmarks can be entered for free, while others, especially museums, have paid tickets. Below is a fact-based, source-backed guide to fees, tickets, and what to expect.
What Is Coptic Cairo?
Coptic Cairo is a historic area within Old Cairo that includes some of the oldest Christian churches in Egypt, as well as the Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Coptic Museum. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities describes the Coptic Museum as housing the world’s largest collection of Coptic Christian artifacts, with over 16,000 pieces from the early Christian period to early Islam.
Source: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities – Coptic Museum overview: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/museums/coptic-museum
Key sites typically visited in Coptic Cairo include:
• The Coptic Museum
• The Hanging Church (Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church)
• Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church (Abu Serga)
• Church of St. George (Greek Orthodox)
• Church of St. Barbara
• Ben Ezra Synagogue
Entrance to the streets and many churches is free, but the Coptic Museum – a central highlight – charges an admission fee.
Is There an Overall “Coptic Cairo Entrance Fee”?
There is no single combined “Coptic Cairo entrance fee” to enter the district itself. Coptic Cairo is a neighborhood of Old Cairo and is openly accessible. You can walk into the area, enter its lanes, and visit several churches without paying a general area ticket.
However:
• The Coptic Museum has a paid entry ticket.
• The Ben Ezra Synagogue and churches are generally free to enter, though modesty rules and security checks apply.
• Guided tours, transport, and private experiences add extra cost through tour operators.
As a result, most visitors’ main direct cost inside the area is the Coptic Museum ticket, with optional spending on guides and tours.
Coptic Museum Ticket Price (Main Paid Site in Coptic Cairo)
The Coptic Museum is the primary paid attraction in Coptic Cairo and is operated by the Egyptian government. Official ticket prices are published through Egyptian tourism and museum resources.
According to the Egyptian Museum and Sites official ticket portal and tourism information compiled by the Egyptian Tourism Authority and echoed by reputable travel resources such as Egypt’s official tourism portal “Experience Egypt” and the Egyptian Museum ticket listings:
• Coptic Museum adult foreigner ticket: 240 EGP
• Coptic Museum foreign student ticket: 120 EGP
These values are backed by the official ticket schedule of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities for museums in Cairo, where the Coptic Museum is listed in the foreign visitor category with a standard rate and a discounted student rate.
Sources:
• Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities – list of museum ticket categories and foreign rates, including the Coptic Museum: https://egymonuments.gov.eg
• Experience Egypt (Egyptian Tourism Authority) – museums and ticket guidance referencing Coptic Museum pricing: https://www.experienceegypt.eg
Ticket prices in Egypt are sometimes revised, so always confirm just before you travel via the official Coptic Museum or Ministry of Tourism pages.
Free Sites within Coptic Cairo
While the Coptic Museum has a clear admission fee, several historic churches in the area do not charge a ticket for entry:
• The Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa): One of the oldest churches in Egypt, famously built above a Roman gate. Major travel sites and the National Organization for Urban Harmony highlight it as free to enter, with a focus on donations and modest dress rather than tickets.
Source: National Organization for Urban Harmony – Old Cairo heritage area: http://www.urbanharmony.org
• Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church (Abu Serga): An important pilgrimage site believed to be associated with the Holy Family’s journey in Egypt; entry is generally free.
Source: Egypt’s official tourism information about Old Cairo churches: https://www.experienceegypt.eg/place/old-cairo
• Church of St. George (Greek Orthodox) and Church of St. Barbara: Accessible without a ticket; they are functioning churches rather than ticketed museums.
Source: Experience Egypt – Old Cairo churches and synagogues overview: https://www.experienceegypt.eg/place/old-cairo
• Ben Ezra Synagogue: Historically, visitors could enter without a separate museum-style ticket, though security checks apply. Up-to-date guidance is often provided by local tourism offices and official heritage descriptions of Old Cairo.
Source: Egyptian tourism details on Old Cairo religious sites: https://www.experienceegypt.eg/place/old-cairo
While these sites do not usually charge an entrance fee, donations to support maintenance are often welcome.
Opening Hours for Coptic Cairo and the Coptic Museum
The neighborhood itself does not close as a whole, but individual sites have specific opening hours.
For the Coptic Museum, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities states that most Cairo museums operate roughly from 9:00 to 17:00 daily, with the Coptic Museum following this general schedule except for specific holidays or special circumstances.
Source: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities – museums visitor information: https://egymonuments.gov.eg
Churches in Coptic Cairo typically open from morning until late afternoon or early evening, but hours can vary around religious services and holidays. Confirm service times locally or through the Coptic Orthodox Church’s official communication where available.
Source: Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria – general information and church listings: https://www.copticorthodox.church
How to Buy Tickets for the Coptic Museum
Currently, the Coptic Museum primarily sells tickets on-site at the entrance ticket office. When you arrive in Coptic Cairo, you pass through a security checkpoint, and the museum entrance is clearly signposted.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has been rolling out electronic ticketing for many major museums and archaeological sites in Egypt; updated information on whether online tickets are available for the Coptic Museum is usually posted through the Ministry’s official portals.
Source: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities – e-ticketing announcements: https://egymonuments.gov.eg
Visitors who prefer a package experience can also book guided tours of Old Cairo or “Coptic Cairo tours” through certified tour operators. These tours usually bundle:
• Transport from your hotel
• A professional guide
• Entry fees for the Coptic Museum
Always check that the tour operator uses official ticket prices and is licensed by the Egyptian Tourism Federation or Ministry of Tourism.
Source: Egyptian Tourism Federation – licensed tour operators framework: https://www.etf.org.eg
Typical Total Cost of Visiting Coptic Cairo
Exact spending will vary, but you can estimate a basic budget:
• Entry to Coptic Cairo area: Free
• Coptic Museum ticket (foreigner adult): about 240 EGP
• Optional local guide (independent in the area): negotiable, often around 400–800 EGP for a private half-day (source ranges taken from average quotes in licensed Cairo-based tour agencies and price ranges documented on the official Experience Egypt tour partners page).
Source: Experience Egypt – tour partner and product overviews for Cairo & Giza: https://www.experienceegypt.eg/plan/tour-operators
If you book a full-day organized tour of Cairo that includes Coptic Cairo, the Egyptian Museum, and perhaps the Citadel, prices can range widely based on group size and inclusions.
Planning Your Visit: Practical Tips
Dress Code and Respectful Behavior
Coptic Cairo is an active religious area. Both the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and church authorities encourage modest clothing: shoulders and knees covered, with respectful behavior inside places of worship.
Source: Experience Egypt – cultural tips for visiting religious sites: https://www.experienceegypt.eg/plan/travel-tips
Photography
Photography rules differ by site:
• The Coptic Museum may require a separate small fee for camera use, as is common in several Egyptian museums, and may restrict flash.
• Churches often allow discreet photography but may prohibit flashing or photos during services.
Always check posted signs or ask staff before taking photos.
Source: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities guidelines on photography in museums and heritage sites: https://egymonuments.gov.eg
Security and Access
Coptic Cairo is accessed through security checkpoints run in coordination with Egyptian authorities. Bags are usually X-rayed, and you may be asked to walk through metal detectors, in line with security measures implemented across major Egyptian heritage sites.
Source: Egypt State Information Service – security and tourism measures: https://sis.gov.eg
Best Time of Day to Visit
For a more comfortable visit:
• Morning (around opening time) is usually quieter and cooler, especially in summer.
• Weekdays outside major Christian or Muslim holidays are typically less crowded.
The climatic pattern of Cairo—with hot afternoons, particularly from May to September—is documented by the Egyptian Meteorological Authority and general climate data.
Source: Egyptian Meteorological Authority – climate data for Cairo: http://ema.gov.eg
Using EntranceFee.co.za to Compare Costs
Travelers comparing heritage site costs across different countries can use resources such as EntranceFee.co.za, which compiles verified entrance fees and ticket information for attractions worldwide. Looking up the Coptic Cairo entrance fee and related museum charges there is a helpful way to cross-check prices alongside the official Egyptian sources mentioned above:
https://www.entrancefee.co.za/
FAQs about the Coptic Cairo Entrance Fee
- Is there a single ticket that covers all of Coptic Cairo?
No. There is no unified “Coptic Cairo entrance fee.” The district itself is free to enter. The main paid attraction is the Coptic Museum, which has its own ticket, while most churches and the Ben Ezra Synagogue are generally free to enter.
Sources:
• Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities – Coptic Museum information: https://egymonuments.gov.eg
• Experience Egypt – Old Cairo overview: https://www.experienceegypt.eg/place/old-cairo - How much does it cost to visit the Coptic Museum?
The Coptic Museum ticket for foreign adults is listed at 240 EGP, with a 120 EGP student ticket for foreign students. Prices can change, so verify just before visiting through official Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities channels.
Sources:
• Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities museum ticket listings: https://egymonuments.gov.eg
• Experience Egypt – museum guidance: https://www.experienceegypt.eg - Are the churches in Coptic Cairo free?
Yes, key churches such as the Hanging Church, Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Serga), St. Barbara, and the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George generally do not charge admission fees. They are active places of worship, so modest dress and respectful behavior are expected.
Sources:
• National Organization for Urban Harmony – Old Cairo churches overview: http://www.urbanharmony.org
• Experience Egypt – Old Cairo churches: https://www.experienceegypt.eg/place/old-cairo -
Can I buy Coptic Museum tickets online?
As of the latest updates, the primary method is to buy tickets at the Coptic Museum entrance. Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is expanding e-ticketing for museums, so check the official website for any new online ticket options before your trip.
Source: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities – e-ticketing updates: https://egymonuments.gov.eg -
Do I need a guide to visit Coptic Cairo?
A guide is not required, and you can explore on your own by walking between the churches and the museum. However, a licensed guide can add valuable historical and religious context, especially inside the Coptic Museum. You can book guides through licensed tour operators recognized by the Egyptian Tourism Federation or via official tourism channels.
Sources:
• Egyptian Tourism Federation – tour operator framework: https://www.etf.org.eg
• Experience Egypt – tour operator and guide information: https://www.experienceegypt.eg/plan/tour-operators
By understanding how the Coptic Cairo entrance fee structure works—free access to the neighborhood and churches, plus a paid ticket to the Coptic Museum—you can plan your time and budget efficiently while exploring one of Egypt’s most atmospheric and historically rich districts.
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