Hermitage Museum Tickets
The easiest way to visit the State Hermitage is to buy a ticket online in advance. A ticket to the Main Museum Complex (the Winter Palace and adjoining buildings) is valid for a timed session — you enter within the stated time and can stay until closing. Below are prices, ticket types, concessions and everything to know before you buy.
How much tickets cost (2026)
Approximate prices for the Main Museum Complex. The museum charges in roubles; the US-dollar figures are rough equivalents that move with the exchange rate, so treat them as a guide:
| Ticket | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Standard admission | ≈ $8 (≈ 700 ₽) |
| Evening session (Tue, Fri, Sat from 17:00) | ≈ $6 (≈ 500 ₽) |
| Concession (students, ages 14–18, pensioners, etc.) | ≈ $3.5 (≈ 300 ₽) |
| Children under 18 | free (with a booked ticket) |
Prices change — confirm the current amounts on the official website.
Ticket types
- Main Museum Complex — the main ticket: the Winter Palace state rooms, paintings and collection halls.
- General Staff Building — a separate ticket (the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, across the square).
- Combined ticket — sometimes better value if you want both the Winter Palace and the General Staff Building.
- Guided sessions for the Diamond Room and Gold Rooms — a separate ticket only (roughly $11–17 / 1,000–1,500 ₽), booked ahead.
Concessions and free entry
Children and teenagers under 18 enter free (with a booked ticket). Students, schoolchildren aged 14–18 and Russian pensioners pay a reduced rate — bring a document at the entrance. On certain days entry to the permanent collections is free for everyone; see free admission days.
Where to buy
- Online, on the museum’s official website — the recommended route; you get an e-ticket with a QR code.
- At the box office in the Winter Palace courtyard — subject to same-day availability, which can sell out in high season.
- Self-service machines in the courtyard — a quick alternative to the box-office queue.
Buy only from the official website or the museum’s box office. Resale sites sell the same tickets with a markup.
Paying with a foreign card
Foreign-issued Visa and Mastercard are currently not accepted on the official website. This is the single biggest practical hurdle for overseas visitors. The usual workarounds:
- pay with a Russian Mir card (if you have one), or
- buy a ticket in cash at the box office on the day (bring roubles).
Payment options change from time to time — check before you travel.
Refunds and exchanges
A ticket bought on the official website can usually be refunded or exchanged under the museum’s rules — generally up to a set deadline before your visit. Resellers rarely offer that, which is another reason to buy direct. Check the exact refund terms on the official site.
At the entrance
- Show your QR code (on a phone or printed) at the control point, and arrive within your session time.
- Coats and large bags or backpacks must be left in the cloakroom.
- Amateur photography is generally allowed without flash or a tripod.
Skipping the queue
- Use a timed e-ticket — it has its own entrance.
- Come at opening (11:00) or for an evening session to avoid the midday peak; see also the best time to visit.
- Winter (outside the New Year holidays) is far quieter than summer.
FAQ
How much is a Hermitage ticket? The Main Museum Complex is about $8 (≈ 700 ₽); concession about $3.5, evening sessions cheaper. You pay in roubles — check the official site for exact prices.
Can I pay with a foreign card? Not on the website — foreign Visa/Mastercard aren’t accepted. Use a Mir card or pay cash at the box office.
Where should I buy tickets? Only on the official website or at the museum box office; resellers add a markup.
Do I need to book in advance? In high season, yes — a timed e-ticket saves time and gives you a separate entrance.
Can I get a refund? Usually yes — under the museum’s rules and before a set deadline; check the official website.
Do I need a separate ticket for the General Staff Building or the treasure galleries? Yes. The General Staff Building is paid separately (a combined ticket exists), and the treasure galleries are entered only on guided sessions.
This is an unofficial, informational website. Prices, concessions and payment options change — confirm them on the official museum website before buying.