The comparison at a glance
| Option | Price (October 2026) | What you get | Who it suits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official ticket, EEA resident | €22 | Entry at a timed slot | Independent visitors from the EEA | |
| Official ticket, other visitors | €32 | Entry at a timed slot | Independent visitors from outside the EEA | |
| Under 18s, EEA residents under 26 | Free | Entry with a booked slot | Young people, families | |
| Resold ticket alone | More than the official price | Same entry, no guide | Avoid, unless the official site is sold out | |
| Reserved access with expert guide (Extime Travel) | About $100 | Guide, 2 to 3 h, entry included | First visit, tight budget | See |
| Small group of 12 at most (City Wonders) | About $113 | 3 h, ticket included | Best balance | See |
| Tour with an artist, 6 people at most | About $220 to $249 | 2 h, small group, reserved entry | Art lovers | See |
Source of the official prices: the "hours and admission" page of the Louvre's official site (ticket at €22 for residents or nationals of the EEA, €32 for others), read on 19 October 2026. In a guided tour you pay for the tour: free entry for under-18s does not apply to it.
What the official ticket really gives you
The official ticket is a timed-slot ticket: it lets you enter at the time you choose, for that day. A slot is compulsory in busy periods (for example 17 October to 1 November 2026) and the museum recommends one the rest of the time, even for free entry: always count on booking a slot. The Louvre is open 9 am to 6 pm (until 9 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays) and closed on Tuesdays. Entry is also free on the first Friday of the month after 6 pm, except in July and August.
A reseller selling "just a ticket" sells the same entry: the extra price pays for their service, not for a shorter queue. You go through the security check anyway. Details of the queue are in Louvre sold out: how to get a ticket.
When the official site is enough
- You know the museum and aim for the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and two or three rooms.
- You get in free (under 18, EEA resident under 26): just book your slot.
- You have a Paris Museum Pass: you still need a slot.
- A free slot exists at a time that suits you, preferably Wednesday or Friday evening.
When a guided tour is worth the price
- First visit. Thousands of works on display: without a plan you lose two hours finding your way.
- Little time. A two to three hour tour concentrates the masterpieces.
- The official slot is sold out. Operators book entries in advance and sell them with a guide.
- Children or history lovers. A small group of six to twelve moves faster and asks more questions.
What a tour does not give you: it avoids neither the security check nor the crowd around the Mona Lisa. To compare every tour, read Louvre with a guide: which guided tour to choose.
Pitfalls
- Confusing ticket and slot. A ticket without a slot is not enough on busy dates.
- Street sellers. Buy only from the official site or an identified operator.
- Tuesday. The museum is closed, so do not look for a tour that day.
- Free entry in a guided tour. It does not apply: read what is included.
Our advice
For an independent visit, book the official entry and your slot. For a first time or a sold-out date, choose a small group rather than a ticket resold alone. For more ideas around the museum, see the Louvre page, the Tuileries Garden and museum tickets in Paris.
