Is Casablanca worth visiting, or should you skip it for Marrakech?

Yes. Spend at least 2 days there. The Hassan II Mosque alone earns the stop, and the food and architecture scene run stronger than most travelers expect.

How do you get between Casablanca and Marrakech?

Take the train through ONCF. The ride runs 2.5 to 3 hours, and costs little. Buses through CTM and Supratours, and flights, work too.

Which city fits first-time travelers better?

Marrakech. The city runs on tourism and packs the classic Morocco trip into a compact, walkable medina.

Which city fits a longer stay or remote work better?

Casablanca. Better infrastructure, reliable wifi, a real cafe and coworking culture, and lower prices for tourists on longer stays.

Does Marrakech run too touristy now?

Parts of the city, yes, especially the main square and central souks. The city still earns a visit. Budget time to explore past the busiest areas.

Which city costs less, Casablanca or Marrakech?

Neither wins this every time. Marrakech carries more tourist pricing, but you can negotiate it down. Casablanca runs a higher baseline with less markup for foreigners. Compare real prices for your dates instead of assuming.

Can you visit both cities on one trip?

Yes. A 5 to 7 day Morocco trip fits 2 to 3 days in Casablanca and 3 to 4 days in Marrakech, connected by an easy train ride.

Grand Egyptian Museum 2026: The Essential Guide To The World's Best New Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum opened to the public on November 4, 2025 — 103 years to the day after Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb, and after a project that was first conceived in the early 1990s and postponed more than half a dozen times. It’s now the largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization, holding over 100,000 artifacts on the Giza plateau, within sight of the pyramids.

This guide covers what’s actually inside, official 2026 ticket prices, and how booking works now that the museum has moved to online-only entry.

Planning Cairo alongside other stops on your trip? Use our free AI Trip Planner to build a day-by-day itinerary around your dates.

What’s Inside the Grand Egyptian Museum

The Tutankhamun Galleries — a 7,500 m² space displaying all 5,398 artifacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb together for the first time ever, including pieces that spent decades in storage and were never previously exhibited
Khufu’s Solar Boat — a full-size, over 4,500-year-old wooden funerary boat, displayed in its own dedicated museum space
The Grand Staircase and Atrium — the main entrance hall spans 10,000 m² and is lined with large-scale statues, functioning as a chronological introduction to ancient Egyptian history before you reach the main galleries

Grand Egyptian Museum Ticket Prices (2026)

Visitor Category	Price
Foreign adult	EGP 1,450 (~$30 USD)
Egyptian adult	EGP 200
Egyptian child / student / senior	EGP 100

Source: official booking portal visit-gem.com, prices verified March 2026. Since December 2025, tickets are sold online only — walk-in purchases at the museum are no longer available, and entry runs on timed slots, so book ahead rather than showing up without a reservation.

GEM vs. the Old Egyptian Museum (Tahrir Square)

The original Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square is still open and still holds a significant collection, at a much lower entry fee than the GEM. If your time in Cairo is limited, the Grand Egyptian Museum is the stronger single stop — it holds the complete Tutankhamun collection and Khufu’s Solar Boat, neither of which are at Tahrir. Travelers with extra time sometimes do both, since the two collections are largely distinct.

Getting There

The museum sits on the Giza plateau, close enough to the pyramids that many visitors combine both in a single day. Most travelers arrange a taxi, ride-hailing app, or an organized tour from central Cairo rather than relying on public transit, since the museum site is set back from the city’s metro network.

A Practical Note on Safety

The Giza plateau and the museum itself are heavily trafficked, well-secured tourist sites. As with any major attraction, agree on taxi fares before you get in, be cautious of unofficial “guides” approaching near the pyramids, and check your government’s current travel advisory before your trip.

If you’re building out a longer trip, check our Casablanca vs Marrakech guide for another North African city comparison, or use the AI Trip Planner to plan the whole route.

FAQ

When did the Grand Egyptian Museum open?
The museum’s grand opening ceremony took place November 1, 2025, with public entry beginning November 4, 2025 — 103 years after Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb.

How much are Grand Egyptian Museum tickets in 2026?
Foreign adult tickets cost EGP 1,450 (about $30 USD), according to the official visit-gem.com booking portal, verified March 2026.

Can I buy tickets at the door?
No. Since December 2025, the museum sells tickets online only through visit-gem.com, with timed entry slots — walk-in purchases are not available.

Should I visit the Grand Egyptian Museum or the old Egyptian Museum in Tahrir?
If you only have time for one, the GEM is the stronger choice — it holds the complete Tutankhamun collection and Khufu’s Solar Boat. Travelers with more time sometimes visit both, since the collections are largely different.

Is the Grand Egyptian Museum near the pyramids?
Yes, it’s on the Giza plateau within sight of the pyramids, and many visitors combine both into a single day trip.