MoMA or the Met: comparing tickets, hours and collections

A free day in New York, and you're choosing between the Met and MoMA. Both museums are in Manhattan and both easily take up half your day. At MoMA you can cover all the galleries in one visit; at the Met you won't manage it even in two.

The choice comes down to two questions: how much time you have and what kind of art you're drawn to. The Met is 1.5 million works from Ancient Egypt to Rodin's sculpture and more than two million square feet of space. MoMA is 200,000 works of the 20th and 21st centuries, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Warhol in one building (as of 09/2026, MoMA visitor page).

Below are 12 differences, tables of hours and prices, and a breakdown of the "both museums in one day" option.

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Short answer: Met or MoMA

💡 In short:

• Met: 1.5 million works, Ancient Egypt, European painting, Rodin's sculpture, half a day minimum.
• MoMA: 200,000 works of the 20th and 21st centuries, Van Gogh, Picasso, Warhol, all galleries in four hours.
• The Met is closed on Wednesdays, MoMA is open seven days a week.
• Tickets and hours were checked against the museums' websites (as of 09/2026, MoMA hours and tickets, Met hours and tickets).

One answer for a short trip: go to MoMA if you have four hours and feel closer to 20th-century art. Choose the Met when you're ready to give the museum half a day and want to see Ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages, European painting, and Rodin. An adult ticket costs almost the same, so decide based on time and interests, not budget.

Collections: 1.5 million works vs. 200,000

The permanent collections of the two museums differ most in scale. The Met holds about 1.5 million works, MoMA about 200,000 (as of 09/2026, Met website). Both figures are official, and they explain everything else in this comparison.

© Hugo Schneider · CC BY-SAPhoto: Hugo Schneider, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

MoMA collects modern and contemporary art and does it brilliantly. The museum building takes up less than half the Met's area, so you can cover all the galleries in one visit, but it will take you at least four hours.

You can't do the Met that way. Ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages, European painting, the modern section, and dozens of rooms in between. You pick two or three wings and still leave feeling you didn't see everything. The guided Twisted Metropolitan Museum of Art Tour saves you an hour or an hour and a half of hunting for the right rooms and shows you the highlights without wandering through the wings.

If it's your first visit, don't try to cover the entire Met in one day. Grab a map at the entrance, mark three must-see rooms, and stick to that route. At MoMA you don't need that kind of preparation: the museum is compact and easy to read from the first floor.

The route inside MoMA is predictable: floor by floor, no side wings or forks. The Met is divided into wings by region and era, so between the Egyptian room and European painting you walk through half the museum. Decide in advance what matters most to you and don't waste energy on getting from one section to another.

Winner: the Met for the size and diversity of its collection.

Building and atmosphere

The difference between the museums is visible from the street. MoMA has operated on 53rd Street since 1939 (as of 09/2026, MoMA website). In 2004 the building was renovated by Taniguchi, and in 2019 the museum was expanded. The Midtown building looks like the neighboring office towers, and without the large sign you'd never guess there's a world-class museum inside.

© Photograph by Mike Peel ( www.mikepeel.net ). · CC BY-SAPhoto: Photograph by Mike Peel ( www.mikepeel.net )., CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Met has occupied its current building since 1880 and spans more than two million square feet. The entrance staircase appeared in the TV series Gossip Girl and the films Hitch and Ocean's 8. These same halls host the Met Gala every year on the first Monday in May.

The museum is closed to visitors that day (as of 09/2026, Met calendar), so it's best not to plan your visit for the first Monday in May.

For a first impression and for photos, the Met wins: the classic facade, the wide staircase, and Central Park right behind the building. MoMA is a different scenario: you go there for specific paintings, not for the view.

Winner: Met.

Modern art: who has Van Gogh and Picasso

If the 20th century speaks to you more, both museums have the major names. At MoMA you'll see works by Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, and Warhol, and the entire exhibition is built around modernism.

The Met responds with its own collection: the same Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh, plus a dedicated Rodin collection. Before a first visit, many people assume the Met is all about Egypt and classical art, and they're surprised by the size of the modern section.

© diego_cue · CC BY-SAPhoto: diego_cue, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Contemporary photography is not on this list. For that, head to Fotografiska, a private museum that opened in 2019 (as of 09/2026, Fotografiska).

What this means for you is simple: if 20th-century paintings are your priority, MoMA presents them more densely. At the Met, the same paintings are scattered across a huge building, and you spend time walking between them.

Winner: MoMA.

Temporary exhibitions and special projects

Both museums constantly rotate special projects, and both know how to turn them into events. The most famous exhibition remains Rain Room at MoMA, although the lines were so long that not everyone managed to get in.

At MoMA, the Tim Burton exhibition stood out; at the Met, the costume project China Through the Looking Glass explored Asian influence on fashion.

© Alexandermcnabb · CC BY-SAPhoto: Alexandermcnabb, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The project lineup changes every season, so check the schedule on the museum's official website before your trip (as of 09/2026, MoMA schedule). The permanent collections, meanwhile, aren't going anywhere, and they remain the main reason to visit.

At the Met, the ticket already includes temporary exhibitions and admission to both museum locations on the same day (as of 09/2026, Met tickets), so you won't need to pay extra for special projects. The schedule updates constantly, so check it a week before your trip, not at the museum entrance.

Winner: Met, because temporary exhibitions are already included in the ticket.

Outdoor spaces at the museums

In Manhattan, every open courtyard counts, and the two museums have had different fortunes here. MoMA's sculpture garden operates year-round, and in summer it's the best spot for photos inside the museum.

The Met's rooftop with views of Central Park and Midtown closed on October 19, 2025 for a major renovation. The museum is building a new wing for modern art, set to open in 2030 (as of 09/2026, Met's new wing), and the rooftop will return in expanded form along with it. The terrace was seasonal: it opened from May through late fall, and in winter it was closed anyway. The new wing will have its own terraces with Central Park views, but on the same timeline.

While the terrace remains closed, you can get the same city view from another observation deck. Top of the Rock tickets from GetYourGuide are sold with a specific time slot.

For photos in New York, MoMA's garden remains more convenient: it's inside the museum, and you get there with a regular ticket.

Winner: MoMA, while the Met rooftop is closed.

Where to eat at the museums

MoMA has several dining options at different levels. The Modern restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine with two Michelin stars; it takes reservations and doesn't require a museum ticket, but prices are high.

Cafe 2 and Terrace Cafe on the sixth floor are open only to museum visitors and don't take reservations. At Terrace Cafe in good weather, you sit outdoors.

Tables at The Modern are booked in advance, so decide about lunch before your trip. The cafe on MoMA's second floor is also open only to museum visitors.

If you want to eat outside the museum, nearby in Midtown there's La Bonne Soupe and PizzaArte on 55th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

At the Met, the picture is different. The Dining Room restaurant has closed for good, and the museum is completely overhauling its entire dining system. Chefs Rita Sodi and Jody Williams of Via Carota are developing new projects, the first of which will begin opening in 2027 (as of 09/2026, Met visit plan).

For something simple at the Met, the American Wing Café is open with sandwiches and coffee. The Petrie Court Café is closed for renovations and will reopen on October 1, 2026 (as of 09/2026, Met cafés). The Balcony Lounge is now accessible only to museum members.

Winner: MoMA.

Museum shops

The shops here are not about magnets. MoMA Design Store sells tableware, home goods, jewelry, books, and design objects you actually want to use. Many people come here separately from the museum and spend an hour.

The Met's selection is tied to the collection: art books, prints, jewelry inspired by specific works, reproductions, and logo souvenirs. If you want to bring home something connected to a gallery you saw, this is your option.

For gifts without a ticket, MoMA is more convenient. The MoMA store is often visited without a museum ticket, and its home goods selection is broader.

Things from there actually get used at home, not put on a shelf. At the Met the selection is narrower, but the connection to a specific work is more direct, and the purchase reminds you of the gallery where you saw it. Save souvenirs for the end of your visit so you don't carry bags through the galleries.

Winner: MoMA.

For kids and teens

Both museums have programs for young visitors, so you won't be out of options with children.

The main draw for kids is at the Met: the Egyptian section and the Temple of Dendur. A child walks between the columns and finds themselves in Ancient Egypt; this one gallery alone is enough to carry an entire floor.

For teens interested in contemporary art, MoMA with Warhol and Picasso is a better fit. Just note the free admission age: at MoMA it's up to 16, at the Met up to 12, and that difference matters for a family with two children.

Practical tip for families: at the Met, start with the Egyptian section while the child is still fresh; after that they'll move through the museum more willingly. At MoMA, stick to the bright pop art galleries and don't make the whole floor your goal.

Winner: Met.

App and audio guide

Neither museum makes its own app; both use the same free Bloomberg Connects app, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Inside you'll find audio commentary, self-guided routes, interactive maps, and highlights collections (as of 09/2026, Bloomberg Connects).

For the Met, the app covers both the main building on Fifth Avenue and the Cloisters. Download it before entering the museum: reception in the galleries is spotty, and you'll need the map right away.

The app is free, you don't need to pay for it. It includes ready-made routes for different lengths of time, so you don't have to plan your visit in advance. Bring your own headphones: you'll be the only one listening to the commentary in the galleries.

AIIllustrative image: AI-generated

Winner: tie, the museums share the same app.

Hours and best days to visit

On Friday both museums stay open late; on Saturday only the Met does. On Wednesdays you have one choice: the Met is closed, and MoMA remains on the schedule.

The best time to visit is a weekday morning. Both museums are popular, but MoMA is smaller in area, so it feels more crowded. The Egyptian galleries and the Temple of Dendur at the Met draw the same crowd, but in the large building you can always find a quiet gallery for a breather. In rain and cold, both museums get busier, so arrive at opening.

Winner: tie.

Tickets and prices

A few years ago a MoMA ticket was noticeably cheaper; now the adult rate is almost the same, and price is no longer a deciding factor.

At the Met you pay $30 for an adult ticket (as of 09/2026, Met admission and rates). Free admission applies to children up to age 12, and the pay-as-you-wish scheme is available only to New York State residents and students from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The minimum contribution under this scheme is one cent per ticket, so it's not exactly free.

Your ticket covers both the main building on Fifth Avenue and the Cloisters on the same day. The Cloisters is open six days a week; its closing day is also Wednesday.

MoMA keeps a fixed price with no pay-as-you-wish scheme. Book a timed ticket in advance: it costs you nothing extra and means no line at the entrance.

Met tickets are also sold at the door, so on a quiet weekday you can buy them on the spot. An online Met ticket also saves you time at the ticket counter.

MoMA tickets on Tiqets give you an entry slot and email confirmation.

New York State residents get into MoMA free on select Fridays through the Uniqlo Friday Nights program; reserve your spot in advance. Students from New Jersey and Connecticut can buy Met tickets only in person with a student ID.

A separate note on passes. Go City New York and New York CityPASS include MoMA, while the Met has been removed from these bundles. There is no combined ticket for both museums; the RockMOMA option with the Top of the Rock observation deck is currently on pause.

Location and how to get there

MoMA is in Midtown at 11 West 53rd Street, one block from the 53rd Street station on the E and M lines. From Times Square or Grand Central you can walk there in about 15 minutes.

The Met occupies 1000 Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side, right next to Central Park. The quickest route: take the 4, 5, or 6 train to 86th Street, then walk 15 minutes or take a bus.

The Cloisters is located in Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan. The two museum locations are about 40 minutes apart by subway, so one ticket does not mean one address.

If your hotel is in Midtown, MoMA is within walking distance, while the Met takes half an hour each way. Midtown hotels on Trip.com can help you compare neighborhoods by nightly rate.

Winner: MoMA for convenience.

Can you visit both museums in one day

The museums are about 1.5 miles apart, a 30-minute walk or a short subway ride.

Technically yes, both can be seen in one day. But you won't be able to fully explore them in one day: each museum requires time, and by evening you'll be equally tired either way.

The good news is that you don't need a full day. A few hours in one museum leaves you time for other places in New York.

If your trip is longer than one day, split the museums across different days. That way you can take your time at each one, without rushing and without museum fatigue by evening.

When the choice is a hard one, pick the museum that matches your interests and give yourself three or four hours. The Met and MoMA are in the same city, and nobody is taking a second visit away from you.

Bottom line: what to choose in New York

• Who it's for: The Met, if you're interested in Ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages, costumes, and Rodin's sculptures, and you have half a day.
• Not for: The Met, if you have four hours and want to see the entire museum.
• Who it's for: MoMA, if you prefer 20th-century art, a compact route, and Midtown.
• Not for: MoMA, if you're coming for antiquities and the Egyptian collection.

Ideally, you'd see both museums, but fitting them into one trip isn't always possible. New York doesn't suffer for it: what you didn't see becomes a reason to come back.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Which museum is more famous, the Met or MoMA?

The Met is more famous and more visited. It is the most visited art museum in the US: about 6 million visitors a year versus roughly 2.8 million at MoMA (as of 09/2026, Met website, MoMA website). Its steps and galleries constantly show up in movies, while MoMA has a different kind of fame: this is where Van Gogh's "The Starry Night" hangs.

Do I need to buy tickets in advance?

Yes, and it matters more for MoMA. MoMA sells a limited number of walk-up tickets on a first-come, first-served basis, so buying online guarantees you entry (as of 09/2026, MoMA ticket sales policy). The Met lets you in without a reservation, but an online ticket still saves you time at the entrance.

Can I get into the Met for free?

Almost. The pay-as-you-wish scheme works for New York State residents and students from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, with a minimum contribution of one cent per ticket. It is not exactly free, but the amount is up to you. MoMA has no such scheme, but state residents can get in free on certain Fridays through the Uniqlo Friday Nights program.

Is there a combined ticket or pass for the Met and MoMA?

No. There is no combined ticket that covers both museums. MoMA is included in Go City New York and the New York CityPASS, but the Met has been removed from those bundles. If you plan to visit three or four paid attractions during your trip, a pass pays off, but budget for the Met as a separate line item.

In short: what to book

The bottom line for your trip is simple. The Met is about scale: 1.5 million works, Ancient Egypt, Rodin, and half a day at minimum. MoMA is about density: 200,000 works from the 20th century, Van Gogh, Picasso, Warhol, and four hours. On Wednesdays the schedule makes the choice for you, because the Met is closed.

Book your MoMA ticket with a time slot in advance, and leave the Met for a day when you have time to spare.

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