Where to Buy Cheap Louvre Tickets: Tips and Fast-Track Entry Strategies

The Louvre is the world’s largest and most visited art museum. Even if you’re not an art buff, you’ve definitely heard of this place—and of course, the “Mona Lisa.” Most visitors to Paris remember the famously long lines outside. With the easy‑going pace of Parisian service, buying tickets on the spot can mean waiting one to two hours just to get in. If you’d rather spend that time inside the galleries, here’s your fast‑track guide.
Why you should plan for fast entry
If Paris is on your itinerary, the Louvre is a must. The catch? It’s incredibly popular. Even on weekdays, queues can snake across the courtyard. Buying tickets at the door often means waiting an hour or two—frustrating and tiring. To save time and keep your trip stress‑free, buy a fast‑track ticket in advance. You’ll skip the ticket office lines and head straight to security, often entering within minutes. For tight schedules, a “Skip‑the‑Line” ticket can save you an hour or more—time much better spent appreciating the art instead of standing in line.
Opening hours & best times to visit
The Louvre is open on Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Wednesdays and Fridays there’s an evening session until around 9:45 p.m. The museum is closed on Tuesdays. Note that last entry is typically one hour before closing, and galleries start clearing 30 minutes before closing—so don’t arrive at the last minute.
To avoid crowds, aim for one of these windows. First, the first two hours after opening (9:00–11:00) are the quietest and ideal if you want to head straight to the “Mona Lisa” or other crowd‑pleasers. Second, the Wednesday and Friday evening sessions after 6:00 p.m. are calmer with a special atmosphere—great if you don’t mind a later visit. Weekends and French public holidays are the busiest; avoid them if you can.
How long should you stay? If you just want the highlights (“the big three” and a few favorites), 1–2 hours can work. For a more rounded visit, plan 3–6 hours. Art lovers should budget most of a day to wander and learn at a relaxed pace. Aim to arrive 30 minutes early so security doesn’t feel rushed. If your ticket has a time slot, be punctual—late arrivals may be asked to re‑queue.

Where to buy the cheapest tickets
Book your tickets before you go. Lines at the museum can be extremely long, and walk‑up purchases often waste an hour or more. The easiest options are trusted online platforms like GetYourGuide, Klook, and KKday—or you can buy directly from the Louvre’s official website. Each has pros, cons, and different pricing; here’s a quick comparison.
GetYourGuide offers the widest selection—over 400 Louvre options, from standard entry to guided tours, VIP access, and family tickets. Time slots are frequent (every 30 minutes), and pricing is usually the lowest among the three platforms, often around €22 (about HK$200), making it excellent value.
Klook is slightly pricier—around €29.4 (about HK$267) Time slots are typically hourly rather than every 30 minutes. Some ticket types must be exchanged at the PARISCityVISION service center a 5‑minute walk from the Louvre. If you’re familiar with Klook’s interface and Chinese support, it’s still straightforward.
KKday sits in the middle at about €25 (about HK$227). It also offers fast‑track entry with half‑hour slots, but with fewer activity options overall (around ten). Some tickets also require exchange at PARISCityVISION.
Louvre official website tickets are also €22. The trade‑off is a mainly English/French interface and fewer flexible options compared with third‑party platforms.
Item | GetYourGuide | Klook | KKDay |
---|---|---|---|
Entry time slots (Louvre Museum) | Every 30 minutes | Every 30 minutes | Every 30 minutes |
Ticket price (EUR) (Louvre Museum) | 22 | 29.4 | 25 |
1. GetYourGuide – Priority Entrance Ticket from €22 (approx. HK$200)

Among all platforms, GetYourGuide offers the largest number of activities, with over 430 Louvre ticket-related options, giving you great flexibility. Whether it’s a standard ticket, guided tour, VIP entry, or family package, you’ll find it here. Entry slots are frequent, with one every 30 minutes, meaning almost no waiting time. Ticket prices start from just €22 (approx. HK$200), depending on the date and time slot.
There is also a special ticket priced at HK$313, which includes priority skip-the-line access with a host and direct entry to the Mona Lisa. This option not only saves you time but also comes with staff guidance to ensure you reach the Mona Lisa smoothly.
Purchase link (standard ticket): https://www.getyourguide.com/paris-l16/louvre-museum-skip-the-line-entrance-ticket-t145779
Purchase link (priority with host & direct to Mona Lisa): https://www.getyourguide.com/paris-l16/paris-priority-access-louvre-with-host-direct-to-mona-lisa-t430922
2. Klook – Louvre Museum tickets from €29.4 (about HK$267)

Klook tickets Pricing starts from €29.4 (about HK$267). If you choose an option with a “Mona Lisa accompaniment,” it’s around HK$605 per ticket. Some tickets must be exchanged at PARISCityVISION (about a 5‑minute walk).
Book here: https://www.klook.com/zh-TW/activity/7467-louvre-museum-skip-the-line-ticket-paris/
Note: Some tickets require redemption at the PARISCityVISION service center, about a 5‑minute walk from the Louvre.

3. KKday – Louvre Museum (Fast Track) from €25 (about HK$227)

KKday is similar to Klook with priority entry and half‑hour slots, but it offers fewer activities (around ten). Some tickets can also be redeemed at PARISCityVISION. Pricing starts from €25 (about HK$227)—cheaper than Klook but a touch more than GetYourGuide. If you miss your reserved time slot, you may need to join the general queue.
Book here: https://www.kkday.com/zh-hk/product/185501
Buy your tickets online in advance (must‑do)
My strong advice: buy your Louvre tickets online in advance and pick a “priority/skip‑the‑line” option. You can easily save an hour or more. The Louvre is busy every day of the year—even the earliest time slots can be crowded. Showing up to choose a queue and buy tickets on site is rarely worth it. On my last visit I used GetYourGuide, received an e‑ticket, and used the “Skip the Line” lane—it was noticeably faster. I walked straight in with almost no waiting, which made the visit much more enjoyable.

Entrances & security
After you’ve got your ticket, the next crucial step is choosing the right entrance and clearing security. The Louvre is huge and has multiple entrances. Picking the wrong one can add a lot of waiting time, so it helps to know your options before you go.
The most iconic entrance is the Glass Pyramid (Pyramide du Louvre). It’s the landmark—and also the most crowded, especially in peak season. Lines here can stretch across the plaza. If you don’t mind skipping the photo‑op, there are alternatives.
Carrousel du Louvre is the underground mall entrance off Rue de Rivoli. You can enter through the mall and walk straight into the museum. It’s usually quieter than the Pyramid and is perfect on rainy or cold days.
Porte des Lions (Lions’ Gate) sits on the southwest side near the Seine. It’s not exactly hidden, but generally less busy. It used to serve mainly groups; now individual visitors can often enter here too—an efficient, lower‑profile choice.
All visitors go through airport‑style security. Bags go through scanners and you’ll pass a metal detector. Avoid large luggage or too many items—they slow you down. Travel light with essentials like phone, wallet, ID, camera, and a small bottle of water to speed things up.
If you’ve bought a “Skip the Line” ticket, make sure you follow the correct priority lane. Some visitors accidentally queue with standard entry and lose their advantage. Watch the signage and choose the lanes marked “Priority / Skip the Line” to get inside within minutes.
Tips & highlight route
When buying, compare prices and time‑slot availability across platforms. GetYourGuide is often the best value with fast e‑ticket delivery and plenty of choices—from simple entry to full guided tours. First‑timers might consider a guided tour to learn more and navigate efficiently.
The Louvre is enormous—“you could walk forever” is only a slight exaggeration—with hundreds of thousands of items. Without a plan it’s easy to get lost and miss the highlights. Pick your must‑sees first, then build a simple route. A smart 2–3 hour “highlights” loop hits the essentials without wearing you out.
Mona Lisa (Denon Wing, 1st floor): the museum’s most popular painting. Go first thing in the morning for easier photos.
Winged Victory of Samothrace (Denon Wing, Daru staircase): a dramatic marble masterpiece that greets you from the stairs—goosebumps guaranteed.
Venus de Milo (Sully Wing): the timeless Greek statue of the goddess of love and beauty; the “missing arms” are part of its legend.
If you’ve got extra time, add Napoleon III Apartments for a taste of royal‑level splendor, or explore the Ancient Egypt galleries for a time‑travel feel.

Suggested itinerary
I usually dedicate a full morning to the Louvre—it’s vast. If you’re short on time, check the map in advance and mark your must‑see works like the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Venus de Milo. After the big highlights, wander the nearby galleries at your own pace. When your feet need a break, rest in the seating areas and recharge. Comfortable shoes are a must—covering the whole museum is no joke!
If you’re interested in more attractions, check out tickets for the Louvre, Palace of Versailles, and the Eiffel Tower. You might also consider the Paris Pass or Paris Museum Pass—great value for sightseeing with priority lanes at many spots.
Practical tips
Download a guide app. The Louvre’s official app includes maps and gallery locations with route guidance so you won’t get lost; there are also third‑party audio guides if you prefer narrated tours—ideal for first‑time visitors. Travel light for faster security. Large bags aren’t permitted and heavy loads make a long visit exhausting. Stick to essentials—phone, camera, wallet, ID, and a small bottle of water—so you move quickly and comfortably.
Daily opening hours (summary)
Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; open late to 10:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays; closed on Tuesdays.
How to get there
Metro: Lines 1 or 7 to Palais‑Royal–Musée du Louvre.
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