Tickets: How to Buy and Save

There are two ways to get tickets: online or on site.

Buying online Palais Garnier is smaller than many of Paris's other landmarks, but it draws plenty of visitors, and daily entry is capped, so showing up and buying on the spot isn't always possible. If you're set on visiting, book in advance on the official website. Reservations open 60 days ahead, with time slots on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For a step-by-step guide to booking, see the TourLive blog link under "Learn More" at the bottom of this script.

Adults are visitors aged 26 and over; ages 12 to 25 pay a reduced youth rate, and children under 12 get in free. If you buy an age-based discount ticket, your ID may be checked at the entrance, so bring your passport. Prices can change from year to year, so check the official website for current rates.

Buying on site You can also buy tickets at the palace, either at a kiosk or at the ticket office. Kiosks accept card payments only, so if you want to pay in cash, you'll need to use the ticket office, which is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

No Museum Pass Some visitors arrive expecting to use a Museum Pass, but Palais Garnier doesn't accept it. You'll need to buy a separate ticket.

How to get a discount Admission isn't cheap, but there's a way to save besides age discounts. If you have a ticket from the Musée d'Orsay or the Musée Gustave Moreau from within the past 8 days, you can buy a discounted ticket for 10 euros. Choose the discounted ticket when booking online or buying on site, and be sure to bring the museum ticket as proof.

Prices and discount policies can change at any time, so double-check them on the official website as well.