The GEM will finally have its Grand Opening!! Maybe(?)
Rather than going in 2021, we would have only had to wait four more years- that wasn't going to happen. 
Anyway, the Egyptian Government has announced the Grand Opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is scheduled for 3 July this year!! (However, as many have said over the past several years, "Don't hold your breath!" 
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Any idea if it will be a full opening or just the opening of a part of the GEM? They opened the gift shop a few years ago, if I remember correctly.
It been reported that the Tutankhamun artifacts will be finally be displayed at the GEM prior to the grand opening. So it sounds like all the galleries may be open.
We were just there. About 75% of the galleries were open. They are busy at the old museum packing up Tut’s things. The July 3 date looks feasible for a full opening.
It sounds very firm for July 3. I am seriously thinking about returning to Egypt next year.
We are scheduled for J/E in January. I was going over logistics and I was so happy to see that the GEM is right near the Marriott Mena House!! It is a fairly short cab ride, so I imagine if we want to return on our post - tour extra day, it will be pretty easy to just take a cab from the hotel. Interestingly, the day to day itinerary on the web for 2026 is different than the new brochure booklet. In the new brochure booklet they specifically say you visit the Old Egyptian Museum on day 10 and The Grand Egyptian Museum “ late afternoon “ on day 11. Somehow, I doubt a “ late afternoon “ visit will be sufficient ( at least for me..).
MoP - When I was in Egypt, the GEM was still under construction, so I don't know the layout/logisitcs of taxi drop-off. That said, if there is no designated drop-off zone, or bridge/tunnel to cross the street, make sure the taxi drops you off on the same side of the street as the museum. In Cairo, you take your life in your hands trying to cross a street. You'll see what I mean when you get there.
Story on the GEM - https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/travel/grand-egyptian-museum-open-cairo.html
Thank you for this link, Mike! The article, photos and comment section from those that have been there, make me really happy we have made our reservations! Hopefully third time is the charm (First - Covid; second - new onset war; third - the charm).
We visited the GEM April 7 2025. It was amazing.
