The British Museum vs Tate Modern
Quick answer
The British Museum and Tate Modern are two of London's essential museums — one a history & archaeology museum, the other a modern & contemporary art museum. Here is how they compare on admission, highlights, and time needed. World Museum Guide compares admission, highlights, and time needed side by side — both The British Museum and Tate Modern have full visitor guides below.
London, United Kingdom
The British Museum
✓ Free standard admission
⏱ 2–4 hours
London, United Kingdom
Tate Modern
✓ Free standard admission; charges for special exhibitions
⏱ 2–3 hours
Side by side
| The British Museum | Tate Modern | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | London, United Kingdom | London, United Kingdom |
| Museum type | History & Archaeology | Modern & Contemporary Art |
| Admission | Free | Free |
| Free entry | Permanent collection always free · Special exhibitions ticketed | Permanent collection always free · Special exhibitions ticketed |
| Time needed | 2–4 hours | 2–3 hours |
| Closed | — | — |
| Standout works | Rosetta Stone; Parthenon Sculptures (Elgin Marbles) | The Snail; CAPITAL |
| Good for | History Enthusiasts, Families, First-timers, Art Lovers | Art Lovers, Contemporary Art, Families, First-timers |
Facts from our verified data file (last verified 2026-06-30) — confirm on each museum's official site before travelling.
Choose The British Museum if…
Choose The British Museum for Rosetta Stone and Parthenon Sculptures (Elgin Marbles) — standard admission is free. Allow 2–4 hours.
Choose Tate Modern if…
Choose Tate Modern for The Snail and CAPITAL — standard admission is free. Allow 2–3 hours.
Visiting both
Both are in London. With 2–4 hours suggested for one and 2–3 hours for the other, combining both in a single day is ambitious — two days is more comfortable.