What is the ROM?
The Royal Ontario Museum is Canada's largest museum of world cultures and natural history, in a historic building with the dramatic crystal-shaped Michael Lee-Chin Crystal extension on Bloor Street.
Highlights include the dinosaur galleries, with a blue whale skeleton and huge Jurassic and Cretaceous specimens; the Gallery of Minerals and its gems; the First Peoples art and culture galleries; one of the best Chinese collections outside China; ancient Egypt; and the bat cave that kids love.
Ticket prices
Prices vary by date and generally rise closer to your visit, so check the ROM's ticketing calendar and lock in a price early. Full-time post-secondary students with ID get free entry on Tuesdays, and there are discounts for transit riders, military and veterans.
Book ahead to pay less and skip the desk
Buying online in advance gets you a lower price and lets you walk past the ticket desk. Everyone still goes through the entrance and bag inspection.
🎟️ Skip the ticket line
Check the crowds, find the best time slot, and book through our authorised partner.
How busy is the ROM?
Our crowd data shows Saturday is the busiest day, followed by Tuesday and Sunday. Thursday and Friday are the quietest days the museum is open. Through the day it builds from opening and peaks from about 1 to 4 pm.
Free Tuesday nights are very busy. Free is great, but expect crowds in the dinosaur galleries. March Break and rainy weekends are the busiest times of year.
Crowds by day and time
From the typical weekly visitor pattern for Royal Ontario Museum, based on Google’s popular-times data.
How to skip the queues
- Book online early for the lowest price and to skip the ticket desk.
- Go at 10 am on a Thursday or Friday.
- See the dinosaurs first, before families arrive after lunch.
- Travel light. Large bags are discouraged, and full-size umbrellas aren't allowed.
- For free night, book your free ticket the moment it's released and arrive at 4 pm.
Getting there
The ROM is at Bloor Street West and Queen's Park, directly above Museum station on subway Line 1. St George (Lines 1 and 2) is a 5-minute walk. From Union Station, it's about 15 minutes by subway.
Mistakes to avoid
- Turning up on a Monday, when it's usually closed.
- Waiting until the day to buy: prices rise closer to your visit.
- Expecting to walk in on free Tuesday night without a reserved ticket.
- Visiting on a Saturday afternoon if you want quiet galleries.
- Trying to see everything in two hours.
Is the ROM worth it?
Yes. It's Toronto's best museum, with something for everyone, especially families. Book early for the best price, go on a weekday morning, and give it at least three hours.
🎟️ Included in the Toronto CityPASS. Could a pass save you money? Compare Toronto tourist passes →
FAQs
How much is the Royal Ontario Museum?
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Adult tickets start from about C$26 with plan-ahead pricing, and rise closer to the date and on busy days. Special exhibition tickets cost more and include general admission.
When is the ROM free?
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On the third Tuesday of each month from 4 to 8.30 pm. You still need a free ticket, released online up to two weeks ahead.
Is the ROM open on Mondays?
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Usually not. The ROM is normally open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am-5.30 pm. Check the official hours for holidays.
Is the ROM included in Toronto CityPASS?
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Yes. Reserve a timed entry through the CityPASS app.
When is the ROM least busy?
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Thursday and Friday mornings. Saturday afternoons are busiest. See our crowd forecast.
Heading to Royal Ontario Museum?
See how busy it is right now and the quietest hours for your date, then walk in when the line is short.
Check live crowds →Sources
How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 1 November 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
