Visiting Tate Modern is a must for any art enthusiast. With international pieces spanning over 100 years, it’s one of the world’s largest modern and contemporary art museums.
With so much to see and explore, planning your Tate Modern visit is important. It’s easy to get lost and miss out on fantastic exhibitions since there are so many collections, galleries, shops, and cafes.
Whether you’ve already made your Tate Modern booking or are considering visiting soon, here’s everything you need to know to prepare for your trip.
Planning your trip to the Tate Modern
The Tate Modern spans 34,500 sq metres of internal floor space. It has several ongoing displays as well as exciting temporary exhibitions.
Some of Tate Modern’s ongoing art displays include:
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Artist and Society: 138 artworks across 12 rooms. They reflect aspects of the societies, issues, and social realities in which the artists created them. Highlights include Teresa Margolles’ Flag I (2009) and Nicole Eisenman’s The Darkward Trail (2018).
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In The Studio: 125 artworks across 11 rooms. Highlights here include Lee Krasner’s Gothic Landscape (1961), René Magritte’s Man with a Newspaper (1928), and Cy Twombly’s Untitled (Bacchus) (2008).
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The Tanks: Live art, performances, and film and video work across two rooms, including The Hidden Conference by Rosa Barba.
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Start Display: Some of Tate Modern’s best-loved pieces across two rooms. Those include Winifred Nicholson’s Moonlight and Lamplight (1937) and Maria Lalic’s History Painting 8 Egyptian. Orpiment (1995).
Current and upcoming exhibitions at Tate Modern include:
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Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms: Until 28 April 2024
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Expressionists - Kandinsky, Münter and the Blue Rider: 25 April to 20 October 2024
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Women in revolt! Art and activism in the UK 1970-1990: 8 November 2023 to 7 April 2024
Exhibitions vary in length and timing, so it’s worth checking the What’s On page. There, you’ll find details about all four Tate museums in the UK. You can also narrow your search to reveal only the information related to Tate Modern visiting.
Tate Modern opening times
Tate Modern opening times are from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday to Sunday. The last entry is at 5:30 pm.
To get the most out of the experience, it’s best to visit Tate Modern earlier in the day and allow plenty of time to get around. Four hours should be enough. If you’re travelling with children, it may be worth planning a few breaks at the on-site cafes.
How to get tickets to Tate Modern
General admission to Tate Modern is free. You can also enjoy unlimited free entry to the permanent collections. You can turn up on the day without booking in advance.
Admission prices to temporary exhibitions range between £10 and £25. It is possible to buy exhibition tickets on the day. However, if you want to avoid disappointment, it’s best to purchase in advance. Their website showcases all the available Tate Modern tickets to book.
Children aged 12 to 18 and Tate Collective members aged 16 to 25 can access exhibitions for £5. Visitors with a disability are also eligible for concession rates. Up to four children aged 11 and under go free per one parent or guardian.
Tate Members enjoy unlimited free entry to exhibitions. No need to book. You can turn up with your card and present it at the ticket desk. There are a few rare exceptions, so it’s worth double-checking before visiting.
How to get into the Tate Modern building
Once you’ve decided when to come or booked your tickets and chosen your Tate time online, there are a few ways to enter the gallery.
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Turbine Hall: Located on Holland Street and provides ramp access to Level 0. It also provides access to the Blavatnik Building and Natalie Bell Building
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Blavatnik Building: Located on Park Street
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Switch House: Located on Summer Street and connects to Level 1
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Terrace Entrance: Located on Summer Street and connects to the Bar and Terrace Shop
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River Entrance: Located on Queen’s Walk with wheelchair and pram access
Accessible parking spaces are available via Park Street. Please note that there is a limited amount of spaces, and you must book them at least 24 hours in advance.
The best time to visit Tate Modern
Tate Modern is open year-round, only closed for Christmas on December 24th, 25th, and 26th.
If you’re visiting the gallery for a specific exhibition, plan your Tate Modern booking online ahead of time. Some displays are more popular than others. Some last for several months, and others only a few weeks.
School holidays and weekends are busier than weekdays. So, if you’re a solo traveller with a flexible schedule, visiting during the week might be more relaxing. Otherwise, the quietest times of day to visit Tate Modern are mornings and late afternoons.
For families, there’s plenty to see and do at Tate Modern. Prams and buggies are welcome. In addition, if you prefer a quiet room to breastfeed, there’s a Baby Care Room on Level 0.
Once you finish with the gallery, there are plenty of other family day trips in London to consider.
How to get to Tate Modern by train
Located in the heart of London, Tate Modern is accessible by public transport. Taking parking and congestion fees into account, it’s usually the most convenient and cost-effective way to travel.
Before you finalise your Tate Modern booking, let’s explore some of the best ways to get there by train.
From Manchester to Tate Modern by train
A direct train from Manchester Piccadilly to Euston Station takes two hours and six minutes.
Trains run regularly from Manchester to London on weekdays from 5:05 am. On weekends, the first train from Manchester leaves at 8:05 am.
From Euston station, take a short walk to St Pancras International and catch a nine-minute train to Blackfriars. Tate Modern is then only a 400m walk away.
From Wolverhampton to Tate Modern by train
Direct trains from Wolverhampton to London Euston take approximately one and a half hours.
The first train on a weekday leaves at 5:00 am and weekend trains start at 8:00 am. From Euston station, you can change to the train from St Pancras to Blackfriars.
If you fancy a walk via some of London’s landmarks, you can jump on the Northern Line from Euston to London Bridge and stroll for 1.4km to the Tate Modern. You can even pop by Borough Market for some delicious treats en route.
From Edinburgh to Tate Modern by train
Direct trains from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London Euston take four hours and 20 minutes. First weekday trains leave at 5:40 am, and weekend trains start at 7:55 am.
Other train routes to London and Tate Modern
Whether it’s Coventry, Preston, Liverpool, or Milton Keynes, there are many direct London trains to choose from. There is more information available on the Avanti West Coast trains to London page.
The nearest tube to Tate Modern
In Central London, you’re never too far from a tube station. The closest stations to Tate Modern are:
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Southwark: Jubilee Line, approximately 600m
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Blackfriars: District and Circle Line, approximately 800m
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St Paul's: Central Line, approximately 1.1km
Tubes generally run very well in London, but it’s always good to keep an eye on the Transport for London website for updates, delays, and handy maps.
Planning your visit to Tate Modern by train with Avanti
Planning your Tate Modern visit ahead of time will help you get the best out of your trip. For inspiration on what else to do while in London, check out our handy guide to London attractions.
To save money on your train to Tate Modern, book tickets in advance. The earlier you book, the more you save.
Railcards are also a great way to get cheaper travel, and they’re not only for teenagers and senior citizens. Take a look at the various Railcards available and see if you could make some big savings on your next train journey.
