For years the honest answer to "how much does it cost to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?" was "nothing". That changed in September 2026, when the mosque introduced a small entry fee for visitors. This guide covers the new ticket prices, who still gets in free, how to book, the current opening hours and the dress code, so you arrive with the right ticket, at the right time and in the right clothes.
Quick answer: Entry to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque now costs AED 10 for tourists and AED 5 for UAE residents with an Emirates ID. Worshippers, visitors aged 60 and over, children under three and People of Determination enter free. Visitors must book online in advance. The mosque is open 9am to 8:30pm Saturday to Thursday, and on Fridays from 9am to 11:30am and 2:30pm to 8:30pm. Women must cover their hair, arms and legs; men need long trousers.
- Tourist ticketAED 10
- UAE residentsAED 5 with Emirates ID
- Free entryWorshippers, 60+, under 3, People of Determination
- Sat – Thu9am – 8:30pm
- Friday9 – 11:30am, 2:30 – 8:30pm
- Free guided tours11am, 1pm, 5pm
Last checked: 10 October 2026, against the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre website and the September 2026 fee announcements. Hours change during Ramadan and Eid, so check the official site before you go.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque entry fee 2026
Until recently, entry was completely free for everyone. In September 2026 the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre introduced paid tickets for visitors, while keeping the mosque free for people who come to pray. The fees are deliberately low, and they cover access to the mosque complex itself.
| Visitor type | Entry fee |
|---|---|
| Tourists (international visitors) | AED 10 |
| Visitors arriving with a tour operator | AED 8 |
| UAE residents and nationals with an Emirates ID | AED 5 |
| Worshippers | Free |
| Visitors aged 60 and over | Free |
| Children under 3 | Free |
| People of Determination | Free |
The tour operator rate was reported by The National; the official booking page shows the rate that applies to your booking. Children aged three and over pay the standard rate for their category, as no separate child price has been announced.
At AED 10, the ticket is still one of the cheapest major attraction tickets in the UAE. The real costs of a visit are transport from Dubai, an abaya if you don't own suitable clothing, and any paid extras such as the museum. We cover all of those below.
Who can still visit for free?
- Worshippers. Anyone coming to pray can enter directly without a ticket.
- Visitors aged 60 and over.
- Children under three.
- People of Determination.
Free entry applies to the mosque itself. Extras such as the Light & Peace Museum and the Diya experience are charged separately for everyone.
The guided cultural tours run by the mosque's own guides are still free. Once you have your entry ticket, you can join one at no extra cost.
How to book Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque tickets
Visitors need to book online and get an access pass before arriving. Here's how it works:
- Go to the official website, szgmc.gov.ae, and choose the visitor booking option.
- Pick your date and time. Bookings open up to one month before your visit.
- Choose your visitor category (tourist, resident, or a free category) and add any extras, such as the museum.
- Save the access pass on your phone and show it at the visitor entrance.
If you are visiting on a tour, ask your tour operator whether the entry fee is included in the price or paid separately. Many tour packages were priced before the fee was introduced and list entry as free.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque opening hours and timings
| Day | Visiting hours |
|---|---|
| Saturday to Thursday | 9:00am – 8:30pm |
| Friday | 9:00am – 11:30am, then 2:30pm – 8:30pm |
On Fridays the mosque closes to visitors over the middle of the day for Friday prayers, and the main prayer hall is closed to tourists from around midday until 3pm. If Friday is your only day, go in the morning or come back after 2:30pm.
Hours change during Ramadan and around Eid, and visiting can be limited during the daily prayer times. The mosque publishes its current schedule on the official website, so check it the day before you go.
Best time to visit
Late afternoon into sunset is the favourite slot for photographers. The white marble turns gold, then the lighting comes on as the sky darkens, and it is the most atmospheric hour of the day. It is also the busiest.
Weekday mornings are the quietest. The courtyard marble also stays cooler, which matters from April to October, when the stone heats up fast in the sun.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque dress code
The dress code is strictly enforced at the entrance, and it is the most common reason visitors are turned away. The rules are simple once you know them.
What women should wear
- Loose clothing that reaches the ankles
- Sleeves that reach the wrists
- Hair fully covered with a scarf or shawl
- Nothing tight, sheer, short or sleeveless
What men should wear
- Long trousers that cover the ankles
- Shirts with at least short sleeves; long sleeves are recommended
- No shorts or sleeveless tops
- Nothing tight, sheer or with slogans
For everyone, clothing with slogans or inappropriate images isn't allowed, and the mosque asks visitors to avoid excessive jewellery and heavy make-up. Children should follow the same rules as adults, and parents are responsible for making sure they do. Shoes come off before you enter the prayer halls.
Do they still lend abayas?
No. The mosque no longer lends abayas to visitors. If you arrive without suitable clothing, you can buy one at Souq Al Jami next to the mosque, for about AED 45. The cheaper option is to bring your own: a long, loose dress or trousers, a long-sleeved top and a large scarf work perfectly well.
Pack a light scarf even if you think your outfit is fine. Sleeves that ride up, hair slipping from under a hat and leggings that turn out to be too tight are the usual reasons visitors get stopped at the door.
Free guided tours and paid extras
Free cultural tours
The mosque's own guides run free tours in Arabic and English that last 30 to 45 minutes and cover the architecture, the Islamic art and the story of how the mosque was built. They start at 11am, 1pm and 5pm every day, and on Fridays at 11am and 5pm only. They're the best way to understand what you're looking at, and they're worth planning your arrival around.
Paid experiences
| Experience | Price | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Light & Peace Museum | AED 25 | An interactive museum about tolerance and coexistence |
| Diya | AED 25 | An immersive 360-degree light and sound experience |
| Museum + Diya combined | AED 40 | Both experiences together |
| Main prayer hall tour | AED 30 | A guided visit inside the main prayer hall |
The mosque also runs evening "Sura" night tours, which are booked separately on the official website.
Rules inside the mosque
- Photos: personal photos with a phone or ordinary camera are allowed at designated photo spots. Professional equipment and commercial shoots need a permit.
- Behaviour: keep your voice low, put your phone on silent, and don't lie down or sit in a way that disrespects the space. Public displays of affection are not allowed.
- Food and drink: not allowed inside the mosque.
- Prohibited items: e-cigarettes, lighters, sharp objects, flags, masks, dolls and stuffed toys, loudspeakers and professional camera equipment without a permit.
- Prayer: visitors on a tour are not permitted to pray inside the main prayer hall.
Visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque from Dubai
The mosque is in Abu Dhabi, near the Maqta, Mussafah and Sheikh Zayed bridges on the edge of the city. From Dubai, expect roughly 90 minutes to two hours by road each way, depending on traffic and where you start. Visitors enter through Al Salam Gate (Gate 6), next to Souq Al Jami.
You have three practical options:
Grand Mosque tour from Dubai
From AED 549
Return hotel transfer in an air-conditioned car with a guided visit to the mosque. Tolls and parking are included.
See the mosque tourAbu Dhabi city tour with Ferrari World
From AED 699
The mosque in the morning, the Corniche and Emirates Palace, then the afternoon at Ferrari World. Price is per group; park tickets are extra.
See the city tourPrivate car with driver
From AED 645
A car and driver for the day, so you can set your own times for the mosque and anything else in Abu Dhabi.
See car with driverPrices as listed on dubextours.com on 10 October 2026. The mosque entry fee is paid separately.
What to combine with the mosque
Qasr Al Watan, the working presidential palace (see our Qasr Al Watan guide), is a short drive from the mosque and pairs well with it, because both are about Emirati architecture and craft. Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island is the other strong choice (see our Louvre visitor guide). Pick one of the two rather than trying to fit everything into a single day.
Tips and mistakes to avoid
Practical tips
- Book your access pass before you leave Dubai. It saves trouble at the entrance.
- Time your arrival for a free guided tour at 11am, 1pm or 5pm.
- Allow about two hours for the mosque itself, more if you add the museum.
- Wear shoes you can slip on and off easily. You remove them before the prayer halls.
- In summer, avoid the middle of the day. The courtyard marble gets very hot under the sun.
Common mistakes
- Assuming entry is still free. Visitors now need a ticket unless they are in a free category.
- Expecting to borrow an abaya. The mosque no longer lends them, so bring suitable clothing or budget for buying one.
- Arriving on Friday at midday. The mosque is closed to visitors between 11:30am and 2:30pm.
- Squeezing it into a rushed half day. With the drive from Dubai, the mosque deserves most of a day.
Planning a family trip? Our guide to family-friendly activities in Dubai covers day trips like this one, and our family holiday planning checklist shows how to fit an Abu Dhabi day into a week.
Visit the Grand Mosque without the driving
Return hotel pickup from Dubai, a guided mosque visit and tolls covered, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Or message us on WhatsApp to plan your day.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque FAQs
Is Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque free to enter?
Not for most visitors anymore. Since September 2026, tourists pay AED 10 and UAE residents with an Emirates ID pay AED 5. Worshippers, visitors aged 60 and over, children under three and People of Determination still enter free.
How much is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque entry fee for tourists?
AED 10 per person. Visitors arriving through a tour operator were reported to pay AED 8.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Visitors should book online on the official Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre website and get an access pass. Bookings open up to one month before your visit.
What are the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque timings?
Saturday to Thursday from 9am to 8:30pm. On Fridays from 9am to 11:30am and from 2:30pm to 8:30pm. Hours change during Ramadan and Eid.
What is the dress code for women?
Loose clothing that reaches the ankles, sleeves to the wrists and hair fully covered. Tight, sheer, short or sleeveless clothing isn't allowed.
What is the dress code for men?
Long trousers that cover the ankles and a shirt with sleeves. Shorts, sleeveless tops, tight clothing and clothes with slogans aren't allowed.
Does the mosque provide abayas?
No, the mosque no longer lends abayas. You can buy one at Souq Al Jami next to the mosque for about AED 45, or bring your own suitable clothing.
Are the guided tours free?
Yes. Free 30 to 45 minute cultural tours run at 11am, 1pm and 5pm daily, and at 11am and 5pm on Fridays. A separate guided tour of the main prayer hall costs AED 30.
How long does a visit take?
About two hours for the mosque itself. From Dubai, plan most of a day once you add 90 minutes to two hours of driving each way.
Is it worth the trip from Dubai?
Yes. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the building most visitors remember from a UAE trip, and the new AED 10 fee changes very little about that. Book your pass, check the dress code before you leave, and try to time your visit for late afternoon, when the marble changes colour and the lights come on.
If you're building a wider itinerary, our top 10 things to do in Dubai covers the Abu Dhabi day trip alongside the city's other highlights, and our best time to visit Dubai guide helps you choose the right season.
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