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Short answer: The museum under the Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse are free and need no ticket; the tram ride to the top needs a ticket, and the National Park Service prints adult prices of $15 to $19 depending on the day. The visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
- Visitor center9 a.m. to 6 p.m.every day; to 8 p.m. Fri and Sat in summer
- Tram, adult$15 to $19price varies by date (NPS)
- MuseumFreeno ticket needed
- Ride length45 to 60 minper NPS; 630 feet up
How we checked: the National Park Service fees, hours and plan-your-visit pages for Gateway Arch National Park, and the ticket site gatewayarch.com. The NPS hours page prints “Last updated: February 17, 2026”; its fees page prints “Last updated: March 30, 2026”. All read on November 3, 2026. Hours, prices, rules, closures and road status change, so check the named agency or business before you rely on them. Anything we could not check is marked Not Confirmed where it appears. General guidance on this page is labelled as general guidance. This is not safety, medical or legal advice; where a safety or legal rule appears, the quoted words are the official source’s own.
Hours
Gateway Arch Hours as Printed
- Visitor center and museumOpen 9:00am to 6:00pm every day in spring, fall and winter; in summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day) open until 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, per NPS.
- Last tramThe last tram leaves one hour before closing (NPS and the ticket site).
- Park grounds5:00am to 11:00pm year round.
- Old Courthouse9:00am to 5:00pm daily.
- ClosedThanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
- Arch Store and cafeNPS: the store closes about 15 minutes before the museum; the cafe is open 9 to 4 on regular hours and 9 to 6 on extended hours.
Tickets and Prices
Tram Ride to The Top, as Printed by NPS
- Adult (16 and up)Starting at $15
- Child (3 to 15)Starting at $11
- Infant (2 and under)Free
- Park pass holderStarting at $12; one pass buys up to four discounted tickets
- Why prices differNPS says prices vary by date of visit, with Peak Visitation Days costing more, and gives the adult range as $15 to $19. Its fees page also prints “Cost $19.00” as a headline figure; both are recorded here.
- Where to buyOnline at gatewayarch.com, at the entrance, or by phone at (877) 982-1410 (NPS fees page).
NPS says to expect 45 to 60 minutes for the tram ride experience, which begins with a short pre-boarding show before the 630-foot ride to the top. The NPS hours page says summer tram tickets sell out early and often and that advance reservations are strongly recommended. The ticket site recommends buying in advance too.
What Is Free
NPS says you can visit the museum, the gift store and the cafe without a ticket, and that the Old Courthouse is free and needs no ticket. NPS says the Old Courthouse reopened to the public on May 3, 2025 with new exhibits. When visitors 16 and up buy tram or movie tickets, $3 of the price goes to the National Park Service as the entrance fee, so an America the Beautiful pass holder skips that $3.
Before You Go
Practical Facts
- SecurityNPS: everyone entering the Arch visitor center passes an airport-style checkpoint; no weapons, including firearms, pepper spray, mace or electronic weapons. The ticket site says to expect about a 15 minute wait at busier times.
- EntranceNPS: visitors enter through the west entrance facing Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse; the Arch legs are exit only.
- AccessibilityNPS: the museum, the documentary movie and the Old Courthouse are accessible; the tram ride to the top is not ADA accessible. Our place page notes a minimum of 96 steps, six flights, as printed by NPS.
- ParkingNPS: parking is not included in tickets; street parking, downtown garages and public transit are common. The ticket site names the Stadium East Parking Garage, $10 for the first five hours with an asterisk, about two blocks away and a 7 to 10 minute walk.
- RiverboatsThe ticket site lists riverboat cruises from March to November, with times that vary; we did not read the cruise schedule.
- Address and phone11 North 4th Street, St. Louis, MO 63102; 314 655-1600 (NPS).
Keep Planning
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gateway Arch free?
Parts are. NPS says the museum, store, cafe and Old Courthouse are free without tickets; the tram ride to the top is a ticketed ride.
How much is the tram ride to the top?
NPS prints adult prices starting at $15 and child prices starting at $11, and says adult prices range from $15 to $19 depending on the day. Check the ticket site for the day you want.
How long does the tram ride take?
NPS says to allow 45 to 60 minutes for the Tram Ride to the Top experience, and the ticket site says to allow one hour.
Can everyone ride the tram?
NPS says the tram ride to the top is not ADA accessible. The museum, documentary movie and Old Courthouse are accessible.
Sources
- NPS Gateway Arch, fees and passes, read November 3, 2026 (page says last updated March 30, 2026)
- NPS Gateway Arch, operating hours and seasons, read November 3, 2026 (page says last updated February 17, 2026)
- NPS Gateway Arch, plan your visit, read November 3, 2026 (page says last updated January 21, 2026)
- Gateway Arch ticket site, plan your visit, read November 3, 2026 (operator page, no update date printed)
Read on November 3, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's Missouri, “Gateway Arch Tram, Museum and Old Courthouse: Tickets and Hours”, itsmissouri.com/visit/tours-and-day-trips/gateway-arch-tram-and-museum/ (updated ). By the It's Missouri editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.