JAKARTA – A significant change is coming for visitors to one of Indonesia's premier cultural institutions. The National Museum of Indonesia has officially announced that it will adjust its entry ticket prices, effectively doubling the current rates for most visitor categories, starting on the first day of 2026. This move, communicated through the museum's official social media channels, is framed as a committed effort to improve and enhance the quality of services offered to the public in the new year.
The price adjustment represents a substantial shift from the longstanding fee structure. For domestic adult visitors, the ticket price will rise from IDR 25,000 to IDR 50,000 per person. Perhaps more notably, the policy of free entry for senior high school and university students will be discontinued. Starting next year, students from PAUD/TK through to SMA levels will be required to pay an entrance fee of IDR 30,000.
The new pricing schedule introduces a more tiered system. Children aged 0-3 years will continue to enjoy free admission. However, the previous rate for children aged 3-12 years, which was IDR 15,000, has been consolidated into the new standard student rate. The most dramatic increase is reserved for foreign tourists, whose ticket price will triple from IDR 50,000 to IDR 150,000. Foreign residents holding a KITAS work permit will be charged IDR 50,000.
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Group visits will also see increased costs but will retain a discounted rate. For groups with a minimum of 50 people per category, student groups will be charged IDR 24,000 per person, while adult groups will pay IDR 40,000 per person. The museum has confirmed that access to the immersive "Ruang Imersif A" exhibition space will remain separately priced at IDR 35,000, unchanged from the current rate.
In its official statement, the museum's management emphasized that the decision is part of a broader commitment by "Museum dan Cagar Budaya" to continuously elevate the standard of visitor services. The additional revenue generated is anticipated to be channeled back into museum operations, potentially funding facility upgrades, new exhibitions, conservation projects, and educational programs.
This policy shift is likely to spark discussion among regular visitors, student groups, and cultural enthusiasts. The museum, often affectionately called "Museum Gajah" due to the iconic elephant statue in its courtyard, is a central hub for historical and archaeological education, housing vast collections that trace the archipelago's rich cultural journey.
The timing of the announcement, just days before the new rates take effect, gives the public a short window to plan final visits under the old pricing scheme. It also prompts a wider conversation about the balance between maintaining affordable public access to cultural heritage and securing necessary funding for institutional sustainability and growth.
As 2026 approaches, the National Museum of Indonesia steps into a new chapter. The success of this new financial model will be measured not only by its balance sheet but also by the tangible improvements in the visitor experience and the institution's enhanced ability to preserve and present Indonesia's national story for future generations