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Museum · Khedivial
Royal Carriages Museum
How royalty moved before the motorcar
In Bulaq, the Royal Carriages Museum preserves state coaches, horse equipment, uniforms and paintings from the Muhammad Ali dynasty, turning a specialised subject into a window on ceremony and royal life.
About this place
The Royal Carriages Museum in Boulaq traces its origins to the reign of Khedive Ismail, when a specialised service for khedivial carriages and horses was established in the second half of the nineteenth century. It later became the Royal Stables Department, and after the 1952 Revolution the building was converted into a museum preserving a specialised part of Muhammad Ali Dynasty history and royal ceremony.
The museum displays royal coaches, horse tack, equipment, uniforms and paintings connected with the carriage service and ceremonial processions. Its most famous object is the Grand Alay Carriage, a gift from Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie to Khedive Ismail for the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. The collection shows how transport functioned as part of protocol, celebration and public royal image.
It focuses on an unusual side of royal history, showing how coaches, horses, uniforms and ceremony became tools of protocol, spectacle and public power.
Visitor information
- Opening hours
- Sunday — 09:00 – 17:00
Monday — 09:00 – 17:00
Tuesday — 09:00 – 17:00
Wednesday — 09:00 – 17:00
Thursday — 09:00 – 17:00
Friday — 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday — 09:00 – 17:00 - Payment
- Card
- Amenities
- Toilets · Parking · Guides
| Tickets | Price | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Egyptian | 30 | 2026-09-06 |
| Egyptian student | 10 | 2026-09-06 |
| Foreign | 300 | 2026-09-06 |
| Foreign student | 150 | 2026-09-06 |
Highlights
- The Grand Alay Carriage linked to the Suez Canal inauguration
- Official and private royal coaches
- Horse equipment, staff uniforms and oil paintings
Tips from the visit
- One to one and a half hours is enough for most visitors.
- It is especially worthwhile if you are interested in the Khedivial period and Muhammad Ali dynasty.
- The museum has ramps and an elevator for easier access.
Worth knowing
- The ticket office closes at 4:00 PM.
- Large bags are subject to cloakroom rules and flash photography is not allowed.
Location & getting there
40, 26th of July Street, Bulaq Abu al-Ela, Cairo
Nearest landmark: مسجد السلطان أبو العلا
Nearest metro: ماسبيرو
Take Metro Line 3 to Maspero, then continue by short taxi or on foot to 26th of July Street in Bulaq Abu al-Ela.
30.0606, 31.2278
Open in Google Maps ↗Nearby
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