The V&A Museum (London, England)

• There are usually no waiting lines to see the main collections at the V&A.

• Afternoons are less crowded than mornings, along with Friday’s extended hours (some galleries are closed on Friday nights, plan beforehand which ones you want to visit).

• Saturday is the busiest day. Thursday tends to be the calmest one, followed by Monday and Wednesday.

• Friday is quite busy in the morning and early afternoon, but during extended opening hours you’ll be able to discover the galleries at your pace and without crowds.

• Avoid the UK school holidays’ period (or come in the evening if you arrive on these dates) and bank holidays.

• Sunny days will bring less visitors to the V&A than rainy ones.

• The museum is really big, so even if you see lots of people at the entrance - you shouldn’t worry. In V&A’s galleries the flow will quickly spread over different levels and rooms.

• The entrance to see the main collection is free.

• There are cloakrooms at the entrance.

• Take a map and study it carefully before starting your visit: choose the galleries you’d like to visit more than others and head there. V&A is very big, it’s impossible to see all of the rooms in a day.

• Two restaurants are available in the museum, with a popular V&A café, the first museum restaurant in the world.

• Don’t miss the museum’s highlights: check them here or in the video below.

• Join the daily one hour free introductory tour: it starts at 10.30, 12.30, 13.30 and 15.30. All free tours and talks can be consulted here.

Be aware of the schools mornings From 10.15am until 12.00pm on some days Tuesdays to Thursdays.

Photo credits to stu smith via Flickr

Temporary exhibitions can attract lots of visitors and that’s where you’ll find waiting lines and crowds inside. Avoid to visit the museum during opening and closing weeks, when the number of visitors is always higher. You can check the current and upcoming exhibitions on the museum’s website.

You can also book your ticket online for those expositions that have a paid entrance, it will guarantee your place and help you to skip the line. Look for the “book your ticket” link on the dedicated V&A page to find available dates and time slots. Advance online and telephone tickets must be booked at least 24 hours prior to visit.

Friday Late takes place every last Friday of the month, starting from 18.30 p.m., with a number of live performances, cutting-edge fashion, film, installations, debates, special guests and DJs, with bars, food, and late-night exhibition openings.

The event is held on a first come, first served basis. You should arrive in advance to guarantee your place, because when the event reaches capacity, the entry is operated on a one-in-one-out principle. Entrance is free.

If you are a V&A Member, corporate member or you have a ticket to an exhibition please use the Exhibition Road entrance. If not - you should use the main entrance on Cromwell Road.

Photo credits to lingjing yin via Flickr