A serious amendment to the schedule of the Hermitage has been made on January 1, 2019: free entrance to the museum is now on every third Thursday of a month, not first as it had been the case for years.
In principle, the Hermitage museum is open to everyone for free on two special days and (from now on) third Thursdays. It means that free admission to the museum in 2019 is given on:
— January 17;
— February 21;
— March 21;
— April 18;
— May 16;
— May 18 (The International Museum Day);
— June 20;
— July 18;
— August 15;
— September 19;
— October 17;
— November 21;
— December 7 (The Hermitage’s birthday);
— December 19.
The museum is closed:
— on Mondays;
— January 1;
— May 9.
The Hermitage opening hours:
— Tuesday: 10.30 – 18.00 (ticket offices open till 17.00);
— Wednesday: 10.30 – 21.00 (ticket offices open till 20.00);
— Thursday: 10.30 – 18.00 (ticket offices open till 17.00);
— Friday: 10.30 – 21.00 ticket offices open till 20.00);
— Saturday: 10.30 – 18.00 (ticket offices open till 17.00);
— Sunday: 10.30 – 18.00 (ticket offices open till 17.00).
Also keep in mind that a typical free admission day tends to be busy, especially in the summer.
You can easily book excursions online through an international aggregator which secures your payment in your currency and a seat and ensures a safe deal: