Planning on visiting only 2 museums, is museum pass worth it

The two-day Paris Museum Pass is 42 euros, while the combined entrance fee for both museums is 21. So on grounds of price it's not worth it. It does allow you to skip the security queue at the entrance to the Orsay, which is one of the worst in Paris at busy times, but that's all.

The PMP does cover some attractions outside Paris, but Monet's house is not one of them.

It is possible to buy tickets for both the Louvre and the Orsay in advance at Paris tourist offices, and from branches of the FNAC book/music/media store chain.

The one consideration for the pass that you need to be mindful of is the clock starts ticking upon validation , For instance , if you bought a 48 hour pass and planned one museum for each day , and the second day was bright and sunny , one where you might prefer to be outside all day , that would throw a monkey wrench into your plans . As such , Philip's suggestion to purchase single tickets off site makes the most sense ,

Yes, I read you're only going to two museums....but I will share that you can purchase this ticket to combine these two: "Musée d'Orsay /Musée de l'Orangerie Passport" for 16Euro - the ticket allows you to see both within a 4-day period. Buy the passport at the l'Orangerie, and you can go into the short line at d'Orsay. I was amazed how much I enjoyed the Museum l'Orangerie.

I don't know of any combo tickets to help you avoid the line at the Louvre, but head into that museum from the underground mall entrance for a shorter line, usually.

You are correct that Giverny is not covered by the Paris Museum Pass.

If the 2-day pass costs 42E and the 2 tix would be 21E then you need to decide what you'd pay for an extra 1-2 hours of daytime sightseeing in France. Would it be worth 21E to you?

As a comparison point, if you figure on 10 hours of sightseeing per day you might want to calculate how much your average cost per hour is by dividing total trip cost by hours you'll be in Europe.

Also add in what you might value the chance to pop in at some of the other museums on the list covered by the pass. For example I'm not that impressed by the Orangerie museum (Philistine, I know!). I wouldn't pay their admission fee or wait in line, but given the chance to walk in and take a quick stroll thru it as I walk thru the Tuileries Gardens I do it.

Thank you everybody for your help. I think I will just buy the tickets for the two museums online before I go to avoid the lines.

Louvre - The lines at the Louvre are for the security check before you enter the museum. Once there, there are many ticket windows and many ticket machines so it won't take long to buy tickets. Unless there is a separate line for ticket-holders at the Pyramid entrance (there wasn't when I was there 4-5 years ago, but there may be now), you won't save significant time by buying in advance. The best way to avoid the long line is to use the Carousel entrance. The other alternative, if it fits your schedule, is to visit on Wednesday or Friday, from late afternoon. Then the museum is open until 9.30 and there's hardly anyone in it - so the best time to go. The worst day to visit is Monday because the Orsay is closed.

Orsay 4-5 years ago, there was a separate security line for pass holders that was very short. There was a long security line for everyone else, then another long line to buy tickets. The best time to visit the Orsay is when they open. Go immediately to the top floor and work your way down. Most people do the opposite and the top floor is the most crowded, so that way, you miss the crush. The worst day to visit is Tuesday because the Louvre is closed.

I hope someone will update me on the security lines issue, since I'm also planning to visit Paris this year and will not be using the museum pass.

Nope. Not worth it for 2 museums. Buy individual tickets ahead of time for the Louvre and the Orsay at FNAC.com.