Reina Sofia online tickets, students free? & Guernica tour

I ran into this trying to check on tickets for my "senior" husband - also free, but not available online as far as I could tell. I thought I saw a note that you can only get the free and reduced tickets at the box office, as they have to check your ID, etc.. We ended up just getting the pass for all 3 museums - Prado, Thyssen, Reina - since it was unclear if over-65 applied to non-residents. And with the pass, we can go whenever we want, no need to pick a time, etc.

Just pay the full fare and move on with your life.

If you want a “Guernica” tour , then you should visit [the city of] Guernika. It has an impressive version of Pablo’s painting. I really enjoyed our day there.

Picasso's Guernica is my absolute favorite painting period.

Be aware that if you do not do a tour, there will be herds of people passing through the rather small room it's in. There's no place to sit and take it in, both visually and emotionally. All that's assuming it hasn't been located somewhere else in the building.

If you and your family have not researched it, this is a link to the Reina Sofia's extensive description of it and its history: https://www.museoreinasofia.es/en/collection/artwork/guernica

This is a link to the extensive PBS information about it with more detail available through links from it: https://www.pbs.org/treasuresoftheworld/a_nav/guernica_nav/main_guerfrm.html

There are also many videos to choose from about it. Just Google picasso guernica video.

I'm not giving these links and suggestions as a substitute for a private tour, but rather as a way for each person in the group to learn more about it so as to be prepared to ask good questions of any potential guide.

Thank you Lo- that's very helpful, we will definitely look at your links.
TheOrdinaryRebecca, thank you, I guess we might have to take our chances at the window then.

My last two times there were during the free admission hours and that was enough time to see what I wanted to see. Same thing with the Prado. The Guernica room is busy, but people move through fairly quickly. If you stand along the back wall of the room it’s in you can get a good look at it without bumping into a bunch of people.

well, to my shock the Reina Sofia customer service email replied-
so here is their response:

Good morning,

There are no guided tours of Guernica work.

All the free tickets (for under 18 years old, senior (65 years old or older), people with disability, unemployed, students up to 25 years old foreign students are recommended to present the international student card, ISIC, teachers (foreign teachers are recommended to present the international teacher card ITIC), Youth Card holders, large family’s group, ICOM, Mutua Madrileña’s card holders, etc.) cannot be booked in advance.

These tickets must be collected directly at the ticket office and only if there’s availability. Therefore, we recommend checking the availability on our website before going to the museum.
Accreditations in languages that do not use the Latin spelling will not be valid. The corresponding international accreditation or a certified translation will be requested.
Large families: Family group composed of at least one adult and three descendants (or two, if one of them has a disability) included in the same family title.
A person with a disability who brings a companion with him/her may access free of charge as long as the companion is essential for the visit and this circumstance is stated in the disability card or resolution issued for this purpose.
People who have purchased tickets online and are accompanied by people who need free admission, can go directly to the express ticket office, show the ticket purchased online and they will be given free admission for people with free admission.

Reduced admission 50% with accreditation (only at ticket offices):

Cultural volunteers, members of large families, museum staff not attached to the Ministry of Culture and Sports.

Please note that it must be accredited with the accrediting document valid in each case, and duly updated, which visibly reflects the period of validity or expiration date.

If you want a “Guernica” tour , then you should visit [the city of] Guernika. It has an impressive version of Pablo’s painting. I really enjoyed our day there.

I was there for the Monday Market. The Guernica replica was displayed outdoor, in tiles.

For info, the US college ID is not accepted as a valid ID card, much like the US (/state) driving license. Not being an EU resident, to be recognised as a university student you need to apply for the ISIC (https://www.isic.org/). And to be able to drive, you need to have the IDP (https://internationaldrivingpermit.org/) ALONGSIDE your US-issued driving license. The IDP validates your state license, which, on itself it's not recognized.

Thank you Eric. i guess i'll cough up the full ticket price for the kids,
many thanks everyone!