Comments on: 20 tips on Visiting the Vatican Museums

By: Ron in Rome

Ron in Rome — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:31:00 +0000

Unfortunately, the Sistine Chapel is INSIDE the Vatican Museums... so in order to see the Sistine Chapel you have to pay and then walk through the entire Museums. But you can go to St. Peter's Basilica without paying as the Basilica is separate from the Museums. As far as "Do you need tickets to avoid the lines in June?" it will depend on the day of the week you go. Thsi article might help you in determining that: Should I pre-book at the Vatican?

By: SHARMI MITRA

SHARMI MITRA — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:26:22 +0000

Many thanks for your very detailed & helpful guide. During our visit in June, one of our family members have to skip the Vatican museum as we are travelling with a young kid. We are trying to find out whether he / she can still see St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel without entring the museum? Do we need to buy any ticket & reserve to avoid long lines?

By: Ron in Rome

Ron in Rome — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:41:00 +0000

Richard, I’ve been to “free” Sunday once and I would not go back. It’s quite chaotic – any time of year. There are limited hours of entry (08:30-12:30) and everyone has to be out by 14:00. The line still runs as you suggest so in this case, you would probably be better off to use the Ottaviano metro station. Plan on waiting an hour in line (at minimum). And when yo get inside, it will be as busy, if not busier, than the museums are at the height of season.

By: Richard

Richard — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:11:20 +0000

Hi Ron, I will be in Rome just for one day, the last Sunday of February, and planning to visit the Vatican museum. How long would the line be around 9:30? I have visited Rome twice before on longer holidays, my favourite sites being the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and Galleria Borghese which I hope to see again on this day. As I recall in prior trips the Vatican Museum line outside went to the left of the entrance towards the Basilica and the Ottaviano metro was closer to get to the back of the line. Has the line direction been changed?
Thanks for all of the excellent information on your site, just came across it by links from Tripadvisor. The train information from FCO to Tuscolana was also very helpful.

By: Hien

Hien — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 10:42:40 +0000

THANK YOU for your suggestions. I went early (the way ou clearly marked in your instructions) – got a cornetto and cappuccino on the way and waited outside. The thing I liked most about your suggestions was to see the Spiral Staircase FIRST. Because I got there practically first thing in the morning, when I took a picture of the staircase NO ONE was exiting so it was a great picture (as opposed to when I was exiting and everyone was trying to get picture on the staircase and there were loads of people). I found your suggestions very helpful and added to my visit a lot! Grazie!