No doubt one of the most hotly debated topics on any Rome travel board is the question: Do I pay extra and purchase a “skip-the-line” ticket or do I chance it and wait in line to get into the Vatican Museum? There are many stories of 2-3 hours lines to get into the Museum and these “tales” persist into 2012. If you’re aware of the line patterns you may not need the “skip the line” feature… it’s all a matter of timing! I do understand your pain and apprehension. Our first trip to Rome many, many years ago we waited in line 2+ hours to get in. Since then, I’ve never waited!
The answer really depends on what month you are coming to Rome, what day of the week you plan on seeing the Museums, and what time of day you plan to enter. Add to that a few other variables – such as holidays and large tour groups – and you can see how difficult it is to answer this question. As a disclaimer I’ll say that my perspective is based on my experience living next door to the entrance to the Vatican Museums for a few years… but on “any given day” things can happen!
Living here, and so close to the Museum, I get asked often, “Do you purchase “skip-the-line” tickets?” The answer is, “NO, I rarely have and probably rarely will.” Why not? I guess mainly because I CAN come back later in the day… or the next day. Travelers on fixed schedules do not have that flexibility.
Some things to Consider
Since 2008 the Vatican Museums have moved to extended hours.
With the exception of “Free Sundays,” the Vatican Museums are open from 9 AM – 6 PM. The last entry into the museums is at 4 PM. These hours are far different than back in 2003, 2004, etc. when I first came. And also far different than when folks who write of the 3-hour lines were here. Frankly, other than “Free Sundays” we just do not get those 3-hour lines anymore. In the picture below, taken in 2005, you can see the hours of operation were from 8:45 AM to 3:20 PM. The extended hours and better organization of the tour groups, implemented by the new director, Mr. Antonio Paolucci, in 2008 have really cut down the length of the lines!
Sign outside the entrance to the Vatican Museum, circa 2005
The last Sunday of every month the Vatican Museums are open and FREE! Naturally, as it is free, there are huge crowds on these days, and there is no skip-the-line system in place. I would strongly suggest to avoid “Free Sundays.” The Museums become a cattle run! Some folks wait in lines for hours and still do no get in as they limit the entry times to 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and then close the Museums at 2:00 PM. In addition, it’s so crowded in there you can’t even move – Hardly the best way to see the art and treasures of the Vatican Museums. Spend the €15 (eff. Jan 2010) and “see” the Museus, rather than be carried by the “tide” of folks who swarm on “Free Sundays!”
The next “busiest” days are always Mondays.
Except for the last Sunday, Monday always follows a day when the museum is closed. Thus, folks who have limited time in Rome seem to always come on Mondays! So Mondays are very crowded and lines often run to later in the afternoon during season.
Saturdays are the NEXT busiest day because the locals go to the museum on that day …. and if the Pope is in town, avoid Wednesdays, because the Papal Audience draws a larger crowd… who then go to the museum!
Thus the best days to go…
are Thursday, Tuesday, and Friday, probably in that order. If there’s a holiday during the week you come, those “trends” go right out the window… You’ll have to adjust accordingly. Days immediately before and immediately after closure days (Sundays and church holidays) are the busiest. If you’re coming During Holy Week in Easter or at Christmas, it might be better to reserve a spot… Again, I’ve gone in the afternoons during both those periods and not waited in line!
If you go in the afternoon MOST DAYS, you will have NO WAIT!
That’s correct – NO WAIT! In the off season, you can get in the Vatican Museums after 11 AM on most weekdays with no wait. On a Saturday or Monday, the lines are often gone by 1 PM. During the summer, it’s perhaps around 2 PM (or earlier) when all the lines die down.
The Vatican sells “skip the line tickets”
The Vatican sells their own ticket are you can go with a “Vatican-approved” vendor. These vendors sell them directly to you, or daily, these vendors will sell the “tickets” to “unapproved” vendors who do not have a contract with the Vatican. In 2008, the Vatican decided they could capture more income by selling these directly to the public. The result – MORE “skip the line” tickets are being sold than ever before. One downside, this does create lines for the “popular” entry times – which are 09:00 – 11:30.
*Each hour* the Vatican was allowing 1300-1500 people to use the “skip the line” feature. As a result, 1500 tickets were sold to outside vendors. These folks are admitted BEFORE the “general public” who is waiting in line along the wall of Vatican City. With people now buying through the Vatican, the Vatican ticket office opened up more slots each hour for “skip the line.” How will this play in June or July – no one knows. Folks are buying Vatican slots at 2 PM and waiting in line to pick up their “skip the line” tickets and there IS NO ONE WAITING IN THE general admission line. It would appear the Vatican is “up in sales” this year and fostering a “fear of the line” IS GOOD for business. You’ll see many post reinforcing this position on travel boards – most often from folks who were here 2-3 years ago, prior to the extended hours now in place.
The Vatican Museums open at 9:00 AM and last entry is at 4:00 PM. Closing is at 6:00 PM, although they start herding you about 5:30 PM. In the morning, all the tour groups who have BOUGHT ALL the “skip-the-line” tickets bring their groups… The result, 1300+ people who have pre-paid get preferred admittance. Thus, the general admission line forms as these folks are let in FIRST… that is why I never go early! Tour Groups like to go early so they can do afternoon and evening tours at other sites and increase revenue.
You might be “approached” as you near the Museums…
to “take a tour with us, starting in just 15 minutes…” Avoid those tours. These folks are called “gatherers” and work on a commission basis for almost anyone! If you want a tour, go through a reputable vendor or someone you know!
Sometimes it doesn’t pay to “pay.”
Here’s why: I live just down the stairs from the entrance and this is where groups often form up. One day I was walking home and saw a group of about 20 British and American tourists on the steps. I struck up a conversation with them and asked, “Why are you here on the steps? (It was about 1 PM). They said they had purchased the “skip the line” feature and were waiting for the other 5 people on the list (WHO THEY DID NOT EVEN KNOW) to come so they could all get their entry passes from the “skip the line” vendor. I asked did they know where the entrance was? They said, “Not really,” as they were told, via internet and phone, to meet here.
I turned them around, pointed across the street and showed them the entrance…. At that time of day, THERE WAS NO LINE! Because they had read so much about the terrible lines – and did not know where the entrance was – they were standing across the street, paying an extra €15 to avoid a line that did not exist! Needless to say they were pretty frustrated. For this extra €15 they were not even getting a tour – just an entry…. past a line that did not exist…
Make adjustments if necessary!
I met some ladies on the Metro last week (SATURDAY!) who were totally lost. I asked them where they were headed and they said to the Vatican Museum & Basilica as this was their only day in town. I told them it was my stop and near my house and would walk them over. We got there and the line was down and around Piazza Risorgimento – at least an hour wait. They felt terrible; it was their only day… So I took them to St. Peter’s Basilica – we did about a 1.5 hour tour and then headed for the Museum. At 11:30 AM we arrived and there were NOW about 3 people in line. We went in and stayed until after 5 PM. They had A GREAT time and left having seen EVERYTHING they wanted to see… So again, it’s a matter of timing!
When do you need a “skip-the-line” ticket?
Picture taken 9:30 AM on a Monday morning
There are times you may need to purchase a skip-the-line ticket… and this advice is coming from a person who probably never will purchase one…
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If you are here during a holiday week, Holy Week, Christmas, or a week in which the Vatican Museum is closed one or perhaps two days, buy a skip-the-line ticket.
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If you have only one day to get to the Vatican Museums (and especially if it’s a Monday), then it may be best for you to purchase a ticket.
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If you’ve traveled 5,000 miles and you feel this is your only chance and your schedule is so compressed that this decision is driving you nuts, certainly buy a ticket
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If you must have everything planned out to the last minute, then Yep, buy the ticket
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If you’re going to take a guided tour, certainly make sure the vendor has a skip-the-line feature as one of the benefits of buying their tour.
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If you want to go into the Vatican Museums between 9 AM and 10:30 AM during peak season, you’ll probably need the ticket.
There are many vendors on line – Google “skip-the-line Vatican” – and thus you will have many options. The Vatican Museum tickets are €15 (eff. Jan 2010). The skip-the-line feature adds €4 more – so if you do not want a tour with your ticket, make sure you’re only paying €19. Perhaps one of the better sites now is to go directly to the source, the Vatican. Their ticket site is here: Online Ticket Office of the Vatican Museums. There are also many vendors who sell tours. Some of the most popular include these Viator options.
What about the line at St. Peter’s Basilica?
The line at St. Peter’s Basilica
In St. Peter’s Square, there is often a line to enter the Basilica. This is unfortunately an unavoidable line if you’re only going to the Basilica, Cupola, or Tombs. This line is the security line as the Basilica is Free. But you, and the thousands of other folks lined up, must all go through the X-Ray machines.
Despite 8-10 units available, usually only two or three are manned so you just have to wait in line. The good news is the line moves very fast and even if it is”wrapped” all the way around through the colonnades, it will be usually be less than 30 minutes. Often, much quicker than that!
You can also “skip” this line…. if you’re purchasing a ticket to the Museum. One you’ve completed your Vatican Museum Tour you will come to the Sistine Chapel. There you will have two doors to exit. The door on the left (with the “Last Judgment” at your back) will take you back into the Museum through the Library – Great if you want to do more exploring of the Museum treasures. The door on the RIGHT will take you the back way to St. Peter’s Basilica. Yes, it says for groups only but I often go this way and rarely is it ever manned. Or just fall in with a group leaving! (NOTE – As of late, many visitors are reporting that the “group”only policy is being randomly enforced so FYI).
You will head down a marble staircase and exit outside the Chapel, adjacent to St. Peter’s – AND BEHIND THE SECURITY LINE. (Pictured above) Walk down the stairs on the left of this picture and you are in the Portico that fronts the Basilica. (The line you see on the right is headed to the Tombs – also free.) So this is a great way to avoid the lines if you are going to the Museum first!
Good Luck!
Again, there are many “skip-the-line” options out there. If you can go in the afternoon, you will save some money and frustration, and you can walk right in. The Vatican Museums are a wonderful group of Museums with many, many miles of corridors. There is plenty of art and history for all to enjoy! I’ll be one of the folks entering the Museum after 11:30 AM but if your time is limited, or your schedule requires you to go on one of the busier days, consider any of these skip-the-line tours:
- Skip the Line: Vatican Museums Tour of Sistine Chapel, Raphael’s Rooms and St Peter’s
- Skip the Line: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Half-Day Walking Tour
- Skip the Line: Vatican Museums Tickets
- Skip the Line: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Tour
- Skip the Line Private Tour: Vatican Museums Walking Tour
- Skip the Line Private Tour: Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Art History Walking Tour
- Private Viewing of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums
There are more than 900 churches in Rome. Certainly reading in advance with help you separate and enjoy the many churches in the city. Order here or see our Travel Store, Magellan’s Travel Supplies, or look in amazon.com. Non-USA Guests can search for more books and other travel-related items at amazon.co.uk.
There are more than 900 churches in Rome. Certainly reading in advance with help you separate and enjoy the many churches in the city. Order here or see our Travel Store, Magellan’s Travel Supplies, or look in amazon.com. Non-USA Guests can search for more books and other travel-related items at amazon.co.uk.
Let Me Coach You, if you’re looking for travel assistance or some help creating an iitinerary! If you want to build your own vacation, please feel free use the information in the articles of the Ron-in-Rome website to help plan your next trip. If you need consulting, head to the Coaching page; For a list of all articles on this website, head to the Postings page. Or use the SEARCH Box, on the top right of each page!
Header: 360° Panorama Piazza San Pietro – Photo by SEIMA
Great advice here, Ron. I was in Rome last Friday April 27 and did the Vatican Museum that day b/c lines would be shorter than Saturday. I did prepay for an 11:30 ticket via the Vatican site. When I arrived lines were pretty much none existent though. And at the very end, at the Sistine Chapel, I belnded into a group of Italian tourists going the “group tour” exit and succesfully snuck into St Peters. A few guards eyeballed us along the way but I looked like part of the group so no sweat
Prob saved me 30 minutes of having to walk around to the front of St Peters and then going through security 
On a tangent, get a Roma Pass for convenience sake. Rome is such a precious city, and time in line is a waste. Use it at the Coliseum for sure to dodge the line. Also the Roman Forum. Comes in handy when you use the subway to get around as well.
Hi Ron, Thanks for this great website full of useful information. I’m hoping to visit the Vatican on either 26 May (Sat), 27 May (free Sunday) or 28 May (in the morning). I think from what you’ve said it’s probably best avoiding the free Sunday and choosing one of the Sat or Mon? Would you agree? and do you think it’s worth getting a ‘skip the queue’ ticket for the Sat or Mon on these specific dates? Many thanks in advance,
Sarah
Maria, if you go in the afternoon on a Tuesday, then the lines should be short, if at all. Good Luck!
Hi Ron ! Great website ! We want to visit the Vatican on Tuesday 15 May ! We are time poor. My “must see ” is St Peters Basilica and Sistine chapel. The Museum is on the “If
possible list . Can not decide whether to do ” skip the line ” ticket booking or just go and see what happens ! Would really appreciate your advice ! Thanks
I would just like to add that some tours offer early entry into the museums. We have very limited time in Rome and I was able to book a tour with Presto Tours that starts at 8am (1 hour before the general public) with 12 people max. This works out perfect for us as our Scavi tour starts at 12:15pm.
Ian – With your schedule limitations… that looks to be your best option – Good Luck!
Chandan, the Settimana della Cultura’ week does not apply to the Vatican so that really won’t have an impact – especially midweek. It really depends on what time of day you’re going and whether the Pope is doing a Papal Audience that morning.
Hi,
I will be in rome on 18 april and plan to visit vatican meuseum.
Do you suggest I go for a ‘skip the line’ ticket?
Does ‘Settimana della Cultura’ week will have a impact?
Hi Ron,
My wife and I arrive in Rome on May 25th (fri) and leave on the Mon for Venice.
Looks like our best day to visit the Vatican will be the Saturday, pm? leaving sunday for the colosseum (palatine hill entrance as you suggest!)
do you think visiting the basilica and tombs on the saturday morning prior to visiting the museum and sistine chapel in the pm will be viable?
Charlie, the Pope has more “functions” this week than at any other time of year… I would check out the Vatican website to see his schedule.
Charlie – this is Holy Week so I’d surely recommend getting tickets in advance if they are still available.
by the way
do you think I have any chance to see the Pope, by any chance. I am staying from 5th to 9th…
Thanks again…!!!!!!
Hi Ron
do you think I need a skip-line ticket if I plan to visit Vatican in either 5th or 6th of April?
BTW, is evening a good time for a visit?
Thanks very very much!!!
It’s the week after Easter week, and the Museums are closed on that preceding Monday, so it will be MORE busy than a normal Friday. But because of the closure, it may be the “slowest” day of that week. That’s not saying much as the Museums will still be very crowded!
Hi Ron,
Is Friday 13th April 2012 considered to be a peak period? We were planning to do the Vatican / Basilica / Sistine CHapel on that day.
THanks for a super super site!!
Sudheer, with pre-purchased tickets from the Vatican Museums (the link you attached), you will receive an email with a barcode on it. Print that out and then walk PAST everyone in line until you get tot he front doors. All the folks lined up are entering through the left side of the doors. You head over towards the right side and there will be a security guard holding a scanner. Sometime there is a small line of people – all with the same time as you – waiting to get in. But you show the email, they scan it and wave you in, and you enter the entry doors AHEAD of everyone in line (without an email and pre-purchased tickets). Once inside, go through security and then head left to a counter where you pick up your tickets. Then head upstairs and straight to the turnstiles.
Dear Ron
Hats off for such valuable information. Simply great.
I will be in Rome on March 17,18,19-2012. That means I can visit Vatican museum, etc on 17th – Saturday only. I am little confused with ‘skip-the-line’ ticket. If i purchase tickets using below link, do I still have to stand in line to get into museum? or it allows me enter the museum as per the time i booked? Kindly advice.
http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do?action=booking&step=4&aaaamm=20123&dd=17&numeroPartecipanti=2&codiceLinguaVisita=
Thank you
Sudheer
TJ, you need to print the ticket in advance. You must have “proof of purchase” to get in the door (and not wait in line) at the museums entrance. Once you get inside the doors and clear security, then you head to the left – you’ll see the counters – and pick up your ticket. You cannot pick them up on an earlier date… as you can’t get in the door. It’s also one-way traffic the way the security is set up. The Basilica and the Museum are two different “sites.” Each stands alone. There is a “short-cut” many people take to get from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter’s Basilica but this not the “normal” method of entry. Far more people wait in the square and enter through a security area in St. Peter’s Square.
You cannot get in the museums with a pre-paid guided tour at the Vatican unless you are with the guide. So no, entry is one-time only and must be with the representative. You could stay later, as you’re already IN the museums with the guide.
Thanks for your excellent info Ron. If I buy a museum tour direct from the museum website that says it starts at 1pm and includes admission, does that mean I can turn up any time earlier (like 10am, on a Tuesday early May) to take a look around the museum first or can I only get in at 1pm? The skip-the-line tickets are for specific times so I thought this may also apply to guided tours too.
Ron – you mentioned above going to the Basillica at 7:00. We’re going mid-April on a thursday. Plan to pre-purchase the 9am entry time on their website. Wondered 2 things, can we print the ticket when purchased on line or do we have to pick it up at Vatican? If pick up, do you know if they’ll let us pick them up on an earlier date? That way if we can swing by late afternoon day before, was thinking it’d save us for waiting in the pick up your ticket line if there was one.
Also, I noticed that the Vatican Museum does not open until 9:00. You recommended above going to the Basicalla first? I see it does open at 7:00, how does one get into the Basicillca when it opens if the Museum does not open until 9:00. I thought you had to gbo through the Museum to get to the basillica?? Thanks for any info in advance.
Apple, that;s certainly a very full day at the Vatican, but it “can” be done. I’m not a big fan of the Vatican Garden tour, but the others are incredible. If the Scavi Tour is over at 17:00 certain parts of St. Peter’s may be closed off due to afternoon mass. As far as the Colosseo, there will be crowds but you can get your free tickets (a ticket is STILL required even during culture week), at either the Palatine Hill or Forum entrance to avoid the bigger line at the Colosseo. Once you have your ticket, walk directly to the turnstiles; don’t wait in line. I think I’d do the Colosseo Combo on Sunday as most State museums are closed on Monday which tends to create more crowds down at the Colosseo.
thank you so much for the very informative website. my husband and i are scheduled to be there in rome on april 21(pm) – 24. we’re really glad that we found your site!
we’re planning to go to vatican on the 24th. is it possible to do all these in 1 day: vatican gardens tour, vatican museum & sistine chapel, scavi tour and st. peter’s basilica?
the only schedule for the vatican gardens tour is 9:30. i’m thinking of asking a 15:00-15:30 schedule for the scavi tour(i hope they can still accommodate us). go to the museum after the garden tour and to the basilica after the scavi tour. what do you think?
also, i read in one of your posts that the culture week is on april14-22. we’re planning to go to colosseum, pantheon area on the 22nd(sunday). do you think it will be really crowded? should we move it on monday (and pay) and go to other places on sunday instead?
thanks again!
I’m not sure you should purchase a Roma Pass if you’re only going to be in Rome for two days – and the pass is NOT valid at the Vatican. I would not support going to the Vatican Museums on free Sundays as it’s a madhouse – and it’s open limited hours. I’d do St. Peter’s and the Vatican on Saturday. If you need to go to the Museums early, I would purchase a skip-the-line ticket. Otherwise, do the Basilica early and the Museums late, after the lines decrease. With only two days, you’ll be hard-pressed to see more than one or two museums.
Hi, Ron,
Me and my wife will be in Rome on Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25 (Last Sunday of the month) – Minimal goal is to visint Coliseum, Vatican Museum and Basilica. Can you recommend the day we go to Vatican/Basilica? Sunday is free, but may be long lines. We are going to buy Rome City Pass to visit Coliseum and may be some other museums if we have time. Thanks.
Not sure if you’ve got your logistics correct. The Sistine Chapel is INSIDE the Vatican Museums. In order to see the Sistine Chapel, you have to walk through the museums. On a Monday in July at 12 noon, there will probably be a line to get into the Museums. If this is your only day and time, you could consider purchasing skip the line tickets through the Vatican (cheapest) or a group like Viator. You can take food and drinks (although I’d keep them out of sight in your bag). There are vending machines with drinks in some parts of the museums… and there is a small cafe and restaurant, although the food is more like you’d find in a school cafeteria.
We are going to Italy in July and 23rd Monday is the only day we can visit Vatican. After reading your blog, we are planning to go to Sistine chaple around noon and then head off to museum hoping to skip the line. Let me know if that sounds right.
Also, are we allowed to take food/drink inside? Any type of food is available inside to buy?
Well, yes and no. The Vatican Museums are a tough environment for toddlers but the advantage of an early tour like this is you can perhaps beat some of the crowds. Later in the day it will get packed and your toddler, siting in a stroller, will only see the “behinds” of the massive crowds. Many folks advise not going to the Museums with a toddler but I think that’s a personal choice. I’d take plenty of snacks, drink, etc. And I’d notify the tour guide up front that – if your child “decides,” you might be leaving early (They will appreciate knowing that). That all said, if I was going to do a tour with a toddler, of all the tours available I’d do an EARLY tour – before it gets crazy. Viator does have multiple options.
Hi Ron, Me and my wife are visiting Rome and Vatican city with our 3 year old toddler on March 24-26? Will it be worthwhile to take 8.00 am skip the line guided tour from viator? or are there better tour for our kind of family?
Your blog is great help. Many thanks for it.
Many thanks for your previous help very much appreciated. As I plan to visit the Vatican on Good Friday (only day still available for tours on the Vatican website) would you recommend the 11.30 or 14.00 hr tour. I was concerned that we might not get to see the Sistine Chapel on the later one but am aware your recommendations the later the tours/visit the better. What would you recommend? Thanks onceagain…
Since your tour starts at 10:30 AM, you could see the Basilica prior to the tour…it is open around 07:00 AM. You could do the climb to the cupola, see the tombs, and visit the Basilica interior – then g due the Scavi Tour which usually takes about 1.5 hours. Then I’d do lunch, recharge, and head into the Museums about 13:30. By then the lines should be gone – or very short… so unless you’re pressed for time, I’d not spend the extra €4. Good Luck!
Ron,
Thanks for your amazing information. This is the greatest site I have found for planning our trip to Rome! My wife and I will be visiting Vatican City in July 2012.
We were recently approved and confirmed for the Necropolis Scavi Tour on Satuday July 7th @ 10:30am. We are planning to visit the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel as well as St. Peter’s Basilica , in addition to the Necropolis Tour on this same day.
How would you recommend we organize our day? I have gathered from your tips that we might be better off seeing the museums in the afternoon, after we take the Necropolis Tour. Do you think we will have enough time to visit the basilica in the morning before our Necropolis Tour? Lastly, if we do the museum in the afternoon, would you recommend we buy a “skip the line” ticket ahead of time (since it is a saturday in July)?
Thank you very much!
-Brett
Lori, there is no skip-the-line for the Basilica as admission is free and everyone waits in line to go through X-Ray. For the museums, the Vatican sells skip-the-line-only tickets but you can only book 60 days in advance. If you looking at June, you’ll have to wait…
I am going to Rome in June We plan to go to the Basilica and Vatican Museums but there are many things I want to see not included on the tours. The big issue is that I cannot find a skip the line for the Basilica without a tour. The vatican only sells skip the line for the museum Any suggestions?
Based on your tight time frames. I’d pre-book tickets for 12:30 PM. There may not be a line, but you really don’t have the time if there is. If you’re running late, they will let you in… I’ve never seen them turn someone away for being 10-15 minutes late.
Ron, thank you for all your valuable information.
We have a port stop in Rome on May 24 (Thursday). We are taking the train from Civitavecchia and have been approved for the 10:45AM Scavi tour. That is supposed to take 1-1/2 hours, so it would be done around 12:15PM. It would then be about 12:30PM before we could arrive at the museums entrance. We would have to leave the museums by about 3:00PM to get back to the ship, allowing some margin for delays.
We would like to maximize our time in the museums, so we do not want to wait in line for a half-hour (or more) if (a) we don’t have a pre-purchased ticket or (b) miss our entrance time if the Scavi tour runs a little late. On the other hand, we don’t want to make a reservation for 1:00PM and have to waste a half-hour waiting for our time slot to come up.
I have two questions: (1) Do you think we need to pre-purchase tickets for a Thursday in late May? (2) If we pre-purchased tickets for 12:30PM, would we be allowed to enter between 12:30 and 1:00PM?
Linda, on a Thursday in late April, if you were to go after 13:00, generally there would be no – or little – entry lines to the Vatican Museums. That might change of there is a special event that week or it starts pouring rain! I rarely ever purchased a skip-the-line ticket unless I was going in the AM or on a Monday.
Ron, your website is very informative.
We are visiting Rome April 21-28. We are thinking about the Vatican Museums on Thursday, Apr 26. At this time of year would you recommend general admission or purchasing online with skip the line?
Early May IS one of the busier times of year… there will be crowds in Rome and also in Florence. You could easily fill four days just in Rome, but it really comes down to what you want to see and do…
Hi Ron,
My daughters and I are going to Rome May 4-8. Is early May really busy? The girls want to go to Florence on Tuesday, but I am thinking we might ought to stay in Rome and skip crowds. What do you think?
All the best,
Lauren
Ron your a legend!!! My girlfriend and I visited Rome Last week and found your website and advice invaluable!
There are no restrictions for baby strollers inside the Vatican Museums but keep in mind that this is an old facility and not stroller friendly. There are many stairs and few ramps available. For security reasons strollers are not allowed in San Peter Basilica but you can leave them in a checkroom just before the entrance of the Basilica. It’s on the lower level and you’ll be directed there if you are seen trying to enter the basilica with a stroller. To use the “back” exit from the Sistine Chapel you’re supposed to be part of a group… so blend in. There is a guard at the door and a guard on the staircase you walk down and I imagine if they see the stroller you’ll get a reaction – again, like many things in Italy it depends on who is working that spot, that day. It’s all stairs out this exit so you’ll be carrying the stroller anyway. I’ve never seen anyone do it… but honestly I have not been looking for this. I think it’s possible but be prepared to check it before entering the Basilica.
Hi Ron, thanks for all the great info. We’re going to Rome in March with a baby in a stroller- will it be difficult for us to get about in the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica? Can we still enter the Basilica the back way that you have suggested above with the stroller? Thanks again.
Your plan “could” work but you might be hard-pressed to get to the cupola before they close up for the night (that time of year sometime around 17:00). I might suggest going to the cupola much earlier in the day. The lines for the climb/elevator tend to get longer as the day gets later… Maybe Cupola, Basilica – go do LUNCH – and then head into the Museums! The other challenge to your plan may be if there is a guard on the door and you CAN’T get through the “secret” door. So again, might be to your advantage to go early to the Basilica, Cupola, and tombs.
Hello Ron,
Just to shout a big THANK YOU to you for your effort to writing these information! It is very helpful. I’m intending to visit the Vatican City on 18 May 12 (Friday). Heeding your advice, my plan is to reach the Museum at 12pm, finish by around 4pm, take the RIGHT secret way in Sistine Chapel to visit the St. Peter’s Basilica and climb the Cupola. May I know will this plan work? Will I be able to avoid the line? Best regards, Jack
Hello Ron
Just a quick note to thank you for your very informative website, from that I used the information to hire a car and buy Vatican Tickets, I now understand you are living in Copenhagen, so if ever I go there I will search out your website .
kind regards
Valerie
Michelle,m if your goal is to avoid the lines… then you plan is perhaps the best option. A Thursday afternoon would be a better alternative and is one of the least busiest days of the week. Good Luck!
Hi ron, we plan to visit the vatican museum and basilica on April 26 (Thursday). Is it better to do the basilica first at around 10am and head to the museum after lunch? I do hope we don’t need to get the skip the line tickets on this date. Your site is a wealth of useful information and I thank you!
Kirsten, if you go in the afternoon the lines in February will be shorter or non-existent. Saturdays are the 2nd busiest days of the week.
Lily, you are correct. The Vatican is always busier when there is a closure during the week. I’d perhaps consider a pre-booked ticket or tour to bypass the lines on this specific date.