Maybe I'm missing something, but from the research I've done so far, it remains unclear whether advance reservations are possible for visits to the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica, and/or the Sistine Chapel, like the advance reservations you can get for the Borghese Galleries in Rome or the Uffizi and Accademia in Florence.

I've seen that I can avoid the long lines by booking a guided tour, but I'm doing some research for which I won't want to stick with a tour group. Meanwhile, my time in Rome is limited, so I need to avoid several hours in the general admission line(s) if possible. So if I do have to join a tour group to get in without a wait (the added cost is not a problem), do you think I'd be able to ditch the tour group and visit the museums/Sistine Chapel/Basilica on my own once we get inside? And if I have to join a tour group and can ditch the group once inside, will I be able to get an audioguide once inside?

My visit is in late May, so I think it's reasonably safe to assume the conclave will be over by then and (I hope) the visits that are now shut down will be re-opened.

Maybe I'm missing something, but from the research I've done so far, it remains unclear whether advance reservations are possible for visits to the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica, and/or the Sistine Chapel, like the advance reservations you can get for the Borghese Galleries in Rome or the Uffizi and Accademia in Florence.

I've seen that I can avoid the long lines by booking a guided tour, but I'm doing some research for which I won't want to stick with a tour group. Meanwhile, my time in Rome is limited, so I need to avoid several hours in the general admission line(s) if possible. So if I do have to join a tour group to get in without a wait (the added cost is not a problem), do you think I'd be able to ditch the tour group and visit the museums/Sistine Chapel/Basilica on my own once we get inside? And if I have to join a tour group and can ditch the group once inside, will I be able to get an audioguide once inside?

My visit is in late May, so I think it's reasonably safe to assume the conclave will be over by then and (I hope) the visits that are now shut down will be re-opened.

I've gone in spring/early summer, and late summer/early fall and never found a need for advance planning to see sites there. The guided tours have no problem getting tickets but once you are inside certain sites, if you merely ditch the group without informing the group lead you could delay the tour group as they wait/search for you for up to 15-20 minutes to take the bus to the next destination.

My visit is in late May, so I think it's reasonably safe to assume the conclave will be over by then and (I hope) the visits that are now shut down will be re-opened.

We were there last May, near the end of the month. No lines at all for tickets. We were with a small walking tour, and they just directed us to the ticket booths for entry, and did not get the tickets in advance.

I've never had a wait to get into the Vatican Museums. St. Peter's is free and open to anyone properly attired. The only time I've ever seen a wait to get in was during the public viewing of the pope's body. There is most always a line to get down into the crypt, and I'm sure it will be much longer than usual with people wanting to see JPII's burial site.

There is a necropolis under St. Peter's and for that you do need advance reservations. Entry is limited to 100 people a day. It's quite amazing and I highly recommend it. For reservations, you need to write uff.scavi@fabricsp.va The tour finishes up in the crypt so that's a way to avoid that line.

Maybe I'm missing something, but from the research I've done so far, it remains unclear whether advance reservations are possible for visits to the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica, and/or the Sistine Chapel, like the advance reservations you can get for the Borghese Galleries in Rome or the Uffizi and Accademia in Florence.

I've seen that I can avoid the long lines by booking a guided tour, but I'm doing some research for which I won't want to stick with a tour group. Meanwhile, my time in Rome is limited, so I need to avoid several hours in the general admission line(s) if possible. So if I do have to join a tour group to get in without a wait (the added cost is not a problem), do you think I'd be able to ditch the tour group and visit the museums/Sistine Chapel/Basilica on my own once we get inside? And if I have to join a tour group and can ditch the group once inside, will I be able to get an audioguide once inside?

My visit is in late May, so I think it's reasonably safe to assume the conclave will be over by then and (I hope) the visits that are now shut down will be re-opened.

St. Peter's Basilica and Square are especially uncrowded in the mornings and you can get a better look at things if you go then. When I have gone early in the past, I have even had the docents offer mini-guided tours (free!) through the basilica because they were looking for something to do! I am not sure if they still do that.

If you did tend toward a tour group, one that we used in the past was formerly called Scala Reale but now has merged to become Context:Rome. They have a tour called Arte Vaticane which takes you through the Vatican Museums. I normally refuse to go on guided tours but these ones are good - a maximum of 6 people on the small-group tours and very educated guides. Because the group is so small and because it is actually pretty interesting, you may not want to ditch them when you get in.
http://www.contextrome.com/cart/tours.php

I have seen the Vatican Museums very crowded and not crowded at all. I think in May you would avoid any massive crowds and long lines even if you were not on a guided tour.

I would highly recommend the scavi/necropolis tour beneath St. Peter's, as well. This is one of the most interesting things I have done in Rome.

I've never had a wait to get into the Vatican Museums. St. Peter's is free and open to anyone properly attired. The only time I've ever seen a wait to get in was during the public viewing of the pope's body. There is most always a line to get down into the crypt, and I'm sure it will be much longer than usual with people wanting to see JPII's burial site.

There is a necropolis under St. Peter's and for that you do need advance reservations. Entry is limited to 100 people a day. It's quite amazing and I highly recommend it. For reservations, you need to write uff.scavi@fabricsp.va The tour finishes up in the crypt so that's a way to avoid that line.

If I may, what does "properly attired" mean? No jeans or shorts or what? Is there an attire 'standard' which will get you into almost anywhere? We'll be there in early Oct so...

If I may, what does "properly attired" mean? No jeans or shorts or what? Is there an attire 'standard' which will get you into almost anywhere? We'll be there in early Oct so...


See this

http://www.drivinguide.com/vatican_city_dress_code.htm

They actually sell coverups outside so people who don't know what to wear to church can enter.

Thanks, ChgoBob for the link to more info on the dress code when visiting the Vatican. Now I know that my capri pants that are below the knee are acceptable.

I'd recommend going to the Vatican museum when it opens, then head straight for the Sistine chapel (and Rafael rooms?). it's a long way from the museum entrance. That way, you get to see and enjoy it without huge crowds that end up crowding the place (this was my experience in late January last year). You can then took the rest of the museum at your leisure.

I'd recommend going to the Vatican museum when it opens, then head straight for the Sistine chapel (and Rafael rooms?). it's a long way from the museum entrance. That way, you get to see and enjoy it without huge crowds that end up crowding the place (this was my experience in late January last year). You can then took the rest of the museum at your leisure.

Thank you. That sounds like excellent advice, and I'm sure that's what I'll do. For the edification of anyone else who stumbles upon this thread after a search in the future, I have finally found a firm answer to the questions I posed. Individual advance reservations are not possible for independent visits to the Vatican museums or the Sistine Chapel. Visits to St. Peter's typically do not involve long lines, so it's not an issue there. At the Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel, it's typical that one can get in with little or no wait after the 8:45 opening time if one arrives by about 8:15 (so, a wait of about 30 minutes, but that's much better than a couple of hours). It is possible to get a reserved entrance time in advance with no waiting in line if one books a guided tour, but it is not permitted to leave the tour group once the tour is inside, so that won't work for me.

Hence, I think terenz' advice is the best option for me.

Thank you. That sounds like excellent advice, and I'm sure that's what I'll do. For the edification of anyone else who stumbles upon this thread after a search in the future, I have finally found a firm answer to the questions I posed. Individual advance reservations are not possible for independent visits to the Vatican museums or the Sistine Chapel. Visits to St. Peter's typically do not involve long lines, so it's not an issue there. At the Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel, it's typical that one can get in with little or no wait after the 8:45 opening time if one arrives by about 8:15 (so, a wait of about 30 minutes, but that's much better than a couple of hours). It is possible to get a reserved entrance time in advance with no waiting in line if one books a guided tour, but it is not permitted to leave the tour group once the tour is inside, so that won't work for me.

Hence, I think terenz' advice is the best option for me.

Okay, I'm going back to Rome for a second visit, and researching in advance of that trip, I stumbled upon this thread I started. My above post is based on what I found before my first trip (late May, 2005), and I thought I ought to mention how that differs from my actual experience on that trip.

Some had mentioned finding no lines at the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel +) in late May, but on a Friday morning I encountered what seemed to be a very long line when I arrived at 8:00 am or so (45 minutes prior to opening). Once the museum opened, the line moved quickly and I was in by 9:15 or so. There were so many temptations along the way (and things I needed to cover in my research) that I didn't try to rush to the Sistine Chapel first. It did seem to me (though I'm not sure if this is true) that if there's a really big backup of the line waiting to get in the door to the Sistine Chapel, one might be able to bypass some of that line (depends on how far it backs up) by taking the detour through the modern art museum.

The following Saturday morning I returned at about the same time of day to try to get back in to cover some areas I had missed the first time. There were TWO lines, and they were both IMMENSE (1/2 mile or so?) and growing rapidly. So I skipped the second visit.

My experience with St. Peter's Basilica was about what I expected based on my statement above. Relatively short, fast moving line - no need to take creative measures (if there were any) to circumvent it.

I didn't try a tour to bypass the Vatican useums lines, but on the Saturday morning when I found two lines, my understanding was that one of them was tour groups. And that line wasn't skipping anything. Just waiting.

Research I've done this week seems to go in two different directions. I'll occasionally encounter people who suggest they booked a tour that was able to skip long lines and get into the Vatican Museums quickly. Angel Tours actually says on their web sites that they skip the lines (but this COULD be merely the lines into St. Peter's they refer to?). But the majority of what I read suggests that the tour groups have to wait just like everyone else.

If there's anyone with definitive information on the ability of tour groups to dramatically shorten the wait to get into the Vatican Museums, I'd love to hear it.

Did you see the necropolis? That's the best part.

To view the necropolis and excavations under St. Peter's, you have to write the office at the Vatican's website to request date/time/no of visitors. It's closed on Sundays and presumably all Catholic holidays too.

Did you see the necropolis? That's the best part.

No, I didn't, and so I hear. But my first trip was devoted exclusively to art research and I didn't have time to spend on non-art-research locations. And this time, I'll have two small kids with me, while the necropolis tours do not allow young kids. But there will undoubtedly be at least a third visit (we'll take a few coins by the Trevi fountain just to be sure), and I hope to see the necropolis then.

Can anyone tell me if it's worth the effort to get a letter from your priest in order to get closer seating for the Wednesday audience with the Pope? With our weekend work schedules, DH & I have not registered with our new parish since moving. (I know that's bad.)

Thanks for the info posted in this thread!

Did you see the necropolis? That's the best part.

I just requested two tickets for either October 30 or 31. Do you think this was enough time in advance?

Gwen

Pay the 20 Euros for a guided tour to jump the line then take off on your own. No big deal.

I just requested two tickets for either October 30 or 31. Do you think this was enough time in advance?Yes. Just doublecheck if you don't hear back in a week or so.

Pick up a tour in St. Peters Square, you skip the lines, and you'll learn something.


We had an awesome tour guide in August, a woman from Boston who has been doing tours for 5 years. She is in her 50's, gray hair. Really good guide.

I wanted to see if anyone had any recent experiences this summer. From reading what I could about the vatican tours the options seem to be:

1. Go by yourself and be prepared to spend a lot of time waiting
2. Go with one of the registered tour groups which is very expensive (am I right in estimating 100 Euro a person)
3. Go and find one of the unofficial tourguides at the Vatican who can help navigate the lines but cost a lot less than those above.


With 5 days in Rome I can spend the better part of a day at the Vatican. I guess I should see St Peters, the Sistine Chapel, and the Museum. I am leaning towards option 3 as I am not Catholic and would like to get some expert insight into what I am seeing. Anybody have any recent experiences with a good guide they wish to share? I will be there Thursday through Monday, any day better than others for smaller crowds?

Thanks,

1. Go by yourself and be prepared to spend a lot of time waiting
2. Go with one of the registered tour groups which is very expensive (am I right in estimating 100 Euro a person)
3. Go and find one of the unofficial tourguides at the Vatican who can help navigate the lines but cost a lot less than those above.


With 5 days in Rome I can spend the better part of a day at the Vatican. I guess I should see St Peters, the Sistine Chapel, and the Museum. I am leaning towards option 3 as I am not Catholic and would like to get some expert insight into what I am seeing. Anybody have any recent experiences with a good guide they wish to share? I will be there Thursday through Monday, any day better than others for smaller crowds?


For the 100 Euro, you're paying for more than just access, as the information you get from a licensed guide will likely be accurate, the stuff the unofficial guides say is well, a great deal of misinformation. [Before I get flamed by people saying "but the unofficial guide who showed us really knew their stuff" I have a Ph.D. in Italian Renaissance Art, I know what's accurate and what isn't in this area. The things I've heard guides say while visiting the Sistine Chapel - truly horrifying]

Another alternative: a # of tour companies now rent Rome audioguides on MP3 players by the week. For a relatively low rate (I think maybe 30 EU) you can have a self-guided tour - which means you can have more control. Whether licensed or not, an organized tour will require you to visit what someone else thinks is interesting - which may or may not coincide w/what you think is important.

A for what time/day to visit, go the Vatican websitehttp://mv.vatican.va/StartNew_EN.html
and see which days, if any, while you are there, the museum is open all day. Go to the church in the am, have lunch in the area, and then visit the museum in the afternoon - when the lines will be much shorter.

You can bypass the museum lines by booking one of the Vatican's own tours. Cost including admission is currently €23.50.

It was shared by Roman friends that they do this to avoid the lines and then bail on the tour once inside.

Here's the link to the Vatican's site with all info:

http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-Info/MV_Info_Servizi_Visite.html

And here's a link to an older thread where I shared in detail about all this:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355386&referrerid=9641

And yes, I just posted this all on another thread, but as this thread is dedicated to the Vatican thought it should be here too....

Just trying to help others avoid the lines and not get gauged by tour operators! :)

Actually, we went on a tour at the start of October and it was 51 euro each for a guided tour of the Vatican museums. Line ups for the Basilica wern't terrible, but it certainly was hot-wouldn't want to do that in the middle of summer! Line ups for the climb up to the Cupola were also long, and even if you take the elevator, it's a long haul-about 320 steps from the top of the elevator. Good to get the exercise but it makes for a long day of lining up outside and hiking!

Actually, we went on a tour at the start of October and it was 51 euro each for a guided tour of the Vatican museums. Line ups for the Basilica wern't terrible, but it certainly was hot-wouldn't want to do that in the middle of summer! Line ups for the climb up to the Cupola were also long, and even if you take the elevator, it's a long haul-about 320 steps from the top of the elevator. Good to get the exercise but it makes for a long day of lining up outside and hiking!

hi there. are you saying you took the tour given by the Vatican museum itself and they charged in excess of what their website indicates?

No, the tour we went on left from our hotel which was near the Piazza Republica, and included transportation. In looking at the website you provided a link to, we would have gladly done the less expensive tour, but the cheaper option requires advance booking, which we were unable to do. We also got in right when everything opened, I believe right at 9 if I recall correctly, which made it possible to see more that day. I guess it just depends on your circumstance as to which tour you choose....