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Academia Tickets / Florence in a day itinerary

Posted by (Tucson) on

Hi All-

I've gone online this morning to purchase our advance tickets to see the David. The first available ticket is noon. On the website this is the case everyday (website: http://www.b-ticket.com/b-ticket/Uffizi/default.aspx, which I got from a Rick Steves article).

I really wanted my day to go something like this: climb the Duomo early to avoid the line, to see the David, have some lunch, wander towards and cross the Poncho Vecchio bridge, visit the Pitti Palace and then take cab to the train to catch a 5 something train to Lake Como.

I know so little about these places - we're going to Florence so my husband can see the David (he's taking us to Italy and letting me do everything I want, but he wants to see the David)

Questions:

I think the earlier tickets have been bought/reserved for tours. Do you think this is a safe assumption?

Do you think later admittance will be less crowded?

Will I get earlier tickets if I call the ticket place directly?

If we climb to Duomo around 8:30 as recommended, what should we do between the climb and the Accademia is I can't get earlier tickets?

And, for the record I LEAVE IN ONE MONTH FROM TOMORROW!!! WOO HOO!!!

Thanks! Merritt

Posted by
6898 posts

I haven't used the b-ticket in quite some time but I see this complaint often about mornings not being available. The suggestion is to call them directly. The following is great information from Kent.

Dial 01139055294883 (dial it just like that from the US) during office hours IN ITALY, which are Mon - Friday 0830 to 1830 Italy time. Be persistent, the hardest part is getting through, the line is often busy. That # should get you to an English-speaking operator, and you'll end up with days and an entry slot for each museum. For the Uffizi the time slot is a 15 minute window and you get a confirmation number--I forget the exact drill for the Accademia but you reserve both with the same operator (that's the way it worked in 2007).

Posted by
103 posts

You can get the tickets earlier. From 8:15 AM and on. This same thing happened to me several weeks ago. You have to call to get the earlier tickets, as absurd as that is. Why they can't just allow earlier tickets to be purchased online is beyond me.

Rest assured though, the earlier tickets are all there, but only available if you call.

Posted by
74 posts

Larry's right. you reserve both the accademia and the uffizi (and others) with that same operator. Also, you have the benefit of getting a reservation without having to pay for the tickets until you show up.

It also gives you a little peace of mind that in case something happens where you end up missing your reservation, you're not out any money.

Posted by
137 posts

Great! I called the number - they're closed but I will call again.

If we're at the Duomo at 8:30, do you think we could get to Academia by 10:30? 10:45? 11:00?

Thanks again!

Posted by
16 posts

We found the same thing when we went online a few weeks ago- no morning reservation times were available so we called the number in Rick Steves book and got right through and lo and behold- there were morning times available. I would do it right away. It was easy and no credit card needed to hold our reservation so we were not charged anything- we were told we would pay when we checked in. Good luck- we can't wait to go! Melissa

Posted by
6898 posts

I would check on the visiting hours for il Duomo. As I recall, it may be 10:00 and after mass before visitors are let in. If you want to climb to the top of the dome, I believe that its 8:30 and through a different side door.

I seem to recall that we were there early and instead of waiting in line, we visited the Duomo museum across the street in the left rear of the Duomo. Its formerly called the Opera del Duomo Museum. For us, it was much better than the Duomo itself. All of the Duomo relics from centuries past are in there.

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