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Accademia reservations---phone versus website

Posted by (Seattle, WA) on

I've looked at the "b-ticket" website for booking tickets for the Accademia and see that tickets are 10 euro each plus a 4 euro reservation fee. But reservations are only available for the afternoon, not mornings.

If I look at the agencies, I can get morning tickets, but of course they cost a whole lot more---80 euro instead of 56 euro for the four tickets we need. One agency (American, quoting prices in dollars) even claims the tickets are $38 each because of the special exhibition running this summer, "Virtu d'Amore: Wedding Paintings of 15th Century Florence".

So how does it work if I phone instead of using the internet? Are morning reservations available? Do they take my credit card # over the phone and charge my card then, or do I just get a confirmation code and we pick up the tickets when we get to Florence?

I know some people have their hotel make the reservations, but we are staying at a small family-run B&B and I am reluctant to trouble them with this.

Posted by
3103 posts

Here's what Rick says on his "museum updates" page:

"When you do get through, an English-speaking operator walks you through the process, and two minutes later you say grazie, with appointments (15-min entry window) and six-digit confirmation numbers for the top sights. Bring the confirmation(s) with you and pay cash at the sight(s). The advantage to phoning versus booking online is that you pay nothing upfront when you phone."

So you pay when you pick up the tickets.

But he doesn't say anything about the morning reservations.

Posted by
2297 posts

There are some advantages to booking by phone:

  • you don't pay in advance

  • you can book for larger groups

  • you have more time slots available

When I phoned I got 6 tickets for a time slot that showed none available online. We paid cash at the time of pick-up.

Posted by
16317 posts

Beatrix---that is exactly what I wanted to hear! Thank you.

Did you have any trouble reaching an English-speaking agent? Or did you conduct the transaction in Italian?

Posted by
2297 posts

Nope, the first operator I spoke to answered in English right away. The whole transaction lasted about 2 minutes. Just make sure you take the time difference into account and call during Italian business hours. So get up early in the morning to call!

Posted by
16317 posts

Cool. We have a 9-hour tie difference to Italy, so I'll call at 7 am here.

Posted by
1170 posts

There are several online companies that sell tickets. One site may show no tickets available in the morning while another will. Try checking with several different online ticket agencies for the availability you are looking for. You might also find a difference in price. I use "Weekend in Florence". You might find a language barrier if you do so by phone. Online, you have written confirmation in your hands.

Posted by
1003 posts

Called for reservations a few weeks before our trip last July. Took only a few minutes with an English speaking operator, paid when we picked them up.

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