Best time to enter Vatican Museums with pre-purchased ticket

Usually RS travel books are pretty accurate, my only concern would be that the air conditioning in the Vatican Museums is poor or non-existent so if it as hot day the afternoon will be worst time of day temperatures wise.

Rick's book suggests going after 2 p.m., but almost everything I see online says to go first thing in the morning. Has anyone had recent experience getting into the Vatican Museums in the afternoon? We will be in Rome June 19 and 20

I'm on the same boat in trying to decide if we would do the early tour or do the afternoon per RS suggestion.

...as the rest of my family are not early risers. We're leaning towards doing the afternoon tour.

Any inputs from folks who've done the afternoon tour of the Vatican Museums during the summer would be greatly appreciated.

I would base your decision on your interest level. The museums close at 6 pm so you should decide if 4 or less hours is enough for you or if you want to make it an all day venture. There is a lot to see inside the museums to check out the official website and then make your decision.

I will say that no matter what time you go the main galleries are going to be wall to wall people. Most of the cruise passengers come in the morning but the museums are packed the entire day, year round.

http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html#lnav_info

Donna

I would base your decision on your interest level. The museums close at 6 pm so you should decide if 4 or less hours is enough for you or if you want to make it an all day venture. There is a lot to see inside the museums to check out the official website and then make your decision.

I will say that no matter what time you go the main galleries are going to be wall to wall people. Most of the cruise passengers come in the morning but the museums are packed the entire day, year round.

Donna

Thanks for the insight Donna! I totally forgot about the traffic from the cruise passengers.