Best timing for Vatican Museum, Sistine and St. Peters

Srini

I spent time wondering what was the best time of day and much reading both from other posters and RS book. Long line-ups in the mornings and tours. So after all this and of course nearing the end of our stay in Italy I opted for Thursday at the noon hour when hopefully the tours and a lot of people will be at lunch. I have been before and it will take a good 2-2.5 hours to see the museum and Sistine Chapel and another 1 hour for the Basilica and surrounding area.

It will leave some time to walk to a nice cafe after.

Just a suggestion.

Forgot to mention the last time we were there we went around 3PM and literally no line up - just walked in.

We got in line for the VM about 45 minutes early, then waited until it opened. As soon as it opened, we got in and had the place to us and about 700 people (this is the limit allowed in the building at one time. It's FIFO, so you don't get too overwhelmed). Most of the group is bolting for the Sistine, so if you meander, it's not too bad. After reaching the SC, you can't scoot out he corner door and be inside the SP security and enjoy the basilica. It will be crowded, but you're looking up most of the time anyway, so it didn't bother me too much

In the mornings you will see long lines of people waiting to get inside. These lines die out in the afternoon but the museums are always crowded. I always tell people that if they don't have tickets to go in the afternoon to avoid the line outside. This doesn't mean that the museums will be empty, they never are, but they won't wait for an hour to get inside. Once inside you will be pushed along like cattle. Everyone is doing the march to the sistine chapel. The vatican does sell entrance tickets for 8 am and this will allow you inside before the majority of the crowds. If you can get early tickets I would do this and see the museums, chapel and then basilica. This will give you the late afternoon and evening free to do as you wish.

Donna

The lines really aren't an issue anymore if you use the timed entry tickets. You can buy them within 60 days and its 4 euros per ticket for the reserved time entry. The ideal way to go to limit how much you will be walking is to do the Museums and then the Sistine Chapel and there is an exit at the back of the Sistine Chapel that takes you to the Basilica, it's sort of to the right compared to the main exit to the left that takes you back out through the main museum exit. If you rent audio guides, you have to use the main exit though to return the audio guides. Are you planning on doing a tour, using guide books or renting the audio guides for the museums?

How much time you need in each of the areas really depends on you. Some people get through the museums in 2 hours, spend 15-30 minutes in the Sistine Chapel and then an hour or so at the Basilica. Others can spend a lot more some spend less. We took our time in the museums our last trip and spent over 4 hours in them and about 45 minutes in the Sistine Chapel. Then we went and had some lunch and then spent time in the Basilica. We also climbed the cupola the last trip and attended a mass and probably spent over 3 hours at the Basilica overall. We always put aside a whole day for the Vatican area though.

We actually got to St. Peter's around 8:45 on a Friday morning, to NO LINE whatsoever. Walked in and looked around, staying for a mass, and then for a bit afterward before our reservation time at the Vatican museum at 11. We stayed at the museum until probably 4 (with a snack/rest in the middle), walked through to the Sistine Chapel, and then went through the group exit from there back into St. Peter's, where we jumped right in the line to go up into the cupola. When we came back down, we had time to look at the basillica in a bit more detail and also went in to see the tombs of the popes (not the Scavi tour, just the basics). It worked out pretty well for us crowds-wise; the only line we ended up with was the line to go up to the cupola, which probably took a half hour or so, perhaps a little more.

Were any of you sorry that you did not take a tour? It sounds like, with no tour, you have more time to wander on your own but, with a tour, perhaps you learn more? What are your reflections on this?

Our first trip to the museums we took a tour, it was OK, it really depends on the quality o the guide for what you are looking for in information. The second trip we rented the audio guides and those for us were as good as the guide from the initial trip. There is a lot to see in the museums and a good guide would be a great asset.

To me a tour is the best of both worlds. With the vatican tour you can decide at the end of the tour to go into the basilica or go back into the museums. This way if you wish to spend more time seeing the museums you can. I always suggest that if it is your first time at the museums to take a tour. The museums are huge and a tour helps you get your bearings.

Donna

One other thing to add to the discussion - Wed's after the Papal Audience (11:30am-12) are crazy. Not a good time to do either St. Peters or the Vatican Museums.

Thank you all very much for your input. Very useful for me to plan on my Vatican visits.
Regards,
Srini