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Dome climb plus Scavi tout

If we (4 adults) are the first one’s in line for the dome climb at 7:30 and our Scavi tour is at 9:30, will we be able to make it to the Scavi tour on time if we do the dome climb as soon as we enter St Peter’s Basilica?

I am assuming we would climb the dome at 7:30 immediately after buying tickets and then be down from the dome by 9am . After that, we would walk to the Scavi security. I am assuming this walk followed by the Scavi security will take no longer than 15 min in total. This puts our timing to arrive for the 9:30am Scavi tour at 9:15am ( as requested on the Scavi ticket).

Basically I would be leaving 15 min to get over to the Scavi tour from the Basilica? Is this doable? Or is it the case that tour groups are at the dome climb at 7:30 am as well making it impossible to do the dome climb in 90 minutes.

I have the following questions:
1. Is doing the dome climb at 7:30 am and being done by 9am possible or is this too optimistic with respect to timing?
2. Is leaving only 15 minutes (from 9am - 9:15 am) to walk to the Scavi tour office from St Peter’s basilica (after our dome climb) and go through the Scavi security feasible ? Or, is this timing too optimistic?

Posted by
8126 posts

I would allow a good hour to climb up, look around, and get back down.

The problem with saying "being the first in line for the dome climb" is that to get to the ticket window for the Dome Climb, you need to be in line to go through security with everyone waiting to go to St. Peters, the Crypt, and the Dome climb. So it really depends on how long that line is and how long it takes to get through security. From there, the line for the dome tickets is not that long usually, and for the climb, it is pretty wide open and no line until you get in the actual dome, where it is single file. I would opt for the extra cost to take the elevator to the roof though.

Do you have enough time? Maybe tight, but really depends on that security line.

Posted by
627 posts

Having climbed the dome, I would say no. You have to go through security, and then buy your ticket which will likely involve a line.
Even if you take the elevator after buying your ticket, you will be left with 200+ additional steps, and it is single file, so your pace is limited by those ahead of you (I am assuming you won't be first). You also have to get back down afterwards, and you do want to spend a few minutes at least at the top, right? It's a pretty small area so people tend to take turns at the railings getting views and photos. So you might have to wait your turn there too.

Posted by
11948 posts

No recollection how long I took, but being 'on the clock' would have been a real negative for me.

There is no 'passing lane' on the stairs, just a few widely spaced areas where one can step aside to let someone pass.