Duomo Florence

Book "A Glimpse of Florence" tour?

https://www.museumflorence.com/guided-tours

Unless I'm missing something, a tour (there are other resources besides the link above for duomo tours) is the only way I know to skip the queue at the cathedral.

Joe, our experience was that the line moves quickly-ymmv.

That was our experience as well; I don't think you really need a tour.

Are you asking about just getting into the church - OR climbing to the top of the duomo?

If you want to climb the steps, that's totally different than just walking in the front door of the church. Sure the line to get into the church moves quickly, but you can wait hours to climb the steps to the top. There is an option for a skip the line, you can buy the Firenze Pass to by-pass all the lines in all museums in Florence (as long as it's done within 72 hours of your first visit)
http://www.firenzecard.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=105&lang=en

The pass is not cheap, but might be worth it if you visit a lot of sights while in Florence.

Thanks Ellen,
Right now I am just looking to get it. It seemed last time we were in Florence I glanced at the line when we walked by and it seemed really long.

The line at the Duomo usually isn't all that bad and it does move fast. However, the line for ascending the dome can be long and slow-moving... Alternatively, you can climb the bell tower and it's line is usually much shorter and faster moving.

When going to the Duomo, remember to dress appropriately and don't forget to go to the basement.

Thanks all, at this time we just want to go into the church and walk around. We probably won't do the dome on this trip. THANKS AGAIN

If you are skipping the dome, then instead go to the bell tower and climb that. You'll get a great view of the city and surrounding area. At the top, it's not as tall as the dome, but still fun to climb. It's cheaper too, and usually not a line.

Hope you are in good shape...it's a good workout to get to the very top...

Of course, you won't get the views of the inside of the Duomo, but still, go get "high" and enjoy the view.

When I looked in the past, I was unsuccessful with finding a skip-the-line option if I am recalling correctly, but as others have said the line doesn't take too long. And as others have said, the dress code is strict - they will turn you away once you get to the front of the line, even if you have been waiting awhile.

You can book the Bell Tower and Duomo climb in advance and pick times, same with museum. You book with https://www.museumflorence.com/ and it includes the main sites. After you buy the ticket you get an option to book time for museum, bell tower and dome climb - and that part is free - make sure you take your tickets AND time voucher with you (everything you can download after you buy / select.

We booked reservations for museum at 9, bell tower at 11 and dome climb at 2pm. We ended up doing the dome an hour later than reserved and it was no problem at all.

For all of them we walked right up past the lines.

We did not buy the Firenze Card. For us it was not economical.

The interior of the Duomo is among the least interesting in Florence. Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella and San Lorenzo are all more interesting inside. And the best thing in Florence IMHO is the Brancacci Chapel of Santa Maria Del Carmine. Climbing the Duomo is on the other hand an amazing experience; you see the interesting construction up close and personal; not to be missed on a first trip to Florence. I'd buy the hideously overpriced Firenze Pass on a first trip and use it to skip lines at the Duomo, and at the Academia and Uffizi.