Hi everyone,
I'm planning 5 days in Rome this month with the Vatican as my top priority. I'm a bit worried about the mixed reviews regarding waiting times, especially for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Would experienced travelers on this forum have any tips to share?
Is it really essential to book tickets online? (I noticed it's a bit more expensive). I've heard about a special "early morning" entry at 8am, has anyone tried this? And for a first visit: would you recommend a guided tour (with skip-the-line) or an audio guide at my own pace?
My budget is flexible if it's really worth it. I mainly want to avoid wasting half a day in queues!
Thanks in advance,
Posted by
238 posts
We did an early morning entry, where we were allowed in just before 8am. We were guided very, very quickly through the Vatican Museums, which major highlights pointed out, and went straight to the Sistine Chapel.
We got 20 perfect minutes there with only forty people, all from our tour, inside. It was wonderful.
Once that was over, the guide showed us the "secret" entrance through to St. Peters, and left us to our own devices. We were able to spend as long as we wished in the Museums and it was just after 11am when we got back to the Sistine Chapel to head into St. Peters.
It was horrendously packed and this was in late October. You were literally shoulder to shoulder and we couldn't wait to leave.
For us the relatively small cost of the early entry tour was worth every penny. I highly recommend it.
Posted by
Canada
5 posts
My husband and I visited both this week. We arrived just before opening of the Vatican Museums and joined a short lineup. Waited about an hr in the line to get in and buy our tickets. A quick trip through security and we were in! By early afternoon we saw the lines were much longer!
Went to 8:30 mass at St Peters Basilica following day. Again arrived early…no lines and lots of time to wander before the mass. Might be different closer to Christmas though.
No comment on the tours, as we rarely take them; however there were plenty of options - self-guided, audio, or tour groups.
Posted by
Washington DC
28247 posts
There used to be tours that had access to the Vatican Museums before they opened to the public. That changed in January of this year when the Museums began opening earlier. Now the "early" tours just get you inside about the same time as members of the general public who have bought tickets for the first entry slot.
I wouldn't want to arrive at the Vatican Museums without a pre-purchased ticket. Yes, you might not have to wait multiple hours if you show up before opening time (but late December could be busier than early December, so I'm not sure about that), but if you show up later in the day, it could be really bad. And the line is outdoors, exposed to the weather.
Posted by
133 posts
We visited the Vatican Museums this past Saturday, November 30…we had timed tickets for 3pm. We arrived at 2:30pm and were allowed in early. There was only a very, very short line for those wanting to buy tickets. I was stunned at how uncrowded the museums were…so much less crowded than our previous visits which usually occur in October. What we noticed particularly was the lack of tour groups. It was actually pleasant to wander through the museums on our way to the Sistine Chapel. The chapel itself was fairly crowded, but even it was slightly less so than in our previous visits.
We have now decided that late November is a great time to visit Rome!