All the discussion says that latest pickup is a half hour before the time slot. I've not see any information on the earliest time you can pick them up. Is it any time that day? Any time during the previous 2 hour slot?
It would be nice to get them early and then wander off for an hour or two rather than have to sit around waiting.
You can pick them up during the two hours prior to your time slot. You don't need to wait at the gallery once you have the tickets but once the door is open to the gallery the clock starts ticking. If you're late you lose that amount of time. Be sure to check any bags you have when you pick up the tickets. The bag check line gets very long right before the doors open.
Donna
You do mean the Galleria Borghese, right? Not the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, or the Galleria Colonna, or some other Galleria?
Yes, I did mean Galleria Borghese. Somehow letters got cut off.
I've decided to skip the GB. It's seems rather outrageous to me that they require you to pick up the tickets early so they can re-sell them if you are late or don't show. I paid for the tickets and they belong to me. Why should they be allowed inconvenience me to show up 45-60 early - no one is going to risk being there exaclty 30 mines ahead. Why should I be inconvenienced so that they can sell my property.
There are plenty of other galleries and museums in Rome. I don't need the GB or their attitude.
well that's a shame.... you don't need to be there 60 early, but if its 30 you will be rushed. Between the bag check, the toilets, the looking around downstairs, and maybe a piece of tasty pastry and/or a cup of coffee, to say nothing of lining up, checking the layout, and everything else you will find that 30 minutes goes pretty quickly.
If that's your attitude you will probably need to check it at the airplane door, and leave it checked until you leave Italy. You will find that Italy is very good at bureaucracy and that getting along works way better than abrasiveness and loudness. Italians respond way better to honey than vinegar.
If you decide to keep your attitude probably the Borghese Gallery isn't the place for you. It is quite compact and best seen in a bit of peace. The Bernini sculptures are unlike any others I have seen anywhere else.
If you don't show up for your airline boarding in the time required, do you think it's outrageous that the airline resells your seat? Perhaps that ticket to the Galleria Borghese will go unused and not resold. But I agree with Nigel, that given your concerns, better that you not go.
The only one being outrageous here is you. They have their policies and they are there for a reason. If people don't show why should they not sell those empty slots? Why is it so inconvenient for you to be there on time? When you paid for the tickets you agreed to the rules. If you don't like the rules you shouldn't have bought the tickets.
With this type of attitude I agree that you shouldn't visit this wonderful gallery. Leave it for others who will appreciate it.
Donna
In your original post, you sounded happy to go outside and look around while awaiting your entrance time. There is a lovely, large park if you decide to do that. The time that I visited the Galleria Borghese, in October, not high season, I took a chance and went at 13:00, lunchtime, and luckily found a ticket available without pre-booking.
That's very rare and doesn't happen during high season. In fact, you will often find signs outside the gallery stating they are sold out until specific dates weeks into the future. At that point there is no chance of getting tickets unless someone doesn't show up, but you don't know they are a no show until about half an hour before each session, and who wants to wait around all day waiting for a possible no show.
Just book your tickets in advance. You can book about 60 days ahead of time (sometimes it's more, sometimes it's less). If you decide you don't want to visit you really haven't lost a lot of money.
Donna
I was wondering, is it possible to arrive 15-20 min before your time slot and still have ur ticket be avaliable (not sold to someone else).. We have a train that lands at 11.58 and I was gonna get tickets for the galleria at 1pm..
Thanx
They start selling them to stand bys a half hour before entry time. You may get lucky but I wouldn't risk it as you won't get a refund if you don't show up in time.
Donna
