Official Vatican Museum tour before or after Scavi tour on same day?

If you don't have the Rick Steves' Italy guidebook, I think you will really enjoy it, and it is handy to tear out the pages for St. Peter's and the Vatican Museum for use while visiting. It will also give you the lay of the land now. I've been to both twice, and also on the Scavi Tour.. Others may have different (and perhaps much better) opinions and much more experience. First, I would not try to tour the Vatican Museum before the Scavi Tour at 10:45. I think you'll be rushed. Second, I am not aware that you can see just the Sistene Chapel as a stand-alone ticket or tour (but maybe you can). Both times we saw it, it was at the end of Vatican Museum tours. Perhaps, others can advise on this. Yes, under most circumstances, the Scavi Tour ends such that you can come up the stairs to the main alter within St. Peters (but that can vary if there are unusual things going on or a private mass, etc.). I don't think you will want to necessarily try to dash to the Vatican cafeteria for lunch between St. Peters and the Vatican Museum. It offers very simple fast food there are much better, also quick restaurants, right outside the entry gates to St. Peters..........and the Vatican Museum is an entirely different entry (to my knowledge). I don't think coming from St. Peter's gives you any advantage with entry to the Vatican Museum. Others might be able to advise. Any chance you can get an earlier Scavi Tour time? Then you can do that and St. Peters that morning and the Vatican Museum in the afternoon. One can spend a week in the Vatican Museum and not see everything.

Thank you Margaret for your quick response to my detailed question. Yes, I am getting new R.Steve's books, and I have many old ones I have been using for the past 2 weeks (even old dvds:) In reply to your question, I cannot change my scavi tour ticket. I appreciate your knowledge. Do you, or any other readers, suggest that we do a Vatican tour the same afternoon? If so, what time? Time is limited, and would like to make the most of the day. Can't seem to find what time they close on 9/13 and 9/14. Could we come out of the Scavi tour at 12:30 and book a Vatican tour at 2 or is that pushing it?

Okay, I think you are a little confused about the Vatican. The vatican museums require a ticket which can be bought online. You can also purchase a tour of the museums online. The English tours are at 10:30 and 2:30. If your scavi tour is at 10:45 you will have to take the 2:30 museums tour. You will have time after the scavi tour to get lunch but I'm not sure the guards will let you inside the museums that far in advance of your scheduled tour. They usually only let you in 20 minutes or so before the tour. YOu will probably have to get lunch somewhere around the vatican and then go for your museums tour. From the basilica it's at least a 15 minute walk to the front of the museums. There is no way to see the Sistine chapel without going through the museums so getting up early to see it won't work unless you wish to buy another set of entry tickets. Donna

A.E.,
Just for clarification, the cafeteria is INSIDE the Vatican Museum building, and the Sistene Chapel is connected to the Museum. Cafeteria is only available to those who pay entry to the Vatican Museum. If you tour St. Peter's first, you can just exit the secure area and you will find all sorts of little non-Vatican restaurants. Then, as Donna mentioned, it's about 10-15 minutes to walk out and around to get to the entrance for the Vatican Museum. The Vatican Museum has its own security screening, separate from the Vatican. If you go for your Scavi Tour first, as long as you don't have bags to check, security should go pretty quickly.

Thank you to Donna, Margaret and all who have given advice. I so appreciate all of your knowledge because you have been there. One more related question, please.... Do to dietary restrictions, if I wanted to pack a small lunch (sandwich, fruit) and leave it at Scavi's baggage/security, how far would it be to get back there after the Scavi tour? It is very kind for all to take the time to help on the boards.

The left baggage area is on the other side of the basilica. It's very close. You will have to leave any bags you carry there as they are not allowed inside the scavi tour. Donna

Look at the guide group Walks of Italy. They do a tour called pristine Sistene at 7:45 am every day. No other groups, no lines. The Walks of Italy guides are the best we have ever experienced in Italy. The company owner is from the US, Jason, I think. If you want to see the Sistine with nobody else around as we did last fall, this is the way to go. We also did the Scavi tour the same day as the Sistine early morning. Note that it is hot and close on the Scavi. Hope for a good guide. We did not have one and the tour was not a highlight of our day at the Vatican.

Grazie:) to all who have responded to my question. I appreciate your advice and knowledge. It is very generous of your time to help me and so many others. Peggy - you posted a suggestion of going to "Walks of Italy." Do you recall how much it was per person for the tour? Also, the official site says that you can't get in at 8am, it's now 9am, unless I'm reading this wrong. (We are going in Sept.) So, I think trying to do a private tour or an official Vatican tour before the 10:45am Scavi tour might be pushing it too much and cutting it close -- what do you think? Thanks again to all those responders.

A E, I looked at the site and they charge 84 euros per person and the tour lasts 3 hours and 30 minutes which will not work for you. Even if you get in at 8 am you won't be done with that tour before 11:30 and will miss your scavi tour. Donna

Thank you, Donna, and so many others for helping with the planning and the details! Everyone is so helpful!