My wife and I are planning to visit the Vatican on a Thursday in early October. We would like to see St. Peter's and the Vatican Museum the same day and to do so at times that are least likely to be crowded. We have heard that the Museum is likely to be less crowded after 2 in the afternoon. That would suggest seeing St. Peter's in the morning. Does that make the most sense? Is there a good time to see St. Peter's that would be less crowded than other times?
In thinking about visiting the Vatican Museum, we are trying to decide between taking a Museum guided tour or using an audioguide. The advantage of the guided tour is getting guidance and an efficient tour through the museum. The disadvantage is that the tour is only two hours long and makes it impossible to linger or to choose what to see. The advantage of the audioguide is that we can go at our own pace and make choices about what to see. Are there disadvantages to going with an audioguide? We understand that taking an audioguide requires exiting at the main entrance.
In short, we would appreciate suggestions about when to plan to see St. Peter's and the Vatican Museum in the same day and recommendations about taking a guided tour or using an audioguide. Thanks.