I know you need reservations for the chapel. How far in advance do you need to make the reservations? I will be staying in Venice and want to take a day trip to Padova. I do not want to get my reservations to the chapel too far in advance for fear a transportation strike might be called on the day I plan on traveling, and I have no way of getting there.
Thanks
Posted by
Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
251 posts
I would say that typically you would not need them too far in advance. I booked way in advance, but it is possible to get tickets up to the day you are visiting. I was there in May and my tour group still had a few spots open, and some of the people in my group had walked up and gotten theirs that day, I believe. You can book anytime and also check the availability for slots at certain days/times here: http://www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it/ . Just checking it now, I picked out a random time for this Saturday, mid-day, and 16 spots are still open (out of 25). So, you can see, it's not as tough as the Last Supper to get into. But, if you are visiting in the middle of the summer when it will be more crowded, then I'd be more cautious. Generally speaking though, you can just check it a few days to a week before you want to go, and as long as the transportation looks good, then you could book it. Enjoy your travels!
Posted by
San Antonio, TX
134 posts
You can make reservations over the telephone. I went in October and did not need a reservation. There was only two of us waiting to get in. When are you going to be in Italy?
Posted by
Texan in CA
4418 posts
And IF you get the opportunity to spend longer in the Chapel, DO IT! At times they offer longer visits; up to 40 mins long. You can always leave earlier if you're ready, but I was extremely sad to have to leave after 40 minutes 8-( Again, depending on what part of the year you'll be there, you should be fine reserving before you leave home (except for June/July, maybe) - you would probably know by then how the strike situation is going...
Posted by
OP
Yorktown, VA, USA
13 posts
I plan on visiting Padova on May 10 which is a Tuesday. Thanks, one and all, for your reponses.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
FWIW, rail strikes tend to start on a Saturday evening and go for 24 hours.
Posted by
Houston, TX, USA
14 posts
We were in Venice in early Mar 2011. While there we decided to take train to Padova & Vincenza. We went online with the hotel's computer and got tickets 3 days before we were traveling. We printed out the confirmation and picked up our tix at the chapel area no problem. The online system shows you for each day, if there are tix available for each time slot. So you can go online, find a day with tickets and purchase them & then go get your train tix. Go, it was fabulous inside, even tho just 15min
Posted by
Catadupa Alamere, CA
515 posts
I was there in a March. I just walked in and waited 90 minutes to get in maybe I was lucky. Buying online a day or so before would seem to me to be the way to go. As far as I know, strikes in Italy are well publicized in advance so that nobody is surprised. The train from Venice takes no time at all and the station is close to the Chapel.You will love the Chapel.