Shortcut from Vatican Museum to St. Peters in March (off season?)

Have absolutely no idea what you are asking?? Shortcut ?? What shortcut? Are you asking about attaching yourself to a paid tour group? Don't you think that would be a little dishonest?

I think he is talking about the exit from the Sistine Chapel right into St. Peter"s. It is supposed to be a door for tour groups only. We have gotten behind a tour group and gone out the door with them. It was not a problem for us to just follow them out the door.

During our visit to the Sistine Chapel, we were able to use the stairs in the back of the Chapel (described in Rick's guide book.) It worked like a charm - we didn't have to attach ourselves to a tour group and no one questioned us. We went down the stairs and we were able to exit and walk to the Basilica.

Elizabeth - The last time we were in the Sistine chapel, we waited for a tour group so we could tag along and use the tour exit.... The only tour group that came along was a Japanese group and we tagged along anyway. The guards in the hallway on the way out were smiling because they knew we weren't a part of that group but they could really care less. One of them asked 'Rick Steves?', so my friend held up the book which made all three smile more as they nodded their heads.

We used the shortcut last March. No problems at all, no one even gave us a second look. fyi - we went to St Peter's first and at 8:30 am it was empty. Made the mistake to getting to the Vatican Museum around 10:30 am and it was so crowded it was really unpleasant - even off season. When we used the shortcut to go back to St. Peter's, the Basilica was really crowded too. In hindsight, we should have gone to the Museum later in the day. Have a great trip!

The last time I was in the Vatican I hooked on to a tour group in the Sistine Chapel and ended up walking through the area where the Pope's are buried and then directly into St. Peter's! Be bold and see what can happen! Enjoy!

We went in November. Didn't bother to wait for a tour group. As I recall there were a couple of other people who left at the same time we did but it was pretty obvious we weren't a group and no one paid any attention. They were much more occupied with stopping everyone from taking photos (flash and not) and video-recording.

In the off-season I find things are a lot more relaxed. There weren't any guards even around the short-cut exit.

Thank you for your helpful answers. I really appreciate it.

FYI I went in March 2008 and the shortcut was closed because the Pope was giving his blessing that day. Everyone including big tour groups had to go the long way around.