Sistine Chapel

I believe all that has changed with the new and revised ticketing system, and the new hours. Let's search here.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/early-hours-vatican-tour-worth-it

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/vatican-early-morning-tours-2024

I've not taken it but based on comments from some other RS posters who have plus some reviews on the Walks of Italy website, be advised that you are not admitted to the museum any earlier than the general public (8:00). The 7:15 tour time is for group meet-up, not entry time. This does NOT mean that the tour is without the value of a knowledgable guide!!! Just don't expect to avoid all of the crowds, at least not in the morning. Not sure about the late afternoon. A couple of examples:

"I think this was a good tour, and I wouldn't have wanted to visit the Vatican without the tour. However, calling it "Pristine Sistine" is a bit of a misnomer, as you only get 10 minutes of the entire tour in there. Despite the early entry, it is still packed shoulder to shoulder in most places. However, it would be that way no matter what. It was very informative, and we enjoyed our guide, thanks for the tour!"

"Did the early morning tour of the Vatican with my son. We expected the tour to be before the crowds, but it wasn't quite that early."

"Overall the tour was very good and the guide was excellent. However, it didn't appear that we had any sort of "early" access to the Sistine Chapel as suggested by the description and naming of the tour."

"It was an early start to meet our guide and get to the entrance before all the crowds but well worth it. You don't avoid crowds with this tour, you just avoid enormous crowds"

When I took it in. 2018, we we were perhaps among the first 50 in. But by the time we made it to the Chapel it was pretty much full since the faster visitors got there first.

Hi,
I was looking at that same tour. Is there any other tour that allows more time?