Is it still possible to skip the line at Saint Marks basilica by checking a bag or a large jacket at Ateneo San Basso on Calle San Basso? I did this little trip in 2008 when I went the first time and it worked marvelously! But I don’t see it in the latest version of Rick Steves’ Italy book.
Posted by
Washington DC
28247 posts
No, it was reported on this forum some time ago that the check-a-bag loophole is no longer available. I think the staffed bag-check arrangement has been converted to lockers, and there's no direct entry to St. Mark's. However, you now have the option of going online to get an entry reservation that allows you to bypass the regular line.
As of last September, you didn't have to decide in advance whether you wanted to include the museum (you definitely should) or the Pala d'Oro in your visit, because it was very easy to pay the add-on fees for those inside the Basilica. I suppose that could change at any time.
The online tickets are selling out well in advance. You have to go to the calendar and actually click on a date to see whether there are any tickets at all available. Unfortunately, sold-out dates are not marked on the inthly calendar.
However, I found the regular entry line for folks who had no online tickets did move quite fast.