I know from the posts and Rick Steves' updates that the Vatican Museum has later hours. I assume that St. Peter's, being an operating church, has the same hours and listed in the Italy 2007 Guide. Is this true? ALSO - I noticed that some folks have said tours (other than the Vatican's) no longer are allowed the "other" entrance - is this true- or just true of some companies?
Thanks!
We were at St. Peter's/Vatican Museum 7/30. I think the morning St. Peter's hours in the guide book are accurate (can't comment on ending hours). We went in St. Peter's and climbed the dome, and then walked around to the Vatican Museum entrance in plenty of time for our 10:30 tour. Probably arrived at St. Peter's about 8:15 AM and there was no line for security or dome climb. I'm not sure what you mean by "other door". To enter museum or leave the sistine chapel? I think anyone who knows about it can leave the chapel through the "tours only" door, which gets you out of the museum and within the secure area outside St. Peters. We took an official Vatican Museum tour because it seemed like most other organized tours still involved waiting in the long line (it sure looked long the morning we were there). It seemed to me there was only one entrance, but with the official Vatican tour you got in without waiting in the line. Let me know if I didn't get to the heart of your question.
Thanks so much. That does answer both of my questions. I assumed the tours of the museum had another entrance as well...but from the sounds of it, it is just the difference in the line. I was mostly concerned with the comments that some folks had posted to the Graffiti Wall indicating that other tours now had to stand in line - and it appears you have answered that! I will attempt to reserve with the Vatican Museum since this sounds like the best option. Thanks so much!
