St Peters Basilica without a Vatican Tour

Hi Nicole
I just returned from Rome last week and the security line wait at St. Peter's was anywhere from 40 to 60 minutes - that was early in the day - between 8 and 10. By afternoon the lines were even longer. Even going to 7 am Mass was difficult as the lines were much longer than usual. These are the longest lines I have seen over the last 5 years that I have been visiting Rome. and going to St. Peter's. However it is a Jubilee year and the end of the year is this month so that has contributed to the influx of pilgrims. Next year may see fewer visitors. The security lines are not just for "security" they also use them to control the flow of visitors to the basilica. So the earlier you go the better it is. Also if your little one can take a longer day going later after 5 pm is sometimes less busy. I do not know what the restrictions are for strollers but I do not remember ever seeing one in the basilica.
But for me no matter how long the wait it is always worth it!

We went to St. Peter's last June without a tour. We went at 3 pm on a Wed. and had to grind our way through a one-hour long line. You can go with a stroller. Bring water and a few snacks. (An umbrella or hat to shield the sun is a good idea also.) There may be a better access line for wheel chairs and strollers, but I have no information on that. I don't think there is a good time versus a bad time to avoid the line. We were hoping to avoid a long line by going at 3 pm.. Things get clogged up at security check points. I really wish the Vatican would sell a limited number of timed entry slots as "fast passes" or skip the line passes at a designated check point to alleviate congestion. But then, who am I to tell a nearly 2,000 year old institution what to do?

October is very high season so the lines at all the sites are longer than usual.

You never need to take a tour to get into St. Peter's. You simply wait in the security line and go inside. The line usually moves very quickly. Most of the time the wait is about 20 minutes or so. I don't believe strollers are allowed inside but I'm not 100% certain about that.

Donna

I don't believe strollers are allowed inside but I'm not 100% certain
about that.

I'm not 100% about that either but I've seen so many reviews - some recent - mentioning that strollers were not allowed in the basilica that I wouldn't risk it. Honestly, your 18-month-old child wouldn't remember it anyway, and would probably find the noise and crush of people to be uncomfortable so I'd find something else to do.

You might try contacting santasusanna.org, the American church in Roma; their website has information on churches and religious events all over Italy.

after going through screening you can just walk right in, the lines move fast . After 6pm ..no lines at all

I was just there as part of the Vatican tour. We got to St. Peters at about 11, after the museum part of the tour, and the line was probably an hour long. Of course, as part of the tour we skipped the line. I agree that the tour isn't great for kids. So I'd get to St. Peters as early or as late as possible. I think it opens at 7AM? If your child is an early riser that may be the best. I can't imagine the lines are too bad that early. I have also heard that very late is OK as well. Right now is the ending of the Jubilee Year, so I imagine crowds are extra crazy, but you will be there after that ends, which should help.

I would NOT count on this, but at many sights I have had guards escort my family to the front of the line when my kids were small. My kids are now 10 and 7, so this doesn't happen anymore, but before 3 or 4 years old some places took pity on us ;)

Also, you can go to St. Peters SQUARE and the giftshops along there with no lines at all, anytime - the lines are just for entering into the church. The square is public and unless there is an event you can just walk in. During an outdoor mass it will be tough, but normal times are no issue.

I have been there twice in the past couple weeks, both times mid to late afternoon. Security lines are not too long after 4 pm, maybe 20-30 minutes unless you're behind one of the pilgrim groups. However, this does not count the mobs, both individuals and tour groups, who got into the church before you arrived. It's a shame but it's wall to wall bodies almost no matter when you go. I will try going once more this week, just before closing, to see if I can appreciate the place in peace!

Question re: lines and time of tour. Sorry to pile on to your thread but have a similar question. I was thinking of a 7:30 am Express tour of Vatican Museums, Cistine Chapel with Dark Rome in early May. We will be at the end of our two weeks in Italy, second trip. It states you get in more than an hour before the public. Since it will be at 7:30 am in early May I was hoping a non peak time helps with volume of people. If its packed I will skip it, not interested in that sort of experience. This isn't a must do thing for us, I just love art and haven't been to this yet.

You'll get into the museums at 7:30 and get to the basilica after 9:30 or 10:00 when it will be busy. The basilica is huge and I've never felt that it was wall to wall people. Unless you get to the basilica at 7am you will always find it filled with people. At 7am you will have it mostly to yourself as not many people are early risers.

Donna

I visited St. Peters on 10/8 (Saturday) and got to the security checkpoint right at 7:00 am. It took us no more than 5 minutes to get through.