We are going to be in Italy Oct, 20 to Oct 31. Is it necessary to purchase tickets online to the Vatican, Uffizi and Academia prior to going considering there is a fee for each ticket we buy and it is NOT busy season? I would love to save the money but dont want to get closed out of the museums.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1003 posts
It's always safer of course. but I can tell you from my own experience around the same time of year two years ago, my friend and I walked right into the Accademia on a weekday around 9-9:30am - it was only even remotely busy around David - and I only had to wait in line at the Uffizi on Nov 1 (which was a sunday AND holiday) for about 15 minutes because I decided to go on a whim. I don't think any of these museums would "close you out" per se, you would just risk waiting in line. Only you can decide if that is worth saving a few euros. I will say, though, that florence is still plenty busy in late October. not as busy as true high season, but definitely busy.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
If you are planning to visit the Vatican museums in the afternoon you will most likely encounter little to no lines. If you go in the morning you will probably want to pre-purchase entry tickets. The lines in the morning are huge even in the slowest season. Donna
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
We're headed back to Italy this weekend, taking our oldest son who has never been. Because of our limited time, we did pre-book tickets to the Academia Galleria and the Vatican. Because my son is a huge history buff, we're also doing the underground tour of the Colosseo - which required pre-booking. When my wife and I travel we rarely pre-book anything (other than an occasional opera), but time is our greatest challenge and we want to show our son many things off the beaten path. If we had gone to the Vatican in the afternoon, rather than our proposed AM visit, we would not have pre-booked. One huge advantage is... we know where we're going and how to get there - and that will also save us time. Just finding some things is a "time" challenge to some visitors. Although we've been to Venice 35+ times, we always seem to get lost in the narrow back-streets, but then... we enjoy that experience and discover new sites. With a first-timer like my son, I doubt we'll have the time (or he will have the energy) to wander as much. For help on getting reservations in Rome, you might read this: What to Pre-Book in Rome. To me, if you pre-book the Academia Galleria or the Uffizi, it's often better to call then to do it online ... you seem to get more "time-slot" options. If pre-booking, stay away from the third-party vendors as their "handling" charges can be excessive.
Posted by
Toledo
653 posts
The Borghese requires a reservation but you can probably get one in Rome. If you have time while in Florence, go to the Museum of San Marco, which has beautiful frescoes in every friar's room. You probably won't need a reservation for it.
Posted by
white bear lake, minnesota, USA
87 posts
we pre-booked sev. sites, just to make sure we would get in. In future visit, I will attempt to go later in day to Vatican or book the very first time slot in the a.m.
We went at 11 a.m. Got right in with our reservations, but were nearly overwhelmed with all the crowds in the place the whole time we were there, esp. the Sistine Chapel. Watch out for the tour groups. Those people will run you right over! Seriously, even with a reservation, I recommend you avoid peak times at popular places.