I booked a 12:30 pm audio ticket—the website says reservations are only required on Saturday, Sunday and holidays, which today was, and that the ticket isn’t a skip the line so you should arrive even an hour early. Thus I was prepared, somewhat, for the utter madness that greeted me upon my arrival at 11:20. A long line went up the road to the left of it, with people attempting to insert themselves at random, and when I finally got to facing it I saw another long line on the right going away from it. Then there were the people starting their own line off to the right side. No signage or attempts to corral people into ONE line, occasionally a staff member would come through and tell us if we didn’t already have tickets we should go home as they were booked solid. Finally I got to the front! It was magically right about 12:30, even! But they were short on audio sets…2 minutes later I was in and just didn’t bother with the audio guide. I am wondering how it works on others days of the week, might be a better experience.
Posted by
Chicago
3187 posts
When I was there in March, we went on a weekday and got in line before the opening time. The line was to the end of the plaza and then wrapped around back to the pantheon. But once it opened, the line moved quickly.
Your experience regarding the no organization with the line was our experience when we lined up to see pope francis on a Wednesday. When we got to the Vatican, there were multiple lines that were formed, with no instruction or direction as to what each line was for. We finally showed our tickets to someone and they pointed us to the incorrect line. By the time we figured out where the correct line was, it was sooo long. If they’re not going to have people helping, I don’t understand why they can’t have a sign telling people where to line up. “If you have a red ticket, line up here.” Very frustrating.
Posted by
North Georgia, USA
1159 posts
Ah, Italy.
Posted by
Last Frontier aka Alaska 🏔️
3576 posts
Thats crazy! Sorry you didn’t get the audio guide. We usually like to get those.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1455 posts
They don’t really do queuing in Italy. They prefer a more haphazard approach!
Posted by
Alpharetta, Ga, USA
277 posts
Ah Europeans. You can always tell them at American Ski Resorts, they favor the "flying wedge" rather than lift LINES!
Just have to turn your aggressive behavior up to a 10. Helps to have a Londoner with you who speaks 4 different languages.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
1065 posts
hmm, in 17 years of annual visits to the Pantheon, I never had to wait in a line be it weekend or weekday. Start to charge an entrance fee and all of a sudden EVERYBODY just has to go! Just don't do that at my favorite gelato cafe!
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16623 posts
Robert, we had to wait in line on a visit 10 years ago, not even on a holiday! And it was a madhouse inside!