I hear a lot about tours of the Vatican by Through Eternity, Angel Tours, etc. How many have taken the 2 hour tour through the Vatican itself?
It appears to me that it is 29.50 E which includes the tour, headset, and entrance fee. I'm also thinking it is a skip the line tour. Anyone know if it is good and if my information is correct?
The downside of the Vatican's tour of the Vatican Museum is that it doesn't cover St Peter's Basilica.
THank you so much for letting me know!
We took the Vatican tour last July, and your info is correct. It is a skip the line tour, and when we were there the line was very long. It is billed as a two hour tour, but I'm guessing we were in the museum with our guide more like an hour. She gave us a nice intro to the Sistine Chapel right at the beginning (before we were really in the museum), because the tours stop before you go in the Sistine Chapel (so you are there without your guide, and can stay as long as you want). We enjoyed the tour in general, but the museum was very crowded. If I were going to consider something different and was willing to spend a lot more, I would choose a good before or after hours tour so you don't have the crowds. But I think those are quite expensive.
We used the Vatican tour in April. It was very good for both me, who had some art history background, and my husband, who had none. Our tour guide, Simonetta, was knowledgeable and friendly. The tour lasted about 2.5 hours, plus the time we spent on our own in the Sistine Chapel. The museum was very crowded, but I think it helped to be part of a group. I'm not sure how long the line we skipped was, but we walked past it for about 15 minutes! Note: It is helpful to bring a printout of your reservation because the guards outside check it before you get into the quick entrance door. I had not brought ours because it did not say to, and the first guard told me I was out of luck. Ack! We asked another one and got right in. Once at the reservation desk they quickly brought up our reservation on their computer and everything was just fine after that quick scare.
We took a Vatican Tour through Angel Tours...3 plus hours which included all of the sites there. I suppose it depends on your guide (college students), our was good, and how many questions people are asking. We pre paid with pay pal approx $25 from home on line and only had to buy our, I think, 11 or 14 euro tickets there...no line. We went in the afternoon and after a long day, we were tired. Remember your reservation confirmation on paper and how to find the beginning - where your group meets, if it isn't originating from your hotel. Enjoy!
