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Transport to early morning Vatican tour

Would like to book the Pristine Sistine tour which starts at 7.30am to avoid crowds.. Will likely be staying in the Historic centre of Rome, but am worried about getting to the start of the tour on time if we use public transport.. also commuter traffic if we take a taxi at around 7am? Depends on whether I can find another day on my itinerary to add to Rome, as currently Saturday is the only available day we have and other posts have suggested this is a terrible day. What transport would be the best option, and how long will it take to get to the Vatican at that time of day?

Posted by
11247 posts

We have been on that tour three times with visitors to our home when we lived there and sent several other groups off to do it on their own. I always took — and advised — a taxi and I would call one at 6:45 to be safe. We would arrive in time to have a cappuccino and pastry at the meeting point so there was no chance we’d be late. That also gave us a cushion in case a taxi was not immediately available.

Locate your nearest taxi station the night prior so you are not hunting in the morning.

Posted by
2767 posts

Not everyone has the interest or energy for this but...we walked. Camp di fiori area to the meeting place for the tour is about 30 minutes. If the weather is ok it’s a pleasant walk, nice light, everything is different in the morning.

As for a taxi...that would be faster. I’d give it 20 minutes but with no traffic it’s more like 10. But don’t push it, get the taxi by 7 at least. At 7AM traffic won’t be terrible (too early for the worst of it). Obviously time depends on where your hotel is - you could ask them once you book the hotel, or just put it in google maps to get an estimate then add a cushion.