Vatican and Sistine Chapel Tickets

Posted by melanie on 07/07/26 02:19 AM

I am going to Rome in October with a friend, and we were hoping to go to the Vatican and Sistine Chapel late in the day. We are going to use Rick Steve's free audio tours, so we only planned to buy a ticket from the official website rather than book a tour. The problem I'm having is that the latest slot for any day I check is 2 pm. But from I've read elsewhere, they should be slots for up to 6 pm. Are things closing earlier now? Or am I doing something wrong?

Also, Is 2 hours between our timed ticket for the Vatican/SIstine Chapel and St Peter's a safe bet? Or should we give ourselves more time? Thanks for any advice you can offer!

Posted by Tinka

Canada

07/07/26 03:02 AM

25 posts

I’m not sure where you are looking if you’re indeed on the official website.
I just looked and there are tickets available in the afternoons in October, though I don’t know the exact day you want to go.

Personally I would want more than 2 hours. I don’t know how long Rick allots for the audio tour. But the museums are enormous and there is so much to see. And you will need time to walk around to St Peter’s.

Posted by melanie OP

07/07/26 03:06 AM

151 posts

Thank you! The date we are looking at is October 27. The last slot is 14:00 (2 pm), and when I check other days, it's the same. We were hoping for 4 pm or 5 pm. Are you seeing later slots? I am pretty sure I'm on the official website:
https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html

Posted by ChristineH

Gettysburg PA

07/07/26 04:17 AM

9496 posts

You have the correct website.

When you get to the 'choose your time' page- you must click the "AFTERNOON" button- large gold
Plenty of times up til 5:30
(for some reason the MORNING button actually goes up til 2 pm)

I assume you are planning on St. Peter's before the Vatican?
A very rushed visit there would be about an hour I guess, provided you have an entry time (nobody skips security line)
You can book a timed entry there. Just a few euros, includes audioguide
https://www.basilicasanpietro.va/en/

Vatican museum needs as much time as you can give it- at least 2-3 hours if you only want to see Sistine Chapel- the walk thru museum to the chapel will take a while.
You will be walking upstream to exit from the Chapel
Then it's 15-20 min walk to St. Peter's.

Posted by melanie OP

07/07/26 02:32 PM

151 posts

Thank you Christine, I can’t believe I didn’t notice that toggle! Sorry for that - I guess because 2 pm was a morning option, it didn’t occur to me that there was a separate listing for afternoon.

I appreciate your timing suggestions. I was also trying to book the Scavi tour, but when I emailed them, they sent me an email with a link to the Necropolis tour, so I’m guessing this is the same thing?? I filled out that form, but the response I received says that I’ll hear back much closer to the date with my exact time. This makes it difficult to plan the other two pieces of the puzzle. Also, if the tour is indeed the “Scavi” tour, does that mean I don’t need to book Peter’s Basilica since the tour ends inside the bascilica?