Vatican Museum free last Sunday of the month

On the free Sundays, the museums have free admission from 9am to 12.30pm, and they close at 2pm. You have to walk through the museum to get to the Sistine Chapel so I don't think you will be able to make it to the Sistine at 7.30am. And, you'd have to line up quite early to make sure you get in before the 12.30pm cutoff.
http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-Info/MV_Info_Orari.html

If it's not something you're terribly interested in and you don't mind wasting valuable vacation time waiting in line, then you might as well save the admission fees and fight the crowds. Otherwise, choose another time when you can get skip the line tickets and at least avoid wasting time standing in line (and spend longer in the museum if you want to).

*** what's a few more or less?***

Free Sundays always draw about twice the normal number of visitors. The rooms are so packed you are pushed along with the crowd with no chance of stopping and looking at the exhibits. It's the worst day of the month to visit.

There is no way to go early because they don't allow tours on Free Sundays. You'll be in the crowd along with everyone else. Also, there is no way to bypass the lines so get there at least two hours early if you want to be in the first 1000 or so inside.

Donna

This is one of those "you get what you pay for" situations, although if the Sistine Chapel is high on your priorities list, and that Sunday is your only day in Rome, then go for it!

"This is one of those "you get what you pay for" situations"

I'd go further than that. Given how crowded it is on normal days, you'd have to pay ME - a lot - to even attempt to go on the free day. My time and aggravation is worth something, as is my ability to enjoy a sight instead of it being an endurance test.

I'd definitely pay extra (and miss some sleep) for the 7:30 AM tours, so I could actually enjoy the experience. If the Sistine Chapel is important to you, be aware that most of the rest of the day, it's not a pleasant experience. Too many people, too much tension, too much shushing.

I have had only one experience with the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, and it was so very crowded and unpleasant, that I am definitely doing it differently the next time around (i.e., early morning tour). Cannot imagine the thought of having twice as many more people! If given your budget it is the only opportunity to see it or if Sunday is the only possible day to see it, then I say go for it. If neither case applies to you, then consider splurging on another day.

Another advantage of a paid tour is that you can take the Tour Exit from the Sistine Chapel, avoiding a long backtrack on foot to the museum entrance. The exit door for tours leads to a descent on a long staircase, then you pop out at St. Peter's Basilica, if you wanted to see that or attend mass.

the most expensive way to visit a major museum in Europe is on the free day.

Thank-you everyone for your experiences and advice. I would like to see the Pope on Sunday (from the balcony, I know). I am a life-long Catholic so this is a kind of once in a lifetime pilgrimage for my wife and I. Isn't that (Pope's Blessing), on Sunday?

After reading your comments, I may go to the Forum on Sunday instead!

Yes, he issues a public blessing and address on Sundays at noon when he's in Rome. According to the 2015 Papal schedule, you're in luck! Here's some information:

http://www.papalaudience.org
http://www.vatican.va/various/prefettura/en/udienze_en.html