Vatican Museum security

I arrived at 9:30 am a few days ago and waited less than ten minutes to enter, with the prebooked timed tickets.

Queues were down the street for people without tickets, though. So definitely worth booking ahead of time.

Thanks so much. I just successfully bought my tickets. I will plan on 20 minutes at least but glad to hear it wasn't an hour. Need to squeeze eating something in before entering and after the St. Peter Scavi.

I’m pretty sure there were restaurants on site. I didn’t stop to eat myself so can’t vouch for them either way, but if you’re a bit concerned re time management that may be an option :)

Hi Maryellen,

I went on a Saturday, and it was very crowded. After waiting in the "skip ahead" line (for about half an hour), and as you near the entrance, a moving door keeps the crowd going. Security is right there. (The guards keep the lines moving at a good pace.) I'm not too sure about an exact-timed entrance. Perhaps that is different. I was part of a Vatican tour for a few hours.

If you are wearing a jacket, heavy sweater, and/or hat, remove them and place them on the the security belt. All bags will be placed on the security belt and checked. Any protruding bag larger than about? 14" will need to be "coat-room" checked. Then at the end, you will have to retrieve it which will affect your entrance into Saint Peter's. You will have to walk around and queue again to get into St. Peter's.

Water bottles will have to be put into your bags. Assisted devices are allowed - canes, walker, etc. Any large umbrellas (the walking stick kind) will have to be checked; so it's best not to buy one/bring one. A small umbrella can be put into your bag.

If you haven't done so, please check the official Vatican site for their policies.

Sistine and Saint Peter's Basilica are just breathtaking!

edited

Thanks for the helpful hints. I hear the food at the museum is poor and overpriced. We will try to get something to eat on the way and avoid checking anything in the coat room

On Thursday we did the Scavi tour at 11:00 and the official Vatican tour at 2:00 the same day. Thought we would have time to eat between tours. Did not happen. After the Scavi tour we walked around inside the Ballisica, not realizing how far we had to walk to que up for Vatican tour. It was a very long, hot walk around the outside wall. Security was a breeze, but then had to go inside to check in for tour, meet up with group, etc. Tour was great, but it was absolutely packed inside the museum. Also very warm inside. Almost impossible to squeeze inside the Sistine Chapel.

Guide told us this wasn't even the busy season. Yikes!

I am hoping that November is not as crowded and cooler. Decided to just do the rick steve audio tour so we don't have to try to be at tour on time. 930 scavi at st peters and can go in before to check the basilica and then 1230 entry time t o museum. Will try to grab food on way