We will be visiting the Vatican Museum Saturday May 3rd. We have purchased our "skip the line" reserved tickets on-line and have an entrance time of 11:30am. Most threads we have read are older with inconsistent information. We are not sure how much time prior to 11:30am we should arrive to get through the security check point.
Questions:
1. Has anyone visited in 2025?
2. Does reserved ticket holders go through a separate/special security check point?
3. Recommendations on arrival time before ticket time?
Thank you for your advice.
Posted by
San Diego, California
6310 posts
However, what the experience and lines are like in Jan and Feb will not be the same as in May, which will be peak season.
Hopeful the above Search will help you. Safe travels!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7903 posts
Be sure to filter Search by Type and Date to get the most tecent posts
Posted by
Atlanta, GA area (USA)
291 posts
We were there last month. We had to purchase a guided tour because the regular timed-entry tickets were sold out. There were several security lines for different types of visitors, I believe there was one for timed entry tickets and a different one for tours. There was also a line of people waiting to purchase tickets that stretched around the building and way down the street - I think they get a high season crowd on the days around Christmas and New Year’s.
We got to the security lines about 45 minutes before our entry time and the guard told us to come back 15 minutes before. So we found seats on a nearby wall and hung out for awhile. I suggest you plan to get there about 11:00 and see what’s going on. As you walk around the outside wall of Vatican City coming from St. Peter’s there should come a place where the sidewalk is divided and there’s a long line on the left that doesn’t move (those are the people who don’t have tickets!). You will keep to the right and go all the way to the museum entrance where you’ll see the multiple security lines with lots of guards. Just show your tickets to a guard and ask what to do. Good luck!