I have a pre booked ticket for a group tour of the Vatican Museums that comes with a ticket voucher to enter the museums and Sistine Chapel . Do I need a separate ticket to go inside St. Peter's Basilica? I have read online you can get to St. Peter's through a door at back of Sistine Chapel, however, I also think I saw a You Tube that said this is no longer possible. I am confused on what I need to do in order to see St. Peter's and not wait in a 2 hour long line. This is happening on a Wednesday in 2 weeks, thanks in advance.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7272 posts
The Basilica is free, no ticket needed
Nobody skips the security line
The “ secret” entrance is no longer an option and even if so it was always supposed to be just for guided tour groups.
Posted by
16 posts
My understanding is that, no, the Vatican group tours no longer include the Basilica because as you noted, it was less of a special skip the line ticket and more because there was a special entrance indoors that has stayed closed since the beginning of the pandemic.
I also believe there are no official skip the line tickets available. Your only option is to book a separate guided tour, usually one that includes the dome climb, which still has a security line but it's typically much shorter.
We are staying very close to the Vatican when we are there next week so our plan is to just arrive on a different day very early in the morning when usually lines are much shorter.
Posted by
119 posts
Yeah when I was there in June that back way in was no longer an option. However, I must say, I don't think you will have to wait in line very long. When we were there it was about 12pm and the line was wrapped half way around the square (yes I know its circular ha but you get it) and it took us about 20 minutes to get through the line. It went very quickly.
Posted by
Valley of the Sun
135 posts
by chance does anyone know what time last admission of the day is St. Peter's? We will be visiting on a Tuesday in early October.