Vatican Necropolis registration on the day

You'll waste your entire day waiting to see if someone doesn't show for the tour. I've never heard of anyone not showing so the odds are very slim that you would get an open slot. If the office had a slot for the time you'll be in Rome they would have awarded it to you but is seems like they don't. This tour is very limited in the number of slots per day, even in the off season. You'll always find it sold out to capacity no matter the time of year. I would just put it down as something to plan for your next trip.

Donna

We just did this tour on Tuesday. I don't know how anyone would even be able to see if there were any no shows on this tour. We had to go to a security checkpoint and show them our reservations. They scanned our bags and then we went to the Swiss Guard checkpoint. They checked our reservations and we went to the Ufficio Scavi office. Who we showed our reservations to and they issued a ticket. We then met our tour guide and she checked our tickets.

There were many checkpoints and there would be no way to get to the office and see if there were any no shows. It was by far the most secure place we went in Rome.

"….the crowd shouldn't be as much as in summer."

Jen, you're going to be there at the height of the Christmas celebrations (Dec. 23-25) on a Jubilee Year. I probably mentioned this on another of your threads but unless current events in the news scares a pile of tourists and pilgrims away, Rome is going to be plenty busy. I wouldn't waste what little sightseeing time you have standing in line even if sliding into a cancellation spot was possible - which appears doubtful.

I am with Deb in that I have trouble picturing getting somewhere to check for no-shows. But I do have story to add for Donna. :) last June my daughter and her 2 traveling companions, in a story that still gives me heartburn (ha!), got separated on the metro, found each other (no phones), got a bit lost, and thus were an hour too late for their reservation. Boom. 3 open spots. In another twist I wouldn't have believed, those in charge graciously let them go on the next tour in 2 hours. In June. I sure wouldn't count on something like that, but wierd things happen.

I agree, weird things happen but would you really spend an entire day of your vacation waiting for the off chance that someone didn't show up? I would just try to visit on my next trip instead of wasting a day waiting for a possible no-show.

Donna

Hi All,

thanks so much for the input. I'd try my luck on the time fits into my itinerary so I wouldn't keep checking the whole day. on their web, it does written that we could visit the office on the day.
i might leave my hubby first queueing for the Basilica while I check on the Necropolis

Gwynn,
might share how your daughter passed the checkpoints without scheduled reservations?

what i think is i still need to go through all the checkpoints but i could tell the Swiss Guards that I just want to check available spots on the day.

but i could tell the Swiss Guards that I just want to check available
spots on the day.

Security being as tight as it is right now, I think your chances of getting through are slim to none. My other concern - looking back at previous posts - it that your itinerary has been all over the place, and you seem to be devoting (or trying to) an extraordinary amount of time to the Vatican at the expense of everything else there is to see in Rome.

Your time is very short so returning to the same area multiple times - to check possible mass tickets, to see the basilica, see the museums, to go BACK for mass, try to get Necropolis tickets, etc. - has become confusing and promises to be an exercise in frustration what with security and sheer numbers of pilgrims and other visitors in town for Christmas and Jubilee.

I would suggest enjoying what you have access to, rather than trying to talk your way into other places. Their job is to protect the Pope, not make special exceptions for tourists (despite the Renaissance uniforms, they really are trained police/military).

You'll probably have a much more enjoyable visit if you just go along with the rules, and follow them exactly, rather than trying to get exceptions – particularly at that time of the year.

I'll make sure first with Ufficio Scavi of how could I check the spot on the day without having the reservation paper when passing the Swiss Guard. it's on their website that we could check it on the day so i don't expect any exception from the Guards. Things do happen though if they don't let me in even if the Scavi said I could but i'm not trying to look for any special treatment or bending any rule here

The reason of why I'm trying my luck for the Necropolis is i think it's a good starting point for the tour (and we could skip the st peter's long queue too). from the underground, grotto then st Peter's, looking down knowing there's a whole story beneath the floor.

Hi Kathy
so on the 23rd, i plan to get my papal mass tix firsthand from the right side Bernini's Colonnade, then depends on St Peter's queue if it's still early and not too many , we might head to Necropolis otherwise, I'd leave my hubby on St Peter's queue. in regards to the Museum, I also have asked on the other thread, do you think i'd rather change the 12.30pm time to the later?
btw, i still haven't got my Papal Mass confirmation letter until now. It's been a week. I do hope it doesn't get lost >_<

The Vatican is on high alert with the recent threats against them. I wouldn't expect the guards to let you past, regardless of what the website says. The booking website doesn't keep up with current events so the information there is generic.

If you're trying to add the necropolis tour into the mix then I certainly wouldn't book the museums tickets for 12:30. I would book them for as late as you can.

Donna

Ditto to Donna's good advice.

Hi Donna & Kathy

thanks so much for putting up with my sometimes silly questions :) i really appreciate it.

i've got replies from Ufficio Scavi. the guy just confirms that yes i could check on the day but he avoids my question twice in regards to the Swiss Guards. so i think based on that, the Swiss Guard might assess directly the person on the day. i'll print out the reply from Ufficio Scavi for the Swiss Guard but then I'd see as well if for example it'd take too much of my time, i'd skip it.