Hi, my husband and I will be in Rome at the end of June. We want to see the Vatican museums and are thinking of just making a ticket reservation so we can skip the line, and do the Rick Steves tour on our own. Everyone recommends making an advance reservation because of the lines, but does anyone have any advice on how far in advance we need to do it? We are trying to stay as flexible as possible with our travel plans. Will we be able to get a reservation a few days in advance, or are we talking weeks in advance?
Thanks!
-Angie
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Angie, there is no way of knowing. Some days sell out and some don't. You're going during high season so it's a risk that you won't be able to get advanced tickets if you wait. I understand wanting to be flexible but it makes more sense to plan certain things in advance and avoid a possible hours long wait.
Donna
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I would reserve the Vatican museum as soon as you reserve a Rome hotel. The more time you have for the trip, the easier it usually is to be flexibile.
Posted by
Toronto, canada
27 posts
Hi, if you go to the official Vatican website you can purchase tickets ahead of time, no more then 60 days in advance (I just tried for August and found this out).. It shows you a monthly calendar and you pick your day then you can pick a time slot. If it were me I'd take a look at the time your in Rome and see how full the time slots are and base it on that. I would also spend a few days seeing if it changes or not. But I'm a planner and I would defiantly book it in advance, also cuts down the cost once your there!
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Oh, I didn't realize you could see a calendar with available/booked dates. I'll check that out. From everything I've been reading, I definately don't want to miss out. I'll be sure to just commit to a day and make the reservation if it's getting booked up. Thanks!
Posted by
12 posts
Get the tickets in Advance, That line stretched around all three sides of the Vatican when we were there last month! I would guess those poor folks at the end, were having a 2 hour wait to get in. We walked straight in with the tickets. By the way, If you go on a Wednesday. the Pope holds an outdoor general audience session out in the Vatican and those tickets are free. We were able to see the Pope on our visit and we were close enough to shake his hand. The guards didn't even check anyone's tickets either. You will have to get out there at 700am to see the Pope, but it's worth it. If you want to see what it looks like each Wednesday, go to Utube and search Popes general audience.
Posted by
Near the Border, WA
12 posts
If you will be here on a Friday night, go at night! They let you in starting at 1900. The crowd is very small and it's a great chance to actually be able to see the Sistine Chapel. I made my reservation online and used the RS audio tour and was pleased as punch.