We will be in Rome the last Sunday and Monday of August. I know we can't purchase tickets yet because of the 60 day rule. We would like to do the 7:15 AM early tickets but it looks like you have to book the breakfast with the early entrance. We could care less about the breakfast. Any other suggestions of how to do early entrance - are we missing something? Of course, we are not interested in the "free" Sunday as we are sure there will be hoards of people. Thoughts?
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16698 posts
You don't have other options through the Vatican website itself but there are private companies which offer early access. Cost will be around the same to quite a bit more than the Vatican's breakfast option.
Some popular choices are:
Walks of Italy's "Pristine Sistine" tour:
https://www.walksofitaly.com/vatican-tours/pristine-sistine-chapel-tour
Walks of Italy's Early Entrance Sistine Chapel/St Peter's
https://www.walksofitaly.com/vatican-tours/sistine-chapel-tickets-express-tour
Dark Rome's Express Sistine:
https://darkrome.com/vatican-tours/sistine-chapel-early-access
Roman Guy's "Privileged Entrance" tour:
https://theromanguy.com/tours/Rome/Sistine-Chapel-Vatican-Tour
Do be aware that three of these four are guided tours that include other parts of the museum, and last 2 to 3.5 hours depending on the tour, although you have the option of leaving them if desired. There are cautions - like on WOI's early entrance tour and Roman's Guy's "Privileged Entrance" tours - of possibly not being able to use the "special door" shortcut entrance to St Peter's (reserved for tour groups) if you do this.
Posted by
OP
Gulf Coast, usa
1200 posts
Great info - thanks - the Dark Rome looks interesting!
Posted by
8 posts
I can tell you we thoroughly enjoyed the Pristine Sistine through Walks of Italy. The Sistine Chapel rooms were nearly empty the first time through (you go through twice), quiet, and we had ample time to wander around before the crowds entered. It was well worth the money. We took 5 tours through Walks of Italy and were very impressed with all the guides, who were quite the subject matter experts. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16698 posts
You're welcome. That one (Dark Rome) is NOT really a tour: just early entrance to see the Sistine. You'll self-tour the rest of the museums.