Trying to time Vatican visits. The first week of September I have a 1:30 pm Vatican Scavi tour and want to start the day by doing the Pilgrimage through the Holy Doors, followed by either the Basilica tour / Dome using lift (2.5 hrs) OR the Basilica Digital tour / Octogone Hall (2 hrs). My concern is the length of time the Pilgrimage tour, including security and the walk itself, will take. I am thinking 9 am Pilgrimage check in, 10:30 tour check in (last 2 -2.5 hours), and need to check in for Necroplis tour at 1:15. Any thoughts from visitors in the last few months? Thanks!
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23 posts
Easier and a smaller line to do the Scavi first, then come upstairs to St. Peters after the Scavi tour. Walk to the back of the church exit the center doors and look to your left. There will be a line to go thru the Holy Doors when we went was maybe a 10 minute line vs a 1 hour line if you just go for the Holy Doors only from outside.
Posted by
170 posts
If you'll be doing the pilgrim entrance, you don't really need to book your dome climb in advance. You can just queue and buy your ticket once you're inside. If you do decide to book it in advance, they didn't seem to check the time very thoroughly at the lift, so I'd just book the 10:30 dome and go up once you're in the Basilica.
Make sure you give yourself time for lunch, too.