I am visiting Rome next week and am planning to visit vatican museums and St. Peter Basilica.I will buy vatican museums ticket online on the official web site. I have read that there is a shortcut to St. Peter's Basilica through Sistine chapel . It marked for only for groups, but is otherwise not regulated.
I have read that people visiting individually(not part of group) have used this shortcut to get into the basilica thereby skipping the line outside St. Peter's. Some of these posts I saw are fairly old.
I want to know , if it is still possible to use this shortcut when not part of a group.
Is it a hit or miss or does it always work? Has anyone recently used this?
Based on whether or not I can use the shortcut , i have to decide whether to visit part of group or on my own.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23245 posts
There is some door control. Generally an individual gets through by accidentally tagging along with a group tour and not noticed. Individuals cannot just slip through.
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2455 posts
Hmmm Frank, "accidentally" my eye! Actually I think the biggest benefit of going through this special door is not so much avoiding any line at St. Peter's, but avoiding the long walk back through the museum to the entry/exit and then the long walk back around to St. Peter's. Just one of the reasons why I, and many others on this forum, are fans of the Walks of Italy "Pristine Sistine" tour.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
They have been monitoring the door more closely lately. I was there last month and they asked to see all tickets, even for those on a tour. Most of the guides were showing the guards who were in their groups and no one was "sneaking in".
I wouldn't count on being able to use the bypass door is you're not with a tour. If you want to use the door just book the two hour official tour.
Donna