Visiting the Vatican in October

I have taken the Pristine Sistine three times (twice with visitors from abroad who were visiting) and have sent many other friends their way. They do a great job and well worth the funds.

I would definitely take an early or late tour of the Vatican Museums, rather than during normal visiting hours, to cut down somewhat on the insane crowds. If you can do one of these through the Vatican itself and save some money, great (I think they do a Friday night one, if not others too). If you can't get a before or after hours tour from the Vatican itself, I'd pay whatever it took to get one through Dark Rome, Walks of Italy, etc.

I was there in September 1994 during the day, and the crowds and their behavior made the Sistine Chapel a miserable experience. I can't imagine how much worse it would be now - but I never intend to find out. If I can't go before or after the main part of the day, I won't go again - that's how bad it was.

I agree with Harold and Laurel. I stayed away from the Vatican Museums for ten years. I go occasionally but always with the earliest possible tour (meetup at 7:30am).

You can book early entry tickets directly from the Vatican website. You can use a guide, an audio guide or do it on your own. It's much cheaper and still allows you access before the day crowds hit.

Donna

A follow up query to the same....if you pre-book an entry through the official Vatican site.....is there any time period within which you have to finish and get out....or can one take one's own sweet time.
Also (especially as we are visiting in October too...and on a tuesday)....how to manage both , St Peters and the museums / Sistine (having pre-booked the latter) ensuring optimal utilization of time .

how to manage both , St Peters and the museums / Sistine (having
pre-booked the latter) ensuring optimal utilization of time

romianeesh, it would be helpful to know exactly what you've booked or are looking to book for museums/Sistine? A tour or just a general-entry ticket? With the general-entry ticket, there's no limit to the amount of time you can spend at the museums but tours can be different depending on where they end up. For example, if they end up in St. Peter's via the passageway reserved for tours, then you can't backtrack into the museums but can spend all the time you wish to in the basilica after your tour has ended.

I have not booked yet...but will probably book the general entry ticket....and use it with the Rick Steves audio guide....after the guide is over, plan to maybe retrace my steps backward (as per my wishes on the spot).....was thinking of landing up on site early.....seeing the Basilica and then entering the museums.
Also...since, I plan on spending a long time inside the Museums, was considering going for the lunch option in the vatican museum..... any suggestions ?

We did a Friday night tour last October, it was great. Much less crowded.