What tour company to see Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums After Hours????????

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/impending-changes-at-the-vatican-museums

The Vatican changed their schedule starting in 2024 , and I haven't seen much feedback on the changes posted here yet. Make sure these companies can still deliver on their promises .
Good luck.

You don't necessarily need to do a tour to do the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums. Although with something so crowded it can help with navigating thru it. I follow a couple tour guides on Facebook. Check out, "The Catholic Traveler" who is based in Rome and also, "Romewise". Incidentally, I am not catholic, but I am interested in what Catholic Traveler posts and offers.

Yes, The Tour Guy and The Roman Guy are the same company.
I've not taken than tour but do be aware that from March 1, the museums are open until 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays (last entry at 6:00). They're open Mon -Thurs until 7:00 (last entry at 5:00). I guess I'd say that if your visit is on a Fri. or Sat. and the 2-hour tour meets up at 5:30, there could be plenty of other visitors in the museums/Sistine.

Would some other tour have been a better choice? These hours are very recent so how busy the museums will be this high season into the extended evening hours remains to be seen. What month and what day is your booking for?

Hi Kathy, it’s for April 27th a Saturday at 5:30. What are your thoughts? And thanks for your reply : )

The Museums may be somewhat less busy after 5 PM; they won't be worse, because the earlier time slots will definitely sell out, and some folks will get hungry and want to leave. Those are the advantages of your timing. The disadvantage (significant to me) is that you'll have a maximum of 2-1/2 hours inside, and the guards will come along, trying to shoo you out, before 8 PM. The Vatican Museums are huge. I spent considerably longer than 2-1/2 hours inside, and I'm not religious at all, much less Catholic. (I do love art, though.) Many people say they can't deal with more than 2 hours in any museum; if that's the way you feel, the time you'll have will be fine.

Make sure the guide has pre-purchased a timed entry pass. Of course, anyone can buy a timed entry pass on the Vatican web site. But, guides can take their guests right up to the front of everyone else in line for a timed entry.

it’s for April 27th a Saturday at 5:30

If the tour starts at 5:30 [17:30] and the museums are open until 20:00, how can it be after hours? Not to deter you if this is your last chance...

Sorry, no additional thoughts from me. If you've already purchased the tour, I'd just go with it! High season is busy, and you already have tickets/tour nailed down, right? I don't see how another option - especially for the price - is going to be better than what you have. Is there something different you were expecting that the tour you purchased isn't providing?

To be honest, I wouldn't expect any tour for the price of this one to be conducted seriously "after hours." Even Context's VIP private tours - at $9,522 per tour - don't begin later than 5:30 PM (they are 2.5 hour tours) and don't promise they have availability for desired dates, nor that your group is alone in the Sistine. They are a highly regarded tour company.

https://www.contexttravel.com/cities/rome/tours/vatican-museums-after-hours-tour

I think i'm gonna stick with my original plan then. Although Kathy got me thinking, I love museums and I could probably stay longer than the 2 1/2 hours. But..... maybe 2 1/2 hours will be enough after 16 days. thanks again everybody!