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Planning your Vatican Museum trip and running out of time? Need tickets now?
Planning to visit The Vatican and running out of time? Need admission tickets now? Here’s where to get skip the line Vatican tickets and entry to the world-famous Sistine Chapel.
The Vatican city is a must-visit attraction in Rome, featuring many of the city’s top sights, from St. Peter’s square to Renaissance masterpieces and the gorgeous papal collections and Vatican gardens – not to mention, lots of museums that now include the four Raphael rooms when you book your Vatican museums tour.
The Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel are a hotspot for tourists visiting Italy this time of year, and there can be long waiting lines, leaving you to wait for well over an hour under the hot sun. It’s much like waiting in the long lines at Disney World, which can be miserable when you’re barely moving.
Thankfully, there are options to avoid waiting in long lines with skip-the-lines passes to get you in quickly without wasting time.
These special passes will guarantee to let you skip the lines at the Vatican and Sistine Chapel when you buy your tickets online versus the ticket counter.
Should I Get Vatican Museums Tickets in Advance?
YES! The Vatican, as with many attractions in Rome, sees huge numbers of visitors each day. This means huge crowds and limited ticket availability.
Ticket options like buying a skip-the-lines ticket or city pass online, will save time and long queues while allowing you to enjoy your day trip to its entirety. In line ticket holders will get priority and breeze through the gate much faster!
I recommend going as early as possible in the day to avoid the large crowds and maximize your experience and enjoyment. The best time of day to visit the Vatican is around 8:45 am, 15 minutes before the Vatican opens.
You should definitely buy your Vatican tickets in advance to guarantee entry and skip the lines. If you get there early with your skip the line ticket, you can also visit before it gets busy.
How to Get Vatican Museums Skip the Line Tickets
Here are the best places to get skip the line Vatican tickets. Choose your tickets to The Vatican or pass below.
1. Buy a Vatican City Pass
Buy a Vatican City Pass for $53.67 per person. This option includes a skip-the-lines pass, St. Peter’s Basilica guided tour with a headset and free time to explore after the tour, and a city of Rome audio guide. Plus, receive a 10% off a future booking which will be sent to you by email.
2. Book a Skip-the-Line with Guided Tour
Book a skip the line Vatican tour ticket for $46.96 per adult. The guided tour includes a skip-the-line Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel entry pass, a 2-hour tour of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, and Pio Clementino Museum, granting access to all open rooms and galleries, and audio headsets.
3. Book an Exclusive Vatican and Sistine Chapel After-Hours Private VIP Experience
Take your Vatican museum experience to a whole new level with this private VIP after-hours Vatican and Sistine Chapel tour. This Vatican museums ticket includes a private VIP tour of the Vatican museums which includes the renowned art work collection of renaissance artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Botticelli. You’ll see the Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps, the Sistine Chapel, and much more.
Included in the ticket’s cost are the entrance fees, private access, Blue Badge Guide, and hotel pick up and drop off in a private Mercedes, E-Class or Viano.
4. Buy a Basic Skip-the-Line Ticket without the Guided Tour (Access to The Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums)
This is a skip-the-lines Vatican ticket with an optional audio guide for $28.87 per adult. Discounted tickets are available for children 6-17 for $17.70. Reduced price tickets are also available for students up to 25 years of age with valid student ID.
Although this is a basic ticket, you still have the option to upgrade your experience to include an audio guide both for adults and children. A perfect option if you want to take your time, skip around, observe longer in some areas and simply go at your own pace.
5. Get Vatican Fast Track Skip-the-Line Entry Tickets
If you’ve fallen short of planning and need last minute entry passes, you can get fast-track access to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel for $34.92 per person. This is a self-guided option and does not include a guided tour or audio guide.
6. Get a VIP Early Entrance and Breakfast Ticket
For just $46.85 per person, you’ll get to experience the Vatican before the stampede of people arrives around 7:45am. With this option, you’ll receive VIP treatment as you’re escorted to the Vatican bistro in Cortile della Pigna for breakfast.
After breakfast, you’ll get to explore the Vatican with access to the Upper Galleries (Candelabra, Tapestries, and Gallery of Maps), Raphael’s Rooms & Sistine Chapel – all at your leisurely pace before the crowds roll in. This is by far the best way to experience the Vatican. Without the crowds, it’s a lot easier to get around and maximize your viewing experience.
How it Works with Vatican Tickets
If you’ve opted to buy a ticket versus booking a guided tour, you can expect to receive your ticket in the form of a voucher that will then serve as your ticket.
When you arrive, you will have to show security your Vatican and Sistine skip-the-line tickets (1 ticket) on your smartphone to be allowed in. Once you go through the airport style security check, you will need to swap out your electronic voucher ticket for a printed paper ticket at the Cassa Online E Gruppi box office. Be sure to have a valid ID for reduced entry tickets. Otherwise, you will need to pay for a full price ticket in order to enter, while the discounted ticket will be made null and void with no refund.
You will then be able to proceed through the “skip-the-line” fast track entrance, where you may still find a line, but it won’t be as bad as the basic pass line, where the wait is dreadful. Do keep in mind, though, that during holidays such as Easter, even ticket holders may have a long line wait. But again, nothing as bad as those with basic tickets.
Vatican Museum, City and Sistine Chapel Opening Hours
Vatican museums open Monday – Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm
Sunday: Closed (open on the last Sunday of each month – 9:00 am-2:00 pm)
Days the Vatican City is Closed
January 1 and 6
February 22
February 19 and 28
June 29
August 15
November 1
December 8 and 26
Vatican Dress Code
There is a strict dress code for the whole of Vatican City. Here are the rules:
- Men and women need to cover their knees (no shorts or skirts above the knee)
- Men and women need to cover their upper arms.
- No sleeveless tops or low-cut shirts
Men aren’t allowed to wear hats.
Can you wear leggings to the Vatican?
There is no rule that you’re not allowed to wear leggings into the Vatican. However, leggings are not really appropriate dress to enter the Vatican, and many people have been turned away. Don’t risk it.
Getting to the Vatican from Rome
The Vatican city is located just North of Rome’s city center. There are excellent public transport links, allowing people to visit the Vatican easily.
Nearest Metro Stop: Ottaviano on line A (The Orange Line)
All hop-on hop-off bus routes: The Hop on hop off bus is a great way to see the highlights of Rome at your own pace. Get your hop on hop off bus ticket here.
The number 40 and 64 bus run frequent services from Rome Termini Station to The Vatican. Bus 81 also stops at The Vatican.
Guided Tours: Some guided tours visit other spots around Rome, as well as The Vatican City. Tours are an easy way to get around without navigating the public transport system. View the tours available here.
Are there any evening tours of the Vatican?
Yes, you can book a Vatican city night ticket, which is valid for 3 hours. You can choose a starting time between 5:00pm and 7:00pm. Get your Vatican city night ticket here, before they sell out!
Do I need to book a Vatican museum tour in advance?
It’s no longer possible to buy Vatican tickets on the door, and this includes Vatican tours. To book a tour, book online before your trip to Rome, and you’ll receive information about the meeting point.
How far in advance do you need to book The Vatican?
If you’re booking online Vatican tickets, you can do this 60 days or less before your visit. The earlier you reserve your spot; the less likely the tickets will be sold out, especially during the busier months.
Is Sistine Chapel included in the Vatican museums tickets?
Yes, the Vatican ticket includes entry to the museums inside Vatican city and the Sistine chapel. There is no such thing as Sistine Chapel tickets.
How long does it take to visit The Vatican?
Although you could spend all day at The Vatican, if there is lots you want to see in Rome during your trip, I recommend spending 3 hours at the Vatican. Remember to factor in travel time. If you’re a history fan, consider scheduling 4 hours or longer!
Sandra Campillo
Sandra Campillo is an eco, vegan lifestyle and travel blogger and entrepreneur. Join Sandra and her community of readers on SandraCampillo.com to learn how to live a healthier, more sustainable, and compassionate way of life while creating a passive income lifestyle.
