How to avoid lines in the Vatican Museums?

Question

I'm traveling to Italy next week with five friends. How can we avoid the lines in the Vatican Museums? If we purchase the tickets in advance would we still have to wait in line? Any recommendations?

Answer 1

There is NO line at all if you go at noon. (maybe 10 minutes).

cos everyone goes at first hour in the morning.

I knew this and anyway went at opening hour and had to wait for about 2 hours, when i left the museum at noon... surprise: there wasn`t any line.

Good Luck

(i hope you could understand my english)

Answer 2

The first thing you need to do is check the dates to make sure the museum is open when you want to go: http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-Info/M... Note that there are also days when there is no charge to get in. The free days will be very crowded.

Unless you take a guided tour, or go in the off-season, the best thing to do is arrive early before the museum opens. There are several tours available that bypass the lines. Tour groups start being admitted about an hour before the general public, so there will still be a fairly long wait if you arrive early. One that I've done is: http://www.contexttravel.com/rome/tours/... I took the Arte Vaticana tour, but they also have two other options that include the Vatican Museums. If you're taking one of the tours, prebooking is a good idea.

You might look here for further info: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Re...

Answer 3

Hi,

I learned a trick some years ago:

Go there around lunchtime (12:00 - 13:00).

The morning-crowds usually has diminished by then and you can get your tickets and avoid all the people inside.

I did this about 3 years ago (in middle of June) and then it worked perfect.

Answer 4

Make a reservation.  Send fax to Vatican Visitor Services Office at 001 39 6988 5100.  If you book a tour through an agency then also you do not have to wait in line but then again it costs more money.

Answer 5

I spent a month in Rome a few years ago but it was in February. Even then, the lines could be long.  Not sure, but I think you'd have to get in line even with tickets.

        The only key would be the time of the day. My guess would be an hour after opening. One good thing is that even if the line is "only" a block long, it goes pretty fast.....Well worth it by the way.............Remember also that they have a dress code at the Vatican..Not real serious but they might not allow shorts etc.

      It's pretty safe there but buses and Metro attract pickpockets like any big city.........A savvy friend had his wallet taken out of his "FRONT" pocket on a very crowded bus. I had no such problems the whole time there but be aware anyway............PS:  All the water fountains you see around the city are good to drink, no need to buy bottled water....I'm jealous!!!

Answer 6

My brother and I avoided the lines by jumping in a tour group.  All around the Vatican their are tour guides (who speak all languages) asking if you would like to join their tour.  You do pay but it is worth it.  You then get a time when you meet back in line and their is also a tour guide entrance from the museum into the church.

Answer 7

Grope a Priest or Goose a Nun  - it works every time!

Scusa