Skip-the-Line Vatican Tour | Ticket Prices, Tips & More
If you’re looking to embark on the historical, cultural, and religious journey that comes with being at the Vatican, then you’re in luck. We’ve found the best skip-the-line Vatican tours that are just what you need.
The Vatican City can be found in Rome and is categorized as a city-state. Many know it as the home of the Pope, but it’s much more than that. The city is also home to some stunning architecture as well as classical Roman and Greek sculptures, frescoes, and paintings.
It’s regarded as one of the holiest places in the world, and many people journey here to see the amazing artwork while others take in the sacredness of the place. We’ve found all the best skip-the-line Vatican tours, each offering a unique experience that you’ll adore.
Top Tip: If you’re in Rome and are looking to explore more than just the Vatican, then you should check out these small-group combo tours.
Highlights:
- Explore the Vatican Museums
- Explore the Sistine Chapel
- See famous pieces from Picasso and Michelangelo
Know Before You Book:
- There are restrooms available
- There’s a recharging station for devices
- On any day, the Sistine Chapel may be closed with no notice, and there’ll be no refunds
The Vatican is Europe’s smallest state, and only about 1,000 people reside there. The Pope’s home, the Apostolic Palace, is surrounded by the loveliest gardens. With each passing Pope, the apartments within the Vatican have changed to suit the Pope’s style.
The Apostolic Palace may be accessed by the public. However, you need to make a reservation. Sometimes, it’s easy to forget that the museums were originally meant to act as a home and a place of holiness. Now, they’re more of a gallery that the public can enjoy.
Architecture lovers will quickly notice the optical illusion created by St. Peter’s Basilica (the further away you get, the bigger it looks). The Sistine Chapel is an artist’s paradise, while the Garden of the Vatican City offer picturesque walks for all to enjoy. Simply put, you’ll be able to enjoy all the best bits of the Vatican City on these skip-the-line tours.
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Vatican Tour Prices 2024
The cost of tours of the Vatican starts from €29 ($30.73) per person for a short three-hour tour.
A full-day tour starts at €103.80 ($110) per person for a five-hour long experience, while some tickets give you access to the premises for a day or two. These prices are also subject to change and vary depending on the amount of activities you’ll be doing.
Compare tour prices below:
Vatican Tour Times
The Vatican is open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm. The last time to gain entry into the premises is at 4 pm.
It’s best to get there as early as possible; they sometimes open at 8 am, and you don’t want to find yourself waiting in an impossibly long line.
Monday-Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm
Sunday: Closed
Best Time to Go to the Vatican
The Vatican is the kind of attraction that you can access all year long, and it’s not season-specific. With that being said, the best time to go would be during the winter months. You won’t be met with much of a line as most people tend to flock to Rome in the summer months.
If you aren’t that interested in seeing the Pope, then don’t go on a Wednesday, which is when he makes an appearance, and it will be packed.
What to See in the Vatican City
One of the major attractions that people go to the Vatican for is Bernini’s Colonnade at St Peter’s Square. The colonnades were made to symbolize the maternal arms of the Mother Church. They’re quite stunning, and they encompass the squares beautifully.
The Vatican Gardens have grown and expanded over time with the inclusion of statues, fountains, and dedications to saints. The gardens are quite restricted, though visitors are allowed to roam about. These visitors would need to be on a guided tour that’s usually conducted by the Vatican’s staff.
Skip-the-Line Vatican Tickets
With all that the Vatican has to offer, it may be challenging to know which Vatican tour lets you skip the line and which is the best to take or which one fits into your schedule. There are numerous tours that allow you to spend most of your day in the museums or to only experience the highlights.
There’s even a Vatican night tour, allowing you to skip the long queue and immerse yourself in the art.
Private Early Bird Vatican Tour
This private tour allows you to visit the Vatican without all the crowds. You will be given access to the complex before it’s opened to the public, giving you ample time to roam about and take plenty of photos.
You can request to be picked up at your hotel or just meet the guide at the meeting point, Caffé Vaticano. If you’re being picked up, you need to be ready at 7:45 am. If you’re meeting your guide at the café, you need to get there at 8 am.
This tour will take you through the Vatican Museums, past the Cortile della Pigna into the Sistine Chapel, and finally, it will end at St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s one of the best skip-the-line Vatican tours.
What We Liked: Being able to enter the complex early allows for free time to roam about and see all the works of art without any distractions.
- Private walking tour
- Professional tour guide
- Early access tickets
- Tickets to the Vatican Museum
- Visit to Sistine Chapel
- Shortcut to St. Peter’s Basilica
- Food and drinks
- If you pick the basic tour option, there’s no hotel pick-up
This Vatican skip-the-line tour will give you time to take in the art of the Renaissance era and gaze upon the ceiling that Michelangelo meticulously painted. You’ll also be able to explore the underground crypt inside the basilica and marvel at the famed Pietà.
Note: St. Peter’s Basilica is closed on Wednesday due to the Papal Audience. If it’s something you really want to visit, then don’t go on Wednesday.
Check Price & Book1 Day Vatican Tour
This ticket allows you to explore the museums and churches at your own pace. You have access for the full day. You should arrive 25 minutes prior to the tour start time for this skip-the-line Vatican tour with Sistine Chapel, and be aware that you may not be granted access if you’re late.
You’ll have free reign to wander about and take in the magnificent grandeur of the complex. Look at Roman statues and grand tapestries. Stroll through Belvedere and Pinecone Courtyard, where you can take some amazing pictures of the fantastic sculptures.
Pass by the Gallery of Maps, which features forty topographical maps of Italy based on the drawings of geographer Iganzio Danti. The galley is a long corridor that leads to the Sistine Chapel, and it’s worth the stop.
What We Liked: You can really take in the art and not feel rushed.
- Skip-the-ticket-line access to the Vatican Museums
- Skip-the-ticket-line access to the Sistine Chapel
- Wi-Fi at meeting point
- Bathroom access
- Transportation
- Tour guide
- Visit to St. Peter’s Dome and Basilica
This skip-the-line Vatican tour with the Sistine Chapel is ideal for those of you who want hours of uninterrupted time to explore and enjoy the Vatican. You can freely enjoy the Hall of Muses or visit the Raphael Rooms without having to be concerned with time constraints.
There are some truly jaw-dropping art pieces to be discovered, and you’ll have the luxury to take your time doing it.
Check Price & BookFAQs About Vatican Tour
You may still have a few questions that need to be clarified before you’re ready to dive in. Below are some FAQs aimed at helping you quell any concerns.
What Do I Wear to the Vatican?
The Vatican is a holy place, and you must dress accordingly. Don’t wear shorts or short skirts and dresses. Both men and women must have their knees and shoulders covered, and no hats are allowed. Avoid sleeveless tops or anything that exposes too much skin. Dress modestly, and you’ll be fine.
Can I Get Tickets for the Sistine Chapel Only?
No, you can’t. The Sistine Chapel is a part of the Vatican, so in order to see it, you have to purchase a ticket for the Vatican Museums.
All tickets for the Vatican include the chapel. But if it’s the main attraction that you want to see, then just purchase a ticket for the Vatican and experience some spectacular art on your way to the chapel.
What Rules Should I Be Aware of?
You are allowed to take photos in the Vatican and the chapel. However, no flash photography is allowed, and security may seize your photos if they please. The Sistine Chapel is regarded as a very sacred place, and because of this, you are not allowed to speak once you’re inside.
Specification: Skip-the-Line Vatican Tour | Ticket Prices, Tips & More
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