How do I make a reservation for the Vatican?

Book your reservation through the Official Vatican Museums Ticket Office. (St. Peter's Basilica is free to enter and does not require a reservation.) When to visit: If your Rick Steves tour begins or ends in Rome, the best time to visit the Vatican is right before or after your tour.



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Yes, you need to buy Vatican tickets in advance. It is no longer possible to show up on the day and stand in line to purchase tickets. All tickets purchased are effectively skip the line Vatican Museums tickets so the benefit is faster access.

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Buy Tickets on the Official Vatican Museums Site You can buy tickets directly from the official site, Musei Vaticani. But, navigating this site and booking tickets can be frustrating. Pros of booking on Musei Vaticani site – lower prices and various ticket options available.

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The Vatican Museums close at 6 pm. All visitors must be out by 5:30 pm. In high season, they sell out quickly and you often will not find all time slots available. Sometimes it is possible to get tickets even on the same day but in high season, you should try to plan for this at least 1-2 days in advance.

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The dress code for the Vatican Museums is strict but easy to respect. Low-cut or sleeveless dresses, miniskirts, shorts and hats are not allowed. To cover knees and shoulders you can buy plastic cloaks to wrap around. Inside it is preferable to wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers.

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To enter Vatican City, you don't need a passport or Visa or even tickets for the attractions inside. You can simply walk inside. However, if you wish to enter the attractions inside, such as the Vatican Museums, you would need to buy tickets.

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It is better to avoid Wednesdays and weekends if you're on a tight schedule because the city has a tendency to be a bit busier on those days. On that note, April to October can be one of the best times to visit the Vatican Museums, especially on Friday nights, when it is much less crowded.

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Schedule. Monday – Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm (Ticket office closes at 4 pm). Sunday: Closed except the last Sunday of each month: 9 am – 2 pm. (Ticket office closes at midday, 12:30 pm).

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Vatican City rules
  • You'll have to pass security checks including metal detectors and x-ray scanners to get into either St. ...
  • Knives, scissors, and any sharp objects must be surrendered before entering either the Basilica or the Museums.
  • The dress code to enter the Basilica and the Museums is strictly enforced.


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