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How long is the queue to get into the Vatican?

There are three ways to experience the Vatican — purchasing the tickets on the day of the visit, which could mean a wait time of 2-3 hours; using skip-the-line tickets that have been purchased in advance and will allow you to visit the museum within a specified time slot; or by opting for a guided tour.



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Arriving at mid-day With ticket lines often snaking around the walls, it's best to get there early. The Vatican Museums opening times are 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and we recommend getting there when the doors open – if not a bit earlier to allow for delays.

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However, Tuesdays and Thursdays usually see fewer tourists around most of the attractions in the Vatican. 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.

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In general, the security check at the Vatican can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 20 minutes, depending on the size of your group, and whether or not the security guards find an issue with any of your belongings, attire, or bags.

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The best ways to skip the lines at the Vatican
  1. Buy a skip-the-lines ticket with audio guide. ...
  2. Book a group guided tour. ...
  3. Use a Discount Card / Tourist Pass. ...
  4. Get a VIP early entrance and breakfast ticket. ...
  5. Buy a basic ticket online ahead of time.


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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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Skip the line Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel tickets are highly recommended and in my opinion absolutely worth the few extra euros, especially if you are visiting during high season. How long does it take to see the Vatican and Sistine Chapel? 2 to 4 hours is the average visit to the Museums and St. Peter's.

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Most tourist groups show up in the morning in hopes to beat the crowds, but it usually works against them. In fact, you can find the Vatican Museums a bit less crowded during the afternoon hours.

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Most tourist groups show up in the morning in hopes to beat the crowds, but it usually works against them. In fact, you can find the Vatican Museums a bit less crowded during the afternoon hours.

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I personally recommend planning a full day for a Vatican visit if you are interested in seeing the museums and a half day (a full morning or full afternoon) if you are planning on seeing the square and basilica only.

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The Vatican has a dress code that some travellers might not be aware of when visiting. Luckily if you're planning on wearing jeans to the Vatican, you definitely can! When you plan to visit, it's best to keep your knees and shoulders covered. And for footwear, you will need flat shoes, not flip-flops or casual sandals.

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>>> All Vatican Museum tickets are timed. You select date and time and go straight to the door, so basically all tickets are skip the line as you don't have to line up to buy them.

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Flat shoes: It is not expressly forbidden, but it is not recommended to visit the Vatican in flip-flops or casual sandals. Dress as if you're going to church! The Vatican Museums are enormous, with each hall stretching for eight miles. You'll be walking a lot, so take that in mind while planning your outfit.

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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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However you are not allowed to drink anything among the galleries, there are courtyards where you can fill up your water bottles at the fountains where the water is fresh and where you can quench your thirst. You can bring water from a plastic bottle.

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Tickets can be bought directly on the Vatican Museum's official website. Sometimes the official Vatican Museum website will sell out of tickets. If this occurs, tickets can be purchased on other websites: www.getyourguide.com, www.tiqets.com, and www.viator.com – to name a few.

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Vatican tickets typically go on sale about two months in advance on the official site. But tickets are often sold out by that time, so it may help to look out for them earlier from official partners.

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Vatican City is inside Rome and is the smallest country in the world. When you're staying in Rome, it's worth making a trip to see Vatican City. You will only need about a day to see the attractions at Vatican City. You can even see the main attractions in just half a day if you can't set aside a day!

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