Vatican Museum Tickets & Tours 2020
Swift access priority pass to the Vatican's historical monuments
- Optional audioguide in a choice of 10 languages that offers insightful commentary and guidance
- Begin your tour at the Vatican Museum and explore the incredible collection of paintings and sculptures at your own pace (that’s about 9 miles of historical masterpieces from the Renaissance era)
- Next up, head to the glorious Sistine Chapel to admire world-famous frescoes and artworks that have been dubbed “the cornerstone of western art”
- Don’t forget to check out the renowned painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and The Last Judgement, two of Michelangelo’s most revered works of art
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms and back
- Ages 5yrs and below go free. Ages 6-17yrs and college students up to 25yrs of age enjoy reduced pricing (carry an ID to avail)
- Tickets cannot be cancelled.
Semi-Private Guided Tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel
COVID-19: Safety Guidelines for Visitors
A comprehensive 2.5-hour guided tour of Vatican's historical monuments
- Select the language of your preference (English, Italian, German, French or Spanish) for an insightful guided tour of all three attractions
- Start your tour at the magnificent Vatican Museums where you will follow a well-planned route that showcases the crucial collections of the 54 galleries
- Tour through the wondrous Sistine Chapel and view the world-famous frescoes by Michelangelo, which have been dubbed “the cornerstones of western art”
- Be guaranteed an intimate experience with a small tour group
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms, and back
- Ages 6-18yrs and college students up to 25yrs of age enjoy reduced pricing (carry an ID to avail)
- Cannot be canceled, amended or rescheduled
Rome in a Day: Colosseum, Vatican & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour
COVID-19: Safety Guidelines for Visitors
Immersive full-day guided tour available in a choice of 5 languages - English, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese
- Skip the lines to the stunning Vatican museums and explore the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica (on Wednesdays, your visit to the Basilica will be replaced with a visit to the Vatican Library)
- Break for a quick lunch (at your own expense) before heading to the second part of your tour
- Head to the top of Palatine Hill for spectacular views of this ancient city
- At the Colosseum, your tour guide will offer intuitive commentary on the ancient amphitheater and the larger-than-life shows that were hosted here
- Finish your 9-hour tour with a walk down the ancient path of the Roman Forum along the Via Sacra
- Visit the temple of Vesta, Antonino and Faustina, and the Basilica Julia and Aemilia while you’re here
- Ages 2yrs and below go free. Ages 3-14 yrs enjoy reduced ticket prices (carry valid photo ID)
- Get a full refund on canceling this ticket up to 24 hours before the schedule
Entire Vatican City Guided Tour with St Peter's Basilica Dome Climb
COVID-19: Safety Guidelines for Visitors
Early guided tour (English or Spanish) of Vatican City, including the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica with an Exclusive Dome Climb
- Commence your tour by climbing to the terrace of St. Peter’s Basilica, where you will uncover unmatched panoramic views of Rome from atop Michelangelo’s Cupola
- Make your way to the other parts of the Basilica before heading towards the fantastic Papal Sarcophagi, where you will witness Renaissance masterpieces of Bernini and Michelangelo
- Enjoy fast-track entry into the glorious Vatican Museums, and tour around its many alluring galleries, such as the Chandelier’s Gallery, the Galleries of Tapestries and Maps, the Raphael Rooms, and many others
- Continue your tour by paying a visit to the beguiling Sistine Chapel, and marvel at the cherished murals here, such as the painted ceiling and The Last Judgement by Michelangelo
- Ages 5yrs and below go free. Ages 6-17yrs enjoy reduced pricing (carry an ID to avail)
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms and back
- Get a full refund on cancelling this ticket up to 48hrs before schedule
Vatican Museums Reopen Post COVID-19
Following a 3-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vatican Museums have officially reopened to the public from June 1, 2020. If you’re planning to visit Rome or Vatican City post-COVID-19, please ensure that you’re aware of all safety measures and guidelines in place. The Vatican now only accepts online reservations.
Safety Measures and New Rules at The Vatican Museums
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vatican Museums have enforced several safety measures in place.
- Only reservations made online will be accepted. Based on the slots booked, visitors will be allowed into the museum in 15-minute intervals.
- Masks that cover the mouth and nose are mandatory for all visitors during the course of their time in the museum
- Thermal scanners will check each visitors’ temperature before they enter the museum
- Guided tours will now comprise groups with a maximum of 10 members
- St. Peter’s Basilica can be accessed only through the main entrance. The one through the Sistine Chapel will remain closed until further notice.
Vatican Tickets and Tours 2020
Michelangelo, Renaissance-era art and architecture, the Sistine Chapel and the eternal seat of Roman Catholicism, perhaps best describe Vatican City. The beating heart of riveting history and culture, Vatican City is a paradise for art lovers around the world. From admiring stunning paintings like Raphael’s ‘The School of Athens’ and Caravaggio’s ‘The Entombment of Christ’ to exploring St. Peter’s Square and the immaculately-maintained Vatican Gardens, there’s plenty to soak in during a visit to Vatican City.
Primary landmarks include Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica -- all accessible under a Vatican ticket, allowing you to explore and discover the rich culture and heritage of the world’s smallest country.
All Vatican Ticket Options Explained
All Vatican tickets include skip-the-line access, allowing you to bypass long queues. Your ticket includes access to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. A standard Vatican ticket might not include access to St. Peter’s Basilica; you will have to purchase tickets that specifically include entry into the basilica.
Depending on what you opt for, your ticket may also include a guided tour or a multilingual audioguide.
The best way to explore all major and minor aspects of the Vatican is by opting for a guided tour. While a standard Vatican ticket might not include a guided tour, you can opt for one that does include the services of a professional tour guide. A Vatican tour will guide you past the priority entrance into the different landmarks in Vatican City, like the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica and enlighten you with interesting trivia and facts. The alternative option is opting for a ticket that includes an audioguide, which you can carry along while you tour the Vatican.
A standard Vatican ticket does not include entry to St. Peter’s Basilica. You can opt for tickets that specifically provide access to this landmark. Your professional tour guide will accompany you while you explore the historic church. If you would like to avoid long lines outside St. Peter’s Basilica, opt for a guided tour of the Vatican; this allows you to use the entrance that goes directly from within the Sistine Chapel into the basilica. Only with a tour guide can you access this entrance.
There’s plenty more to see outside of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. If you would like to further explore, opt for Vatican tickets that provide access to the Apostolic Palace, Villa Barberini and the pontifical gardens, all located in Castel Gandolfo, less than 30 km from Vatican city. The Palace served as the summer residence of Popes throughout history, making it a must-visit away from the crowds of Rome.
Which Vatican Ticket Should You Choose?
1. If you would like to save time
The best way to save time during your visit is by opting for skip-the-line Vatican tickets. They allow you to bypass the long waiting lines and get priority access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
2. If you’re on a budget
Opt for standard skip-the-line Vatican tickets if you’re traveling on a budget. These tickets give you access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, along with an audioguide to accompany you along your tour.
3. If you’re looking for a guided tour
If you’re looking to explore in-depth, opt for a guided Vatican tour. Your multilingual professional tour guide will lead you to all major attractions in the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel while enlightening you with interesting facts and historical trivia. An added bonus is that you get direct access to St. Peter’s Basilica via the Sistine Chapel entrance by opting for a guided tour.
4. If you’re looking to explore further
You can explore beyond the Vatican by opting for a combo tour. Travelers can now visit the Pope’s summer residence -- the Papal Villas, also known as the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo. Visitors can explore the Palace, the pontifical gardens, Villa Barberini and more with these tickets.
Explore the Vatican
Yes. All your Vatican tickets include skip-the-line entry, allowing you to bypass the long lines.
The best way to explore all the attractions in Vatican City is by opting for a guided Vatican tour. Not only do you get skip-the-line access with your Vatican tour, but you also get early bird access to the museums in the morning, before the general crowd fills in.
A standard Vatican ticket gives you skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Not all Vatican tickets include entry to St. Peter’s Basilica. You would have to purchase tickets that specifically offer admission into the basilica.
Yes. Your Vatican ticket includes skip-the-line entry into the Sistine Chapel as well.
Yes, only if you opt for a guided Vatican tour; your ticket will also include a guided tour of the Sistine Chapel as well.
Since the Sistine Chapel is part of the Vatican Museums, it can only be accessed by going through the Museums and not via a separate entry.
No, you do not need an additional ticket to enter the Sistine Chapel. Your Vatican ticket includes entry into the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Entry into St. Peter’s Basilica is free and does not require a ticket. However, if you would like to skip-the-lines and opt for a guided tour, a Vatican ticket with entry into St. Peter’s Basilica allows you to do so. If you opt for a Vatican tour, you can enter St. Peter’s Basilica directly from within the Sistine Chapel.
Not all Vatican tickets include entry into St. Peter’s Basilica. You will have to purchase specific tickets that offer entry into the basilica.
If you opt for Vatican tickets that provide entry into St. Peter’s Basilica, you are by default eligible for skip-the-line access into the attractions.
Not all Vatican tickets include guided tours into St. Peter’s Basilica. Ensure that you book tickets that specifically offer entry and guided tours of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Beyond the Vatican
A visit to the Apostolic Palace -- located in the charming little town of Castel Gandolfo -- is the day trip from Vatican City you never knew you needed. Traced back to the 13th Century, the Apostolic Palace, also known as the Papal Villas, is beautifully situated, overlooking Lake Albano. On a tour of the Apostolic Palace, visitors get a glimpse of papal history through time; from religious attire, furniture and art dating back centuries to back-and white photographs and a beautiful landscape adorned with lush greenery, there’s plenty to soak in and explore at the Apostolic Palace.
Prepare for a landscape unlike anything seen before: umbrella-shaped pines, patches of fresh fruits and vegetables, brightly-colored flowers, sculptures and more await you at Villa Barberini. First built during Emperor Domitian’s reign, the serene Villa Barberini and its gardens are the perfect escape from the crowds and sweltering heat of Rome and Vatican City. Opt for a guided tour of Villa Barberini and the pontifical gardens to soak in its architecture, rich history and a delightful variety of immaculately-maintained foliage.
Plan Your Visit
Vatican Museum hours are Monday to Saturday: 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM with final entry at 04:00 PM. On the last Sunday of each month, the Vatican Museums are open from 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM.
The Vatican Museums are closed every Sunday (excluding the last Sunday of every month), 1 and 6 January, 11 February, 19 March, 13 April, 1 May, 29 June, and 8, 25 and 26 December.
You can expect the lowest crowd between November to March, making it the best time to visit the Vatican Museums. April to September is considered to be the busiest time of the year.
Getting to the Vatican is easy with multiple transport options available. You can take the Rome Metro, a train, bus or simply walk to Vatican City.
Yes. The Ottaviano-S. Pietro metro station is located right outside Vatican City. You can take Line A of Rome Metro to reach this station; from there, it’s just a 5-minute walk to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Square.
Yes. You can take buses 40, 64, 62 and 81 to reach Vatican City. Buses 40 and 64 can be taken directly from Roma Termini.
No, you do not have to pay to enter Vatican City; however, you do have to purchase a ticket to enter landmarks like the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Your Vatican ticket includes skip-the-line access to Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, allowing you to bypass the long waiting lines.
Not all Vatican tickets include guided tours. You will have to opt for tickets that specifically provided a guided Vatican tour.
Your Vatican tickets include access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Not all skip-the-line Vatican tickets include access to St. Peter’s Basilica. You will have to purchase tickets that specifically provide entry into St. Peter’s Basilica.
Vatican rules and regulations state that visitors must dress modestly during their visit. Low cut clothing, shorts, skirts, etc., are not permitted.
Mobile phone usage is allowed on the premises of Vatican City. However, Vatican rules and regulations state that it is discouraged in the Vatican Museums and completely restricted in the Sistine Chapel.
No. Outside food and drinks is strictly prohibited inside the Vatican Museums. If you are carrying any edible items, you can check it into the cloakrooms.
Vatican Tickets FAQ
Q. Is it safe to visit the Vatican Museums post-COVID-19?
A. The Vatican now accepts only online reservations, and has administered several health measures in place to ensure the safety of its visitors.
Q. What are the safety and hygiene measures in place at the Vatican Museums?
A. Several measures have been put in place at the Vatican Museums in light of COVID-19. Only bookings made online are accepted at the entrance. It is mandatory that visitors wear masks that cover their nose and face at all times and their temperature will be checked by thermal scanners before entry. Guided tours now permit only groups of 10.
Q. Are online Vatican Museum tickets available now?
A. Yes. The Vatican Museum is only accepting online reservations now. You can book your Vatican tickets online.
Q. Are Vatican tickets refundable?
A. It depends on the ticket you choose to book. While some tickets offer a full refund on canceling tickets up to 48-72 hours in advance, for others there may be no refund available on cancelation. Please check before you make your reservation.
Q. What is the maximum group size for guided tours of the Vatican?
A. While the Vatican is accepting reservations for guided tours, it has placed a cap on the maximum number of visitors in a group. Each guided tour group can comprise a maximum of 10 visitors now.
Q. What are the opening hours for Vatican Museums post-COVID-19?
A. Vatican opening hours post-COVID-19 are: Monday to Thursday: 10:00 AM to 08:00 PM (last entry at 06:00 PM); Friday and Saturday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (last entry at 08:00 PM)
Q. When do the Vatican Museums close post-COVID-19?
A. The Vatican Museums will remain closed on all Sundays, along with 29 June and 14-15 August.
Q. Do I need tickets to enter the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica?
A. Entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel requires you to purchase tickets. On the other hand, entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is free. However, if you wish to skip the long lines at St. Peter’s Basilica, it is advised that you purchase a skip the line ticket as the queue can easily be up to 60 minutes long.
Q. Do my Vatican tickets include skip-the-line access?
A. Yes, your Vatican tickets do include skip-the-line-access. With this, you get fast-track access to Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel without having to wait in long lines.
Q. Do Vatican tours include skip-the-line access?
A. Yes, guided Vatican tours do include skip-the-line access. Your professional tour guide will escort you pass the long lines.
Q. Do my Vatican tickets include access to St. Peter's Basilica?
A. Not all Vatican tickets include access to St. Peter's Basilica. You will have to purchase tickets that specifically include access to the basilica.
Q. Is the Vatican wheelchair accessible?
A. Yes, the Vatican Museums are wheelchair accessible. In fact, the Vatican offers free entry to all disabled visitors with certified invalidity of more than 74%.