- Location: Main entrance, Viale Vaticano
- Who is it for? Visitors without pre-booked tickets
- Average wait times: 2-3 hours during peak hours
The Vatican Museums attract millions of visitors each year, making it one of Rome’s busiest attractions. During peak season, queues at the entrance can easily last 2-3 hours, sometimes even longer on particularly busy days like weekends or major holidays. Early mornings or late afternoons tend to have shorter waits.
There are two queues at the Viale Vaticano entrance of the Vatican Museums. Choosing the right queue on the day of your visit will help you breeze past the long lines and make your way into the museum.
Long lines at the Vatican Museums are almost guaranteed, especially during peak season—but they don't have to be part of your experience. Here are six smart ways to skip the line and enjoy a smoother visit:
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tickets
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour with St. Peter's Basilica
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Premium Small Group Tour
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Early Morning Tour
VIP Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Private Tour
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Reserved Entry Tickets with Vatican Gardens Open Bus Tour
Yes, you can skip long queues by booking tickets to the Vatican Museums online. You have three main options:
Hosted entry tickets are a smooth, no-stress way to access the Vatican. A dedicated representative meets you at a fixed meeting point near the entrance and personally escorts you to the priority access line—no confusion, no navigation stress.
It’s rare. While we offer last-minute options when available, Vatican skip-the-line tickets usually sell out 3–4 days in advance. For same-day access, a guided tour is more likely to be available.
These tickets include skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, plus a 45-minute panoramic bus tour of the Gardens—an area usually closed to the public. The tour includes multilingual audio commentary and offers a serene, scenic introduction before you explore the museums at your own pace
Prices vary based on the experience:
They’re valid only for your selected date and time slot. Once inside, you can explore at your own pace, but re-entry is not allowed.
Yes. All online bookings require you to choose a date and entry time. Make sure to arrive 10–15 minutes early to pass security and avoid delays.
Yes, quantities are limited per time slot. Due to the Vatican’s popularity, tickets often sell out several days in advance—especially in peak season. Book early to secure your spot.
Yes. Use Queue 2 at the Viale Vaticano entrance, located on the right side. This is reserved for pre-booked and fast-track ticket holders.
Yes. All Vatican Museums tickets (including skip-the-line and guided tours) include access to the Sistine Chapel, which is the final stop of your museum route.
No. Standard Vatican Museums tickets do not include entry to St. Peter’s Basilica.
However, many guided tours offer direct access to the Basilica from inside the Vatican Museums via a restricted passage—bypassing another queue.
👉 Look for combo or guided tour options that include both.
No. All skip-the-line tickets are single-entry only. Once you exit, re-entry is not allowed.
Unfortunately, these tickets are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled. Double-check your details before completing the booking.
Not by default, but you can rent them at the entrance for an additional fee. They’re a great self-guided option if you don’t want to join a tour.
