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, and sometimes even longer on particularly busy days like weekends or major holidays. During peak hours, queues frequently extend around the block, creating a long waiting experience under the sun. Early mornings or late afternoons tend to see shorter waits, though still significant.
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:
Booking your Vatican Museums tickets online and in advance allows you to bypass the ticket office line and head straight to security. While there is a mandatory security check (which can’t be skipped), the line for it moves relatively quickly. By purchasing online, you'll save valuable time and avoid unnecessary stress.
💡 Pro tip: Be sure to factor in the time for security checks when planning your arrival. Even with pre-booked tickets, all visitors must go through screening to ensure the safety and preservation of the museum's collections.
Book Tickets to VaticanGuided tours offer fast-track entry along with expert commentary on the Vatican’s vast art and history. They're perfect for those looking for a deeper, more educational experience.
While guided tours are typically more expensive than standard tickets, they offer excellent value—especially during peak seasons when regular skip-the-line tickets often sell out. For many travelers, a guided tour with priority access is the most efficient and enriching way to visit.
Find the right guided tour for youHosted entry is a smooth, no-stress option. A representative meets you at a designated point and escorts you directly to the priority entrance. You won’t need to navigate the process alone, making this ideal for first-time visitors or anyone seeking a more personalized experience.
Arriving as soon as the Vatican Museums open is one of the best ways to beat the crowds. Early mornings are typically quieter, and you’ll get to experience the galleries with fewer people. Late evenings can also be less crowded, but mid-morning to early afternoon tends to be the busiest.
💡 Pro tip: If you have purchased your tickets online in advance, you won't be affected by the waiting lines, and you should be able to enter the museums easily, after passing through the security check.
Best Time to Visit Vatican MuseumsThe Vatican Museums offer free entry on the last Sunday of every month—but these days draw enormous crowds. If your goal is to skip lines and enjoy a more peaceful visit, it’s best to avoid visiting on these dates.
Guided Tours of the VaticanCertain Rome city passes include skip-the-line access to major attractions, including the Vatican Museums. If you’re planning to visit multiple sites in a short time, this can be a convenient and cost-effective option that helps you bypass ticket lines across the city
Book Rome city passVatican Museums & Sistine Chapel tickets
Flexible entry, explore at your own pace, upgrade options for hosted entry or scenic open-bus tour of the Vatican Gardens.
10-15 mins
Join the queue right of the Viale Vaticano entrance
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour
Comprehensive guided tour, skip 2-3 hours of queues; includes exclusive direct access to St. Peter’s Basilica via a hidden passage. Optional upgrades for guided Basilica tour available.
Minimal to no wait
Join the queue right of the Viale Vaticano entrance
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour
Expert-guided insights, efficient navigation of extensive collections; small-group option for intimate experience, and optional behind-the-scenes Vatican Gardens tour.
Minimal to no wait
Join the queue right of the Viale Vaticano entrance
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Premium Small Group Tour
Intimate, personalized tour with small groups (up to 15), comprehensive exploration of key highlights such as Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps, and Sistine Chapel.
Minimal to no wait
Join the queue right of the Viale Vaticano entrance
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Early Morning Tour
Early morning exclusive access before crowds, expert-guided exploration, additional Dome climb for panoramic views of Rome available.
Minimal to no wait
Join the queue right of the Viale Vaticano entrance
VIP Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Private Tour
Fully private, customizable tour with dedicated expert guide, direct access via secret routes to Basilica; tailored exploration of Vatican’s highlights and hidden gems.
Minimal to no wait
Join the queue right of the Viale Vaticano entrance
Yes, you can skip long queues by booking tickets to the Vatican Museums online. 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. We offer a carefully curated selection of skip-the-line tickets and guided tours at the possible best prices.
While we strive to offer last-minute availability, it is highly recommended that you purchase skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican in advance as they tend to sell out 3-4 days ahead of time. However, if you're looking to visit on short notice, we do offer guided tour options with last-minute availability.
The cost of Vatican skip-the-line tickets depends on several factors, with prices typically starting from €29. However, these tickets tend to sell out in advance, and in the rare case of last-minute availability, prices can go up to €34. If you are willing to wait in line for 2 hours or more on the day of your visit, you can purchase tickets for €17. However, we highly recommend avoiding the queues by purchasing your tickets online. Additionally, we offer guided tours of the Vatican, starting from €65, which are highly recommended given the rich history of the site. Prices are subject to change, it is advisable to check real-time availability and prices by exploring our curated collection of experiences.
Booking skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican Museums offers several advantages: they help avoid the inconvenience of waiting in lines that can go up to 2 or more hours and enjoy immediate access to the museum following a security screening, saving you valuable time and allowing you to make the most of your visit.
Yes, when you purchase skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums online, you can select a specific time slot for your visit. This allows you to plan your day accordingly and ensures a seamless entry to the museums without waiting in long queues. Ensure to arrive 10-15 minutes ahead of the scheduled time to prevent any potential delays.
Vatican skip-the-line tickets are typically valid for the date and time slot you have chosen during the booking process. It is important to arrive on time for your designated entry time to guarantee entry.
Yes, there is a limit on the number of skip-the-line tickets to Vatican Museums available for each time slot on any given day. And, given the popularity of the attraction and the guaranteed long lines at the attraction, these passes tend to sell out 3-4 days in advance. We recommend booking your tickets as early as possible to secure a visit for your preferred date and time.
Skip-the-line ticket holders can join Queue 2 at the Viale Vaticano entrance of the Vatican Museums. This entrance allows you to bypass the regular ticket lines and proceed directly to the security check and entry point.
Yes, skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums include access to the Sistine Chapel, which is the last leg of our tour of the museums. The Sistine Chapel is one of the highlights of the museums and is a must-see during your visit, so make sure you save enough time to admire the iconic ceiling painted by Michelangelo.
No, skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums do not include access to St. Peter's Basilica. While they offer expedited entry to the museums, St. Peter's Basilica has its own separate entry and security procedures. However, you can easily access St. Peter's Basilica by booking specific tickets that grant access to the church. We recommend combining your visit to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica by opting for a guided tour that offers access to both iconic attractions.
Vatican skip-the-line tickets are only valid for a single entry on the selected date and time slot. Once you exit the museums, re-entry is not permitted with the same ticket.
Unfortunately, the Vatican skip-the-line tickets cannot be rescheduled or cancelled. It is imperative that you double-check your selected date and time before completing the purchase.
Audio guides are not included with skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums, but, they are available for rent at the entrance for an additional fee. The audio guides provide informative commentary that will help enhance your self-guided tour by offering insights into the artwork, its history, and its significance.