The Vatican receives around 20,000–30,000+ visitors daily during peak season, and the queues reflect that.
Note: These wait times cover only the entrance queue. Every visitor must also pass through security after scanning their ticket.
Entry to the Museums is via the Viale Vaticano entrance on the north side.
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:
Buy your ticket online to bypass the regular ticket queue. These timed-entry tickets let you head straight to security and enter close to your chosen slot.
Just note: they often sell out days in advance during peak season.
Check available entry ticketsGuided tours not only enrich your visit with expert commentary—they also include priority entry through a separate group entrance. You’ll skip both the ticketing and general admission queues.
Find Vatican tours with skip-the-line accessA host meets you at a designated spot and escorts you through the entry process, including ticket validation and security. Great for first-timers or anyone who wants a hassle-free entry experience.
Book hosted entryThis less-known option includes a scenic 45-minute bus tour of the Vatican Gardens followed by guaranteed skip-the-line entry to the Museums and Sistine Chapel. It’s one of the smoothest (and most overlooked) ways in.
Explore Vatican Gardens tour optionsThe Museums open at 8am, but entry queues start forming by 7:30am, especially in peak season. Arriving early or choosing a late-evening time slot can significantly reduce your wait.For the earliest access, consider the Early Morning Tour, which opens the Museums before general hours.
Check Vatican timingsThe last Sunday of every month offers free admission, but crowds are massive and lines are long. Unless you're on a tight budget, skip these days for a smoother experience.
Plan your visitYes, you can skip long queues by booking tickets to the Vatican Museums online. You have three main options:
1. Buying tickets on the day of the visit, which could mean a wait time of 2-3 hours
2. Pre-booking skip-the-line tickets with a timed slot
3. Pre-booking hosted entry tickets or tickets with access to the Vatican Gardens
4. Joining a guided tour with priority access.
We offer a curated selection of fast-track and guided tour options at the best available prices.
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:
- Standard skip-the-line tickets start from €29–€34, and let you choose a time slot and bypass ticket queues.
- Hosted Entry tickets start from €39, and include personal assistance and fast-track access—great for first-timers or if tickets are sold out.
- Vatican Gardens tickets start from €48, and include skip-the-line access plus a 45-minute panoramic bus tour of the private gardens.
- Guided tours start from €65, and include expert commentary and direct access to the Sistine Chapel and sometimes St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Same-day gate tickets may be available for €17, but often require waiting 2–3 hours in line and offer no guaranteed slot.
For the smoothest experience, we recommend booking in advance—especially during peak season.
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.