Hello kvs

Fodorite Ira has the best advice, which we have used several times:

"Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations

The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 1010987 (dial around number), 011 (U.S. international access code) 39 (Italy's country code) then 055-294-883 8:30-18:30 M-F and 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time. There is a long listing of press 1 for this and 2 for that--press 4 for bookings. You will get an English speaking operator and in 2-3 minutes YOU CAN RESERVE FOR BOTH. This is through the reservation service at the Uffizi and costs beyond the normal entry fee only about 3 euro for the service. This is MUCH cheaper than the commercial booking services.

You will not be charged for the reservations unless you use them."

Works like a charm!
Happy travels!

Actually the easiest and cheapest way to get reservations to the Accademia (David) and other museums is to e-mail your hotel and ask them to get the reservation. We always do that in whatever city we are going to (and many times in Florence) and they are always happy to do it. No phone calls, no extra fees (except the reservation fee at the museum) and no problems.

I agree with S.

Our hotel did it for us and we are staying in a small hotel. Within a day of making hotel reservations, I had an email with confirmations numbers for both places.

I got Uffizi and Accademia reservations yesterday through my hotel (Cascia). If your hotel does this, why punch numbers yourself?

It is both easier and cheaper to e-mail your hotel and ask them to reserve for you. If you are not staying in a hotel then call them on the phone number listed above.

Have never been there in summer (always travel in off season) but we have never bought tickets in advance. The first time we were in Florence was in November several years ago (when the streets were still thronged with the Vespas zinging about) and we got up early one morning, walked over, paid our money and walked in - maybe stood in line 10 minutes max.

We were in Florence this past November (2007) again and one day, after wandering about and the time approaching half past 5, my wife decided she wanted to see David again, so off we went. We had no idea what the line would be like, but when we arrived there was none, none at all. Paid and walked right in.

I suspect in the summer when the crowds are heavy that strategy would not work as well,

Good luck and do see David he is worth every cent you spend and every minute you stand in line!

so when your hotel makes your reservation for DAVID, do you pay only if you show up (as is the case with calling), or do they charge the credit card they have on file with the tickets??

thanks

You pay when you show up, just as if you had called and booked yourself.

Be sure not to miss Michelangelo's "Prisoners," which are in the gallery leading up to the "David." Many people just breeze by these masterpieces!

thanks, escrunchy. great to know!

We used out hotel to do the booking for us--free for us, and we pay the same 3 euro fee for the reservation you'd pay whoever did the reservation for you, including doing it yourself by phone and paying international rates.

I forgot to mention that one time when we made the reservation through the hotel, they got us in earlier than the posted time.

Just wanted to note that my hotel, which shall remain nameless at this point, pointed me toward the public museum website to reserve my own tickets when I asked them about making reservations for me - and of course that site shows no tickets available for the day I wish to go.

I did find much more expensive tickets available through tickitaly.com and weekendafirenze.com (30+ euro for 2) but would I be totally off base to go back to the hotel and politely inquire again about this?

MaineGod:That hotel doesn't sound very customer friendly. I've never run into that problem.

I will be traveling to Florence on a cruise, so I will not be able to use the hotel suggestions. Looks like the best bet is to call the museum. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

I just went on the website to check on tickets for the Uffizzi Gallery and the Accademia. You can buy them online. They charge you 4 euros for the reservation now (since April 1) and it is per ticket, which I didn't realize. That really raises the cost, esp. since I am buying for 4. If you order them by phone, is it also per ticket? Does it still cost 3 euros for the reservation? Thanks.

It's also 4 Euro per ticket if you reserve by phone.

Thanks Zerlina.

Just my experience, but after considering options about making reservations, I made several efforts to get though to the musuem last week and always got a busy signal (but I didn't know about the "dialaround number" so maybe that was the problem. Then I tried to book through directly through the Firenze Musei website, but kept getting error messages regarding something about browser settings in Italian. So...I emailed my hotel and, ta da! - they immediately responded with confirmation numbers for the dates and times I wanted at the Uffizi and Accademia.

bmk

FWIW - The Accademia wanted payment in cash when we went. If you wanted to pay some other way you had to get in a different longer line.

I wrote my hotel just last night for Uffizzi reservations, and when I woke up this morning, they had already taken care of it. we just need to go to the reservation entrance a few minutes before our scheduled time and pay, then we are all set!

I went to the Museum's web site and bought my "ticket." I printed out a voucher and went to the head of the line and was waived right in. The same at Tower of Pisa, and the Last Supper in Milan and Uffizi.

I would love to book the tickets thru a hotel, but we are staying in an apartment, and they don't offer those services. When I went on the website to reserve the tickets, I ended up on a page that asked for my credit card info. I had heard that you don't pay until you show up. Does that mean they will not actually charge my card till we get there? I just want to make sure I'm on the correct website.

If you do it by phone, you're not charged until you show up. If you use the official web site, then you do prepay.

Hello swisshiker, a followed your instructions to reserve the accademia museum in florence and can not get through all they ask is to press 1 or 2 , then i tried 4 like you said and still can't get through can you tell me if I'm doing something wrong...

thanks

I asked our hotel to get my reservations and it took the lady several days because she said the line was constantly busy...

thanks dina

Tribi,
If worse comes to worse and you can't get through, I think you should bite the bullet and go with agency. David is not to be missed, and I'm sure would be worth the extra euros.

I have reservations for seeing him a third time. I can't imagine being in Florence and not getting in.

Good luck!!
Dina

Thank you dina4, I finally made my reservation this morning, I was able to speak to someone and she gave me a confirmation number which I have to give them once i get to the reservations desk and pay cash.

Ira-
I have tried two times to call the numbers you listed, and I do get the museum, but I never get the choice to book. I first have to choose Italian or English ( the only two choices) then I have two choices again and both have just general information that is circular so I know when it has finished because it starts to repeat itself. I even tried to push 4 without it being listed as a choice. Anyone else with difficulty?

Try the online site.
http://www.b-ticket.com/b%2Dticket/uffizi/venue.aspx

Did you call during Italian work hours?

My hotel booked all tickets for me and I paid for them when I got to Florence.

I called at 6:00 a.m. eastern time on Monday Morning.

sewitall - Maybe that's your problem since they are closed Mondays although I think during the summer when they extend their hours they open every day.

We were in Italy for two months last year and found a guide in Florence to tour the City. He was able to get us tickets to Michelangelo and the Uffizi. We did not have to wait in any lines and his cost was about $65.00 US @ hour, the information about the art and Michelangelo was well worth the money. I would recommend getting a license tour guide.

I agree; you should get reservations in advance. There can be a line that is 3-4 hrs long (or longer) if there are cruise ships in the vicinity. Also, we happened to be going by the exit door and you could see "David" from there and we got some really good photos without paying the admission or waiting in line.

Definitely, reserve for the summer. AT LEAST a 2 hour wait to see "David." Reserve before you go there. Once you are there the next possible entrance maybe the next day or even later.

Yobewild,
Would you mind telling what tour company you used. I'm not finding as many in florence as other cities.
thanks.
Robin

is the main website for uffizi and academia able to sell these tickets together or do you do them separately?

Does anyone know the official website to do this?

Do they ask for a credit card or is this just a reservation to hold your spot?

Also, does this mean you can avoid the lines?

Thanks,

The website for the museums in Florence:
http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/english/benvenuto.asp

The website does not sell tickets. You can use your hotel, or agency, but the best way is to call. The operators are helpful. You can reserve a date and time for both, and they give you a confirmation number. No payment now, you need to pay when you pickup tickets. This avoids lines too! Phone number : 011 39 055 294 883 (from US)

SeanZ - You have been able to purchase tickets through the website for quite sometime. All you have to do is click tickets and enter your dates.