kvs

I have been doing research for my visit to Florence in a couple months and have come across several suggestions to reserve tickets to view Michelangelo's David. Is it best to reserve tickets through the museum's website? Or find a company that offers tickets? Any suggestions that work with a low budget?

swisshiker

Hello kvs

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

<i><b>&quot;Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations</b>

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.&quot;</i>

Works like a charm!
Happy travels!

Ann1

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.

ira

I agree with S.

Connie

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.

wanderful

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

ekscrunchy

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.

Reisender

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!

dina4

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

ekscrunchy

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

GapYear2009

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

dina4

thanks, escrunchy. great to know!

janjanjan

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.

Ann1

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

mainegod

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?

Ann1

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

kvs

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.

nwbniteowl

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.

Zerlina

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

nwbniteowl

Thanks Zerlina.