mikesutton

Is the Vatican Museum Guided Tour worth the 29.50 Euro per person? It is a 2 hour English guided tour, that includes the admission ticket. I read about long lines, which I hate to stand in, and I think I might enjoy a informative tour guide who can tour me though the Museum and Chapel. What do you think?

worldinabag

Hi

It is my understanding that you don't have to line up to too long if you're part of a tour group. We did the museum and chapel on our own. We went early afternoon. We did not have to line up, just bought our ticket and walked through. However there was alot of people and the traffic seemed to go one way so it's difficult to go back and have a look at something that caught your eye (I vaguely remember that you are not allowed to go back anyway!). The major advantages with a tour guide is they are informative - there is much to see and apart from admiring its beauty you may, like us, not know what you're looking at anyway. The other advantage is it's time efficent. A guide can get you in quicker and cover the site in 2 hours. Given the fact it's crowded and rather stifling I don't think you want to stay longer than 2 hours anyway. Verdict - go with the guide, particularly if you're pressed for time.

Dukey

I would go with the guide for no other reason than the number of pieces on display is pretty overwhelming (not as many as the Hermitage, but still)..and it would be worth it to at least have some pointed out and explained a bit.

One problem can be if the place is mobbed it can sometimes be difficult to hear.

luv2cthings

<i>Is the Vatican Museum Guided Tour worth the 29.50 Euro per person? It is a 2 hour English guided tour, that includes the admission ticket. I read about long lines, which I hate to stand in, and I think I might enjoy a informative tour guide who can tour me though the Museum and Chapel. What do you think?</i>

Which tour are looking at? The Vatican Museums web site is showing that the cost of their guided tour is 23.50 Euro. Regular admission alone is 14 Euro, so you are looking at an additional 9.50 Euro for the benefits you cited.

I did this tour mainly to avoid the long lines, and thought the price was well worth it. However, my time was limited (only one day in Rome); if I were doing a proper visit to Rome, I would probably just go in the afternoon when the lines are shorter. But then again, I've already done the guided tour, so if you think you'd like that, by all means go for it.

By the way, I had no problem hearing the guide using the headsets we were given.

aimeekm

The price was raised to 29,50e (which includes admission). When I received my reservation confirmation, this was the price stated. I believe the website is not up to date.

I can't tell you if it is worth the money yet, as I have yet to visit!

nevertooold

3 years ago my wife and I took the Context tour of the Vatican for 60E each and were so dissatisfied that Paul at Context gave me a 50% refund (Beware of Luc!).

Two years ago, we were fortunate enough to get on the Vatican Museum's own tour via fax application, and it was a third of the price and much better.

End result - I feel that EVERY tour will have, basically, the same information, so if you can, go with the Vatican's own tour.

If you can't get on it, go with ANY reputable company - Througheternity, Romewalks, Angeltours, etc. - and let price, time and availability guide you.

I don't think it much matters who gets you to the Sistine...I found that, in fact when I got there, there was really little difference in the actual content of information as provided by Context and the Vatican's own tour.

The truth is that when I was able to stand in front of the wall myself for 45 minutes with my Rick Steves book in my hand, Rick's information was just as good as either of the tours.

elaine

just goes to show that tour guides can be luck of the draw. I've had guided tours with Context Rome on a couple of occasions and just LOVED them. Informative, entertaining, and very well organized.
On the other hand, my first tour of the Vatican was with a Vatican guide, and she spoke incomprehensible English at a low volume. We in the tour kept asking each other &quot;What'd she say?&quot;

dina4

Of course, it's worth it. It's only a few euros more than the cost of admission and you get to skip the lines!

We did it in 2004, had a great guide, and loved the whole experience. The groups are large, but everyone listens to the guide through a headset, so it's great -- no crowding around the guide to hear her.

The really tough (and often frustrating) part is getting the tickets. The Vatican will fax you a confirmation basically whenever they get around to it. My parents' came the night before their tour. They gave their hotel fax # on their request -- a smart idea.

good luck

Kristina

I am wondering the same thing myself as the OP.
The tour offered by the Vatican is now 29.5 euro ($44). Regular admission is 14 euro or has that also increased?
Is it worth 15 euro to skip the line?
Is the two hour tour good? I've read both good and bad reviews...

BTW, you no longer have to fax the Vatican. There is an email address (search this board for it). I got my reply in less than 24 hours.

LizaMarie

seems like the option of guide + admission + no waiting in line, makes sense! I'm going to look into doing it. anyone know the email address? thanks

dina4

Here's the website:

http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-In...zi_Visite.html

You have to fax your request.

Kristina

You no longer have to fax your request. Just as they have not updated the price on their website, they have not added the email request address either. ;-)

This is the address:
[email protected]

In your request, include your name, number of people, time and date requested for tour, and tour language.

I emailed them 2 weeks ago and heard back within 24 hours. Make sure to check your SPAM box though as that's where the reply ended up.

dina4

Kristina, that's awesome!

When is your reservation?
Do you still have to wait one month ahead or can you book way in advance?

Kristina

My reservation is for mid-march and I got it about 6 weeks in advance. I have no idea how far in advance you can request, but it can't hurt to try!

Bucerias

I just returned from Rome last night and wanted to add that the official Vatican tour was definitely worth it! We bypassed the long line (down the hill and around to St. Peter's square) to enter the museum. Also, there is a special ticket booth (inside, without lines) where you actually pay for the ticket. The guide was wonderful and helped us to understand sites of the museum. We also were able to enter St. Peter's bascilica through a separate door from the Sistine Chapel and again avoided lines to enter the bascilica. I emailed the Vatican (thanks to Fodorite information) a few days before our trip and received a response within 1 business day.
Connie

LizaMarie

Bucerias -
thanks for the great info! I had emaile dthe Vatican for a dat ein Sept for a tour but sadly they said they won't book that far in advance and recommended emailing them again a month prior. It seems like it is worth it and I am glad you experienced it and agree! I have a confirmed Scavi Tour already it took about 2 weeks to get and I hope to get the Vatican Tour for the same day.

Vttraveler

No matter what tour you take when you are in Rome, you will be better prepared for the Sistine Chapel and Raphael rooms if you read Ross King's excellent Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling. Very readable.

tbell

bkmk

travlintoes

bookmarking--many thanks.

Sarvowinner

We did the tour when it was 23.50 euro and thought it was a ridiculously cheap bargain considering the quality of the tour guide (she was great) and the time saved from lining up. I would definitely pay 29.50 euro.