ironandsilk

I am planning a visit to Rome In late July. Can anyone guide me thru the mess involved to reach the Sistine Chapel? I know the hours and the rules are changing. Is there any way to avoid the long waits in line?

ekc

The easiest way is to see it on an evening - the Vatican is open 1 Friday night a month, I believe.

doug_stallings

Or take an expensive private tour that gets you in before it opens to the public. I don't know that the evening visit would help one avoid crowds.

annhig

ironandsilk -

the normal way is to do a tour of the Vatican museums - it is at the opposite end of the museums to the entrance and can take anything from 2 hours to 5 hours to get there, depending on how many times you stop and how many times you get lost.

some of the expensive private tours start in the Sistine chapel, but we are talking about €200 or more per person.

there was a thread about this some time ago.

ekc

Having visited both during the day and on a Friday evening, it is MUCH less crowded in the evening.

Rostra

Cheaper tour options;
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-440384-2.cfm
Also check-out the 'Ron in Rome' links there.

sarge56

Having visited it in late afternoon and late morning... I would never again go in late afternoon. The light is most significant before the sun reaches midday. It looks totally different in late afternoon, as I suspect it would not be quite as stunning during the evening. Just my humble opinion.

And there is no mess. Get to the Vatican Museums entrance when they open. Buy a ticket. Follow the map to the Sistine Chapel. If that is all you want to see, you can probably reach it within 30 mts of entering the Museums. But, truly, there is much incredible work you should not miss if you are there anyway, including the map room, the Raphael rooms and the tapestry room.

Good luck!

Parisbound1

I don't think Ron in Rome is there any longer. I did enjoy his tour though. I have since taken a tour with Romeinlimo and they offer some great private tours of the Sistine Chapel that are not all that expensive. We toured with someone named Sarah through Romeinlimo and she was just great. Have fun planning!

kybourbon

>>>The easiest way is to see it on an evening - the Vatican is open 1 Friday night a month, I believe.<<<

In the past, the Vatican was only open Friday nights in late Aug, Sept and Oct. so that probably won't be an option in July.

To avoid waiting in line for tickets, just book with the Vatican.
http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html

ironandsilk

Thanks everyone

SHAREEN3

I highly recommend booking a tour for the Sistine Chapel/Vatican and Rome in general with Rome in Limos - I used them for my trip in May and they are seriously incredible! I paid extra to have a tour guide for the Vatican/Sistine Chapel and not only did we not wait in line but I would of had zero clue what I was looking at and all the history behind it if it wasn't for our guide. She was amazing!

catcrazyaf

Ron in Rome NO LONGER lives there; however, his website is full of very useful information.