I've been checking online at www.b-ticket.com to reserve entry tickets for the Accademia & the Uffizi in early October. It appears they are not yet available. How far in advance will I be able to book them? If I call directly, do you think I would be able to secure tickets now?

Many thanks!

2010

I just went to the Ufizzi website and was able to check dates in October and seemed fine:

http://en.uffizi-com.waf.it/museo_de...y-tickets.html

When I was there 2 years ago, we had our hotel secure the reservation, but the website seems to be working.

I see that there is a warning for safari user on site.If you are using a Mac here is the warning:

Dear user,
if you are using the Safari browser on Microsoft Windows or Apple Mac systems, we inform you that our website may not function correctly. For this reason, we invite you to use an alternative browser to proceed easily with navigation and purchases.
For a better use experience, we advise you to use these softwares:

Firefox for Apple Mac systems: http://www.mozilla.com/products/down...〈=en-US

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You can find further details in this page:
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/

I have downloaded Foxfire nd work through that browser.

Sheri & suz:

Thanks for your replies!

I checked out availability & price on the website you provided, Sheri. While the date & time we would like is available, the fees for entrance & on-line booking come to 31.90 euros vs. 21 euros on the museum website: www.b-ticket.com/b-ticket/uffizi/default.aspx. Why such a difference in price?

2010

They call this a commission fee and it looks like it is more than ticket.

See if your hotel can do it - mine didn't charge me a 'handling fee' or anything, and it might be cheaper?

Call the museum booking line on +39 055 294883, open during Italian hours from 8.15 am to 5.50 pm Tuesday to Sunday. English spoken. They have more slots available than online, including mornings, and charge the same: 6.50 euro plus 4 euro reservation fee.

Thanks for the info, Alec! I called the museum booking line and secured entry tickets for the Uffizi & Accademia. It was very easy!

When I asked the agent what I need to do next, she replied, "You come to Florence & have a wonderful time! You arrive at the gallery 5 minutes before your time, show your confirmation number & pay cash for the tickets. And you go in!" With that, I thanked her for her assistance!

So, my bookings are all complete!

2010

And since you don't have to pay in advance, if you get to Uffizi and find the line isn't at all bad, don't bother picking up your reserved tickets and just get in the usual way, saving 4 euro (per ticket) reservation fee.

Alec, thanks for the hint! Just one more question: Is there a separate line at the Uffizi & the Accademia for us to pick up our reserved tickets?

2010

There are usually three lines. (Usually) enormous line for those who haven't booked, a shorter one for you to pick up your reserved tickets (people have still waited 20-30 min in it, so make sure you get there in good time before your reserved time), and another one to actually get in. The last can be a bit of a mayhem, with people pushing and shoving their way in! To avoid overcrowding, the guards are under instruction to limit the flow of visitors, so make sure you stick together with your partner or you may be separated at the barrier.

The above is for the Uffizi. Lines are usually a great deal shorter and more orderly at the Accademia.