issues with buying Vatican Museum tickets
 

I am trying to buy tickets to the Vatican Museum for September using a debit card. I called my bank to let them know I was making charges and even had them on the phone when I made the purchase and I was getting denied. ahhh! has anyone had any problems with their system? are you only allowed to use credit cards?

I have a feeling I will need to call them and make the purchase. lol

Thanks.

They will not accept telephone orders.

You have to use a credit card.

do they accept debit via internet then?

They do, but your bank has to know of the purchase ahead of time; the first time I tried it was declined - I called my bank and let them know what I was doing and it went through fine the second try (I used a debit card).

If you go to the Vatican Museum after 12:30 PM, you shouldn't have to stand in line, hence no need for a reservation.

It is in the morning that the lines form to get into the museum. I know this because I once stayed at the Best Western Spring Garden Hotel, which is across the street (and down the steps) from the Vatican Museum. I would go out in the morning and see LONG lines. There were no lines in the afternoon.

Even if you do have a reservation for the Vatican Museum, you still need to queue up on the second floor to get a ticket.

Wait until you see the Cattle Car that is the Sistine Chapel. Good luck trying to look at "The Last Judgment" with tour groups pushing you out of their way.

I have seen less people in a Manhattan disco on a Saturday night.

Frankly, Miss Thing, I would never do it again. I would rather go to Santa Maria Vittoria and look at the "Ecstasy of St. Terese" in peace.

The Fantabulous Buffy Buttmarkington

well my bank was on the phone with me as i was making the purchase and I was still getting denied and they didn't know why. My purchase was being denied on the Vatican system's end. so we may just wing it.

I do not know if you are staying in Rome at a hotel, but I have found that sometimes hotels can help you get tickets in advance. You may want to try emailing them to see if they can help you. Speaking for myself, only ... it's always been well worth the wait to go in. Susan

I booked my reservation with a US visa/debit card just 5 days ago and had no problem.

I use Bank of America if that helps.

My debit card purchase was with Wachovia/Wells Fargo....

You can always use a credit card instead, but also make sure that institution is aware you are making a purchase internationally or they will probably block it.

Thanks folks. we ended up using my mother in law's credit card. Wells Fargo was on the phone with me when I was trying to make the purchase and they didn't understand why my debit card wasn't working. so problem solved we used someone else's credit card cuz we don't have any.