Hello, I'm planning a first trip to Italy for this November or December and I am completely confused as to how the reservation systems work for museums in cities such as Rome (Borghese) and Florence (Uffizi, etc.). When one makes a reservation in advance, does one pay anything at that time or do you pay when you pick up your tickets? I'm also confused as to what to expect based on conflicting information I've read in a Rick Steves book and on this forum. Rick Steves says that if you have a reservation, you just show up 10 minutes before your time, get your tickets and go in. Yet, I've read on this forum that even with reservations people still wait hours in line. What's the scoop?!! How do are you supposed to plan your day? How do you know when to show up to claim your reservation? If anybody can shed some light, I'd be most grateful!!!

For the Borghese, you will not wait, since the reservation system strictly controls how many people are allowed inside during any two-hour period.

For the Uffizi, you may have to wait in line in the busiest seasons, even with a ticket. In November and December, I wouldn't expect the line to be long.

I believe in both cases, you pay when you arrive at the museum. In the case of the Borghese, you could then produce your Roma Pass to get the discount on the ticket you reserved months ago.

Hi LA,

Good advice above.

>How do are you supposed to plan your day?<

You will be in Italy - the land of <i>dolce far niente</i>. You plan your day with a lot of open space. Nothing happens on time, on schedule or right now.

Get into the mood before you arrive.

Just be sure the website you are booking on is the actual website of the museum - we started out using a search engine and got into site that was charging premium prices. And maybe those are the culprits of people having to wait in line as well. I'm sure Rick Steves gives the actual museum www's - I think we used our crdiet cards and paid when we booked the tickets.

If you really are intent on planning your itinerary down to the minute, you need to know this: November and December are high-season for Italian/other European-based school museum/gallery trips.

These large groups will ALSO have pre-booked tickets. If you really need control over your own agenda and are impatient in lines, take the absolutely first time in the morning or the last time offered in the day. These are the times that school tour guides try to avoid (its hard to herd kids onto buses early enough at the beginning of the day and even harder to get them coralled again at the end!).

Have a great trip!

"How do are you supposed to plan your day? "

If I make a plan, it has one major sight to see in the morning and one major sight to see in the afternoon. I connect the dots between with wandering and stopping at minor sights that might be along the way and don't require waiting in line. Put a nice lunch in between and the day is set.

I read that you have a 15 minute window from your reserved time, at least in Florence, to pick up tickets. If people are saying that sometimes it can still take hours to get your tickets and you don't show up hours early, what happens to your reservation? How are you supposed to know what time to show up?

LosA: it won't take hours in line in November/December.Just book your times as directed and show up on time. You are worrying too much. Happy trails!

Ditto previous comments. I would just show up 15 minutes early. For some museums, and especially in Nov./Dec. when you may have coats, umbrellas, etc., you'll need to check them before entering. The Borghese in particular doesn't allow you to bring anything inside except perhaps a small purse. I usually send the hubs to the ticket line while I go to the coat check line, or vice versa.

My experiences:
Borghese (June 2009) phoned the B. from the US about two weeks before going to secure a time and was given a long number. Checked in with the number 1/2 hour ahead of time (as per policy) and flashed the Roma pass giving us "free" entry. You had to leave all your stuff at the coat check, but they gave you a clear plastic bag if you wanted to carry your wallet, guidebook, etc. You had time to do that (and a visit the restroomalong with scoping out the gift shop) during that 1/2 hour time period. We lined up about ten minutes before our entry time.

Vatican: reserved on-line from home about two weeks prior. Paid with credit card. Presented voucher at the window and avoided the line in, although there was no line when we went around noon on a Friday in late June.

Uffizi(two years ago): reserved over the phone from the US and paid in person in a side room when we arrived. Avoided the long line.

David: reserved from home and printed out the voucher to present to the attendant at the head of the line. Avoided a really long line. I think we paid once we entered.

Bargello in Florence: no reservation needed; we just walked in.

Do get the Roma pass for Rome. Rick Steves talks about the value/features. Our two "free" entrances were the B. Gallery and the Col. Have a great trip!

Thanks everybody for your responses, and a double thank you to Janeyre for recounting your experiences.