We are planning to visit Vatican on July 12 or 13th. Do we need to buy a guided tour or
just buy tickets online at Vatican website and hang out on our own? We have a very noisy 5 year old, so guided tours do not work very well with us. While booking admission tickets online, do I have to mention the 5 year old also? Would I be able to use the back entrance from the Museum to St. peter's square with just admission tickets without buying the guided tour?

Do i need to buy the Dome tickets for St. Peter's square ahead of time? If so where do I buy them ?
Thank yu in advance to all the experts of the topic.

You have 4 ways to get into the museum:


1) Line up for general admission. The lines can be immense. Going later in the afternoon is rumored to be the best time for the shortest line but no admittance after 4 pm.

2) Book online (through the Vatican office) for general admission which lets you ‘jump’ the line. Numerous time slots are available. No guide, no languages. You pick your tickets up through the group entrance line.

3) Book online (through the Vatican office) for a 2 hour guided tour with Vatican staff. These also ‘jump’ the line. Some grumbling has been heard that these tours are rushed. These are available in different languages. You pick your tickets up through the group entrance line.

4) Book through a private tour company. Some are more detailed or more specific. Some go after hours. These also ‘jump’ the line.

For all of the above, once you are in the museum, you are free to wander, double-back etc.

We have done Option 1 & Option 3. Our group tour (3 weeks ago or so) was so mired in the museum with other groups that we left the group & went it on our own.

Ian

I would also like to know if tickets are needed to climb the dome at St. Peter's and if they can be purchased ahead of time. Thanks!

The above is for the Vatican Museum. In the Vatican you have numerous things you can do:

St Peter's interior. Easy lineups from St Peter's Sq. Closed during outdoor mass.

St Peter's dome interior & exterior viewing area. As above.

Vatican Museum including Sistine Chapel - it's actually the only way in. See post above.

Scavi Tour. Must book online.

Vatican Gardens Tour. Must book online.

Ian

When you get to the Sistine, facing the back wall, exit to your right. The door usually has a sign that says something like "group tours". This takes you to St. Peters.

You cannot buy tickets in advance for the dome. I forget what the prices are, but one price is for the elevator to the bottom of the dome and then the walk up. The other is to walk the entire distance. You'll see the ticket office when you exit to the Basilica. Remember, the only way up and down is to walk. It is very cramped, can be very crowded and in the summer can be stifling hot. I don't know that I'd take a 5 year old there in July.

dave

I remember that there is a separate line for the dome - after the general line, I believe. I'm sorry but I don't remember the cost etc since we didn't go up on this trip. We did the Scavi & the failed museum tour this time. I did see that the line moved well & appeared like it was only about 20 minutes during peak times in the late morning & mid-afternoon . . .

No online sales for the dome from what I know & none needed.

Ian

And if you don't use the exit Dave mentions you MUST walk back through other areas of the museum & that will take minimum 15 - 20 minutes if you hustle.

My wife & I got separated in the Sistine. Then she went left. And I went right. We waited at opposite ends of the Vatican for each other . . .

Ian

Thank you. I will buy the tickets online from the Vatican website. We will skip the Scavi this time since the 5 year old talks quite a bit.