Yes, sad but true. Due to scheduling issues, I will be in Rome for a little less than 24 hours. Arriving from Vienna at FCO at 0915 on a Thursday morning in October (and leaving very early the next morning). Goal is to see (only) St. Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum, and Vatican Gardens. My plan is to grab a taxi/limo as soon as wheels down and head straight for Vatican City. Daunting, yes - but do-able? I was estimating about an hour from FCO to the Vatican. Is this setting aside enough transit time? Your thoughts, please. Thank you!

This is doable although I'm so sorry you have such a short time. Allow an hour and a half for the trip from FCO.
If you need a good hotel (not fancy but very nice) in the Vatican area stay at the Columbus Hotel right there on Via Concilliazioni. Even though it will probably be too early to check in I'm sure they'd be happy to store your luggage. The staff will be most helpful to you and the food is great.

Hi.

Yes, it is doable. If lines are daunting, DO NOT miss St. Pete's. It is breathtaking.

I might also suggest Hotel Genio. It is within comfortable walking distance and it is only a block to Piazza Navona which would be a nice place to spend your one evening.

B.V.

I certainly think this is possible. My son spent only two days in Rome and saw a lot. Fortunately, for me I had more time and have been twice. However, I do want to tell you that on his first day there (he rode an overnight train) he went straight to the Vatican (on my advice) and there was something special going on with the Pope. So he could not see the Vatican on this day. However, he did get in the next day. I hope, hope, hope you don't run into this problem, but just in case, you might want to check ahead of time and/or have a back up plan (there is soooo much to see in Roma). Also, if it were me, I might check into a private driver and guide if $$$ permit. Happy travels.

We did St. Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum with a small tour group through Scala Reale.

We arrived at 8:30 A.M. at the Vatican Museum which leads you into the Sistine Chapel and upon exiting the Chapel, we went to St. Peter's. If memory serves me...which it doesn't always...we were finished by 1:30 at the latest and we didn't rush through at all. You could break for lunch and then go back for the gardens.

But as an earlier poster said, check to be sure nothing will be closed the day you are there and the opening and closing times. We never saw Moses because every time we had the time, the church was closed...very frustrating indeed!

The Vatican website is www.vatican.va if you want to check museum schedule or the Pope's schedule.

Thank you to each of you! You have given me new hope that I can pull this off! As earlier stated, it is unfortunate that I can't spend the right amount of time this first trip, but that will only entice me to keep going back. And summer1, as coincidence would have it, Hotel Columbus is exactly where I already had a reservation. Thanks again to everyone who replied!