Reserving a time to enter St Marks Basilica
 

Has anyone used the advance booking for St Marks Basilica in Venice?

For 1 Euro it allows you to reserve a date and time to enter the Basilica, avoiding the lines.

It seems like a good idea to me but hadn't seen it mentioned in the "book ahead" topics and wondered if it works.

Here's a link to the site. http://www.venetoinside.com/en/saint_mark_s_basilica/

CindyP.

Yes, it absolutely works and you don't have to stand in the endless line.
we were so happy we reserved a date and time.

I would reserve a time that overlaps with 11:30AM-12:30PM, which I believe is when the interior lights are turned on.

yes it works. They ended up closing st. marks (on very short notice) the day we had our reservation and they honored it the next day - no problems.

I agree with ellenem about the lights - they make such a difference.

the other way to get to see them is by attending a service - entry by the north door.

ellenem. Thank you for the reminder about the lights. I know I've read it here somewhere, but I had forgotten.

We are early risers and I had planned on getting to St. Marks early.

Would there be a long line for the Campanile in the morning? We could do that first and then go to St. Marks.

CindyP.

Would there be a long line for the Campanile in the morning>>

Pass. but if the queue is too long, why not nip over to the isola di san giorgio maggiore on the vaporetto? [a good reason for having a vaporetto pass IMHO]. the campanile there has just the same views but far fewer people trying enjoy them.

if you reserved a spot in san marco for, say 12 noon, you could spend the morning exploring santa maria della salute [closes at noon] san giorgio, even the guidecca ,then tour the basilica, and have a well-earned lunch. the accademia and guggenheim are also nearby.