we are interested in the scavi tour for the vatican...what does it include? St. Peters Basilica, Vatican Museum, Sistene Chapel? If it only includes St Peters, can we get to the museum and sistene chapel from there without having to stand in line or get another ticket? also, how much is the tour?

Type in Scavi Tour in the search box and read forever. The tour dosn't include anything you listed.

The Scavi Tour consists of a tour of the Necropolis (city of the dead) that is beneath a small portion of Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica. It is NOT a tour of any part of the Vatican Museum, St. Peter's Basilica proper, or the Sistene Chapel.

BC

what are the long lines for that i keep hearing about? is it to get into st peters? i am confused?

It IS confusing because there are so many different things to see.
1. The longest lines are for the Museums(plural), which includes the Sistine Chapel. Only way you can see the Sistine Chapel. However, if you read the threads here you'll find a way to go to the head of the line.
2. You can go directly into St. Peter's basilica on your own, or with a tour.
3. The Scavi tour, as has been explained is underground, limited access and you need reservations in advance. You see the spot where St. Peter is allegedly buried.
4. Some people also go to the Vatican Gardens.
Alas, when we were there St. Peter's basilica was closed and we had not learned about the way to get to the head of the museum line, so did not go on our first day at the Vatican. Turns out we did not get a second chance because I wasn't feeling well the next day. So we had the Scavi tour and the opportunity to see St. Peter's square and the Basilica from the outside.

The vatican has a good web site that you will also find referenced in some of the past posts.
Vera

I recently did this tour.The tour goes under of the basilica(from the left side) to the center where many believe is Peter's ancient tomb .After seeing this site you walk up some metal stairs into the crypt(under the floor of the church. the tours ends here and you can view the many popes interred including John Paul II.

As you leave you will be in a narrow sloped courtyard outside where you can visit the gift shop on your left.As you proceed to the front of the church (if you bear right with the crowd) you will be merging with (cutting)the line going up a few steps and onto the portico.Then you can enter the bascilica right there.

The museum entrance is at least a 10 minute walk from the church around the wall city on the right (or north side)

You could start the day at the museum and then exit into the church from the sistine chapel(just find the exit door) which is at the end of the museum otherwise you must walk a long hall all the way back the way you came. However the museum line in the morning is all the way back to the church...a long wait!!!!...If you wait until after lunch there will be no line.
Its worth whatever it costs..we loved it.We did the scavi at 8:30,church and museum in one day.If you plan to do the dome then take that into account

Good information. Thanks everyone!

You need to email the Scavi Office much in advance to secure reservations.

This is the contact info:
UFFICIO SCAVI
Fabbrica di San Pietro in Vaticano

Tel. +39 06 698 85318
Fax +39 06 698 73017
E-Mail: [email protected]

You need to tell them when you want the tour (the dates you are available), the number of people and the language.

Cost of tour is 10 Euro per person.

Do a search for Scavi on this forum and you'll get tons of information.

Bear in mind that there are only a few English-speaking Scavi tours a day, with approximately 12 people on each.

Even making your reservation 5 months in advance will not guarantee your reservation is accepted, as I have found to my disappointment.

My husband and I did the Scavi Tour 2 years ago and it was the highlight of our trip! Wonderful! You get to walk past the swiss guards and feel important! Very interesting. We went to St. Peter's first, early in the morning, before lines, then had Scavi Tour around 10am. When we departed after the tour there was an enormous line for St. Pete's. You must apply for tour ahead of time. We literally got our printed confirmation about 1-2 days before we left for our trip. Try - it's worth it.