Tips on visiting the Vatican museums
 

Last time we were in Rome we couldn't get into the vatican because the line had a 2 hour wait. We had some people with us that wouldn't have done well in the heat for that long

I have been there before but I was on a tour of Italy and didn't have to worry about entrance as it was taken care of for us. The rest of the people that I am traveling with this time have not, and we will not be on a tour

So my question is, what is the best way to get into the vatican museums and the sistine chapel without a very long wait.

We are traveling in the summer months
Thanks

Try to have a very early lunch & go in then. Early morning is a nightmare, the queues are unbelievable.
We walked straight in to the museums about midday in Oct. We had gone early in the morning but the line was so long that we decided to leave it until later. Alot of tour buses arrive early which makes the lines longer.

Rhonas'advice is good. Our airport limo driver suggested we go at lunch time. We went on a Thursday around 1PM. We walked right in! No line, nothing. Just went in to the ticket booth and bought our tickets.

I was there in Oct. 2005 and spent over 3 hours one Monday morning waiting to get in.They do not accept cards either-cash only.

I am also wondering the same thing, as we'll be in Rome this May. I've heard the Vatican tour is a good way to get a reservation and avoid the line. Go to the Vatican website www.vatican.va, and search under Education to find the information. You have to make the request in advance, by fax. I think it's about 21.50EUR apiece, which includes the museum ticket, and that sounds like a good price to me. Good luck! Post back whatever you find.

ttt

I think the longest I've waited was about 30-40 minutes and the line looked as if it would be much longer but moved quickly.

I've never been before 11:30 a.m.

Call 06-6988-4466 to reserve a spot in their guided English tours and you don't have to wait in any lines!

It costs just a few euros (5 or 6?) more than admission. You actually enter into the exit gate at the Vatican (our cab driver dropped us right there) and go to the guided tour desk.

The guided tour has a live guide, but you wear headsets and listen to her (or him) through your speakers. We did the 2 hour highlight tour with our kids, and we all loved it. Yes, the groups are large, but with the headsets, you didn't have to feel like you had to be right next to her to hear what she was saying, but she also answered a lot of questions. Frankly, if just for not having to wait in line, I wouldn't do it any other way.

Good luck!
Dina

This what I was told when we were choosing with our guide whether to go Wednesday or Thursday - Wednesday mornings are better because the Papal Audience lure lots of visitors away from the Museums, making the line to get in shorter and the crowds inside more bearable.

FWIW