Is there any way to avoid waiting in line for a long time to get into the Vatican Museums? Can you buy or reserve tickets in advance? If not, is it better to go when it first opens or later on?

Dear Sir, <BR>sorry, but there is no possibility, except for group, to reserve the ticket by the Musei Vaticani. <BR>The enter costs 15.000; the opening times are: <BR>Till 31 October monday-saturday 08.45-13.45; from 01 Novembre till 31 March monday-saturday 08.45-15.45, Sundays closed except the last sunday of every month. <BR>It is better that you go there early in the morning, to be allowed to visit better the Musei. <BR>I recommned you to visit Galleria Borghese and Palazzo Altemps too, where you can reserve the ticket. <BR>If you need more information, you can contact me by e-mail. <BR>Best reguards PAOLA BIGINI

I read somewhere that the Pope speaks on Wednesdays around 10-11am so maybe at that time the museums are less crowded. <BR>

Just got back from Rome. If you are there on a Wednesday and can get a ticket to see the Pope it would be worth it to see him rather than skip that to avoid a long line. The line looks intimidating but really it is not so bad. Make friends with the people around you in line, it makes the time pass and you learn a lot!

Any women going to the Vactican - make sure that your shoulders are covered or you will be refused entry. (I am talking from experience). <BR>

I am definitely going to agree with Paola about both going early in the morning (I got there right as it opened when I went, and there was still a small line, but it was huge when I left) to see the Vatican and also about seeing the Galleria Borghese. I went as an afterthought and it was fabulous!

There is one reasonably simple way to get into the Museums without a long line. If you take the Garden tour, which is worthwhile in itself. On some days of the week, you can get a combination, Garden/Museum ticket. You get the Garden tour and you are let off at the top entrance to the Museums. On other days, you can get a tour of S. Peter's. You might want to check it out at the Vatican Information Center on the south Side of the Pizza S. Peter. If you are not interested in this, go very early, dash for the Sistine Chapel and enjoy. It is the choke point for all of the Museums as it can only hold 2-300 <BR>people and there is so much to see. After that, take your time seeing the rest of the Museums.