Is it possible to make reservations for tickets for the Vatican Museum in advance? I'm not looking to take a private tour - just a standard ticket to gain entry. Is this something I can book directly through the Museum itself, or do I have to go through some other agency.<BR><BR>Thank you!

Hi. I just returned from there and I do not get the impression that you need any advance tickets. We just walked right in and paid and enjoyed the museum. I think it was around 10 Euros.

When I went to the Vatican Museums, the lines were terrible. If you don't want to take a tour, then I recommend that you check with your hotel about buying tickets in advance.

I believe you cannot make advanced reservations. The best way to avoid the long lines is to go early before it opens or in the mid to late afternoon.

Ignore earlier poster -- do NOT go first thing in the morning before opening -- that's when the lines are longest! About 1 p.m. is the best time to walk right in.

Well, Betsy, go figure. We went during Easter week about 20 minutes before opening, on the advice of others. The line was not long and we went right in.<BR><BR>You cannot make reservations or buy advance tickets to this museum. But you must have a reservation for the Villa Borghese.

Sorry, Betsy, but based on my experience (and obviously, of others), YOU are wrong!

We were in the line at 8 AM two weeks ago and waited until 8:45 to get in. However, a guide came over and asked if we wanted to go in as a group tour (there were four of us). We did not take her up on this but it might have been a good idea as the groups are allowed in earlier so by the time we got to the Sistine Chapel (and we did not walk there that leisurely) it was packed with those on the tour side. Annie

Annie's experience (and ours as well, I might add) can be avoided by heading to the Sistine Chapel first and then backtracking.<BR>PS: In case anyone doesn't realize it, the reason Annie didn't get in until 8:45 is because that's when the museum opens!

My advice was based on personal experience -- plus the advice of Scala Reale guides, who go there every day!

Based on my recent experience, i.e. last Saturday, I'd strongly advice you to AVOID going on a Saturday morning. We got there are at 9:00 and the line was snaked for blocks. (The museum also closes early on Saturday.)

Based on my experience the Vatican now goes on teh Been There/Done That list. The museum has wonderful art, but they have let the tour groups take over!!! Also, there is NO crowd control, just sell tickets to everyone. We did hightail it to the Sistine Chapel and I enjoyed that, but the rest of the museum was very overrun and there were 100s of "Sistine Chapel" storyboards around for the tour guides. Never Again!