If it were up to me I would not set foot in the place as I simply cannot stand in line, but, like so many things, it's not up to me. I have to go, so my question is which are some reliable companies with tours who will get the tickets for us even if we have to wait in a cafe or something? I really don't care even if the tour is good or not.
Grazie!
Joe

You don't have to stand in line at all if you take the Vatican Museums' own tours. Information at

www.vatican.va

(Vatican Museums, Information, Visitor Services)

The only problem is that they only confirm a day or two ahead of time and only by fax, so you have to know where you are staying and the fax number when you submit your request.

oddly, the vatican museum online website gives you all of the instructions regarding faxed tour reservations...but they don't give the tour reservation fax number!

Last September my group purchased tickets in advance yet we waited for about an hour in a huge line.

People without tickets waited several hours in a line that went on for about 1/2 mile.

and remember that starting this month, they have altered their hours so that ONLY tour groups get in before 10am...

Thanks for the responses. I'm still trying to figure out the Vatican official tour. It seems to be random hit or miss if you get it all and you don't know until the last minute when it will be in any case.
What I really need is way to avoid going all together LOL I wonder if this is the Church's way of revenge for the loss of the Papal States?
I'm dreading this trip as I have been to Italy three times before and speak Italian fluently. I know how aggravating the country can be--my better half and the other couple have no idea. Saying I told you so will be cold comfort.

I've been to the Vatican 3 times, alone and with tours. If I never go again, it will be too soon. Set up the other three in your party with a tour. Bow out and do some shopping. If you don't take a tour, you'll just follow the same line from outside the Vatican, inside to the ticket stand and down the corridors to the Sistene Chapel and won't know what you're looking at anyway.

Some sage advice, dgg. I would love to be able to do that. I've seen it twice--skipped it the last time. Don't ever need to see it again myself. I'm hoping to convince the wife that I neddn't tag along. Good luck--right?
The other big worry, unless this has changed drastically since 1998, is the almost total lack of restrooms in the Vatican or anywhwere else. At 58 I no longer find that quaint or an adventure LOL I think my fellow travelers when confronted with a a reeking hole in the floor, the infamous "gabinetto turco", will be taken aback.

http://www.rome-museum.com/vatican2ind.htm

I just googled "Tours of Vatican Museums" for a friend and got the above website. They will reserve for a price (8E onto original price.)but only those who enter at 8:30-9:00 or 9:00 - 9:30 can avoid a wait in line. We stood in line in 2004, but I think this is worth a few bucks. Check it out.

Thanks, I will check that out. Money is not an object within reason, nor is the quality of the tour. My only goal is not to stand in line for hours on end then be pushed through like on a cattle drive.
Since I will likely have to go I want to make it as painless as possible. Long lines and no restrooms are not my idea of fun. Maybe it is a preview of Hell for those who wont convert gt