You can do a Vatican Tour reservation by email. It is a much better method than using the fax#.

[email protected]

They will only do reservations out about 2-3 months in advance, so if you are going next year, wait to send the email. You will probably get a response within 24-72 hours.

The good news is I sent a fax today for 1 month ahead ( April 21st) and got a confirmation by fax in a couple of hours. However I had to try many times as the fax line was busy. So don't give up.

The pricing information is INCORRECT. It is now 23.50/29.50 euros. This may include a headset. You can go to the website and check it out. http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-In...zi_Visite.html

You can also reserve via email- I did this in January for an April tour date and received an email confirmation reply within a few days. email: [email protected]

I see the website says the price is 23.50 euros but the reservation confirmation said 29.50 and I am assuming this is for a headset. But I really have no idea.

mweiner - The op (original post) was in 2006 so of course the prices are more now.

We are doing a private tour of Rome and our guide is booking a private Vatican tour for us. He is doing it well ahead of time so it is just our little group. It is quite a bit more expensive but to us worth it. They charge €60/hour but it will just be the four of us. If there are a few of you it is probably cheaper to do it this way.

A couple of weeks ago I emailed a request and received my confirmation in less than 24 hours.

Thanks to daveesl and others who provided the email info. I'm looking forward to skipping the lines and going straight in!

I emailed the Vatican to arrange their guided tour last month (based on Fodorite info). I heard back in 1 business day and skipped the long lines (even in February!). We also skipped the interior lines for ticket purchase and had a wonderful tour guide. Definitely worth the money.

Exactly what do you need to include in the e-mail when reserving a tour? Do you pay in advance or when you arrive? Thanks for the help, am going in May so I should reserve now.

I faxed my contact information here in the States, including address, fax #, phone #, the name of myself and my husband, the fact that I wish an English speaking tour, preferred date and time and range of dates that we could do the tour, my hotel in Rome including address, phone #, and fax #.

Within 24 hours I had a fax back, (on Good Friday no less) with the price and instructions. Basically what the fax says is that this is proof of a reservation which you take to the tour desk prior to your tour time.

I ended up getting a different date than I preferred, but getting the same time slot. Cost is 29.50 Euros per person, and is payable in cash only.

This is for Traveller69...Is the price $60 per hour per person or is the guide saying it is $60 per hour for the group, including tickets.

Consider this, the basic ticket price alone is about $40US per person. That just seems like a low fee for 4 people. Possibly too low. Be sure to know what you are getting.

If it is $60 per hour per person, well for 4 hours worth you can get a private, after-hours tour. I can attest that is simply amazing.

dave

booking marking for an upcoming trip.

bkmk for trip in sept

Just got my confirmation for my vatican tour via e-mail. This was really easy, no fax required. I sent a requet on Friday and got the confirmation back by Wednesday a.m.

Daveesl - The price I quoted in my post was 60 Euros per hour for the private tour not dollars. My understanding is that we pay 14 Euros entrance and Stefano from Rome Tours said he could arrange a private tour and quoted 60 euros per hour for up to 6 people and 75 euros for up to 8 people. He said it takes two hours to see the museum so we would be paying 120 euros for the whole group. I would just confirm with him whether or not we have to pay the 14 euros or it that is included. But the 60€
per hour is definitely for the group not per person. I don't know if he gets a better price or not but he is going to get all of our entrance tickets to any of the places that charge ahead of time so we don't have to line up.

Yes, you are correct about the standard admission fee, I was thinking about the Vatican guided tour fee, so it is 14 euros per person.

With that said, the admission fee for 6 people would be a total of 84 euros. So, if they are charging 120 euros for 2 hours for 6 people and the admission fee alone is 84 euros of that, then they are only making 36 euros net for 2 hours. That seems really low, possible but doesn't seem correct.

Anyway, have fun.

dave

Dave - I had always assumed and still do that we still pay the admission fee and the guided tour is extra. I have certainly built the full amount into my budget since we will pay cash for our tour.

You'll have a great time. If this is your first time touring the museum, be sure to pay attention to the last two tapestries in the Hall of Illusions. Watch how the perspectives change as you walk by them. Look at the table and the arms. It is amazing.

Dave thanks. It is my first time in Rome and am so excited to have the opportunity to see the Vatican. I certainly didn't think I would ever have the chance. We will be on a cruise so time is limited but thanks to these boards and Cruise Critic I have a wealth of info. It is especially helpful when you can find recommended tours etc. I will make notes to remember to look for the tapestries you mention.

Bookmarking

Thank you for all the information. I just emailed my request to the address listed. I have one question. Does this tour give you access to St. Peter's Basilica afterwards? Or is there a separate entrance fee?

Thanks!