St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world, is located inside the Vatican City.
Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City. Get Directions
The Basillunchica is one of the most visited spots in the Vatican City, known for its rich architecture and religious significance.
Since it is in the Vatican City, there is no transportation access inside the city, including public and private transport.
However, visitors can get to the entrance of the Vatican City through various transportation options and just walk to the Basilica and other attractions inside the city.
In this article, we’ll discover some of the closest metro stations, bus, train, tram stops, and even places to park your vehicles for a comfortable experience!
Where is the St. Peter’s Basilica Located?
St Peter’s Basilica stands on St. Peter’s Square, directly over St. Peter’s crucifixion spot in Nero’s Circus.
As soon as you enter from Via della Concillazione, you will spot the marvelous dome from far away, towering in the square.
If you are wondering how to get inside St. Peter’s Basilica, you will spot the main entrance as soon as you enter St. Peter’s Square.
Getting to the Basilica by Metro: Budget-Friendly option.
The Ottaviano S. Pietro metro station is the closest stop to the Basilica, a 12-minute walk away.
All you have to do is walk along the Via Ottaviano until you reach Piazza del Risorgmento.
Get onto Via Porta Angelica street, where you will easily spot the Dome and Colonnades decorating the outside of St Peter’s Square.
You can also alight at Cipro metro station, which is a 21-minute walk from the Basilica.
Hop on a Bus
The bus stations closest to the Basilica are Aurelia/Bonifacio VIII, Cavalleggeri/Gregorio Vii, Cavalleggeri/Fornaci, Cavalleggeri/S. Pietro, and many others.
Many buses lead to the stations, but we highly recommend catching bus number 40 or 64, which begins from Roma Termini.
It stops at Cavalleggeri/S. Pietro bus stop, which is a 2-minute walk from the Basilica.
Bus 40’s last stop is at the Vatican, making it a perfect option if you are unsure about the stops in the middle.
Some other buses you can catch are 40, 32, 81, 982, 492, 70, 81, and 87, which will get you close to the Basilica.
You can easily access a bus in Rome at any time of the day, as daytime buses are available from 5.30 am to 12 am every day!
Getting to the Basilica by Tram
Trams are a comfortable way to explore Rome in the transport most locals use for scenic trips!
Tram 19 stops at Piazza del Risorgmento, which is a 7-minute walk from the Basilica.
The tram begins from Gerani, and you can board from any other stop on the way.
Visitors can quickly get tickets for the bus and tram from the metro station or from newspaper stands, tobacco shops, and cafes.
An honor-based system is followed, so please respect the rules even though your tickets will rarely be checked.
Ticket Prices for Rome’s Metro, Buses, and Trams
| Ticket Type | Validity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Single-use | 100 minutes on bus and tram + 1 metro ride | €2 |
| 24 hours | Unlimited use | €7 |
| 48 hours | Unlimited use | €13 |
| 72 hours | Unlimited use | €18 |
| Weekly | Unlimited use | €24 |
The table mentioned above is for metros, buses, and tram tickets.
If you are looking for additional discounts, we highly recommend getting a Roma pass, which provides free transport services and additional attraction discounts!
A Comfortable Car Ride
You cannot enter the Vatican City by car, but you can definitely enjoy a comfortable ride in your own vehicle and park it close to the city.
The fastest way to get to the city is by driving via Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, but you must pass toll checkpoints.
It will get you to the city in 21 minutes.
We recommend taking the Viale del Muro Torto route, which is a 25-minute drive away and has no tolls.
Some close-by car parks you will find near the Vatican City are:
- Gran Melia parking lot is open from 7 am to 1 am and is a 10-minute walk from the Basilica.
- Parking Risorgmento is open from 7 am to 8.30 pm, from Mondays to Saturdays, and is a 9-minute walk from the Basilica.
- Garage San Pietro, open from 5.30 am to 12 am, is an 11-minute walk from the Basilica.
If you don’t have a private vehicle and still want a comfortable experience, you can quickly get a taxi from Roma Termini and other spots.
Ensure you only enter authorized taxis with a Commune di Roma logo and pay fairly by the meter.
A Sightseeing Walking Experience
If you are exploring other attractions around Rome, we highly recommend walking to the Vatican City for the best experience!
On foot, you can stop at local markets, enter famous restaurants, and shop from the famous Piazza Navona, which is a 19-minute walk away.
It is a comprehensive experience that all tourists should try out once!
On the way, you can also stop to admire the Castel Sant’Angelo, which is just 12 minutes away from the Basilica!
Contents
FAQs on How to get to St Peter’s Basilica
1. What is the closest metro station to St Peter’s Basilica?
Ottaviano S.Pietro metro station is the closest to the Basilica, only 12 minutes away on foot.
2. How do I get to St. Peter’s Basilica?
You can quickly get to St. Peter’s Basilica by getting off at Ottaviano S. Pietro metro station. You can also choose to take a bus to Cavalleggeri/S. Pietro Bus Stop, or take tram 19 to Piazza del Risorgmento.
3. Which is the closest bus stop to reach St. Peter’s Basilica?
The Cavalleggeri/S. Pietro bus stop is the closest, which is a 2-minute walk away.
4. Where can I park my car closest to Vatican City?
The closest parking spot is Parking Risorgmento, which is a 9-minute walk from the Basilica. It is located on Via Vespasiano.
5. What is the cheapest means of transportation to get to the Basilica?
The buses, metros, and trams are equally cheap as a single-use ticket for the metro, with an additional 100-minute bus or tram ride costing €2.
6. Which number tram will get me to the Basilica quickly?
Tram number 19 stops at Piazza del Risorgmento, which is a 7-minute walk from the Basilica.
7. What is the quickest way to get to the Basilica from Roma Termini?
The quickest way is to hop on bus number 40 or 64, which will get you directly to the Vatican City.
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Featured Image: MichalLudwiczak / Getty Images Signature
