Top Tickets for St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica and Dome Entry Ticket
From
€29
- Ascend 136 meters above the Vatican City by elevator to enjoy the view from the Dome! See the mosaics painted on the dome up close and discover its history from the audio guide.
- Follow the professional audio guide and discover the backstories of 27 St. Peter’s Basilica highlights, including La Pieta and Bernini’s unique Baldacchino.
- Explore the Basilica at your own pace and discover all its hidden treasures and secrets, even the stories behind the mosaics and pavements!
3 hrs.
Instant Confirmation
St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour with Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel
From
€115
- Skip all entry queues to discover Rome’s artistic history at the Vatican Museum and explore all famous rooms, including the Belvedere Courtyard and Pio Clementino Museum.
- Admire the marvels of the Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo, and discover the biblical stories of the Last Judgement altar wall.
- Discover St. Peter’s Basilica’s most famous highlights and dive into the religious and artistic history with a guide by your side at all times.
2.5- 3 hrs.
Instant Confirmation
St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour with Papal Tombs and Dome Access
From
€45
- Admire St. Peter’s Basilica’s most stunning highlights, like the La Pieta and the marvelous dome’s architecture from the inside designed by Michelangelo.
- Ascend to the dome and enjoy a closer look at the overlooked ceiling mosaics before climbing to the top balcony to spot Rome’s other famous attractions.
- Follow your guide’s lead and descend to the Vatican Grottoes under the Basilica to reverence St. Peter’s tomb and see the 4th-century ancient frescos.
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105 min
Instant Confirmation
Ticket Booking Information
Ticket prices
The standard St. Peter’s Basilica tickets grant you complete access to the Basilica and reserved entry to the Dome for 3 hours, costing €29 for adults between 4 and 99 years.
Visitors who want a detailed Vatican visit can enjoy a fast pass entry guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel for 3 hours, priced at €115 for adults between 18 and 99 years.
Pilgrims wanting to see the tomb of St. Peter should take a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica with guided access to the Papal Tombs and dome, costing €45 for adults between 17 and 99 years.
Ticket discount
All St. Peter’s Basilica tickets have age-based discounts you can access with ID proof!
For additional discounts, you should visit during the non-peak tourism season from September to February, as ticket prices are much more affordable.
You can also enter the Basilica for free since it is a church, but you must have a ticket to climb to the top of the dome or explore the Papal Tombs area.
How to buy tickets? Buy Online!
The St. Peter’s Basilica does not require a ticket, as it is a church and can be explored for free, but you cannot access the dome or Papal Tombs without a guide.
Here are some simple steps to follow to buy your tickets online:
Step 1: Choose an online ticket booking website for St. Peter’s Basilica..
Step 2: Once you are on the page you will find a list of tickets granting different access and services for the basilica. Clik on the ticket that suits the best of your interest.
Step 3: Check the ticket inclusions, highlights, discounts, prices, and other refund or cancellation details before booking.
Step 4: Once satisfied with your choice, choose the date and time of your visit.
Step 5: Click “Book Now” and enter all the details before paying for your ticket.
Step 6: Once you have made the payment, you will instantly receive your tickets on your email.
Step 7: No need to print the ticket! You can just show it at the entrance from your device.
If you are confused about good websites to buy your tickets, we recommend GetYourGuide, Tiqets, and Viator as excellent options.
They show you the most popular tickets and offer many discounts so you can have a more budget-friendly trip!
Every ticket also has customer ratings and reviews, which give you a good idea of the experience you’re paying for and what you can expect.
Please note: When entering personal information, ensure it matches your ID proof or passport to avoid any inconvenience.
Advantages of booking online tickets
- Booking online allows you to schedule your entire trip with guaranteed entry to the attraction when you visit.
- It saves you a lot of time that you would waste while standing in long queues outside the offline ticket counters.
- Booking tickets online is a much more hassle-free option, as you can get your tickets from the comfort of your room.
- You will be safe from unauthorized seller scams.
- You can request a refund on your ticket if any problems occur.
- Booking a guided tour from an authentic website allows you to learn more about the place without losing money.
- You can pay in your own country’s currency. No need to deal with currency exchange problems.
- You can find real-time updates on the availability of Basilica’s Dome and Papal Tombs tickets.
Which Ticket is the Best for You?
For Solo & Budget Travelers
Suggested Ticket:
Standard St. Peter’s Basilica and Dome Entry Ticket
Ticket Price: €29
If you are a solo traveler or on a budget, the best ticket for you would be the standard entrance ticket to St Peter’s Basilica with elevator access to the Dome.
With this ticket, you can explore the Basilica at your own pace for three hours and admire the unique view of the Vatican City’s beautiful gardens.
The ticket also includes an informative audio guide, allowing you to learn more about the Basilica highlights while following your chosen route!
For a Complete Basilica Visit
Suggested Ticket:
St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour with Papal Tombs and Dome Access Ticket.
Ticket Price: €45
If you’re looking for a complete experience of the St. Peter’s Basilica, the Guided tour of the Basilica with access to the Papal Tombs and Dome is the best option for you.
With this ticket, you can explore and learn about the history of every part of the Basilica and even see the tomb of St. Peter!
This ticket option is the best-selling ticket for St. Peter’s Basilica and is famous among tourists and locals exploring the world’s biggest church.
For a Detailed Vatican Visit
Suggested Ticket:
St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour with Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel Access Ticket.
Ticket Price: €115
For a much more detailed and informative tour of Vatican City, you should choose the guided tour tickets to the St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Musuem, and Sistine Chapel.
With this ticket, you can save more time by skipping the long entrance queues and following a planned schedule of a professional guide who will ensure you cover all the attractions in 3 hours!
Your historian guide will also tell you exciting facts about the famous highlights of the Museum and Basilica, as well as insider facts and the attraction’s religious significance.
About St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica is known as the biggest church in the world, built over the burial site of St. Peter, the main Apostle of Jesus, from where it gets its name.
Over 10 million people have visited the Basilica annually since 1615 to see its stunning architectural dome and interior Baroque art designed by famous Renaissance architects.
Pilgrims flock to the church to get blessings from the Pope and attend high mass during the Christmas and Easter festive seasons.
Below the Basilica also lay the tombs of 91 Popes in Vatican Grottoes from the 4th century and the Vatican Necropolis.
Plan Your Visit
St. Peter’s Basilica opens from 7 am to 7 pm on all days, from April to September.
You can visit the Basilica from 7 am to 6.30 pm from October to February.
St. Peter’s Basilica, located in Piazza San Pietro, has the highest dome, making it easy to spot from all over the city.
There are no public transportation services in the Vatican City, but Rome has some excellent services that will get you within walking distance from the Basilica.
Metro Accessibility:
- Ottaviano S. Pietro Metro Station is the closest stop, at a 12-minute walk away.
Bus Services:
- Bus lines 64, 116, 40, 46, 62, 70, 81, 87, 492, and 982 will get you close to the Basilica.
Following St. Peter’s Basilica’s dress code, visitors must wear modest clothes that cover their shoulders, knees and midriff, irrespective of gender.
Clothes that expose your shoulders and knees are not allowed in the Basilica.
Avoid wearing hats, caps, or sunglasses when entering this sacred space.
The Basilica has one main entrance on the front, which is used by most visitors.
You can easily spot this entrance from St. Peter’s Square.
If you want to get to this entrance quickly, we recommend entering the Vatican City through the Via della Concillazione entrance.
Apart from the main entrance, you can also find another small hidden entrance door on the Sistine Chapel’s right side that leads to the Basilica directly.
However, visitors are prohibited from using this entrance.
Entry to other parts of the Basilica are from:
- To the top of the Dome: On the right side of the Basilica near the Ticket Office.
- To the Sacristy and Treasury Museum: Under Pope Pius VIII’s Monument on the left of the Basilica.
- To the Vatican Necropolis: Guided underground entrance.
- Vatican Grotto entrance: Near the statue of Saints Helen and Andrew.
- Bronze Door entrance: This northernmost entrance is only open on the first day of the Jubilee year.
- Guided Tour entry: On the Basilica’s south side.
- No selfies or professional photography is allowed in the Basilica.
- Food items and beverages are not allowed inside the space.
- Every visitor must go through the security checks.
- Pets cannot enter the Basilica.
- Large bags and suitcases are not allowed in the Basilica and can be left behind in the Vatican Museum cloakroom.
- Maintain silence.
- Do not carry sharp items, weapons, or one-fold umbrellas to the Basilica.
- Smoking and alcoholic beverages must be left behind.
- You can visit the Tourist Information desk if you want to book a free last-minute tour but cannot find tickets online for your day of visit. The tour lasts for 90 minutes.
- Don’t leave Vatican City if you finish in the evening, as you can see the entire Basilica and square lit up after sunset.
- Visitors with claustrophobia should avoid the Necropolis, which must always be humid to prevent soil disintegration.
- Don’t forget to look at the Basilica left mosaic to see the actual spot where St. Peter was crucified in Nero’s Circus!
- The Basilica might be closed on random days with no advance information, so be prepared for this possibility.
- You will see many lines leading to the entrance of the Basilica. Try to avoid the main line, as it takes longer to move since it keeps absorbing the crowd from the other sidelines.
- Bring a zoom camera lens to capture scenic photos from the dome. A wide-angle lens will only capture the surrounding wire fence, which is too high to avoid capturing.
- Wear comfortable shoes to cover enough distance and stand comfortably in long entrance queues.
- If your tour ends early, you can still continue to explore the Basilica afterward.
Highlights
The Dome
The oculus dome, inspired by the Roman Pantheon, is the world’s tallest dome, standing at a height of 449 feet from the floor, designed by famous architect Michelangelo Buonarotti.
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St. Peter’s Altar
Standing at the center of the Basilica is a circular altar constructed by Lorenzo Bernini, having the relic chair of St. Peter and the famous Baldacchino. It is only used for mass by the Pope.
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Vatican Grottoes
The resting place of 91 Popes and other royalties is decorated with artifacts and is divided into many chapel areas. You can also see St. Peter’s Tomb here.
Read More >>
Michelangelo’s La Pieta
It is an intricately carved life-like sculpture of Mother Mary holding the body of a crucified Jesus in her lap by Michelangelo between 1499 and 1500, inspiring millions of artists worldwide.
Read More >>
Bernini’s Baldacchino
Standing over the main altar, the Baldacchino is a massive 95-foot tall gold and bronze canopy-like structure with the house of Bernini’s coat of arms and other delicate carvings.
Read More >>
What Our Customers Say
“Got my preferred time slot with early booking”
Using this website to plan my visit to St. Peter’s Basilica made everything perfect. The tickets offered the ideal time slot to avoid crowds, and the detailed information provided about the Basilica was incredibly helpful. I felt well-prepared and truly enjoyed my visit. Highly recommended!
Agnė Butkus
Lithuania
“Saved hours by skipping the line at the entrance”
Booking my St. Peter’s Basilica tickets here was the best choice. The perfect time slot let me skip long lines, and the comprehensive info made me feel like I had a personal tour guide. It made my visit special and hassle-free. Highly recommend this service!
Tom Carter
United Kingdom
“Planned a perfect itinerary to visit the Vatican”
I can’t recommend this website enough for visiting St. Peter’s Basilica. The tickets came with the ideal time slot, saving me from long waits. The detailed information provided enriched my experience. My trip was perfectly organized and enjoyable. Definitely worth it!
Antonio
Italy
FAQs
1. Do I need tickets to St. Peter’s Basilica?
You can enter St. Peter’s Basilica for free without a ticket. You will need a ticket to climb to the top of the dome and enter the Vatican Grottoes.
2. Can you skip the line at St. Peter’s Basilica?
There are no skip-the-line tickets for St. Peter’s Basilica. If you are inside the Sistine Chapel, you can try to enter from the hidden door on the right side, which is less crowded.
3. What is the cost of a St. Peter’s Basilica guided Tour?
You can enjoy a guided tour of all parts of the Basilica, including the Dome and the Papal Tombs, for €45.
4. Do I need tickets to see the Papal Tombs?
You will need Papal Tomb tickets to see the area, as no one is allowed to enter without a guide.
5. How much does a ticket cost to climb the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica?
The standard St. Peter’s Basilica tickets allow you to climb the dome and explore all other parts of the church for €29.
6. From where can I buy tickets for the St. Peter’s Basilica?
You can get tickets from the ticket office for the dome and Papal tomb access. There is no guarantee that you will find a spot on the tours because around 50,000 visitors come here daily. We recommend you buy your Basilica tickets online to avoid missing out.
7. Are there any discounts for kids on the St. Peter’s Basilica tickets?
All kids three years and below can explore the Basilica’s dome and Vatican Grottoes for free with online St. Peter’s Basilica tickets.
8. What is the cancellation and refund policy for St. Peter’s Basilica tickets?
You will get a complete refund of the amount spent if you cancel your Basilica tickets 24 hours before your time slot.
9. How much does a combo ticket of the St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican Museum cost?
A combo fast pass ticket of a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican Museum with additional access to the Sistine Chapel for 3 hours costs €115 for adults between 18 and 99 years.
Children between 6 and 17 years can access this combo ticket for €107. Infants 5 years and below get free entry!
10. How long are the St. Peter’s Basilica tickets valid for?
Most tickets are valid for 2 to 3 hours from your booked time slot.
11. Do I need to select a time slot for the ticket?
You must select a time slot and date for the ticket while booking.
12. Can I enter the Basilica again on the same day with one ticket?
You can enter the Basilica once more since it is a church with free entry. However, if you have a dome or Papal Tomb access option on your ticket, you cannot access these spaces and facilities once you leave the Basilica.
Featured image: Nick Fewings on Unsplash