In Rome, Vatican City is the world’s smallest independent city-state, famous for attractions like the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. As one of the most popular destinations, it attracts over six million visitors annually. We specialize in providing authentic, official Vatican tickets, ensuring a pleasant and hassle-free visiting experience. Our comprehensive guide covers ticket types, prices, discounts, and highlights tailored to help you choose the best options for your trip. Trust us to enhance your Vatican experience with expert planning and exclusive insights.
Top 3 Vatican Tickets
Vatican Skip-the-Line Tickets
- Skip-the-line access to Vatican Museums
- Skip-the-line access to the Sistine Chapel
- Priority access entry
Last-Minute Vatican Tickets
- Last-minute access to Vatican Museums
- Skip-the-line entry
- Optional official audio guide
Guided Tour of Vatican
- Expert Tour Guide
- Headsets for Vatican tour
- Free WiFi at the meeting point
Type of Vatican Tickets
There are four types of Vatican tickets and tours available, and we have described each one, including details about their prices, highlights, cancellation policies, and more.
1. Vatican Skip-The-Line Tickets
Skip-the-line tickets are the most popular and best-selling option for Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Tourists favor this choice as it allows them to skip the long queues outside the attraction and directly enter the museum’s galleries. It is particularly well-suited for solo visitors or those traveling on a budget.
- Skip-the-line entry to the Vatican Museums
- Skip-the-line entry to the Sistine Chapel
- Explore the world’s busiest museums at your preferred time
Prices:
- Adult (18+ years): €33
- Youth (7 to 17 years): €25
- Infant (Up to 5 Years): Free Entry
This activity is non-refundable.
2. Last Minute Vatican Tickets
Last-minute Vatican entry passes are among the most crucial and time-saving options. Imagine being at the Vatican ticket counter, facing a lengthy queue that could waste hours of your time. In such a scenario, last-minute Vatican tickets are your best choice.
- Fast-track access to the to the Vatican Museums
- Fast-track access to the Sistine Chapel
Prices:
- Adult (18+ years): €33
- Youth (7 to 17 years): €25
- Infant (Up to 5 Years): Free Entry
This activity is non-refundable.
3. Vatican Guided Tour
The guided tour of the Vatican helps you get a detailed and informative visit to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. With guided Vatican tours, a professional guide will lead your tour and explain the background, history and other details about everything you see during the tour. Guided tours make your visit interactive and engaging, as the guide answers all your queries and adds meaning to your visit. If you are a history buff or have a keen interest in art and architecture, we recommend you book a guided tour.
- Three-hour guided tour with an experienced guide
- Fast-track access to the Vatican Museums and Sainte Chapelle
- Headset to listen to your guide properly
Prices:
- Adult (18+ years): €75
- Child Ticket (6 to 17 years): €64
- Infant Ticket (Up to 5 Years): Free Entry
24-hour Cancellation policy (Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund).
Special Access Vatican Tickets
Apart from the general admission Vatican tickets mentioned above, some tickets to the Vatican Museum come with special access. These unique options are the best picks for visitors looking to get early access to the Vatican or tour the garden of this famous attraction.
1. Early Access Vatican Tickets
As the name suggests, this ticket allows visitors to see the museum before it opens to the general public. Enjoying early access to the museums, visitors can see the exhibits in a less crowded environment. We suggest the Vatican Museum early access tickets for visitors who want a premium Vatican visiting experience without getting rushed by crowds.
- Early-access admission ticket
- Fast-track access to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
- VIP access to St. Peter’s Basilica
- Explore the Museums with a knowledgeable guide
- Headsets for the tour
Prices:
- Adult ticket (18+ years): €71
- Children (6 to 17 years): €65
- Infant (Up to 5 Years): Free Entry
24-hour Cancellation policy (Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund)
2. Vatican and Colosseum Combo Tour
Experience Rome’s rich history and art with this exclusive combo ticket, offering guided tours of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and the Colosseum’s arena floor. Enjoy fast-track entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, where expert guides will lead you through renowned galleries and Michelangelo’s masterpieces. At the Colosseum, walk in the footsteps of gladiators with special access to the arena floor, and explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. This all-inclusive package ensures a seamless and informative journey through Rome’s iconic landmarks.
- Fast-track access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
- Access to the Colosseum (including the Arena Floor), Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
- Experienced guide to share insights and interesting facts about the attractions
- Headset at all locations for a better experience
Ticket Prices:
- Adult Ticket (18+ years): €154
- Child Ticket (7 to 17 years): €126
- Infant Ticket (Up to 6 Years): Free Entry
This activity is non-refundable
Discounts Available
Vatican ticket discounts are usually age-based, which means children pay less than adults. For instance, general admission to Vatican Museums costs €33 for adults over 18. However, the same access is available at a discounted rate of €25 for children between seven and 17. Infants enjoy a 100% discount on Vatican Museum prices and can enter the museum for free.
Apart from these age-based discounts, you can also get a Vatican student discount, which applies to students up to 25 years of age. However, you must have a valid proof of educational ID to claim this student discount. The Vatican Museum also offers free entry on the last Sunday of every month, known as Free Sunday. If you are on a budget trip, you can enjoy this free entry to the Vatican Museum between 9 am and 2 pm, the last Sunday of each month. A word of caution: beware of the crowds!
Why Book Vatican Tickets Online?
On average, about 25,000 tourists visit the Vatican Museum daily. Given its popularity, getting Vatican Museum tickets can be difficult, especially for the time slot you want on the day of your visit. Visitors can buy Vatican tickets both online and offline. However, buying them online has several benefits. Online tickets are much cheaper than offline options available. Purchasing them online will save you from the hassle of standing in long queues at the venue. If you buy your tickets online, you will save a lot of money and time.
How to buy Vatican Tickets online?
To get directed to the ticket booking website, Click Here. After you land on the booking page, you will find many options for the Vatican. Then, select the one that suits you the best and click on it. You must select the number of participants on the description page and the visit date. As the Vatican tickets are timed, you must choose your preferred time slot. After completing the time and date selections, you will have to make the payment. Once you pay, you will get your Vatican tickets emailed to your registered email address.
Plan Your Visit to the Vatican
Proper planning before your trip to the Vatican can elevate your visiting experience 100 times. To help you plan the best Vatican visit, we have collected a summarized version of all the important information you need for a fantastic trip. We have covered topics like timings, address, location of the Vatican Museum, the best time to visit, how to reach the Vatican Museums, and tips for visiting. For more detailed information, visit the individual pages of the respective topics.
- Monday to Saturday: 8 am to 8 pm
- Last Entry: 6 pm
- Sundays are Closed: Except the last Sunday of every month
- Last Sunday of the Month: 9 am to 2 pm
- Last Entry: 12.30 pm
Check Vatican Museum Hours for more information.
Best Hour of the Day: 9 am to 12 pm & 5 pm to 7 pm
Best Day of the week: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Best Month of the Year: November to February (Low-season) Summary: The best time to visit the Vatican Museum is during its low season ( November to February) between 9 am and 12 pm on weekdays, especially Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. If you can’t make it in the morning, the next idle time for a visit is late afternoon hours between 5 pm to 7 pm. Check out the best time to visit the Vatican.
The Vatican Museum is located inside the Vatican City, The smallest country in the world. Address: 00120 Vatican City. Get directions.
Check out how to get to Vatican City for more information.
By Metro:
The Ottaviano station (Line A) is the nearest metro station to the Vatican. Once you exit the Ottaviano station, it’s about a 10-15 minute walk to the Vatican Museums.
By Bus:
Various bus lines connect to the Vatican. Bus 49 and Bus 492 are commonly used to reach the Vatican area. Check the local bus routes and schedules for the most convenient option.
By Car:
If you’re driving, you can navigate to Vatican City. However, note that parking in the area can be challenging, and public transportation might be a more convenient option. Check out the best ways to reach Vatican City.
- Book your Vatican Tour Online
- Booking a guided tour
- Plan your visiting time – Go early or late
- Avoid hastening to the Sistine Chapel
- Consider spending at least two hours inside the museums
- Avoid visiting St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday mornings
- Make sure to follow the Vatican dress code
- It’s better to have a snack before you start your tour
- Tuesday to Friday are the best days to visit
- Don’t bring a large backpack
- Avoid visiting on the free Sunday
Check the Top 11 Vatican visiting tips.
Which Vatican Ticket You Should Choose And Why?
Now that you know everything about Vatican tickets, types, prices, and discounts, and know how to plan a perfect trip to the Vatican. Let’s help you choose the best option for your Vatican visit.
1. For Solo Traveler
If you are a solo traveler, You must want to visit the museum at your own pace, admiring every piece of artwork and exhibit. For solo travelers, the best option is the Vatican’s standard entry ticket, which costs €33. With this ticket, you can explore the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel at your own pace.
2. For Group Travelers and History Buffs
If you are a group traveler or have a keen interest in the art and history of the museum, you must go on a Vatican-guided tour. A professional guide will walk you through the museum galleries and explain everything about the museums’ art, architecture, and history, making this the best tour for group travelers and history buffs.
3. For Travelers on a Budget
If you are on a budget trip, consider visiting the Vatican on a free Sunday. The Vatican, on the last Sunday of every month, grants free entry to visitors between 9 am to 12.30 pm. The Museum closes at 2 pm on free Sundays. However, as the entry is free, a huge crowd tries to enjoy this opportunity to explore the Vatican Museums. So, brace yourself to face a heavy crowd on Sundays. If you do not want to face the crowd, purchase a basic entry ticket to the Vatican Museum priced at €31.
FAQs
1. Is the Vatican Museum free to enter?
No, Admission to the Vatican Museums requires Vatican Museum Tickets.
However, free entry is available every last Sunday of the month between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., except on Easter Sunday, the 29 June (St. Peter and Paul Day), the 25 December (Christmas), and the 26 December (St. Stephen Day).
2. Is there any discount available on Vatican museum tickets?
Tickets are free for infants up to 5 years old. Students aged 19 to 25 years with valid IDs get a discount of 8 euros on their skip-the-line Vatican tickets.
3. Can you buy Vatican museum tickets at the venue?
Yes, you can buy Vatican museum tickets from the offline ticket counter. However, you’ll have to wait at least one to two hours to get your tickets. Outside the entrance, you will find three queues; deciding which one to stand in might confuse you. Therefore, we recommend that visitors get their Skip-the-Line Vatican tickets and enjoy direct access to the museum. You can also always buy last-minute Vatican tickets online.
4. Does the Vatican Museum come with a combined virtual tour ticket?
No, virtual Vatican tours are not included in the tickets you buy online or from the offline ticket counters. However, you can always visit the museum online and enjoy the scenarios inside.
5. Are tickets to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel combined?
No, access to the St. Peter Basilica is not included in the general admission tickets for Vatican Museums. However, you can book a guided tour of the Vatican, allowing access to the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
6. Is access to St. Peter Basilica included in the Vatican Museums’ ticket?
No, access to the St. Peter Basilica is not included in the general admission tickets for Vatican Museums. However, you can book a guided tour of the Vatican, allowing access to the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
7. How much does it cost to go to the Vatican?
The Tickets to the Vatican start at €33. The general admission ticket is the basic ticket that allows you to enter the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel.
8. Can you buy Vatican Museum tickets at the door?
Yes, ticket counters are available outside the Vatican Museum, where you can buy tickets. However, the tickets available at the venue sell quickly, so if you want to avoid any last-minute disappointments, we suggest you buy your tickets online in advance.
9. Does a Vatican Museum ticket include the Sistine Chapel?
Yes, the Vatican Museum standard entry ticket also includes access to the Sistine Chapel.
10. What can you see for free in the Vatican?
In Vatican City, you can see St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square for free. However, if you wish to explore the Vatican Museum or Sistine Chapel, you must buy a Vatican Museum entry ticket.
Image: Unsplash
