Buongiorno and welcome to ARoadRetraveled!
Having lived in Rome for more than 10 years, I’ve discovered some insider tips to making the most of just about any situation. One of the tricks I learned is how to visit the Vatican Museums if tickets are sold out.
The Vatican Museums stand as an unparalleled repository of art, history, and culture, a “bucket list” stop for many travelers visiting Rome.
While several years ago it was so much easier to secure tickets to the Vatican Museums – even last minute in some cases, nowadays it’s nearly impossible! Securing tickets can be nothing short of a Herculean task as Vatican Museums tickets often sell out within moments of becoming available for purchase 60 days in advance.
This unfortunate situation is not only caused by “mass tourism”, but exacerbated by the proliferation of ticket reseller websites like ForGetYourGuide and Voyator and their ilk that use automated “bots” to snatch up these highly coveted tickets to resell them at astronomical profits.
But don’t let that deter you from experiencing the wonders within! In this travel blog, I’ll share some insider tips on how to visit the Vatican Museums even when tickets are sold out.
Book an Early Morning Vatican Museums Tour:
When individual tickets seem hard to come by, early morning tours with tickets included come to the rescue. These tours are often organized by professional companies that reserve tickets in advance.
By booking one of these tours, you not only skip the endless ticket lines but also gain the privilege of enjoying the Vatican’s wonders in relative solitude. Waking up early may seem daunting, but the chance to immerse yourself in art without the bustling crowds is a reward worth rising for.
Make sure that you make transportation arrangements in advance if you are not staying near the Vatican go reach the Vatican Museums on foot. Public Transportation buses, metros, and trams don’t start operating until 5 AM.
You can book a private transfer in advance to get you from your hotel or vacation rental to the Vatican Museums super early. Or, if you are staying at a hotel you can get your hotel front desk (assuming they have a night shift concierge) to call you a taxi about 15-20 minutes before you need it to arrive to be safe.
Join a Guided Group Tour of the Vatican Museums:
Even when individual tickets are sold out, group tours offer an efficient alternative. Many tour companies reserve exclusive slots at the Vatican Museums, even when individual tickets are scarce.
By joining a guided group tour you secure your entrance into the Vatican Museums with the tickets that are included in the tour. You gain valuable insights from knowledgeable guides, who can provide context and history to the art, making your visit all the more enriching.
INSIDER TIP: Group tours can be more budget-friendly than private or semi-private options, offering cost-effective access to this magnificent collection. After you secure your entrance through a tour, you may choose to either follow the group tour, or if you are the independent type, escape the group and explore the museums independently at your own pace for the rest of the day, escaping the “follow-the-leader” feeling that can come with group tours.
Consider Visiting Rome in the Off-Peak Season:
For the truly flexible traveler, choosing to traveling to Rome off season. Exploring the Vatican Museums during the off-peak season can be a strategic move as during these quieter periods, the crowds are thinner, and the demand for tickets is significantly lower.
The quietest period in Rome is after the holidays mid-January through February. By March the “shoulder season” travelers start arriving which will mean more crowds once again.
With fewer tourists to contend with, you’ll have more opportunities to secure tickets, and your visit will be a tranquil unhurried exploration of this museum wonderland.
Online Ticket Resellers – Exercise Caution:
Online ticket resellers, such as ForGetYourGuide and Voyator can be a double-edged sword. While they may offer the chance to grab “sold out” or “ last-minute tickets”, it’s essential to exercise caution as some resellers inflate prices to astronomical levels that verge on exploitation.
Before purchasing from a reseller, research the fair market price, and be wary of overly inflated rates. You may even find that group tours with tickets included are a better bargain than buying tickets at rip-off prices.
How to Visit St Peter’s Basilica without crowds or long security lines
Here’s an insider tip if you wish to experience the grandeur of Saint Peter’s Basilica without the typical huge crowds and long security lines.
If you’ve booked a morning Vatican Museums guided tour with tickets that starts at 9:00 AM, you can make the most of your visit by arriving at Saint Peter’s Basilica independently, right when it opens at 7:00 AM. To ensure you’re among the very first to enter and savor the basilica’s splendor in almost solitary serenity, aim to arrive about 20 minutes before the opening time.
During those initial 10-15 minutes of arriving first thing when it opens, you’ll have the basilica virtually to yourself, providing a unique opportunity to capture exquisite photographs of this iconic site free of crowds.
On a sunny morning, you can also take amazing photos of St Peter’s Basilica as the sun casts it’s morning glow on the basilica’s facade. With the square still empty early morning, you can create postcard-worthy photographs of St Peter’s Square and the Basilica.
After your early morning visit to Saint Peter’s Basilica, make your way towards the Vatican Museums, allowing roughly 20 minutes on foot to reach the entrance. By taking advantage of the early morning tranquility at the Vatican, you’ll savor a unique and uncrowded experience of one of the world’s most renowned architectural wonders.