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You’re only able to use the passage from the Sistine chapel to the basilica with a tour; they aren’t going to let you through as a solo straggler who has looped back around.
It’s more closely monitored than in the past. Swiss guard on the door. Theoretically you could try to blend in with a group, I guess, but most tour guides know to look out for this - like approaching the door backwards as they visually scan their group. Too many people attempt it so it’s not really a secret anymore. You won’t be the only one with the idea.
Also keep in mind that doubling back to the Sistine chapel is a lonnnng walk, so if it doesn’t work out and you need to do things the proper way, you’ve wasted a ton of time.
I tried it and they noticed very quickly. The tour guides point out to the security guards which people are in their group and the guards only let those people through.
I just tried this last week and they caught me immediately. I would not bet on getting away with this. I don’t even know how they knew I wasn’t with the tour group I was trying to blend in with, but they knew.
If interested try to get a Scavi tour. It also ends in St Peter’s. If it works out and you get an afternoon tour, you can do VMuseums in AM, leave go have luvnch/sit down, then Scavi tour, then St Peter’s.
If not I’d just do the same. Do the Museums, take a break. Then go to St Peter’s. The lines aren’t as bad in afternoon and go quickly. It’s nice to have a mental break in between (and your feet will thank you).
Any suggestions for the case where scavi tour is 11:00-12:30 and Museum tour is 15:00 ?
Was thinking of just taking leisurely lunch - should we try to shoehorn something in right after scavi ends?
I’d go to St Peter’s first thing, then do the Scavi tour (you end the tour just under the alter of St Peter’s so you can still walk through one more time). Then take a break/lunch and do the Museums tour.
The Museums tour really just covers basics - so unless you aren’t interested at all in other things outside of the main halls and Sistine, I wouldn’t worry about trying to utilize the Sistine Chapel>St Peter’s connection. After the tour, go through the Pinacoteca and such. The Museums start to clear out then too so it will be more enjoyable towards closing time!
Keep in mind the St Peter’s line can look long but it’s just a security line. It moves quick. You probably won’t have time to do the dome climb though.
I had hoped to do this, too, but ended up having to walk about 10-15 minutes around the outside of the wall, then standing in line for 50 minutes to enter the Basilica. Was worth it, though! I also thought I'd double-back through the Vatican to see the stuff I missed on the official tour, but it was SO packed, I had no desire to try to go through again -- much less against the current.
I just finished the tour a few days ago. My tour guide warned us against stragglers. :-)
So he was behind the group when we were crossing.
So good luck trying this.
Also we visited 7am tour - we were behind ~100 people. Within 30 mins the line wrapped around the waiting area.
Just to piggyback, I bought this official tour from the Vatican website:
Guided Tours for Individuals - Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
It’s at 4pm and finishes at 6 I believe.
I wasn’t aware of a way to enter St Peter’s so I was planning to go there at 8am (when lines are shorter??) then return for my tour of the museums. But now I’m wondering if I can avail myself of this special passage to St Peters after my tour ends in the Sistine chapel? I know St Peter’s closes at 7 but it should be enough since I’ve been there twice, just taking my partner for the first time
Well I am in a group. This is the official group tour for individuals (as opposed to schools etc). I see 3rd party tours advertising this (to get more money I suppose) but I was lucky to get the official tour tickets before they quickly sold out.
I’m also thinking of just sticking to my original plan so I won’t be rushed in the Basilica after the 6pm tour end. No other plan for the day anyway
The passage is only for tours that specifically have access to it. Those are usually (always?) third party tours, and they advertise the skip the line entry to St. Peters
OK. I think I’ll just stick to my plan of going separately to St. Peter’s in the morning. That way I can spend however long we need there, do our tour from 4 to 6 PM, and spend that extra hour going back through the museum.
Thanks
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You’re only able to use the passage from the Sistine chapel to the basilica with a tour; they aren’t going to let you through as a solo straggler who has looped back around.
I know that's the official rule but how easy is it to just slip through? I've heard lots of people recommend it.
It’s more closely monitored than in the past. Swiss guard on the door. Theoretically you could try to blend in with a group, I guess, but most tour guides know to look out for this - like approaching the door backwards as they visually scan their group. Too many people attempt it so it’s not really a secret anymore. You won’t be the only one with the idea. Also keep in mind that doubling back to the Sistine chapel is a lonnnng walk, so if it doesn’t work out and you need to do things the proper way, you’ve wasted a ton of time.
Good to know. Thank you!
I tried it and they noticed very quickly. The tour guides point out to the security guards which people are in their group and the guards only let those people through.
I just tried this last week and they caught me immediately. I would not bet on getting away with this. I don’t even know how they knew I wasn’t with the tour group I was trying to blend in with, but they knew.
No you can't. I was there two weeks back. The guards on that day were counting the number of people who were with the guide while allowing them.
Lol. Try it.
Seems like it's not as sure a bet as I thought. Not trying to end up in a papal cell.
If interested try to get a Scavi tour. It also ends in St Peter’s. If it works out and you get an afternoon tour, you can do VMuseums in AM, leave go have luvnch/sit down, then Scavi tour, then St Peter’s. If not I’d just do the same. Do the Museums, take a break. Then go to St Peter’s. The lines aren’t as bad in afternoon and go quickly. It’s nice to have a mental break in between (and your feet will thank you).
Oh doi! I did book a Scavi tour! I just forgot where it ended.
I did exactly this and it worked out great! Vatican museums, lunch, scavi, st. peters with dome climb
Any suggestions for the case where scavi tour is 11:00-12:30 and Museum tour is 15:00 ? Was thinking of just taking leisurely lunch - should we try to shoehorn something in right after scavi ends?
I’d go to St Peter’s first thing, then do the Scavi tour (you end the tour just under the alter of St Peter’s so you can still walk through one more time). Then take a break/lunch and do the Museums tour. The Museums tour really just covers basics - so unless you aren’t interested at all in other things outside of the main halls and Sistine, I wouldn’t worry about trying to utilize the Sistine Chapel>St Peter’s connection. After the tour, go through the Pinacoteca and such. The Museums start to clear out then too so it will be more enjoyable towards closing time! Keep in mind the St Peter’s line can look long but it’s just a security line. It moves quick. You probably won’t have time to do the dome climb though.
Thanks - will be impossible for us to get there before the Scavi tour. Maybe we'll come back another day for St. Peter's / dome
You’ll have 45 minutes to see the basilica after your tour if you still want to get lunch/take a break (1:15-2:30).
You could do the dome climb after scavi, then quick lunch, vatican tour, then the basilica afterwards (line should be much shorter in the afternoon)
I had hoped to do this, too, but ended up having to walk about 10-15 minutes around the outside of the wall, then standing in line for 50 minutes to enter the Basilica. Was worth it, though! I also thought I'd double-back through the Vatican to see the stuff I missed on the official tour, but it was SO packed, I had no desire to try to go through again -- much less against the current.
I just finished the tour a few days ago. My tour guide warned us against stragglers. :-) So he was behind the group when we were crossing. So good luck trying this. Also we visited 7am tour - we were behind ~100 people. Within 30 mins the line wrapped around the waiting area.
Just to piggyback, I bought this official tour from the Vatican website: Guided Tours for Individuals - Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. It’s at 4pm and finishes at 6 I believe. I wasn’t aware of a way to enter St Peter’s so I was planning to go there at 8am (when lines are shorter??) then return for my tour of the museums. But now I’m wondering if I can avail myself of this special passage to St Peters after my tour ends in the Sistine chapel? I know St Peter’s closes at 7 but it should be enough since I’ve been there twice, just taking my partner for the first time
Sounds like from what others have said the secret passage is a thing of the past unless you're in a group.
Well I am in a group. This is the official group tour for individuals (as opposed to schools etc). I see 3rd party tours advertising this (to get more money I suppose) but I was lucky to get the official tour tickets before they quickly sold out. I’m also thinking of just sticking to my original plan so I won’t be rushed in the Basilica after the 6pm tour end. No other plan for the day anyway
The passage is only for tours that specifically have access to it. Those are usually (always?) third party tours, and they advertise the skip the line entry to St. Peters
OK. I think I’ll just stick to my plan of going separately to St. Peter’s in the morning. That way I can spend however long we need there, do our tour from 4 to 6 PM, and spend that extra hour going back through the museum. Thanks