Skip the Line: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel + Optional Basilica
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Skip the long lines and make the most of your visit to the Vatican Museums with timed, priority entry. Step straight inside and explore the must-see highlights with your expert guide, including the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, the iconic Raphael Rooms, and the stunning Gallery of Maps. Learn the fascinating history, art, and architecture behind each masterpiece for a richer, more memorable experience.
For a more personal touch, upgrade to a small-group tour, or extend your day with priority access to the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica. Prefer to focus exclusively on the Basilica? Select the dedicated guided option and discover its history, art, and grand architecture in detail.
Pressed for time? Choose the 1.5-hour express tour to breeze through the Vatican Museums and be among the first to admire the Sistine Chapel.
Important: St. Peter’s Basilica is not included in all tours. When included, the guided visit is followed by free time to explore on your own.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children 6 and under are entitled to free access to the Vatican Museums (with proof of age)
Children aged 7-18 are entitled to a reduced entry fee (see tour and ticket pricing) and must provide proof of age.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
Check-in is 15 minutes prior to the booked start time. Tickets are time sensitive and we cannot accomodate late arrivals.
Important: St. Peter's Basilica is not included in all tour options. If you wish to visit the Basilica as part of your experience, please ensure you select a tour where it is explicitly listed as included.
Guests with a certified disability of over 75% are entitled to free entrance to the Vatican and do not require a ticket. For guests who are not self-sufficient, free entry is extended to a companion.
Due to the Jubilee, some monuments may be under restoration. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes.
Please include all names as they appear on your passports when booking. Tickets are non-transferable and if the names on your booking do not match your ID you may be denied access and will not be due a refund. Any name changes must be communicated at least 72 hours in advance.
Please bring official ID with you (or a photo/photocopy).
Important: The ‘Basilica Only’ option it does NOT include access to the Vatican Museums.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Skip the Line Access & Entrance Ticket to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Skip the Line Access to St. Peter's Basilica (only when option is selected during booking)
Headsets to hear your guide clearly (if guided option selected)
Insider Guide (if guided option selected)
Food & Beverages
Gratuities
What To Expect
Vatican Museums
Together with your guide, set foot inside the smallest country in the world via the fastest possible entrance!
Cortile della Pigna
One of the first stops inside the Vatican Museums is the Pinecone Courtyard where you will find the Sphere within a Sphere sculpture as well as the Roman fountain, an enormous bronze pinecone, that lends the courtyard its name.
Options
Express: 12max
12 guests max
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Express: 12max: Express Tour in English of the Vatican Museums to the Sistine Chapel, NO access to St. Peter's Basilica.
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
First Access + Basilica: 10max
10 guests max
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
First Access + Basilica: 10max: First access. Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. Includes Skip the Line St. Peter’s Basilica (access only – no tour).
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
First Access: 10max
10 guests max
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
First Access: 10max: First access. Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. NO access to St. Peter's Basilica.
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Private Tour
Exclusive Private tour: Private guided Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. Include Skip the Line (no icluded St. Peter’s Basilica).
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Guided Tour: 10max
10 guests max
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Guided Tour: 10max: Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. NO access to St. Peter's Basilica.
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
First Access + Basilica: 20max
20 guests max
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
First Access + Basilica: 20max: First access. Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. Includes Skip the Line St. Peter’s Basilica (access only – no tour).
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Hosted Ticket Only (No guide)
Hosted access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, no guided tour. NO access to St. Peter's Basilica.
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Guided Tour + Basilica: 10max
10 guests max
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Guided Tour + Basilica: 10max: Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. Includes Skip the Line St. Peter’s Basilica (access only – no tour).
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Guided Tour + Basilica: 20max
20 guests max
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Guided Tour + Basilica: 20max: Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. Includes Skip the Line St. Peter’s Basilica (access only – no tour).
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Guided Tour: 20max
20 guests max
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Guided Tour: 20max: Tour in English of the Vatican Museums, NO access to St. Peter's Basilica.
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Basilica Only
Guided 1 hour tour in English with skip the line access, 20 people or less. (Cupola and Vatican Museums not included).
Starting point:
Borgo Santo Spirito, 17, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Reviews
1,477 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Group of 7
Leticia G,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00The agency didn't honor our tour and mislead us. There were others in the group that had the same experience left They only took us to St. Peter's Basilica. They said the museums and Sistine Chapel weren't included. Our reservations said all 3 were included. You can visit the Basilica without paying or a guide. I'm very disappointed with Viator we will not recommend them.
The great Vatican tour!
JOCELYN G,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I loved our guide. Very informative and great sense of history, especially coming from an archeologist!
Great tour
150cristineb,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gaga was an excellent tour guide she was very knowledgeable. We learned so many new things about Vatican City - especially the amazing art. We had a great time!
Fabulous guide, great tour!
280bernien,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fabio was wonderful, cheery and knowledgeable and made our jammed packed Rome trip more enjoyable. This was a great tour. The museum and chapel were a sea of people and Fabio navigated through that happily ensuring we were all keeping up and having a good time. Would definitely recommend.
Great Vatican and Sistine Chapel Tour
Lakiesha W,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide was fun, funny, and very knowledgeable. I wish I could remember his name but I really enjoyed our tour. I would definitely recommend it!
Interesting and well executed tour
eelis,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really interesting tour which gave insight to Vatican. We had 12 and 14 yo kids with us and they also liked it and could follow despite not being native speakers.
Helpful beyond measure!
Douglas B,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Thank goodness for this skip tge line tout, as the lines to get in were extremely long. In addition, our amazing guide (Maria Laura) shared so much amazing history and pointed out the primary pieces of importance. It is truly helpful beyond measure to have someone guiding you through the Vatican museum who knows how to maneuver through the crowds and galleries. Although the Sistine Chaoel was closed due to the King of England's visit and special service with the Pope, we still felt like it was a very valuable tour.
Fantastic tour
659CarolS,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic tour with Monica. She had so much knowledge on the Vatican and chapel, and knew how to bypass the crowds. We would highly recommend this tour. There was so much to see, it was overwhelming at times.
Great tour
shawngZ6137PM,
Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great, detailed tour with a very informative and helpful guide. Good approach to the tour. The guide would explain each section of the tour and then it was open question and answer type of format. If someone had a question, the guide was very knowledgeable.
fantastic
julie s,
Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00the museum is big, be prepared to walk and use step, wear good shoes. So much history in Vatican city you definitely want a guide, Ricardo was fantastic
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