Skip the Line: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel + Optional Basilica
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Save time and energy at the Vatican Museums with skip-the-line, timed entry that lets you bypass long queues and head straight inside. Explore the highlights with your guide, including the Sistine Chapel, Raphael’s Rooms, and the Gallery of Maps, while learning the rich history, art, and architecture behind these masterpieces. With expert commentary, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the Vatican’s treasures and enjoy a more meaningful visit. Upgrade to a small-group tour for a more personalized experience, or extend your visit with priority entry to St. Peter’s Basilica. Prefer to focus only on St. Peter’s? Select the Basilica-only option for a guided visit inside.
Short on time? Opt for the 1.5-hour tour to breeze through the Vatican Museums and be among the first to enter the Sistine Chapel.
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.
At least 4 people are required for the guided tour options to take place.
Check-in is 15 minutes prior to the booked start time. Tickets are time sensitive and we cannot accomodate late arrivals.
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.
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.
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 an ID or a photo/copy of ID.
Important: The ‘Basilica Only’ option it does NOT include access to the Vatican Museums.
Important: From January 12 to March 31, 2026, conservation work will be carried out on Michelangelo’s Last Judgment (Giudizio Universale). The Sistine Chapel will remain open to visitors; however, the fresco will be temporarily not visible due to scaffolding. We thank you for your understanding during this important preservation project.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Vatican Museums
Visit the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel on your own or with a guide (if option selected). Tickets provide skip the line access.
Cortile della Pigna
Explore one of the Vatican's many open air courtyards. This one is decorated with a giant bronze pinecone sculpture, giving the courtyard its name.
What‘s Included
Skip the Line Access to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (except when Basilica Only option selected)
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Guided Tour
Direct Access to St. Peter's Basilica (only when option selected)
Jan 12–Mar 31, 2026: Last Judgment under conservation; may be obscured.
Food and drinks
Tips
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
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
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: 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
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
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
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
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
Private Tour
Exclusive Private Tour : Private Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. Includes Skip the Line (no included St. Peter’s Basilica)
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
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
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
Hosted Tickets Only (No guide)
Hosted Tickets 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
Reviews
6,177 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
This is an excellent...
Sara H,,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is an excellent experience! Sarah was a wonderful and intelligent tour guide! Would definitely recommend to others!
Great Time
Melvin P,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide was amazing. The views are astonishing. The colosseum was great: rich history. You feel as you’re in Ancient Rome.
Informative and entertaining tour
T6886UXheatherm,,Jan 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Laura was an excellent guide. She was very knowledgeable and personable and made the whole thing very enjoyable. The “optional basilica” part was not explained very well at all in the description or in the booking aspect. In description, booking and confirmation it was always something different. I selected the tour partially because it was included but was then informed it needed to be booked separately. That aside, the tour was good and Laura was wonderful.
Excellent
865abdurrahmant,,Jan 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It's absolutely nothing to do with the reviews we liked, the food was beautiful and the pools were clean and warm
The Hosts were thorough and helpful. Nice, too!
Sandra C,,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was nice to meet up on the steps with our hosts and get to bypass the line and head on in to the museum. Guided tours are nice, but sometimes you want to go at your own pace and having hosts get us in and then let us do our own thing was exactly what we wanted.
Great tour with Martina
Thomas J,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Martina was an absolute excellent guide who made the tour of the Vatican fun and informative. Highly recommend doing a skip the line tour to avoid long queues.
It was well organized and...
Joseph L,,Jan 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was well organized and met the needs of our party. Not knowing what to expect and and never having been to the Vatican, Oscar made us feel comfortable from the start. His depth of knowledge and easy manner made the experience enjoyable.
Our guide, Sarah, was...
CHANTEL L,,Jan 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide, Sarah, was friendly and inviting, with incredible knowledge. The tour is fast paced - it has to be - you simply can't take everything in. However, Sarah used the time effectively. The ability to skip the line was very helpful, and to have someone who could speak with staff and security on the group's behalf was very helpful. We'd recommend going early in the morning and off-peak.
Great tour
Vdes09,,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thank you to my tour guide Maria Laura, she was so knowledgable and made the experience really enjoyable. I would recommend this tour
Laura gave us a very...
Holly B,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Laura gave us a very comprehensive tour of the Vatican museums and had so much historical insight and interesting stories about the art. Excellent tour! Highly recommend!
From €29.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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