Vatican Museum Tickets Sold Out? Here’s How to Get Them

Vatican tickets are highly sought after by tourists and history buffs alike. They allow access to some of the most awe-inspiring places in Rome, including St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. However, due to their popularity, they can often be difficult to get hold of. 

Sometimes you’ll even find Vatican tickets sold out online months in advance. But don’t despair – there are still ways you can secure your Vatican tickets! In this article, you’ll learn how to see the Vatican when tickets are sold out, including the most cost-savvy option.

How To Get Vatican Tickets When It’s Sold Out

The first thing to know is that tickets to the Vatican can be sold out months in advance, even on the official website. This means that if you’re planning a trip to Rome and want to visit the Vatican, it’s important to be prepared ahead of time. However, you can always get access to the Basilica free of charge with no tickets.

Too late to plan? Luckily, tour companies like ours, Tourist Italy, with Vatican Museum tours have tickets allocated and put aside, especially for us. This means that even if it’s sold out online completely, it’s still possible to go and you don’t have to worry about missing out. Not only that, but our tours come with an expert guide who will give you extra insight into the history and culture of the Vatican. 

Book Our Vatican Tour - Museum Tickets Included

There are a few other options available, like showing up early or ordering from a third-party website. But these are unreliable and can be much more expensive.

Types Of Vatican Tickets 

There are two main types of Vatican tickets you can purchase: standard and skip-the-line. Both tickets get you access to all the important sites. But, as the name suggests, skip-the-line tickets allow you to see everything without waiting.

Standard Vatican Museum Tickets

These are the most common types of tickets sold by the Vatican. Standard Vatican tickets are combination tickets including Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel tickets, among tickets to other sites. They can be purchased online or at any authorized ticket office near the sites themselves. 

The Vatican Museums ticket price varies depending on where you buy it from. On their website, the standard cost of official Vatican Museums tickets is €17 for adults and €8 for students. However, there are reduced rates for groups like pilgrimages, schools, seminaries, etc.

Skip-the-Line Vatican Museum Tickets

When it comes to Vatican Museum tickets, skip-the-line is the premiere option. They allow you to avoid the long lines at the entrance, saving you time to maximize your day and getting the most out of your visit. 

Skip-the-Line Vatican Museum tickets are slightly more expensive than standard tickets, adding a €5 fee per entry. But all Tourist Italy Vatican tours come with skip-the-line access Vatican tour tickets. This is probably the easiest and most cost-effective way to get a skip-the-line Vatican tour, as you’re also paying for transportation, a tour guide, and more.

Is A Guided Vatican Tour Worth It?

A guided Vatican tour is an experience like no other. Expert tour guides know history that you could never discover on your own. They know how to create a memorable experience for you.

At Tourist Italy, we have a Vatican City tour for every traveler’s interest. The most standard is our 3-hour Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica Tour. You’ll see all the major sites with that handy skip-the-line access. And your guide is an art historian who will break down all the masterpieces for you.

For the history buff, the St. Peter’s Dome Climb, Basilica & Papal Crypts Tour takes you through tombs of late, great church leaders. You’ll learn the city’s history and get to marvel at the Basilica. You’ll also get to take in the beautiful views from the top of St. Peter’s Dome.

Foodies will enjoy bite-sized history and snacks on the Vatican Dome Climb & Street Food Walking Tour. After touring the Dome, Basilica, and crypts, you’ll head to the streets of Rome for an evening on the town. With tastings of ten local favorites, you’re sure to leave with your fill of culture and cuisine.

And for those who want to venture further beyond the Vatican, there are also tours for you. Ancient Rome and Vatican Treasure Tour is a 1-day tour where you see the best of the Vatican plus the Colosseum. 

If you have more time, the Best of Rome 3-Day Tour has additional stops at the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona. Or the Rome from Florence by High-Speed Train – 4-Day Tour Package has the bonus of a unique transportation option.

Turn Your Vatican Trip From “I Can’t” To “I Can” With Tourist Italy!

Your friends at Tourist Italy are always here to help make your Italian vacation possible and memorable. Our Vatican tours guarantee that your visit will be unforgettable with skip-the-line tickets included. And our knowledgeable guides will give you an experience you can’t find anywhere else.

If you’d rather guide your own experience, we’re happy to help with that, too. Our Vatican guide will tell you all you need to know about “the smallest country in the world”. Or you can use our advice for traveling in Rome, like our airport guide, where to stay guide, and ultimate travel guide.