Rome travel guide: tickets, best time & real costs
Private Early Morning Express Tour Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms
+2 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Price from
- $251 / person
- Location
- Rome, Italy
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 45 reviews
- Languages
- DE, EN, IT, FR
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- LivTours
- Meeting point
- Viale Vaticano 100, in front of Cafè Vaticano, right across the street from the Vatican Museum's Entrance.
Description
The Express Sistine Chapel and Raphael Rooms Private Tour is a perfect 2 hours tour that will allow you to experience first hand and in a private environment, one of the most important sites in Rome. With your expert local guide, skip the lines and gain direct access into the Sistine Chapel to fully absorb the beauty of Michelangelo's masterpiece prior the hustle and bustle of the crowds. Your guide will then escort you to the Raphael Rooms for an intimate experience with these fresco masterpieces. This private tour creates a friendly environment where you can interact with your knowledgeable guide, and enjoy the peace of an almost-empty museum. Your guide will then lead you back to the Museums' galleries, where you will be given information on how to enjoy the rest of your time.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sat
- Start times
- 7:30 AM
- Next available
- Fri, Oct 30
- Adult (ages 18+)
- $251
- Child (ages 3–17)
- $124
- Infant (ages 0–2)
- Free
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $500.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 28.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Sistine Chapel
Make the most of your time in Rome with direct access to the Sistine Chapel prior to the arrival of public tourists. Enjoy the incredible beauty of Michelangelo's masterpiece with your expert local guide and learn the history, techniques and secrets behind one of the most visited sites in Italy. With over 25,000 tourists visiting per day, you will be thankful to enjoy it prior to the regular opening times! From January 12 through March 31, the Vatican Museums will be carrying out special conservation work on Michelangelo’s Last Judgment inside the Sistine Chapel. During this time, a scaffolding structure will cover the entire Last Judgment wall. The Sistine Chapel will remain open and fully accessible, but this specific artwork will not be visible during the restoration period. Thank you for your understanding as this masterpiece receives important care.
Vatican Museums
After experiencing the wonder of the Sistine Chapel, your private expert guide will take you to your next stop - the Raphael Rooms. Have a truly intimate experience in a near-empty museum to enjoy the gorgeous frescoes of Raphael as your expert guide explains these masterpieces in detail with historic anecdotes.
Stanze di Raffaello
Your guide will then escort you to the Raphael Rooms for an intimate experience with these fresco masterpieces.
What's included
Included
Early morning tour of the Vatican Museums
Visit to the galleries
Raphael Rooms
Sistine Chapel
Not included
tips and gratuities
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
45 reviews
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Vatican management maintains the right to delay the opening of the Sistine Chapel for religious reasons, in this case the guide will modify the itinerary and extend your visit of the museums to ensure you make the most of your time before access to the Sistine Chapel is permitted.
- No photography is allowed inside the Sistine Chapel.
- The Sistine Chapel is a Holy Place and talking while inside is strictly forbidden. Your guide will provide all commentary prior to entry
- Backpacks are not permitted in the museum.
- Everyone in your group, regardless of age, needs a government issued ID to enter the Vatican Museums.
- Guests with mobility concerns should contact us as soon as possible, as the itinerary may need to be adjusted to accommodate specific needs.
- IMPORTANT: Please advise our team if you believe that a disability qualifies you for complimentary access to the Vatican
- Offered in: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Please specify under “Additional notes” if you wish to book the tour in a language other than English.
- From January 12 through March 31, the Vatican Museums will be carrying out special conservation work on Michelangelo’s Last Judgment inside the Sistine Chapel. During this time, a scaffolding structure will cover the entire Last Judgment wall. The Sistine Chapel will remain open and fully accessible, but this specific artwork will not be visible during the restoration period. Thank you for your understanding as this masterpiece receives important care.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Private Early Morning Express Tour Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $251 per person for this Rome experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $500. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, starting at 7:30 AM.
How much does this tour cost for children?
Children aged 3–17 pay from $124, adults from $251. Infants go free.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Viale Vaticano 100, in front of Cafè Vaticano, right across the street from the Vatican Museum's Entrance. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in DE, EN, IT, FR, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Guests with mobility concerns should contact us as soon as possible, as the itinerary may need to be adjusted to accommodate specific needs. From January 12 through March 31, the Vatican Museums will be carrying out special conservation work on Michelangelo’s Last Judgment inside the Sistine Chapel. During this time, a scaffolding structure will cover the entire Last Judgment wall. The Sistine Chapel will remain open and fully accessible, but this specific artwork will not be visible during the restoration period. Thank you for your understanding as this masterpiece receives important care.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is this tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 45 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by LivTours.
Reviews(45)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
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from$251
4.9(45) Free cancellation