Rome travel guide: tickets, best time & real costs
Private Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel, Fast-Access Tickets
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At a glance
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Price from
- $406 / person
- Location
- Rome, Italy
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 34 reviews
- Languages
- EN, IT
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- See policy below
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Vatican Private Tour Guide
- Meeting point
- At the Vatican Museums entrance at the main monumental white door.Your guide will be holding a sign with your name on it.
Description
This is a private 3-hour tour with the services of your own local, expert guide. With skip-the-line access you visit the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Saint Peter’s square amongst other famous sites. Your guide will recount the history of these amazing places and tell you stories about some of the many treasures to be found in the Vatican.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sat
- Start times
- 7 times a day, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Next available
- Sat, Oct 17
- Adult (ages 18+)
- $406
- Child (ages 6–17)
- $90
- Infant (ages 0–5)
- Free
Larger groups pay less per person.
Out at sunset: the 2:30 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 5:09 PM in the coming weeks.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 16.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Vatican Museums
Meet with your guide at the entrance to the Vatican museums and with skip-the-line access head straight inside to begin the tour with a visit to the Belvedere Courtyard, the Pio-Clementino Museum and the magnificent collection of Ancient Roman and Greek Statues. You continue your tour with a visit to the Gallery of Tapestries followed by the Gallery of Maps, which houses one of the most significant displays of Renaissance Maps in the world. In the Sobiesky Room you will see on of the largest painting in the Vatican and in the room of the Immaculate Conception gaze upon its wonderful frescoes. It is certainly worth spending time in Raphael’s Rooms. Painted for Pope Julius II here are displayed some of the painters greatest works, the Parnassus and School of Athens.
Sistine Chapel
Before entering the Sistine Chapel (no talking allowed inside) your guide will tell you about the wonderful frescoes by Michelangelo, Botticelli and other famous artists that you will see once inside. You will also hear interesting facts and anecdotes about this unique chapel that is still in use today as the setting for the conclave to elect new Popes.
St. Peter's Basilica
It is then time for a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica where you will explore the numerous side chapels with their hidden crypts. You will see Michelangelo’s Pietà and your guide will explain why this is the only work that he signed. You will gain an appreciation of the mastery that went into the creation of Bernini’s altarpiece and learn how Michelangelo triumphed over his contemporaries for the honour to paint St. Peter’s magnificent dome. There is still more to see though below ground level. You guide will lead you below ground to the papal crypt where, over the centuries, many of the Popes have been interred. This special place is a site of pilgrimage for many Catholics.
St. Peter's Square
The tour will end in Saint Peter’s Square where you can see the Pope’s Palace and catch a glimpse of the colorful Swiss Guards.
What's included
Included
Local guide
Private tour
Professional art historian guide
Guaranteed to skip the long lines
Not included
Gratuities
Private transportation
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
34 reviews
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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
- READ CAREFULLY: Because of the growing popularity of the current pope Francis and his intense activity in organising mass events in the Vatican some areas might get closed last minute without previous notice. This has already happened this year and can happen again during you Vatican tour. In case of such events our tour guide will provide you with a valuable alternative focusing the tour inside the Vatican museums.
- PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Jubilee the Basilica might not be accessible as part of the tour. Unfortunately, we know that very last minute. In any case, you can go there after the tour, queuing.
Cancellation
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
0+ days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Private Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel, Fast-Access Tickets lasts about 3 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $406 per person for this Rome experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. 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, with 7 departures a day between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
How much does this tour cost for children?
Children aged 6–17 pay from $90, adults from $406. Infants go free.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is At the Vatican Museums entrance at the main monumental white door. Your guide will be holding a sign with your name on it. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN, IT.
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 suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Specialized infant seats are available
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Jubilee the Basilica might not be accessible as part of the tour. Unfortunately, we know that very last minute. In any case, you can go there after the tour, queuing.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(34)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
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from$406
4.9(34)