Beating the queue for the Vatican Museums on the last Sunday of the month

Beating the queue for the Vatican Museums on the last Sunday of the month - Empty Spiral Staircase

The Vatican Museums are free to visit on the last Sunday of every month from 09:00 to 14:00. However, the queues can be gargantuan, with wait times running into the hours:

Queue at the Vatican Museum

We will be in Rome on the last Sunday of October. At that time of the year, how early should we show up at the Vatican Museums to avoid having to wait in line for the free admission?

Photo credit: DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0.



Best Answer

Having done this on several occasions, and once was in an October, optimal times seem to be 8:30 in the morning (after all, it's Sunday and Rome) or 3:30 in the afternoon (the October visit). I've also purchased advance tickets online, and selected the 3:30 time slot, and breezed in, right past long lines, waving the ticket voucher.




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Beating the queue for the Vatican Museums on the last Sunday of the month - Stone old sculptures over columns against blue sky



How do I skip the Vatican queue?

The best ways to skip the lines at the Vatican
  • Buy a skip-the-lines ticket with audio guide. ...
  • Book a group guided tour. ...
  • Use a Discount Card / Tourist Pass. ...
  • Get a VIP early entrance and breakfast ticket. ...
  • Buy a basic ticket online ahead of time.


  • How long is the wait for the Vatican museum?

    Queue 1: The first is for those looking to purchase tickets on the spot. The wait times extend up to 2 hours during peak season. Queue 2: The second queue is for those who have purchased normal admission tickets online. The wait time can go up to 45 minutes on a normal day.

    Is the Vatican open on the last Sunday of the month?

    There is free entry to the Vatican Museums on the last Sunday of every month, between 09.00 and 12.30, leaving by 14.00. It is not possible to reserve tickets, they must be bought that day at the museum ticket office. Aside from the last Sunday of each month, the Vatican Museums are not open on Sundays.

    What is the best time to visit the Vatican museum?

    The Best Time to Visit the Vatican
    • The Vatican is the most popular tourist destination in Rome. ...
    • On that note, April to October can be one of the best times to visit the Vatican Museums, especially on Friday nights, when it is much less crowded. ...
    • No matter what, never plan your visit to the St.




    Queue to the Vatican Museums on free Sunday, 23.02.2020




    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Cosmin Paduraru, Jeswin Thomas, Mat Kedzia, Matteo Basile