Skip the Line Guided Tour Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel

Rome, Italy

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

2 to 3 hours (approx.)
Offered in: English

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Vatican City: St. Peters Basilica skip the line tour

Rome, Italy

5.0

(2)

Vatican City: St. Peters Basilica skip the line tour

from $48

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Overview

The Vatican is home to some of the world’s most important art and architecture. With this tour, zip past the crowds at the Vatican Museums entrance and head straight to the headliners inside. Follow your guide to learn about the highlights in just hours, ending with a stop in the Sistine Chapel.

Save time with fast-track tickets to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
A guided tour to admire masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, and others
Headsets to help you hear the guide's commentary in the crowded galleries and church
A small-group tour ensures a less rushed feel

What's Included

Admission Ticket to Vatican Museum
License Guide
Audio headsets for listening guide always
Access to the Sistine Chapel

Transport
Food and Drinks

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Via Sebastiano Veniero, 15, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Opposite of the Vatican Museum with long staircase go down and turn right. Please be sure you have to be at the meeting point at least 20 minutes before the tour departure time to check in. Once you miss your tour we are not liable to give the next tour.

End point

Sistine Chapel
00120, Vatican City

Ticket Redemption Point

Via Sebastiano Veniero, 15, 00192 Roma RM, Italy

Itinerary

Sistine Chapel

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Vatican Museums

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate

Must match each name and surname with the passport or identity documents
Must bring the passport or identity document
No prove with the name and surname with the identity document there will be no visit and refund
No any proper name there will be disqualify for the visit and refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

3.8

based on 57 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

I am going to book again...

Audrey_G, Mar 2026

I am going to book again to do the tour with my family. It was a great experience, and I recommend the tour. My guide, a woman in Teva sandals, was great.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thanks a lot for your booking with us.

We got in without waiting...

Margaret_G, Apr 2025

We got in without waiting our explained everything so that we all understood - even though we had elderly people he did his best to keep on time

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thanks a lot for your time to write.

Vatican experience

Cathleen_H, Jun 2024

It started out chaotic with waiting in a 20 minute line in the heat before getting to the ticket area where our guide left us to pick up the tickets. Then getting inside was another long wait of tour guides fighting about who was next. Our guide was quiet and repeated herself at the start but the tour picked up and became more interesting after a bit. Hence, the 3 stars.

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Thanks for your time to write. We will see this matter.

Value for money

Cess_B, Nov 2023

Very informative and saves a lot of time as you dont need to join the line. Would definitely recommend this tour to avoid wasting your time.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thanks a lot for your valuable time to write.

Great

Nadia_A, Oct 2023

We had a great time with our tour guide Maggy she was great and very knowledgeable… I would highly recommend this tour

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thanks a lot for your writing to us.

Good basic tour

Kate_F, Oct 2023

Leonardo was good. It was crazy busy. Way too many people in one area. Otherwise, worth it to see Vatican City.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thanks for your experience with us.

👌🏻 perfect experience!

Samantha_M, Sep 2023

Such a great experience! Meeting location was easy to find and quick to check in! Our tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly! Loved all the details and stories he shared with us! We skipped all the lines and had a once in a lifetime experience! Thank you so much!

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thanks a lot to take the tour from us and your time to write.

Thankful for the guide who moved us through a very busy visit

Jessica_P, Sep 2023

The meeting place was clear and easy to find, and instructions were good. The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel themselves are super chaotic and busy but our guide did a great job of ushering is through the madness while pointing out important and interesting tidbits. Having a guide really saved this experience for us. Would recommend.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thanks a lot for your time to write us.

Know the rules

Krista_S, Aug 2023

Make sure you know that you must wear pants which is not specified on this website. If you show up in shorts you will be turned away with no refund.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

We are really appreciate you as you did not read the instruction written on voucher about the dress code. Next time if you buy something please read carefully. Though we called so many time to come at the meeting point you did not come, your tour was at 12:30 then we moved for 13:30 but you did not attend due to cause of shorts. We told over phone you can buy scarf once you come at the meeting point from another shop. Intentionally you did not come and join the tour.

Was not skip the line- but I paid for that

Christine_F, Jul 2023

Since I took this tour a month ago with my husband and I am here w my son. The wait to get in was over an hour. There was a line that I saw tours walking right through. The tour leader said that the security scanners were only 2. When we arrived there were 4 scanners. It one hour and a half to get through the line, get tickets and earpiece & box to hear tour leader. I am requesting a partial refund.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Hi Vatican is normally very busy though this is busy the security line not like that what you told. As per we know you were almost missing the tour then we have sent our host to bring you from some other place. Then you joined to our group but there is no appreciation. Anyway, as this is another country you have to pass immigration thus need maximum 20-30 minutes if it’s much busy otherwise maximum 5 minutes security checking. On the day of visit there was much busy and was required 20-30 minutes time which is not belongs to us it’s control by Vatican. So, smart people know regarding this issues. We had other people in this group nobody has complained about our tour. Anyway thanks for your valuable feedback.

Good tour but not realistic title

Georgette_S, Jul 2023

I loved the art work in the Cistine Chapel. It was very hot, in the mid 90s and not realistic that we would get into the Cathederal as indicated on our ticket. The line was huge, outside and no shade. It easily could have taken 2 hours to get in that portion of the tour. Not really skip the line at that point and the guide said, there it is and goodbye. I wanted to see it but feared in the heat it would be too much.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Hello Georgette, normally our tour is until Sistine chapel and once you go there we provide the direct access from Sistine chapel to saint peters basilica and it depends on the Vatican Authority as we mentioned with our voucher, which have on your hand you check. Thanks for your time to write.

This was worth the time....

Mindi_F, Jul 2023

This was worth the time. It was so interesting. Remember to check the dress code before you go. Shoulders and knees need to be covered. Mainly shoulders, some people wore shorts and it was fine.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thanks a lot for your valuable time to write. We always try to provide the best service to our clients. Your appreciation will helps us to work better.

Vatican tour

AnthonyM_P, Jul 2023

Monica was a great tour guide. She pointed out many important pieces in the museum and explained about them.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Your appreciation helps us to work better. Thanks for your valuable feedback. We will tell to Monica. Again thanks.

A visit to these sights...

Hernandez_R, Jul 2023

A visit to these sights are a must. But there were so many large tour groups on top of all the other people visiting was extremely crowded. Our tour guide was nice but very rushed. There were actually quite a few people in our group upset with her.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

As Vatican is busy there is many groups and many people. As you said about the the guide we will look after this matter. Thanks for your helpful feedback.

HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE , SCAM SCAM SCAM

Jeena_G, Jun 2023

Worst tour and tour guide ever. This is a scam, DO NOT BOOK THIS TOUR GUIDE. 17 Euro ticket is charged at 86. If your tour guide tells you his name is James Bond then realize that you are in for a horrible tour. He is basically preaching his left ideologies and hate speech about Rome. Avoid this at any cost.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

You were late on that day then we have given you another company tour which was not with us just to help you out as you can visit the Vatican. Basically once anyone miss the tour we don’t provide the service until they pay but we did for you free and we lost spent lots for you. Before booking anything read clearly and book. You should understand you bought skip the line with guide and that’s include guide+tickets+services inside to passage Saint Peters. All cost you paid together. So, next time before booking try to read all the information then book. Anyway, thanks for your time to write.

This tour is not recommended for elderly people with prior medical conditions

MoustafaG, Jun 2023

I was disappointed because the tour descriptions did not mention that tour is strenuous and not recommended for elderly people with medical problems. The tour started with climbing over 30 steps as we climbed slow the tour guide compliant and refused to wait for us . We were told to go up and wait. A guide came took us inside the Museum and gave us two tickets and got a wheel chair for my wife and said you are on your own. We did visit alone no head phones no explanation of what we are seeing. I hope in the future Viator will rate their trips strenuous easy moderate not recommended for elderly people etc

Response from Host, Jun 2023

We appreciate your writing. If you read our instructions before purchasing, that would be great, because we wrote with this tour there will be no wheelchair accessible without the Private Guide. As it is group guide you have to be with the group where we provide radio to listen the guide smoothly though our guide is always with the group. Thanks for your time to write.

Good experience

Anu_S, Jun 2023

Silvia was a great guide. Everything went smoothly. We had to catch our cruise later that day and were right on time. The tour operator moved us up to an earlier time to give us more time to see everything.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thanks a lot for your time to write.

Not great

Kevin_B, Jun 2023

Tour was supposed to be at 9:30 AM, we were told to be there at 9 AM. Did not leave for the tour until after 10 AM, it was completely unorganized, and although the tour guide was nice, it was extremely boring. We left and did our own thing, it ended up being a waste of money.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Normally check in time is 30 minutes before the time. Our all tour depart on time if there is no issue happening. On that day there was a guide problem due to road accident issues. We are sorry for this reason. Thanks

Negative exp for Vatican guided tour which was not guided at all

Saiful_K, Jun 2023

Local Company who did not guided us inside the museum. When I purchased the tickets through the agent my understanding was we will have English speaking guided tour during our skip the line tour for Vatican on June 15. All the local guy from the company did was skipped the line and handed us the tickets and they were no where to found. It was poorly experiences my entire plan was to as we go through the Vatican and basilicas to learn their histories and make our Rome trip memorable for my family. With this bad taste in my mouth I really do not know what to expect during our todays trip to Colesium and other things today through you guys.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

We always try to give the client best service. Basically if our clients late to join the tour on time then on availability of next tour or skip the line ticket we provide the tour or only Skip the line ticket. If there is no availability we can’t give anything. Anyway as per your saying you were late to join the tour but we did favour of you. Thanks for your time to write.

Amazing experience

Raul_M, Jun 2023

Spectacular sights and incomparable guide. The tour took us around breath taking places at a very good pace.The guide was very knowledgeable, straight to point and made the tour very entertaining while learning a lot. Would definitely recommend the experience.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Your satisfaction on our service bring us to do work more good. Thanks a lot for your time to write.

Amazing Venue, - Paying for “Skip the Line”

Donna_S, Jun 2023

The primary benefit of this tour is “skipping the line” to enter the museum. We were not informed until we were inside the museum that the Basilica was not open until the afternoon so we had to wait an extra two hours after the tour ended to enter St. Peter’s. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable but seemed to be “ticking the boxes” by reciting dates and names rather than bringing history to life. The museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s house some of the most precious treasures and art in the world. It is worth braving the horrendous crowds and a “must see”, but I would not recommend this particular tour to do so.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Hi, if you read all details of your voucher you will find that the Basilica access through the museum totally depends on the Vatican authority they can take any decision instantly. So, before doing any comments please read carefully the voucher. Anyway, read your voucher what included then you can realise. Thanks a lot for your time to write.

Awesome!

Jenny_H, May 2023

Wonderful tour, the guide was very knowledgeable. Great location across the street from Vatican and easy to find

Response from Host, May 2023

Thanks a lot for your time to write.

MISLEADING TOUR NAME

MaDarlene_M, May 2023

Not worth the money. We spent so much time in the Vatican museum. And the tour ended there. I think all of the tickets sold for the Vatican museum and Sistine chapel tour (which is also a misnomer because the tour ended in the Vatican museum, and did not continue to the Sistine Chapel) are all skip the line. Which line is not skip the line??? That should not be the name of the tour!!!

Response from Host, May 2023

Dear client skip the line means you skipping big line. It doesn’t mean that inside the museum you are skipping all. It’s true that with guide you can see all important highlights of the galleries and not wasting time to see other things. Anyway Thanks for your feedback.

Very disappointed in guide and tour ended too soon

Sue_H, Apr 2023

Could not understand our guide’s accent. She was constantly in a hurry. Guide did not explain anything about the square where the Pope speaks to people. Too many people.

Response from Host, May 2023

Your tour was until Sistine Chapel and access to saint peters Basilica. Basically every guides are professional. We will look out this matter. Thanks for your feedback.

Great

Sebanti_M, Mar 2023

The guide was very enthusiastic but she spoke too much outside the Vatican museum , reducing time in the Sistine chapel . Accurate Time allocation v necessary.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thanks for your time to write. We will sort it out. Again Thanks.

Viator was inaccessible and unhelpful when I had a problem.

Kim_G, Mar 2023

Customer Service was TERRIBLE. I spent two hours on the phone ON MY VACATION trying to correct the fact that the original company Viator booked me with was inaccessible and unhelpful at the time I most needed their help. I booked another $160 tour, fully expecting Viator to honorably refund the money from the other tour company’s errors. They have not refunded me one cent.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thanks for your feedback.

Great quick tour

Margot_D, Nov 2022

Tour was great our guide informative. Perfect tour when you are short on time. The Vatican was beautiful

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Thanks a lot for your valuable time to write. it’s a pleasure to us.

Went in the afternoon and...

Amanda_S, Oct 2022

Went in the afternoon and would have rather done it alone to get to see a lot more. It wasn’t necessarily a skip the line except for peter’s basilica. Spent about 45-50 minutes just standing there talking. Went through what the paintings in the Sistine chapel for about an additional 30 minutes - and spent about the same time or more than we were actually in the Sistine chapel.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

St. Peter’s Basilica is not the part of tour just the access from the Sistine Chapel. It's not a guaranteed entry written on your voucher. It depends on the Vatican Authority. If you join 3:30pm tour that is not going as well. Thanks for your feedback.

St. Peter's was remarkably empty of visitors.

Charleen_S, Oct 2022

Not sure we saved any line time to enter St. Peter's. The audio equipment wasn't the best, the guide acted like she was talking to a friend not conducting a tour.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

The tour is normally including the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. St. Peter’s is not the part of the tour only direct access through the Museum entrance and no need to come back from the Sistine Chapel. Also written on booking it’s not a guaranteed entry to St Peter’s. Anyway, thanks for your feedback.

Great

Roamer_J, Jul 2022

The guide .. the old self respecting man .. did not get his name but he was the best ,humour ,content,speed,did not give us an opportunity to tip him but deserved a big big tip .