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Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Skip-the-Line Tickets

Entrance to the Vatican Museums with sculptures above the door in Rome.
Visitors exploring the Gallery of Maps in the Vatican Museum, admiring detailed frescoes.
Vatican Museums gallery with classical statues and ornate ceiling.
Laocoön and His Sons sculpture in Vatican Museums, Rome.

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Skip long ticketing queues with direct entry or a dedicated host and explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, home to Michelangelo’s iconic The Last Judgment.

4.3/5

(46,315)

Mariella Coleman-Fucci

Mariella

Oct 2025
Verified booking
4/5
At the last minute my tour was changed. I made the resevation 2 months in advance. It was supposed to be a 2 hour tour starting at 10AM. I arrived at 9:30 to ensure I was there on time. I waited and waited for the skip-the line-guide who did not show up until 10:40 and told me my tour was changed to 11AM. I was told they notified me thru Whatsapp. However, I could not access it at the time because I had no internet service. It caused an inconveniece since I had made plans to meet friends for other tours starting a 12:30. Needless to say I was unable to meet for that second tour which was very disappointing. Once in the chapel, the tour guide was phenomenal. He was very informative and knowledgeble. However, I was disappointed with the late notification of the skip-the-line service.
Alexey Goral

Alexey

Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
We joined a small group and were guided directly into the Vatican Museums. After security and ticket scanning, the whole process took about 15 minutes, which was impressive considering the huge lines at 11:00 AM — we skipped them all. The museum itself is massive, more like a labyrinth of halls and galleries, with an incredible amount of people everywhere. The Sistine Chapel was almost overwhelming — we could only take a quick look, as the crowd was constantly being moved along by the staff. Personally, I don’t dive too deeply into art, so a brief look was enough for me, but for those who want to truly immerse themselves, the heavy flow of visitors can make it very difficult. We visited at the end of September, and overall the skip-the-line service was absolutely worth it.
Claire LEMOINE

Claire

Nov 2025
Verified booking
4/5
Visit the gardens, it's exceptional and in a small group, so very pleasant! I was worried before the appointment because it wasn't very clear, in fact the meeting point is in the museum after the security checks, where you had to show up with your e-ticket at least 25 minutes before the meeting time (you have to take into account how long you'll have to queue before arriving at the security checks). After that, you're completely taken care of, which is very reassuring. An unexpected bonus: we were given an audioguide in the language of our choice on board the mini-bus. The staff were very courteous, and everything was in place to make us feel at ease. We were then left at the entrance to the tour as advertised.
    • Save 1–2 hours with timed entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel—no ticketing queues.

    • Explore the museums at your own pace, from classical sculptures to Renaissance frescoes in the Gallery of Maps.

    • End at the Sistine Chapel and witness Michelangelo’s iconic Creation of Adam ceiling.

    • Choose upgrades like hosted entry for personal assistance through the entry process or an audio guide in 12 languages for an insightful visit.

    • Want more? Add a scenic open-bus tour of the Vatican Gardens—normally closed to the public.

    • Skip-the-line entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

    • Hosted skip-the-line entry to Vatican Museums with ticket redemption (as per option selected)

    • Vatican Garden open bus tour (as per option selected)

    • Guided tour of Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel (as per option selected)

    • Booking and service charges

  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

  • 4.3
    46,315 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

    24.9K
    15.7K
    2.5K
    1K
    1.9K
    Guests from United States, France, Spain and over 10 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Jean Marie Dunne

    Jean

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Our Vatican tour which took place on the 30th of October at 1:30pm was an absolutely unforgettable experience thanks to our Tour Guide Tonia Christiane Chiaramonte! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ From start to finish, Tonia was deeply knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about the incredible art and history surrounding us. We visited the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel and each stop felt like stepping into a masterpiece. Tonia was fantastic in bringing the stories behind the art to life. She explained Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine Chapel with such enthusiasm that it gave us a whole new appreciation for every detail. She also helped us navigate the busy museums efficiently, ensuring we didn’t miss any highlights while avoiding the biggest crowds. The pace was perfect — not rushed, but full of fascinating insights. Key Highlights: • Expert, friendly Tour Guide with deep historical knowledge • Well-organized entry and timing with skip the line access • Stunning art, architecture, and storytelling throughout • A seamless experience despite the crowds Overall, this tour made our Vatican visit so much more meaningful. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to understand not just what they’re seeing, but why it’s so important! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jean Dunne
    Claire LEMOINE

    Claire

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    4/5
    Visit the gardens, it's exceptional and in a small group, so very pleasant! I was worried before the appointment because it wasn't very clear, in fact the meeting point is in the museum after the security checks, where you had to show up with your e-ticket at least 25 minutes before the meeting time (you have to take into account how long you'll have to queue before arriving at the security checks). After that, you're completely taken care of, which is very reassuring. An unexpected bonus: we were given an audioguide in the language of our choice on board the mini-bus. The staff were very courteous, and everything was in place to make us feel at ease. We were then left at the entrance to the tour as advertised.
    RICHARD ERIC THOMAS

    Richard

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    4/5
    Appointed time was very good , the only thing that we did not know/appreciate was that the Vatican Museums is one way system as actually intended to skip the first 3-4 Museums , as a) Egyptian seen much better in Torino b) Roman/Greek better in Turkey but this is not your fault but Museum policy- only by the time you get to the v.interesting stuff like Tapestries, Maps , Sala di Constantino etc you are already very tired at age 70/63, with no where to sit and luckily you can sit at the Sistine Chaprl and really enjoy that - spectacular and very interesting with Audio- guide . Another Museum defect is the availabilty of toilets especially for the Ladies
    Anna Wajda

    Anna

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Fast entrance to the Vatican Museum saving a lot of time. Due to problem with the bus services that day in Rome, we arrived a couple of minutes late and could find our host. 10 minutes after the time slot booked, I received a message from the host asking about our location. He joined us and took us all the way through. Great service. Many thanks for going the extra mile.
    Sibil Rose Sabu

    Sibil

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    I am glad that we prebooked the tickets as it is almost impossible to get tickets on the day. The office to collect the tickets were close by. We took the 5pm slot and got inside by 5:30. The night view of the Vatican dome frome the museum was amazing. And yes, the artworks and especially the sistine chapel were a must see.
  • Skip the long lines and explore the Vatican’s artistic wonders on your own schedule with timed entry access.

    Getting started

    Arrive at the Vatican Museums entrance at your selected time and show your mobile voucher. You’ll bypass the ticket counter and proceed through a quick security check. From there, head straight inside—no need to queue for tickets.

    What to expect

    Vatican Museums

    Step into one of the world’s most iconic art collections, featuring treasures from ancient Rome to the High Renaissance.

    Gallery of Maps & other highlights

    Admire ornate tapestries, centuries-old sculptures, and masterpieces like the Gallery of Maps—each room more breathtaking than the last.

    Sistine Chapel

    End your visit inside the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s Last Judgment and Creation of Adam cover the walls and ceiling.

  • Vatican Museums

    Monday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:00pm
    Tuesday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:00pm
    Wednesday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:00pm
    Thursday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:00pm
    Friday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:00pm
    Saturday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:00pm
    SundayClosed

    Castel St. Angelo

    MondayClosed
    Tuesday09:00am - 07:30pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Wednesday09:00am - 07:30pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Thursday09:00am - 07:30pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Friday09:00am - 07:30pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Saturday09:00am - 07:30pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Sunday09:00am - 07:30pmlast entry 06:30pm

    Sistine Chapel

    Monday08:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Tuesday08:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Wednesday08:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Thursday08:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Friday08:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Saturday08:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    SundayClosed
  • What to bring

    • Wear comfortable shoes as the experience requires a fair amount of walking.

    What's not allowed

    • Strict dress code: knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.

    • When in Sistine Chapel, silence is mandatory and photography is prohibited. Guides will provide all necessary and interesting details before entry.

    • Luggage and/or large bags are not allowed inside the venue. You may drop off your bags with the free cloakroom service.

    • Pets and other small animals are not allowed in the venue.

    Accessibility

    • This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

    • This type of visit cannot be booked online—tickets are issued in person at the Special Permits and/or Reception desks in the museum hall upon presentation of a certificate of invalidity. The Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required. Click here for the accessible route.

    Additional information

    • Names are mandatory for all the bookings. Double check the names at check out for a hassle-free entry and be sure to bring a valid Photo ID with you to gain entry.

    • The entrance to the Museums is timed. Be sure to select your activity starting time when booking. Once inside the Museums, you will be free to explore at your own pace.

    • If you've chosen the Vatican Gardens open-bus tour, your visit will begin with the garden tour, followed by entry into the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. The multilingual audio guide is available during the garden tour only—not for the museum and chapel visit.

    • Please note that the Vatican reserves the right to close the Sistine Chapel at short notice for institutional events

    • Although not included in these tickets, access to St. Peter's Basilica is free. Please expect long waiting times during peak season for both, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica.

    • If you’ve opted for hosted entry, keep in mind that the host is not a guide—they’re simply there to assist and escort you through the entry process.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption point.

    • Please arrive at the redemption point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

    Ticket redemption point

    • Please check your final voucher for the redemption point details and specific instructions.

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