trabeler Posted March 27, 2011 #1 Share Posted March 27, 2011 Apologies if this question has been asked before... I did some searching and couldn't find anything. We will be in Rome in June for one day and will pre-book Vatican museum entry tickets online. The site lets you select times in 30 minute increments. I've seen some posts about people who showed up a little early (15-30 minutes) and had no problems with entry, but none concerning being late or being very early, etc. We plan to arrive at the Vatican around mid-day, so there may be some error in our timing. Our question is whether or not they are strict with entry, particularly if we are, say, 30 minutes or so late. If you're not on time, is it better to be early or late? Thanks to all for all the great input on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGenie Posted March 27, 2011 #2 Share Posted March 27, 2011 Having only the day in Rome - coming from a cruise ship, we're also thinking about an appointment time. We will probably play it safe and book the 3:00 museum entry time (the last appointment). That way if we are delayed with earlier touring, we'll stand a better chance of making the appointed time, and won't feel as rushed (except the museum closes at 6:00). Sorry if I didn't have an answer, but missing the appointment time was a concern too, and I don't want to chance it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucyintheskywithdiamonds Posted March 28, 2011 #3 Share Posted March 28, 2011 i've read here that they are pretty stern about you arriving 15 minutes early. and make sure both men & women need to cover shoulders and knees or they won't let u in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffatsea Posted March 28, 2011 #4 Share Posted March 28, 2011 We arrived 1 hr. early and had no trouble getting in BUT it was in low season so not sure if it would be different at a more crowded time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted March 28, 2011 #5 Share Posted March 28, 2011 i've read here that they are pretty stern about you arriving 15 minutes early. and make sure both men & women need to cover shoulders and knees or they won't let u in. Can't answer as to the how early or how late you can arrive, but I don't think the Vatican museum cares if your knees and shoulders are covered. It is the Basilica where you must be dressed properly. That said, a lot of people plan to go directly to the Basilica after the museum, so just be prepared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pvmkmyer Posted March 30, 2011 #6 Share Posted March 30, 2011 The vatican website says you must be dressed "appropriately to visit the museums, St. Peter's basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. That means shoulders and knees covered. I assume this is because all roads in the museums inevitably lead to the Sistine Chapel, which is a place of worship. Also, no photography in the chapel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brimarl Posted March 31, 2011 #7 Share Posted March 31, 2011 We arrived about 45 mins early last Sept and had no problems getting in. The lines were already around the block so it wasn't quite low season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samavarcruiser Posted April 2, 2011 #8 Share Posted April 2, 2011 1 hour flexibility I guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trabeler Posted April 3, 2011 Author #9 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Thanks to all for the feedback. From these comments and some others I've seen elsewhere, it sounds like it is best to error on the side of being there too early rather than late. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum4romessex Posted April 3, 2011 #10 Share Posted April 3, 2011 We were there last week, we arrived about 3.20-3.25 a little late for our 3pm slot and got in no problems. If you can, do the Basillica and St peters first, as they are even more amaxing than the vatican museums IMO. You wont have time to visit them after the museums, as they start turning people away about 5.30-6ish as it shuts then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euro cruiser Posted April 3, 2011 #11 Share Posted April 3, 2011 We were there last week, we arrived about 3.20-3.25 a little late for our 3pm slot and got in no problems. If you can, do the Basillica and St peters first, as they are even more amaxing than the vatican museums IMO. You wont have time to visit them after the museums, as they start turning people away about 5.30-6ish as it shuts then. In the winter, yes. In the summer the basilica is open until 7 PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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