How to Book Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tickets

A visit to Vatican City and its museums is one of the must-do experiences during your trip to Rome. However, as the Eternal City is always full of tourists, it’s best to purchase tickets for the Vatican Museums in advance.

Important Things to Know Before Purchasing Vatican Museum Tickets

How to Purchase the Admission Ticket at the Lowest Price

Here’s how to buy tickets for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel online—without the long queues and in a time-efficient manner. The standard ticket price is €20. The Vatican’s official website is available in English and Italian.

You can book your ticket via the official website: www.museivaticani.va

First, select the type of ticket (usually “Musei e Collezioni” – Museums and Collections). If you are planning to visit without joining a large group tour, choose the “Singles” option. Try to plan at least 1–2 days in advance. If you’re visiting during peak season (May–September, Christmas holidays), book at least 1–2 weeks ahead to avoid missing out.

Select “Admission tickets”:

Then, pick your preferred entry time. Slots are available every 30 minutes. If the “Morning” tab shows SOLD OUT, try switching to “Lunch” or “Afternoon.”

In this example, we managed to grab the last available tickets for the 16:30 time slot (AFTERNOON TAB):

Reduced Tickets and Additional Options

You can also pre-book an audio guide (or rent one upon arrival at the museum). Audio guides are available in ten languages: Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Korean, and Portuguese.

Here is an example of a price breakdown: €20 for an adult ticket, €8 for a child, and €5 for the online reservation fee. Total: €38.

How to Finalise the Purchase

Next, you’ll need to fill in a form with your personal details:

Please note: the official website only accepts Visa and Mastercard.

After accepting the terms and conditions and entering the security code, click the “Accept the Estimate and Proceed with the Reservation” button.

Once your payment has been processed, you’ll receive two emails:

1. One to confirm the payment
2. One with the voucher for your Vatican Museums tickets – print the first page of each ticket or save the PDF to your smartphone.

On the day of your visit, arrive at least 15 minutes early and present your voucher at the Vatican Museums entrance. After clearing security, turn left to reach the ticket desk (“cassa”), where you can exchange your voucher for an entry ticket.

Free Entry Option

The Vatican Museums offer free entry on the last Sunday of each month (except when it coincides with a religious holiday). Opening hours are 09:00 to 14:00, with the last entrance at 12:30.

This can be an attractive option if you’re travelling on a budget. However, due to overwhelming crowds and lengthy queues, it’s generally not recommended unless absolutely necessary. There is a risk that you may not gain entry before the last admission time.

Some Specifics About Discounts for the Vatican Museums Tickets

• Visitors aged between 6 and 18 years old (inclusive) pay €8 instead of €17
• There is a 50% discount for international students (eligibility may vary by university)
• Clergy members are also eligible for the €8 ticket

Children under 6 years old, museum directors, journalists and academics, people with disabilities, and their companions can enter free of charge. However, there are no discounts available for seniors, regardless of age.

If you buy a reduced ticket, you must present valid proof of eligibility. If the documentation is not accepted, you will need to purchase a full-price ticket, and the discounted one will not be refunded.

Features of Visiting

You may remain in the museums for as long as you wish until closing time. Most visits last between 2 and 5 hours. Standard tickets do not include audio guides or guided tours.

Alternatively, you can purchase a group tour with a guide for €27, or reserve a private early morning tour for 3–4 people via our website.

You can change the date and time of your booking by using this link: tickets.museivaticani.va/support

If you’re unable to attend, Vatican Museums tickets are non-refundable. However, in practice, you may pass your ticket on to someone else, as ID is rarely checked at entry.

The Vatican Museums hold masterpieces by Raphael, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio, as well as a remarkable collection of Egyptian antiquities, including papyrus scrolls and mummified remains.

Many tourists visit just to see the iconic Sistine Chapel, unaware of the many other treasures inside—don’t make the same mistake!

We highly recommend reading about the museums before your visit to make the most of the experience, as many exhibits are truly unique and not to be missed.

St Peter’s Basilica is not included with the Vatican Museums ticket, as it is a functioning church with free entry. It is closed on Wednesday mornings for the Papal Audience and typically reopens around midday to 13:00. Group tours enjoy direct access from the Sistine Chapel to the Basilica.

Plan B – Last-Minute Vatican Museums Tickets & Tours

If tickets are sold out on the official Vatican Museums website, you can still book through our partner site: www.tiqets.com

Without a doubt, visiting the Vatican Museums will be one of the most unforgettable experiences of your trip to Rome.

Author: Kate Zusmann

I’ve lived in the Eternal City for the past 12 years. They say every corner of Rome holds a story, and I’m here to share some of the most fascinating historical facts and local legends.