How much does entry to the Vatican Museums cost and how to book a slot

Lines at the Vatican museums stretch for hours every day. In high season, the wait at the entrance can take up a whole morning. A timed entry slot solves this problem.

Tickets to the museums and the Sistine Chapel are sold only on the official portal tickets.museivaticani.va.

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What ticket types are available and how much they cost

💡 In short:

• Entry to the museums and the Sistine Chapel costs €20 at the ticket office and €25 online, including the slot fee (as of 09/2026, official price list).
• Children under 6 enter free on any day.
• Prices and opening hours: as of 09/2026, verified on the official Vatican Museums website.

The Vatican sells several types of entry tickets. At the ticket office you pay less, but you wait in a physical line. Online booking adds a service fee and gives you entry without waiting (as of 09/2026, rates on the official portal).

A full ticket gives access to the museums and the Sistine Chapel. The ticket is valid only on the day it is issued for and is non-refundable (as of 09/2026, refund policy). So choose your date first, then pay.

A reduced ticket costs €8 plus €5 for the slot (as of 09/2026, museum rates). At the entrance you will be asked for a document confirming your age or student status. Children under 6 enter free on any day.

Evening visits. In the warm season, the museums open evening slots, and the halls are noticeably less crowded. Check the calendar on the official portal for exact dates.

Guided tour. A guide will take you through the main halls and handle the tickets for you. The price is higher than standard entry because it includes the guide's work and group accompaniment.

Vatican Gardens. The gardens can only be visited with a guide and by separate reservation. This is not the same ticket as the museums, and it costs more than regular admission.

Early visit with breakfast. A separate option for those who want to see the halls almost empty. The group enters before opening, with a light breakfast at the buffet, and pays noticeably more than the standard ticket.

Hours and closed days

The Vatican Museums are open Monday through Saturday, from 08:00 to 20:00, with last entry at 18:00 (verified 09/2026 on the official museum website). On Sundays the doors are closed, with one exception.

There is one exception: the last Sunday of the month. On that day admission is free for everyone, the museums are open from 09:00 to 14:00, and last entry is at 12:30 (as of 09/2026, free admission rules). The catch: you cannot reserve a slot, and the line on that day is the longest. Arrive at opening time.

On all other Sundays and on church holidays the museums are closed. Before buying, check the opening and closing calendar on the official website. Ticket offices follow the same schedule as the museums themselves.

If you have only one day in Rome, take the 08:00 morning slot. By 11:00 the halls fill up with groups, and you will no longer find a free spot near the Sistine Chapel.

How to buy a ticket online: step-by-step instructions

The official museum portal works at tickets.museivaticani.va. The purchase takes a few minutes, but payment must be confirmed quickly, otherwise the reservation is released. Below is the entire process step by step.

Step 1. Open the official portal. Go to tickets.museivaticani.va and select English or Italian. Sites with similar addresses resell the same tickets at a higher price, so check the domain.

© Darafsh · CC BY-SAPhoto: Darafsh, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Step 2. Select Admission Tickets. This option opens booking for an admission ticket to the museums and the Sistine Chapel without standing in the general line.

Step 3. Check the booking window. Slots open in advance; the exact period is stated on the portal. Click Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

Step 4. Select the month and number of guests. In the window that opens, you see the price with discounts and the booking rules. Select the month and the number of people, then click Next.

Step 5. Pick the date on the calendar. Available days are marked with a green circle; closed days remain gray. For a relaxed visit, choose a weekday.

Step 6. Select the entry time. Slots run from morning to early evening. At the earliest slot the halls are almost empty, and you will reach the Sistine Chapel before the groups.

Step 7. Fill in the order details. Indicate the number of adult, child, and reduced tickets. The total number of guests must match what you stated earlier.

Step 8. Enter the customer details. Fill in the surname, first name, gender, city, date of birth, and email exactly as in your passport or ID card. Check the boxes agreeing to the terms and to the reduced ticket rules, then enter the code from the image.

Step 9. Pay for the reservation. Click Conclude Reservation and enter your Visa or Mastercard details. Confirm the payment with the Pay button. If you do not complete it in time, the reservation is canceled and the slot goes back on sale.

Step 10. Receive your voucher. After payment, you will receive an email with a barcode. Print it or save it to your phone. On the day of your visit, show the barcode at the designated ticket office, and you will be given paper tickets.

How to skip the line

There are two ways to skip the line: buy an online slot or take a guided tour. Both options give priority entry; the difference is in price and accompaniment.

Online slot. You choose an exact time and arrive for it. At the entrance you show your voucher and go through a separate line for those who booked in advance. This is the cheapest way to avoid standing in the sun.

Guided tour. A guide leads you through the halls and handles the tickets for you. Vatican Museums tours on GetYourGuide suit those who want a narrative rather than a self-guided visit. The price usually includes admission and the guide's services.

What to keep in mind when buying a ticket

An online ticket costs more than one at the ticket office because the price includes a booking service fee. In return, you do not stand in line and you are guaranteed to get in. Consider it payment for your time.

You can be no more than half an hour late for your chosen slot. After that you may be turned away, and the ticket will be void. Arrive early: there is a security check, metal detector, and screening at the entrance.

Enter your personal details exactly as in your passport or ID card. The surname, first name, and date of birth are checked at the entrance along with your voucher. A mistake in a single letter can cost you the visit.

Tickets are non-refundable, and the date and time cannot be changed (as of 09/2026, terms on the official website). So first agree on the date with your travel companions, then pay.

What to do if the voucher email does not arrive

The email with the barcode usually arrives within an hour after payment. Check your spam folder and the correctness of the email address.

If there is no email, go back to the portal and select Voucher Resending. Enter your email and the booking code from the system. The barcode will be sent again.

Nothing worked? Write to the Vatican Museums help desk at av.vcs@iesum.ofni. A reply usually comes within one business day.

Tips before your visit

Museums and St. Peter's Basilica have a dress code. Clothing that leaves shoulders and knees uncovered is not welcome. Bring a light jacket or a wrap, especially if you plan to enter the basilica.

The visit takes several hours, so choose comfortable shoes. The halls have a lot of marble and few places to sit. Your feet get more tired than you expect.

Entry is through a metal detector. Leave bulky bags, suitcases, and glass items in the cloakroom. Bring a small backpack or a crossbody bag.

Before your visit, open the museum map on the official website: there are a lot of halls, and you cannot cover everything in one go. Make a short list of what matters most to you.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a ticket to the Vatican Museums cost?

A full ticket costs 20 € at the ticket office and 25 € online, reduced is 8 € plus 5 € for the slot (as of 09/2026, official museum price list). Children under 6 enter free.

Do I need to buy a ticket in advance?

Yes, if you do not want to stand in line. In high season, the walk-up line at the entrance stretches for hours, while a slot gives you a separate entrance.

Are the Vatican Museums open on Sunday?

The museums are closed on Sundays. There is one exception: the last Sunday of the month, when entry is free.

Can I return or exchange a ticket?

No. Tickets are non-refundable, and the date and time cannot be changed (as of 09/2026, museum terms). So check the date, time, and customer details carefully before paying.

What time has the fewest people?

Early slots at 08:00 and evening visits in the warm season. If you want a calm visit, take the very first slot.

In short: what to book

If you want to see the museums and the Sistine Chapel without waiting in line, take an online slot on the official portal. This is the cheapest priority entry. A guided tour costs more, but it takes ticket buying off your hands and adds commentary.

• If you have one day in Rome: an early slot at 08:00 and the museums before lunch.
• If you are with children: reduced tickets at 8 € and a short route through the main halls (as of 09/2026, Vatican Museums price list).
• If quiet matters to you: an evening visit in the warm season.
• If you want a hassle-free experience: a guided tour of the Vatican.