Getting to St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is located at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, which is also home to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. The Vatican City is located a few kilometers from the heart of Rome and can be reached using a variety of transport options. Find out how you can reach the basilica from Rome, and other related information that can help plan your trip.

Where is St. Peter's Basilica?

Address: Viale Vaticano, 00165 Roma RM, Italy

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Located at the Vatican, an independent city-state and an enclave inside Rome, St. Peter's Basilica is an important place of pilgrimage. It is believed that the church stands on the tomb of Saint Peter.

Closest Landmark: Vatican Museums (1 km)

Plan your visit to St. Peter's Basilica

Getting to St. Peter's Basilica by public transportation

Travel time: 22 minutes

Closest station: Ottaviano-S. Pietro Station (900 m)

Take Line A of the metro from Roma Termini. Alight at the Ottaviano-S. Pietro station. From here, a quick 10-minute walk will take you to St. Peter's Basilica. The Cipro Station, on the same line, is also located in close proximity to the basilica.

Travel time: 30 mins

Closest stop: Cavalleggeri/S. Pietro (350 m)

You can take line 64 that departs from Roma Termini. Bus 34 stops at Monte del Gallo, about 5 minutes walking distance from St. Peter’s Basilica. Bus 64 stops at S. Pietro, about a 4-minute walk away from St. Peter's Basilica.

You can also take buses 98, N98, 190F, 881 and N904 which follow the Cavalleggeri/Gregorio route and drop you 8 minutes (by foot) away from the Basilica.

Travel time: 30 mins
Closest station: St. Pietro (1 km)

You can board the RE 12524 or REG 12514 towards Civitavecchia or RE 4134 towards Pisa Centrale from Roma Termini. They all stop at Vatican City's own train station: St. Pietro, which is located about 11 minutes from the basilica.

Travel time: 48 minutes

Closest station: Piazza del Risorgimento (600 m)

Take Tram 19 from V.Le Regina Margherita/Morgagni. Alight at Piazza del Risorgimento, located just outside the Vatican. A quick 6-minute walk will take you to St. Peter's Basilica.

Getting to St. Peter's Basilica by car

Driving Route

Travel time: 11-17 minutes mins

To drive down from Rome, the fastest route would be to drive via Corso Vittorio Emanuele II.

You can also head to the Vatican via Viale del Muro Torto or via Nazionale to avoid tolls. However, both of these routes will take slightly longer.

If you plan to drive down it is important to know that you cannot enter Vatican City in a car unless you’re there on official business. You will have to park your car in one of the nearby paid parking facilities.

Parking Facilities Near St. Peter's Basilica

Gran Meliá - Gianicolo: The car park is located just 600 meters from St. Peter's Square, where the St. Peter's Basilica stands.
Parking Risorgimento: This covered car park is located just 10-minute walk from St. Peter's Square. You will have to leave your keys at the car park.
Garage San Pietro: The car park is located on Via di Santa Maria alle Fornaci, 26 – 165. The car park is a 5-minute walk away from Vatican City.
Garage Properzio Car Park: Garage Properzia Cark Park is about 600 m away. You will, however, have to leave your keys at the car park.

Walk to St. Peter's Basilica

Travel time: 18 mins (1.5 km from Piazza Navona)

If you are in the mood to really explore and you are not hard-pressed for time, you could consider walking to St. Peter's Basilica. You could start at the Piazza Navona. From here, you should head west on Piazza di Tor Sanguigna toward Via Giuseppe Zanardelli, and continue onto Via dei Coronari. You could shop or grab a bite at any of the cafe on this road. Turn right onto Via di Panico. At the end of the Via di Panico, you will find a public crossing that will lead you to Ponte Sant'Angelo. Cross the bridge and turn left in front of the Castel Sant'Angelo onto Lungotevere Castello. Walk straight until you reach the St Peter's Square.

What is the best way to get to St. Peter’s Basilica?

Budget-friendly: Using the Rome metro system is an efficient, economical option. It is also one of the quickest ways to reach St. Peter's Basilica and the metro station is only about 5 minutes away from the church.
Fastest way: If you don't want to waste any time then driving down to the Vatican would be your best option. However, this would work out to be one of the more expensive modes of transport. In addition to the car rental and fuel charges, you will also have to splurge for the parking facilities.
To sightsee: If you are not in a rush, and want to save money, walking to St. Peter's Basilica would be the best choice for you. You will be able to explore the nooks and crannies of Rome as you make your way to the basilica.

Book tickets to St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica Entry with Audio Guide

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Flexible duration

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St. Peter's Basilica Reserved Entry Tickets with Dome Access

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1 hr. 30 min. - 2 hr.

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Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour with St. Peter's Basilica

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2 hr. - 3 hr.

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St. Peter’s Basilica and Papal Tombs Guided Tour

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1 hr. - 2 hr.

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Papal Audience Guided Tour

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2 hr. 30 min. - 5 hr.

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Combo (Save 5%): Castel Sant'Angelo and St. Peter's Basilica Entry Tickets

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Frequently asked questions about getting to St. Peter's Basilica

Q. Where is St. Peter's Basilica located?

A. St. Peter's Basilica is located at Viale Vaticano, 00165 Roma RM, Italy.

Q. What are the different ways to reach St. Peter's Basilica?

A. You can take the metro, train, tram or the bus to the Vatican City, where St. Peter's Basilica is located. You can also drive down or walk to the church.

Q. What is the easiest way to reach St. Peter's Basilica?

A. The easiest and quickest way to reach St. Peter's Basilica would be to take the Metro. Line A of the Metro will take you to Ottaviano-S. Pietro station, which is located right outside Vatican City.

Q. Which is the closest bus stop to St. Peter's Basilica?

A. Cavalleggeri/S. Pietro, which is located about 350 m away from St. Peter's Basilica is the closest bus stop yo the basilica.

Q. Which is the closest train station to St. Peter's Basilica?

A. A. St. Pietro, located a 10 minute-walk away from St Peter's Square is the closest train station to St. Peter's Basilica.

Q. Which tram line will allow me to get to St. Peter's Basilica?

A. Take tram line number 19 to Piazza del Risorgimento, just outside the Vatican city walls. A quick 6-minute walk from here will take you to St. Peter's Basilica.

Q. Does St. Peter's Basilica have parking facilities?

A. No, St. Peter's Basilica does not have parking facilities. However, there are many paid parking facilities available at a walking distance from the basilica.

Q. Are there parking facilities near St. Peter's Basilica?

A. Yes, there are many paid parking facilities as close as 600 meters away from the St. Peter's Basilica