How to Skip the Line at St. Peter’s Basilica | Tickets, Tips, & More
Dominating the skyline of Vatican City is the mother church that is St. Peter’s Basilica. It is one of the largest and most important papal churches in all of Christendom. Aside from this, the building is in itself an impressive work of art with an array of sculptures, paintings, stained windows, and of course, its iconic dome.
Every year, millions of people from different walks of life pay a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica. This means that although it is a must-visit attraction, it is bound to be swarmed with large crowds. However, you can try to cut down the wait time in front of the basilica with these few tips.
NOTE: There are no direct skip-the-line tickets for St. Peter's Basilica and everyone has to go through a mandatory security check which could take up to 3 hours.
How to Skip the Line at St. Peter’s Basilica?
Get Your Tickets Online
Buying your tickets at the venue itself is not the best idea. A lot of people wait to buy their tickets directly at the ticket office and the lines end up taking a long time to move. The best way to avoid this hassle is to book your tickets online and in advance so that all you have to do is display them at the entrance.
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Opt for Guided Tours
The best way to have a wholesome experience at a historical marvel such as St. Peter’s Basilica is to go on a guided tour. You learn so much about the building, it's history, significance, and more. Plus, most guided tours come with a skip-the-line feature so all you have to do is meet your tour guide and head right in.
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Visit During Early Hours
The majority of the crowd tends to visit the attraction from late morning until the afternoon. Another way you can avoid waiting in long lines is to get to the Basilica early in the morning between 7AM - 9AM or towards closing time. This is usually when crowds are much lesser in number and you don’t have to waste too much time to get in.
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All Your St. Peter's Basilica Skip the Line Questions Answered
A. There are a few ways in which you can fasten your entry into St. Peter's Basilica.
A. You can skip past some lines by going on a guided tour or visiting during early morning hours. However, there is a mandatory security check for everyone which will take at least an hour or two.
A. Yes. Most St. Peter's Basilica guided tours include a skip-the-line feature by default.
A. Yes. St. Peter’s Basilica is a prime attraction in Vatican City, so we recommend opting for a guided tour to enter faster.
A. It can take up to 2 - 3 hours to get inside St. Peter’s Basilica during peak hours.
A. Yes. St. Peter's Basilica tours allow you to skip long lines to some extent. Additionally, you get to learn a lot about the attraction on the tour.
A. You can book your St. Peter’s Basilica Tours online.
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