St Peter’s Basilica tickets : Tips to visit and how to skip the line for Dome and Tours

Do you want to know how to skip the line tickets to St Peter's Basilica ? Saint Peter's Basilica is one of the oldest, largest and holiest renaissance temples of the Catholic Church. It is located in the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, Vatican City. It is described as a trove of iconic art and architecture.

It is also a very important religious center as all the liturgies are also offered in the Basilica. Thus, it is visited by hundreds of pilgrims and tourists daily.

Want to know how to book your St Peter's Basilica tickets and access the Dome ? I'll explain everything in detail in this article.

St Peter's Basilica Tickets – Quick Links for the Best Sellers

If you're short on time and want the essential info to book your St. Peter's Basilica visit, here are our top picks.

We've got you covered with these options, no matter if you’re looking for a straightforward entry ticket or an in-depth guided tour.

1. Entry Ticket for St Peter's Basilica (CLASSIC ENTRANCE)

An ideal option if you prefer to explore at your own pace. The St Peter’s Basilica classic entrance ticket includes an audio tour, so you’ll have some explanation while you discover the site.

Available at Tiqets.com and GetYourGuide, those St Peters basilica dome tickets will help you skip the long lines and go straight into the heart of Vatican art and architecture.

2. Skip Line Guided Tours for BASILICA ONLY Dome & Papal Grottoes

Elevate your visit with a guided tour that takes you from the breathtaking views atop the Dome down to the sacred underground grottoes.

St Peters basilica skip the line tickets are available on Tiqets.com and GetYourGuide.

3. Guided COMBO TOURS With Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums and St Peters Basilica

This package offers a comprehensive Vatican experience. It includes skip-the-line access and guided tours of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.

Those St Peter's dome tickets are available at Tiqets.com and GetYourGuide. It’s a great choice to fully immerse yourself in the art and history of the Vatican City.

Want specific things? Look at these!

4. Rome: St. Peter's Basilica with Dome Private Tour

For an exclusive experience, why not choose a private tour of St. Peter's Basilica that includes the Dome?

Available on GetYourGuide, this luxurious option comes with personalized attention and detailed insights into the basilica's history.

5. Early Entry to Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's

Now is your chance to beat the crowds with early access to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Basilica. This option can be found on GetYourGuide. A top choice to appreciate the Vatican's treasures in a more intimate setting.

Tip – Looking for a broader selection of guided tours for St Peter's Basilica admission? Explore more options for Saint Peter's Basilica entry on GetYourGuide and Tiqets!

Where and How to Buy St Peter’s Basilica Tickets ?

There are several ways to get St Peter's basilica tickets. You can book your tickets online on the official website of Vatican attractions.

You can also book skip the line tickets faster here. Or you can book tickets at nearby bookshops, phone calls or you can get them at the Basilica directly.

However, we highly recommend booking your ticket beforehand if you don’t want to lose time in line.

Official Site

You might be tempted to book your St Peter Basilica tour directly on the official website. But even if it might sound like the most straightforward approach, it's surprisingly not as user-friendly as one might hope.

The official site does offer a lot of information on how to visit St. Peter's Basilica.

But do you need tickets for St Peter Basilica?

On St Peter's Basilica tickets official website you'll find sections on guided tours and many visit options.

But when it comes to actually booking these tours, the site takes you on a bit of a wild goose chase. Links lead you in circles and it may take ages to secure your spot.

So how to purchase tickets to St Peter Basilica? You’ll have to take a look at some alternatives, like tiqets.com.

Tiqets.com

This is our top recommendation to book your St Peter Basilica tickets.

The process is astonishingly easy and quick and you have access to many visit options, including enticing combo tours that cover multiple Vatican attractions.

While it's true that these tickets may come at a premium compared to direct, free entry, bear in mind they will allow you to skip long lines and even find the precious St Peters Basilica dome climb tickets!

Here are the steps for booking your St Peter's Basilica tickets through Tiqets.com:

1. For example, select the guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica, Dome & Papal Grottoes
2. Choose your language, date, and timeslot, and finally select your ticket and click “Book Now”
3. Double-check the details and click “Go to next step”
4. Enter your personal details and click “Confirm your booking”
5. You're ready to get your Peter's Basilica tickets.
6. Don't forget, these tickets offer free cancellation.

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Get Your Guide

Looking for another option to book your St. Peter's Basilica tickets and Basilica San Pietro tickets?

Get Your Guide is another top choice. The platform is intuitive and offers a huge choice of combo tours.

Although they might come with a price tag slightly higher than some alternatives, it’s a good choice for a hassle-free booking experience.

Here are the steps for booking your St Peter's Basilica tickets through Getyourguide.com:

1. For example, choose this guided tour – St. Peter's Basilica Tour with Dome and Papal Tombs.
2. Click “check availability”
3. Select your tickets, date, and language and click “check availability” again
4. Choose a starting time (time slot) and click “book now.”
5. Enter your personal details and click “Next: Payment details.”
6. You're all set to receive your tickets.
7. Remember, free cancellation is available with these tickets.

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St Peter’s Basilica Tickets – How to Skip the Line

Visiting the Basilica doesn't have to involve endless hours in line.

The key?

Opt for a skip-the-line ticket or arrive at the crack of dawn. You can also opt for Saint Peter's Basilica tickets with priority access.

If you're an early bird, consider greeting the Vatican at opening time, when the crowds are thin.

Tip – You may also book combo tour St Peters Basilica Rome tickets that includes both the Sistine Chapel and Basilica entrance, like this one from GetYourGuide or this one from Tiqets, which come with a comprehensive Vatican City experience without the wait.

Also, keep in mind that there are some entrance special rules for pilgrims and prayers, but this has to be the purpose of your visit.

Is St Peters Basilica Free?

Is there any entrance fee to visit St Peter’s Basilica?

There is no standard entry fee to visit Saint Peter's Basilica. It is open to the public and is totally free. No ticket is required to enter the Basilica.

However, you can purchase a ticket if you intend to skip the lines (ticket here), go to the top of the Dome (book here), guided tours, or if you are looking for other special privileges – you can book this private tour.

The prices for all these tickets may vary. They can provide good value for the money as they can help you save time and make you enjoy your trip more.

St Peter's Basilica Entry with Rome City Cards

Exploring Rome and Vatican City can be even more rewarding with the right city card.

Here’s how you can enjoy the Basilica along with other iconic attractions and save both money and time.

The Vatican City Pass

For 84 €, the Vatican City pass includes tickets for St. Peter's Basilica but also entry to the Vatican City Museums & Sistine Chapel, a guided Dome tour and a Rome audio guide app.

It's a money-saver that also offers a 10% discount on other Rome attractions! You can get the Vatican City Pass here.

Rome Tourist Card

Priced at 98 €, Rome Tourist Card is great to mix culture and history. It offers access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, Vatican City Museums & Sistine Chapel, and an option between Castel Sant'Angelo or tickets to St Peter Basilica.

Plus, you get a Rome audio guide app and a 10% discount on other attractions as well. You can get Rome Tourist Card from tiqets.com

Omnia Card: Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica & Open Bus (72h)

At 149 €, the Omnia Card (available here) is the ultimate card to discover Rome and Vatican City over 72 hours. It includes public transport, hop-on-hop-off bus tours, entrance to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel as well as tickets for St Peter's Basilica.

Top Tip – With two free entrances from the Roma Pass list and reduced entries thereafter, it's a great choice to maximize your Rome experience.

How to Get to St Peter’s Basilica ?

If you want to get to St. Peter's Basicila, you can use Google Maps to get to the security line directly. It is located close to the Vatican Museums, and if you are over there, you can walk to the place easily.

If you are using a hop-on and hop-off bus (ticket available here from €23), it is most likely to stop there.

You can take metro A and walk from the station to St Peter's Basilica. Similarly, you can also use the bus service. It is also accessible by cars.

If you're landing in Rome and want to start your trip as early as possible, consider booking a Rome Airport Transfer to City package. This service includes a private airport transfer directly to your accommodation and an optional Rome Public Transportation Card valid for 72 hours. This card covers all metros, buses and trams in Rome.

Opening Hours to Visit St Peter’s Basilica

St Peter’s Basilica hours are very convenient. The basilica welcomes visitors with open doors throughout the year.

Hours are tailored to the changing seasons:

• April to the 7th of September: open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
• October to March: the doors are open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Fridays of Spring or Summer (midnight tour): for a unique experience, the basilica offers special tours from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Plan Your St Peter's Basilica Visit

Wondering what you need to know to go on a St. Peter’s Basilica tour? Or maybe you want to visit St. Peter's Basilica by yourself for free.

No matter your plan, when you are visiting the Basilica, you must keep in mind some things that can be very helpful. We have brought together a list of things that you must know about before you go to Saint Peter's Basilica tour.

Here’s how to visit the Basilica.

How Not to Get Lost Around St Peter’s Basilica

It's common for visitors to feel a bit disoriented in such a grand setting.

The key landmarks to keep in mind are the:

• St. Peter’s Square
• the main entrance to the basilica
• the security checkpoints
• and the view from the dome

Here is an aerial view of the square that shows these critical spots. This visual guide ensures you know exactly where the exits are, where to go through security, and how to find the best vantage points.

With this info, you should be able to move around confidently!

Note👆 Click on the image to make it larger.

When Is the Best Time to Visit St Peter’s Basilica ? (Preferred Visiting Hours)

If you want to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, you should plan your visit before time.

This will help you get in the Basilica faster, and you will be able to enjoy your trip. Usually, the Basilica is very crowded, and you may have to wait in long lines.

However, from 10 am the queues to visit the Basilica get very long, and you may have to wait as long as 1 hour in the queue. The best option is to book an early morning tour.

Tip – If you visit the St Peter's Basilica during the spring season, you might get access to their night tours that are reported to be much less busy than their regular day tours. The timing of this tour is 7 pm to 11 pm. You can also see St Peter's square.

St. Peter's Basilica Entrances

St. Peter's Basilica boasts four main entrances:

1. The Cupola Entrance: it offers access to the dome and provides a panoramic view of Vatican City. Open daily, it's a climb to the top but well worth the effort for the breathtaking vistas.
2. Necropolis & Treasury Entrance: this paid entry requires pre-booking. It allows visitors to explore the historical and spiritual depths beneath the basilica. It’s the best entrance to see the sacred Necropolis.
3. Grottoes Entrance: this entrance leads to the Vatican Grottoes, the famous final resting place for popes and a close-up view of the basilica's dome from below.
4. Secret Entrance: a lesser-known pathway that offers a unique entry to the basilica. It’s accessible from the right side of the Sistine Chapel.

Dress Code

The Romans are very strict about the dress code. The St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican City museum have a specific dress code. This is because these places are regarded as holy. Therefore you should not wear shorts or miniskirts. Your shoulder should be covered, and no exceptions are made. If you do not comply, they will not let you enter these places.

Restrooms

Just near the entrance of the Basicila is a reception where you can get access to a restroom; you can also store your luggage, such as bags and children strollers. You will also find refreshment shops and gift shops over there.

Security

Before you enter the Basilica, you will go through a complete security check. There are certain items that are not allowed inside, such as metal tools, video cameras, microphones, suitcases, umbrellas, sticks, etc.

You are also not allowed to do flash photography, eat food or drink, and talk loudly in the chapel. There have been some incidents of pickpocketing reported. Therefore, you should be careful with your belongings.

Is the Omnia Card Worth It to Take a St Peter’s Basilica Ticket ?

The Omnia Card might seem a little more expensive than other passes that allow access at discounted rates to St. Peter's Basilica and helps you skip lines. This is because the Omnia Card has a lot of services to offer its users. Book your Omnia Card here.

Even though it costs 61 euros more than the Roma pass, some people believe that the added value is worth it. Read on our Rome sightseeing passes review to know which one will suit you the best.

The Roma pass (ticket here) is also a great option if you want to visit the Colosseum. If you are traveling to Rome with children, it is advised that you do not purchase this pass as your kids will get free entry.

Here you can read my Omnia Card review article to knwo more.

Daily Mass At St Peter's Basilica

Experience the solemnity of holy mass at Saint Peter's Basilica. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in Rome’s spirituality.

• Weekdays feature services at 8:30 AM, 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM, 12 PM, 5 PM, 6 PM, and 9 PM.
• On public holidays, mass times are 7 AM, 8 AM, 9 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:15 AM, 12:30 PM, 1 PM, 4 PM, 5 PM, and 6 PM.

Where to Eat

Satisfy your hunger with a visit to Pastasciutta for authentic and delicious pasta at a great price. This option is perfect for a casual meal.

For a more upscale dining experience, Terrazza Les Étoiles Roma offers exquisite dishes with breathtaking views!

Where to Stay

If you travel on a budget, Appartamento Il Piccolo offers comfortable and affordable accommodations.

If budget is not a problem, you can book accommodation near Saint Peter’s Basilica at Palazzo Cardinal Cesi, a very comfortable and luxurious hotel.

Visiting the Basilica with Kids

Wishing to visit Saint Peter's Basilica with kids?

Good idea, but please note that:

• Strollers must be stored in the cloakroom. They’re not allowed inside the basilica.
• Restrooms are equipped with baby-changing facilities.
• Inside and around Piazza San Pietro, numerous seats offer rest spots.

And the snack bar atop the Basilica provides kid-friendly snacks.

For a family-friendly visit, don’t hesitate to book a private or guided tour. This way you’ll have insights into Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s masterpieces and even more.

FINAL Visiting Tips

The Basilica does not have an admission fee; you might be wondering why you should get a ticket to see Basilica if it is free?

However, it will save you a lot of time because St Peter's Basilica has one of the longest queues.

Therefore, investing in a ticket might be the wisest option.

With that said, there are several other tips that you can follow to save yourself much more time.

• Tip 1 – Avoid the queue via the Sistine Chapel
• Tip 2 – Avoid the weekends
• Tip 3 – Avoid Holy Days
• Tip 4 – Avoid the Papal appearances if you are not interested
• Tip 5 – Make sure you follow the dress code

What Can You See with your St Peter’s Basilica Ticket ?

With your ticket, you will be able to visit a lot of different places. You may be overwhelmed with how much you can see, and you may not be able to decide.

However, there are some things that one should not miss if they are visiting the Basilica. You can find St. Peter's Basilica skip the line ticket here, therefore, get yours now to see a world of ancient roman architecture. 

1.    St Peter’s Dome

St Peter's Dome might be one of the most spectacular attractions of Rome. The Dome was made by 3 of the most famous architects, and it is Michelangelo's intricate details that gave the Dome a new look.

It attracts a lot of visitors as you get to see the Basilica from a new angle. It is a rather extraordinary experience.

You can climb to the top of the Dome, and although the St Peter's Basilica Dome tickets might cost more, your money will go to good use. There are different levels of the Dome. The first level is filled with extravagant mosaics, and you can see the St. Peter's Basilica architecture up close.

2.   Vatican Necropolis

With your St. Peter's Basilica ticket, you can also get access to the Vatican Necropolis, which was an underground cemetery located 5 to 12 meters below the Basilica.

The site has excavations that date back to the imperial time. It was not initially a Roman catacomb, but it was a cemetery with mausolea and tombs.

Today the Vatican Necropolis attracts visitors because of its historical significance.

3.    St. Peter’s Tomb

One of the most exclusive places to visit in the Vatican City. The tomb is located right under the Basilica; it is an underground tomb. If you purchase St. Peter's Basilica ticket, you can also visit the St. Peter's tomb.

However, if you can take out the time, you should visit the tomb on another day. From the tomb, you can directly enter the Basilica and avoid long lines.

At the beginning of the tour, you will be shown a wooden model of where you will go and towards the end, you will see the tomb.

4.   The papal audience on St. Peter’s square

The papal audience is the name given to the crowd that comes and listens to the Pope addressing the crowd. After the themed address, there are usually prayers made, after which holy signing follows.

The papal audience is held at St. Peter's square (Map location). If you are on a trip to the Vatican City, you must see the papal audience. This is conducted every Wednesday around 10 or 10.30 am. The Pope also blesses babies and other religious articles if you get a chance to get closer to him.

You can also book a combo ticket including the Papal Audience + entrance to the Basilica from €28.

5. Statues & Artworks

St. Peter's Basilica houses an extraordinary collection of art. The papal tombs, for example, include the final resting places of history's most influential popes.

Michelangelo's Pieta, a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture, captures the Virgin Mary's sorrow with breathtaking beauty. You’ll also love the bronze statue of St. Peter, attributed to Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and Pope Alexander VII's monument by Bernini, a striking example of Renaissance architecture.

Also, the sacred crypts beneath the basilica will allow you to immerse yourself through early Christian history, so don’t miss them!

History & Architecture

Are you eager to learn more about Basilica? Delve deeper into its captivating history and architecture to enrich your visit and gain a deeper appreciation of this iconic landmark.

Architecture and What You Can See Inside

The initiation of construction of the present Basilica began in 1506. This was built to replace the Old Basilica that was demolished in the 4th century A.D. The construction came to an end on the 18th of November, 1626.

The St. Peter’s Basilica Main Artworks

The Basilica is one of the largest worshipping places in the world, and it can host around 20,000 people at once. St Peter's Basilica architecture stuns thousands of visitors.

It is covered with art and sculptures by some of the most renowned artists and architects. The impressive pieces of art will leave you in awe. You will find bright, vibrant art pieces.

You will also be able to find a baldachin that is made by a bronze by Bernini knows as St. Peter’s Baldachin (Map Location). The statue of St. Peter seated on his throne and a famous sculpture, The Pieta by Michallengo, will also be found here.

The Basilica San Pietro Tomb

The tomb is one of the most significant parts of the Basilica. The design was laid out, and construction started under Michelangelo.

However, it was continued by the efforts of Giacomo Della Porta and was finally completed in 1614 by Carlo Maderno.

The tomb's design has been an inspiration for many buildings to this date. Many famous tombs were built on its design, such as the Capitol in the United States.

The Basilica Dome

You can also climb to the top of the tomb for a picturesque view of St. Peter's square. That's where you will be able to view marvellous fountains and a 40m high Egyptian obelisk (which also holds great historical significance as it was brought to Rome around 37 B.C.). There's no better resource to understand these monoliths than our detailed guide on Obelisks in Rome.

You will also be able to see some magnificently sculptured 140 statues of saints that are going to be behind large statues of St. Peter and St. Paul.

St. Peter’s Basilica History

St. Peter's Basilica has immense historical significance. The history behind the building is very empowering and interesting. When the Basilica was first constructed, it got teared up.

Therefore, it was reconstructed after almost 100 years. The building was constructed by the work of many skilled architects that together came up with its design.

The Circus of Nero

The area where the Basilica stands was previously a cemetery and Circus of Nero (Map Location). The famous temple got its name from one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, called Saint Peter. He was martyred during the reign of Emperor Nero.

When Constantine (the first Christian emperor of Rome) gained power in 306 AD, he ordered the construction of the Basilica on the location of St. Peter's tomb.

The Basilica Construction

The construction of the tomb started in 319 AD, and after 30 years, the tomb was completed.

However, the tomb started to collapse after 1000 years, and it was decided to demolish it. Later on, the construction of the New Basilica began.

It took over 120 years for the Basilica to be completed, and many famous roman architects contributed to its completion. This is why the Basilica architecture is still known to draw visitors.

Some of these architects and designers were Bramante, Raphael, Donato, Michelangelo, Maderno, and Giacomo Della Porta.

The church was open to the public in 1626.

FAQs

Conclusion

Now that you know all about the Basilica, you should book your ticket and start your voyage to discover one of the most enchanting holy places in the world. You should purchase your St. Peter's Basilica ticket (here are available entrance tickets, popular and affordable small guided tours) if you wish to doge the line and get to the church fast so that you are fully energized and excited about the tour.

Fully-equipped with all the right information, you can now decide for yourself what ticketing option is the best for you. This is going to be an unforgettable and worthwhile experience for you.