Skip the Line at St. Peter's Basilica

As the largest church in Christendom and home to many papal tombs, St. Peter's Basilica is the grand centerpiece of the Vatican. It’s free to enter, but you’re likely to find long lines to get inside. See below to learn how to bypass the queues.

Guided Skip-the-Line Tours

Booking a special skip-the-line tour of St. Peter's means you get to use a special entrance rather than simply waiting in the usual long line to enter. Choose between tours with a knowledgeable guide leading the way and independent options that include an audio guide.

Skip-the-Line Vatican Museum Tours

Access to St. Peter's Basilica isn't included in Vatican tickets, but most museum tours end in the Sistine Chapel, where you’ll find a side door with a direct path to St. Peter's Basilica. Book a skip-the-line Vatican Museums tour and use this door to skip the extra line for the church.

Combo Tours

Combine a skip-the-line basilica walking tour with a self-guided tour of the church's cupola — head up into the cupola with an audio guide, and be prepared to take in one of the best views in Rome. Alternatively, combine a skip-the-line tour of St. Peter's with an exclusive visit to the Vatican's Mosaic Studio, which dates back to the 16th century and is generally closed to the public. Meet the artists who repair and restore the intricate mosaic artwork inside the church.