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St. Peter's Basilica Tickets: Skip-the-Line, Audio Guides & Admission 2026
Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is free. Sounds great at first. The problem? During peak season, wait times at the entrance can reach 2–3 hours — standing in the blazing sun on St. Peter’s Square. We’ve experienced it firsthand.
The good news: There are St. Peter’s Basilica skip-the-line tickets that get you in through a separate entrance directly into the basilica. You reserve your preferred time slot online in advance. Instead of 2 hours, you’re inside in 15–20 minutes.
In this article, we’ll show you all your options for St. Peter’s Basilica tickets and guided tours side by side, share our personal favorite, and give you tips to make your visit to St. Peter’s Basilica as stress-free as possible.
- Updated on
In a Nutshell:
St. Peter’s Basilica Tickets (Skip-the-Line Admission & Audio Guide)
Our tip: It’s best to book skip-the-line tickets to St. Peter’s Basilica 2–3 weeks in advance during peak season – popular time slots often sell out quickly!
How Much Does It Cost to Enter St. Peter's Basilica?
Let’s start with the good news: Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is completely free. As a church, St. Peter’s Basilica is open to all visitors — whether you’re a pilgrim, a tourist, or an art lover.
The bad news? The other roughly 10 million visitors per year know that too. During peak season, you can easily end up standing in line for 2 to 3 hours — in the blazing sun on St. Peter’s Square.
The most important information:
- Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City
- Opening hours: Daily 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (summer) · 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM (winter)
- Visit duration: Approx. 1-1.5 hours (without dome)
- Wait time: 30 min. (early morning) to 3 hrs. (peak season, mornings)
- Dress code: Shoulders and knees must be covered - mandatory!
- Metro: Ottaviano (Line A, red) · approx. 10-minute walk
- Entry: Free (skip-the-line from approx. $27 / €25)
- St. Peter's Basilica audio guide app: from $7 / €6
→ Book skip-the-line admission to St. Peter’s Basilica (including audio guide)
→ St. Peter’s Basilica audio guide app
St. Peter's Basilica Tickets at a Glance: Prices & Options
Before we dive into the details, here’s the most important overview first. This way you can see at a glance which St. Peter’s Basilica ticket is right for you.
St. Peter’s Basilica Tickets & Prices 2026
| Ticket Option | Price (approx.) | Skip the Line? |
Best For | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Free Entry (no ticket needed) |
€0 / $0 | ✘ No 2–3 hrs wait time |
Budget travelers with plenty of time | Wait on site |
| St. Peter's Basilica Skip-the-Line Entry (Skip-the-Line + Audio Guide) |
from €23~$27 | ✔ Yes Separate entrance |
Independent travelers who want a hassle-free visit | Buy Ticket |
| ⭐ Our Top Pick Combo Tour: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel + St. Peter's Basilica |
from €61~$72 | ✔ Yes Access via Sistine Chapel! |
Those who want to see it all in one day | Book Tour |
| St. Peter's Basilica Audio Guide (without Skip-the-Line) |
from €6~$7 | ✘ No | Those who want to explore at their own pace | Book Audio Guide |
| St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour |
from €17~$20 | ✘ No | Those who want expert background knowledge | Book Tour |
| St. Peter's Basilica & Vatican Grottoes |
from €25~$30 | ✘ No | Those who want to discover the Papal tombs beneath the Basilica | Book Tour |
| St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour + Dome Access |
from €54~$64 | ✘ No | The complete experience | Book Tour |
| St. Peter's Dome Tickets (online, with Audio Guide) |
from €24~$28 | ✘ No | Dome without the stress | Buy Ticket |
| Papal Audience + St. Peter's Basilica Tour |
from €42~$50 | ✘ No | A once-in-a-lifetime experience for the faithful & culture enthusiasts | Buy Ticket |
Important: All prices are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the season and provider. Children and teens receive discounted entry with most providers.
Also interesting:
How to Skip the Line at St. Peter's Basilica?
The wait time at St. Peter’s Basilica is the biggest frustration for visitors. But there are ways to get around it — or at least shorten it significantly.
Option 1: Book a St. Peter’s Basilica Skip-the-Line Ticket Online
The easiest option. You book your St. Peter’s Basilica skip-the-line ticket online in advance, show up at your reserved time slot, and use the separate fast-track entrance on the right side of St. Peter’s Square (when facing the facade).
- This reduces the wait time from up to 3 hours to approximately 15–30 minutes.
Option 2: Enter Through the Vatican Museums (Insider Tip!)
This is our absolute insider tip — and the only way to completely bypass the line at the St. Peter’s Basilica entrance (without buying a skip-the-line-ticket).
Here’s the trick: If you book a tour through the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, there’s a passage at the end of the route that leads directly from the Sistine Chapel into St. Peter’s Basilica.
Through the so-called „Scala del Sacramento,“ you enter the basilica without any detours and without standing in line.
Important: This passage is not always open. The Vatican Museums can close it at any time. So it’s not guaranteed. But it works most of the time — and when it does, you skip the entire line outside on St. Peter’s Square.
If you’re planning to visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel anyway, this combo tour kills two birds with one stone.
Guided Tours of St. Peter's Basilica: Your Options
If you want to go deeper, book a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica. An experienced guide brings the stories behind the artworks and architecture to life — it’s a completely different experience than an audio guide.
Guided Tours
Guided tours of St. Peter’s Basilica are widely available. Prices typically range from 35 to 55 euros ($41 to $65) per person, depending on the duration and scope.
Most tours include priority entry — so you’ll skip the regular line.
Combo Tour: St. Peter's Basilica + Dome
On this tour, you explore St. Peter’s Basilica with a guide and then climb the dome afterward.
The advantage: You skip the separate line for dome tickets and get an expert-led tour of the basilica at the same time. Expect around 45–60 euros -> $53 to $70 (per person and approximately 2 hours).
Combo: Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel + St. Peter's Basilica
The ultimate Vatican tour:
You explore the Vatican Museums, marvel at the Sistine Chapel, and then walk directly — through the passage behind the chapel — into St. Peter’s Basilica. No waiting at the main entrance.
Price: from approx. 60–85 euros per person ($70 – $100). Duration: approx. 3–4 hours.
If you want to combine Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica tickets into one visit, this is the most efficient option. You knock out three top attractions with a single ticket.
St. Peter's Basilica Dome Admission, Treasury Museum & Catacombs
Good to know: Admission to St. Peter’s Basilica itself is free, but there are fees for certain areas.
St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb Tickets: Ascent & Info
The St. Peter’s Basilica dome climb is one of the absolute highlights in Vatican City. From the top, you’ll enjoy a 360-degree view of St. Peter’s Square, the Tiber River, and all of Rome. But let’s be real: The climb is not for the faint of heart. Or faint of knees.
Two Options for the Ascent
Option 1: Elevator + stairs: The elevator takes you to the base of the dome. The final 320 steps to the top you walk on foot. This is our recommendation — you save yourself the most exhausting 231 steps.
Option 2: Entirely on foot: 551 steps, the athletic option. Only for people with solid fitness and no claustrophobia. The final stretch takes you through an extremely narrow spiral staircase where you’ll be pressing sideways against the walls.
Dome Opening Hours:
- April – September: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- October – March: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Often closed on Wednesdays (papal audience) — always check beforehand!
The Treasury Museum of St. Peter’s Basilica
In a side wing of the basilica, you will find the surprisingly little-visited treasury museum. Here, centuries-old relics, magnificent papal vestments, and liturgical objects made of gold and silver are stored.
Admission: approx. €5 / $6 per person (children under 12: €3 / $3.50)
Duration: approx. 20–30 minutes
Not a must-see, but a nice bonus if you’re in St. Peter’s Basilica anyway and have a little time to spare.
Vatican Necropolis (St. Peter’s Basilica Catacombs) – Insider tip!
Price: approx. €13 – €15 / $15 – $18 per person
Advance booking required!
Max. 250 visitors per day
Duration of tour: approx. 1.5 hours
Booking by email via the official St. Peter’s Basilica website
If already fully booked:
St. Peter's Basilica Opening Hours 2026
St. Peter’s Basilica is open 365 days a year. Here are the current opening hours:
St. Peter’s Basilica (the church):
- April 1 – September 30: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- October 1 – March 31: 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM
St. Peter’s Basilica Dome:
- April 1 – September 30: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- October 1 – March 31: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Vatican Grottoes (Crypt):
- April 1 – September 30: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- October 1 – March 31: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Closed on Sundays and public holidays
Important: On January 1, January 6, and Easter, St. Peter’s Basilica is closed for regular sightseeing. Access may also be restricted during papal audiences (Wednesdays) and other religious ceremonies.
During very high visitor volume, the dome entrance sometimes closes 30 minutes before the official closing time.
Is St. Peter's Basilica accessible? St. Peter's Basilica admission for people with disabilities
Good news for wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility: St. Peter’s Basilica itself is largely accessible.
What IS accessible:
- The main entrance and the ground floor of the basilica
- The Vatican Grottoes (via an elevator)
- Disabled visitors do not have to wait in the regular line — there is a separate access point
What is NOT accessible:
- The St. Peter’s Basilica dome — the ascent is only possible via stairs (even with the elevator option, 320 steps remain)
- The Necropolis / Scavi excavations
If you require accessible entry, speak directly with the staff on site. The team at the entrance is generally very helpful and will direct you to the right access point.
When is the best Time to visit St. Peter's Basilica?
The waiting time at St. Peter’s Basilica depends greatly on the time of day, the day of the week, and the season. Here is a realistic estimate based on our experience:
Waiting times by time of day (high season April–October)
|
visiting hours
|
waiting time
|
Our experience
|
|---|---|---|
|
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
|
approx. 30 min.
|
Best time! Hardly any line
|
|
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
|
approximately 30–60 minutes
|
still okay, it's getting busier
|
|
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
|
approx. 2-3 hours
|
rush hour – very crowded!
|
|
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
|
approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
|
slowly becoming calmer
|
|
from 5:00 p.m.
|
approximately 30–60 minutes
|
good alternative to early visits
|
Our recommendation: Either come right when it opens at 7:00 a.m. or wait until late afternoon after 4:00 p.m. That’s when the wait times are shortest.
You should avoid these days:
Wednesday: Papal audience in St. Peter’s Square – St. Peter’s Basilica is often closed or extremely crowded in the morning.
Sunday: St. Peter’s Basilica is open for services on Sundays. Visits are restricted and the crowds are larger.
Religious holidays: Easter, Christmas, and other major holidays attract huge crowds.
During the off-season (November to March), waiting times are generally much shorter. You can often get in under 60 minutes, so a skip-the-line ticket doesn’t make much sense here.
St. Peter's Basilica audio guide: Is it worth it?
The St. Peter’s Basilica audio guide is a great alternative if you don’t want to take a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica but still want to learn more than just “wow, this place is huge.”
The audio guide app lasts just under an hour and can be downloaded directly to your smartphone.
Audio Guide Languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and Chinese.
The audio guide takes you to the most important stops in St. Peter’s Basilica. You’ll learn background information about the artwork, architecture, and history—at your own pace. No group, no time pressure.
Many skip-the-line tickets already include the audio guide. When booking, make sure to check whether it is included in the price!
Our conclusion: For anyone who wants to explore St. Peter’s Basilica on their own, the audio tour is highly recommended. Without it, you’re basically just walking through a huge church and thinking “beautiful!” – with it, you understand what you’re seeing.
All St. Peter's Basilica Entrances at a Glance
St. Peter’s Basilica has several entrances for different purposes. To avoid confusion when you arrive, here is an overview:
Main entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica (for all visitors): The regular entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica is on the right side of St. Peter’s Square when you look at the facade of the basilica. This is where all visitors line up—both those with and without tickets. The difference: with a ticket, you can join the faster line.
St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Entrance: The entrance to the dome climb is located to the right of the main entrance to the basilica. You can recognize it by the “Cupola” sign. Here you need a separate dome ticket.
St. Peter’s Basilica Crypt Entrance: The entrance to the Vatican Grottoes – also known as St. Peter’s Basilica Crypt – is located inside the basilica. You can reach it via a staircase near the main altar. Admission to the grottoes is free.
St. Peter’s Basilica entrance for pilgrims: Pilgrims participating in prayer walks or organized pilgrim groups use a special entrance. This is marked with a yellow sign. Ask your pilgrim group for the exact meeting point.
Access via the Sistine Chapel: As described above, there is a passageway from the Sistine Chapel directly into St. Peter’s Basilica. This is only accessible to visitors to the Vatican Museums and is not always open.
Dress Code & Security Check at St. Peter's Basilica
Dress Code — What Can You Wear?
St. Peter’s Basilica is a sacred place. The dress code is strictly enforced — visitors who aren’t dressed appropriately will be turned away. Even with a skip-the-line ticket.
The following clothing is NOT allowed:
- Sleeveless tops, tank tops, and off-the-shoulder shirts
- Shorts and mini skirts (knees must be covered)
- Low-cut necklines
- Beachwear, flip-flops
Our tip: Pack a lightweight scarf or a thin jacket. That way you can cover your shoulders when needed. When it’s 95°F in summer, you obviously don’t want to walk around in a turtleneck — a scarf is the perfect compromise.
Headwear such as caps, beanies, and hats must be removed before entering. Exception: Religious head coverings.
Security Check — What Can You Bring?
At the St. Peter’s Basilica entrance, there’s an airport-style security check. You walk through a metal detector and your bag gets X-rayed.
You CANNOT bring:
- Large suitcases and bulky luggage
- Knives, scissors, and sharp objects
- Glass bottles
- Tripods
- Non-foldable strollers
You CAN bring:
- Handbags and small backpacks
- Water bottles (plastic)
- Cameras and smartphones
- Small snacks
Heads up: There is no luggage storage at St. Peter’s Basilica. Leave large bags at your hotel.
FAQ About St. Peter's Basilica Tickets
How much does it cost to enter St. Peter's Basilica?
Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is completely free — you don’t need to pay an entrance fee to visit the church. However, the dome climb costs, the treasury museum (about 5 euros / $6) and optional skip-the-line tickets or guided tours that let you bypass the long line.
How do I get into St. Peter's Basilica without waiting in line?
The best way to enter St. Peter’s Basilica without waiting is with a skip-the-line ticket or a guided tour. Both options provide access through a separate, faster entrance on the right side of St. Peter’s Square. Alternatively, a combo tour through the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel can lead you directly into the basilica via a back passage.
How long should I plan for a visit to St. Peter's Basilica?
For the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica, plan approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. On top of that, the wait at the entrance can reach up to 3 hours during peak season. If you also want to climb the dome or visit the Vatican Grottoes, allow a total of about 2.5 to 3 hours for your visit.
When is the best time to visit St. Peter's Basilica?
The best time to visit St. Peter’s Basilica is early morning right at opening at 7:00 AM, or in the late afternoon starting around 4:00 PM. Avoid Wednesday mornings due to the papal audience, and steer clear of the 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM window, when wait times are longest.
Are backpacks allowed in St. Peter's Basilica?
Yes, small backpacks and handbags are allowed inside St. Peter’s Basilica. However, bulky or large luggage like suitcases will not be permitted. There is no luggage storage at St. Peter’s Basilica, so make sure to leave large bags at your hotel. All bags are screened at the entrance, similar to airport security.
Can you wear shorts to St. Peter's Basilica?
No, visitors wearing shorts will be turned away at the St. Peter’s Basilica entrance. The basilica enforces a strict dress code requiring covered shoulders and knees. Shorts, mini skirts, and sleeveless tops are not allowed. Bring a lightweight scarf or thin jacket to cover up if needed.
Can you get access from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter's Basilica?
Yes, there is a passage from the Sistine Chapel directly into St. Peter’s Basilica. This access is only available to visitors of the Vatican Museums and is not always open. When it is open, you completely bypass the line at the main entrance. A guided combo tour is the most reliable way to use this passage.
How many entrances does St. Peter's Basilica have?
St. Peter’s Basilica has several entrances for different purposes. The main visitor entrance is on the right side of St. Peter’s Square. There is also a separate dome entrance, access to the Vatican Grottoes inside the basilica, a pilgrim entrance, and the passage from the Sistine Chapel for Vatican Museums visitors.
Am I allowed to take photos in St. Peter's Basilica?
Yes, taking photos is permitted and explicitly allowed inside St. Peter’s Basilica. You may take photos and videos for personal use with your smartphone or camera. However, flash photography, tripods, and drones are prohibited. Out of respect, refrain from photographing during religious services and ceremonies.
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