Best Pick Up location near St. Peter's & Pick Up Time for Return to Civitavecchia

[MaddieEms]

Hello all,

Long time lurker here, first time poster.

We are on the Disney Magic in June. Our all aboard time is 6:45 p.m. We are ending our day at St. Peter's Basilica. I've emailed a few companies for a private transfer back and none have a real consensus on the *best* and most *realistic* pick up time for a return to our ship.

Ideally, I'd like to get back by 6:30 p.m. for a 6:45 p.m. all aboard (or is that too close?) So I have a few questions:

1. What pick up time from Piazza San Pietro should I request?
2. How long is the drive with traffic?
3. What time do the cruise ship coaches usually leave (just for reference)?
4. Where should I ask a private tour company to meet me, since our drop off is at the Colosseum in the morning?

One company told me that Piazza San Pietro is too big a place to meet. I get that, but I'm not sure where else to meet a car after a Vatican tour. Any thoughts?

I've been to the Vatican/St Peter's once so I have fuzzy thoughts on the general area. I'd love opinions on what is realistic in terms of pick up location/pick up times.

Thanks!

[D4]

You're only allowing a 15 minute window for problems? I'd plan to get back to the ship earlier than 6:30

What day of the week will you be there? That affects traffic.

[cruisemom42]

When I am going to have a DIY day, I generally plan to be back at the ship no later than one hour before sailaway.

In terms of where to meet a driver, perhaps near the taxi stand just outside (at the bottom of) the Colonnade around the Piazza?

[MaddieEms]

My understanding is that the ride takes 1.5 hours. Our all-aboard is 6:45 p.m.

Now I'm thinking that leaving at 4:15 p.m. at the latest--- 1.5 hour drive from 4:15 p.m. is 5:45 p.m. arrival.

Has anyone left that late doing a private transfer?

My *problem* is we really want to do a private tour at the Vatican, and all the usual companies that are well reviewed here have their tours ending at 4:00 p.m or 4:30 p.m. I can leave the tour early, but it still takes time to walk across the plaza and find the car. Does anyone know of any companies that conclude their tours earlier (like say 3:30 p.m.)? The vatican-led one seems to but it ends before you enter the Sistine Chapel.

I'm in town on a Wednesday.

[CathyCruises]

Originally Posted by MaddieEms

My understanding is that the ride takes 1.5 hours. Our all-aboard is 6:45 p.m.

Now I'm thinking that leaving at 4:15 p.m. at the latest--- 1.5 hour drive from 4:15 p.m. is 5:45 p.m. arrival.

Has anyone left that late doing a private transfer?

My *problem* is we really want to do a private tour at the Vatican, and all the usual companies that are well reviewed here have their tours ending at 4:00 p.m or 4:30 p.m. I can leave the tour early, but it still takes time to walk across the plaza and find the car. Does anyone know of any companies that conclude their tours earlier (like say 3:30 p.m.)? The vatican-led one seems to but it ends before you enter the Sistine Chapel.

I'm in town on a Wednesday.

I would do the Vatican tour. There are lots of options for tour times. They tell you all about the Chapel before you enter because no talking is allowed inside. Then if you duck out by the back RIGHT hand door (that says tours only) you can walk right into the Square. If you don't do that, you will have to retrace your steps all the way back to the museum entrance and waste valuable time. Anyway, there is a taxi stand as Cruisemom says. Cross the square to the large boulevard that dead ends into it--at the midpoint between the two colonnades. That would be an easy point to meet your transport.

[MaddieEms]

Originally Posted by CathyCruises

I would do the Vatican tour. There are lots of options for tour times. They tell you all about the Chapel before you enter because no talking is allowed inside. Then if you duck out by the back RIGHT hand door (that says tours only) you can walk right into the Square. If you don't do that, you will have to retrace your steps all the way back to the museum entrance and waste valuable time. Anyway, there is a taxi stand as Cruisemom says. Cross the square to the large boulevard that dead ends into it--at the midpoint between the two colonnades. That would be an easy point to meet your transport.

Thanks Cathy.

BTW would you know how much it is to taxi from the Colosseum to the Vatican area? I know we can metro but I've got older people and babies with me so it's not that easy . .

Also, I've been reading that they're getting strict on who should be using that tour exit for the Basilica. Do you know if I can just show them my Vatican tour tickets/voucher if they stop me and ask? I'm a horrible liar and having to find a group to blend with would stress me out (yes I have a low level tolerance of stress, like I also never send food back to the kitchen lol).