Rome Lines for St Peters

[derekthesailor]

Hi Folks

 

We are due in Rome for the day on a Sunday in August

 

Has anyone experienced the lines (queues over here !) to enter St Peters on a Sunday in midsummer. How long can we expect to wait ?

[photographia]

Depends on what time it is. Early in the morning shouldn't be no problem at all; later it will probably be crowded, but it certainly won't be so bad that you're out there waiting for any real period of time--at its worst, you'll just be slowly inching forward, with elderly people and baby strollers and suchlike in front of you. And since the Pope probably will still be out of town for the summer, there won't be any complications resulting from his usual Angelus address at Noon, since there won't be one!

[derekthesailor]

Thank you. I think I will plan my day to get there about 1pm, just as most are thinking of having lunch. When I was in Santiago de Compestela a few years ago, the cathedral was empty during siesta hours.

[photographia]

Believe me, that won't be the case at St. Peter's, where everything is definitely non-stop, all day long! But you should be fine. Have a great time!:)

[cruiseryyc]

Last week we arrived about 3:00 and walked right in.

[conandrob240]

Very early in the am or late in the day just before closing. Even at highest peak, the line moves very quickly and you'll only wait an hour or so at most. Tip: schedule a tour of the Vatican Museums and at the sistene chapel, exit to the door on your right ("tour grousp" NOT "exit" to the left. You will come out at at back entrance to St peter's where there is never a line.

[Aussieflyer]

We were at St Peter's on a Sunday last October and believe me the queue was long. It went all the way (yes) round the square. We did not queue but am sure the wait was several hours. We did not want to go in and were happy to be in the square (which was also packed). As advised above I would pick the time carefully if you want to go in to St Peters - eiather early or late. We were there in the mid morning so it was the peak time. We then went off and had coffee at the Castel St Angelo with a wonderful view of St Peters.

[threeofus]

We had a private tour and we had the pleasure of having Pres. Bush visiting the Vatican on the same day we were there...so everything was a little bit out of the ordinary.