Hi All
Going to Italy in the next 4 weeks. We only have 1 day in Rome, what is the best thing to do to see St Peters basilica. Do you purchase tickets ahead of time ? on the day ? are there massive queues. Are there any "Good" tour companies. What is a must see and not ? Best order in which to see it.
Love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
If you need anything in return. Massive knowledge of America & Canada perhaps some of the best if you need it.
canberraclose
1
anonymous
I love the basilica itself... if you get there at opening you will have less of a queue (at least- we found that)
2
ben
The visit of the basilica is free. There are no tickets to be bought but there is sometimes a long queue at security before you are allowed on the Piazza San-Pietro.
While there, visit the Vatican Museum just around de corner.
3
enna17462
You have to do the basilica but after get directions to the tourist bus.It takes a couple of hours but you'll see all the major sites in one day and you should still have time to jump on and off at the colluseum.That costs about ten euros each but I think worth it.I think the bus was about 20 euros a head.
4
hello_bamboo
as said, the basilica is free and the queues usually minimal. The vatican museum is a different story: The lines at the museums are always long in the mornings-The story that you need to be at the VAtican Museums early 'to avoid the queues' is a myth.
I lived in Rome for a number of years and this story gets shared by everybody and has ended up in most guidebooks. The results: everybody goes early and hence creates an enormous line. If you want to be the first in this line you have to be there 1 hour before opening- and you will still be spending an hour waiting until the doors open. so you are still not avoiding anything really. The best time to go is indeed after 11 or so, when the queue has disappeared, and the crowds start thinning. I have been twice and walked straight in, both around noon time. zero queue.
I just think it is so funny that this myth just keeps on being perpetuated and creates the lines that it supposedly aims to help you avoid...
Why anyone would pay 20 EUR for a tourist bus (#3) when you can walk from sight to sight (Central Rome is very compact) or take public buses (1 EUR per ride, valid for 75 mins, tickets sold at newspaper kiosks and tobacconists) is beyond me...
5
ben
I have to agree with MTL about that tourist bus. I don't see what is to gain from it.
I would suggest either to walk or to get a ticket valid on all transport for the whole day (4€ in 2006). It is a lot more fun.
6
anonymous
we got there at opening recently and walked straight in MTL so i guess it depends on the day and the weather etc etc. However half an hour later the line was huuuge
7
onesweetearth
I agree the best way to see Rome is by walking but if you've only got a day a tour bus is a great idea becuase it takes you directly to all the main stops while you get an overview of Rome and it's history. I would reccomend the double decker red bus though. We took the green one and it didn't have very many stops so it was kind of lame. If you are going to be in Rome for longer, walking is definitelyt he best way to see the city.
8
maryimelda
I've been twice to the Vatican Museum and to St Peter's and both times I had to join a long queue into the Museum, however on both occasions I found that the queue moved very quickly so it really wasn't a big problem. Definitely use public transport. The underground takes you really close and afterwards walk back through Rome and see some more of the sights. I'll be visiting the Vatican for the third tiome on June 15 and I'll be going on the underground and walking back as I have done before.
Maryimelda
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