vaticanday.comUpdated
St Peter's Square and Via della Conciliazione seen from above

How to get to the Vatican

From Termini, take metro line A towards Battistini to Ottaviano or Cipro. Ottaviano is 6 stops away and Cipro is 7. The Museums and St Peter's have separate entrances, so your first visit decides where to go.

Updated Routes Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica official sites, read

MetroLine AFrom Termini, travel towards Battistini →Museums entranceViale VaticanoBus 49 stops in front of the Museums →St Peter's entranceThe squareSecurity is on your right as you face the Basilica →

The map marks both entrances, so your first visit determines where to get off.

Metro

Which metro stops serve the Vatican?

From Termini, take line A towards Battistini. Ottaviano is 6 stops away, and Cipro is 7. Ottaviano serves St Peter's Basilica and also works for a Museums visit.

Both stations serve the Museums entrance on Viale Vaticano. You still have a short walk after the train. St Peter's names Ottaviano as its station, with entry through the square.

What to do: Use Ottaviano if you start at St Peter's, as it serves the square. Cipro also works for the Museums if your route brings you there first.

The platform at Ottaviano San Pietro metro station
Ottaviano San Pietro on line A

Surface transport

Vatican bus stops and taxi rank

HowLineWhere it stops
Bus49The square in front of the Museums
Bus32, 81, 982Piazza del Risorgimento
Bus492, 990Via Leone IV and Via degli Scipioni
Tram19Piazza del Risorgimento
TaxiRankThe square in front of the Museums

Routes published by the Vatican Museums, read ; check service changes before travelling

Bus 49 stops in the square in front of the Museums. The taxi rank is there too. Tram 19 serves Piazza del Risorgimento, between the Museums entrance and St Peter's Square.

Entrances

Where are the Vatican Museums and St Peter's entrances?

The Museums entrance is on Viale Vaticano, 00165 Rome. Entry costs €25 online or €20 at the door. Your ticket includes the Sistine Chapel, reached on foot through the galleries.

St Peter's Basilica is free to enter without a reservation. Security checks start on the right of the square as you face the building. Your Museums ticket is separate from this visit.

For the Necropolis, use the entrance on Via Paolo VI by the left colonnade. It leads to the Excavations Office. Your visit needs an advance request; arrive 10 minutes before it starts.

The entrance to the Vatican Museums on Viale Vaticano
The Museums entrance on Viale Vaticano

Walking between entrances

How do you get from the Vatican Museums to St Peter's Basilica?

The walk is 845 m, about 11 minutes around the outside walls. Head east along Viale Vaticano with the walls on your right. At Piazza del Risorgimento, turn right down Via di Porta Angelica towards the colonnade.

Security at St Peter's comes after the walk. That time does not include the queue. You may still have a wait after reaching the square.

The Museums ask visitors continuing to the Basilica not to leave bags in their cloakroom. St Peter's has no cloakroom of its own. Any stored bag needs collecting before you leave the Museums.

What to do: If you want both sites, visit the Museums first for their 18:00 last entry; St Peter's closes at 19:00. Put the dome first if climbing matters most, because it closes at 17:00.

People also ask

How do you get from Termini to the Vatican?

Take metro line A towards Battistini. Ottaviano is 6 stops from Termini and Cipro is 7. Both serve the Museums; use Ottaviano if you start at St Peter's.

Which metro stop serves St Peter's Basilica?

Ottaviano on line A is the Basilica's named station. From there, walk to St Peter's Square for security on the right as you face the building.

What is the address of the Vatican Museums?

The visitor entrance is on Viale Vaticano, 00165 Rome. St Peter's Square has a separate entrance for the Basilica.

Which tram stop serves St Peter's Square?

Tram 19 serves Piazza del Risorgimento. From there, Via di Porta Angelica leads towards the colonnade; check service changes on your travel day.

How far is the Vatican Museums entrance from St Peter's Square?

845 m, about 11 minutes on foot around the outside walls. That does not include the Basilica security queue.

How much is the entrance fee for the Vatican?

It depends on your visit: the Museums cost €25 online or €20 at the door, including the Sistine Chapel. St Peter's Basilica is free. The dome costs €17 by stairs or €22 with the lift.

Read next

Vatican visit guides