Vatican Necropolis

Start with the official Necropolis request form. Give your preferred date and the number of visitors. You also choose your language. English is available, alongside other languages.

The date you request is provisional. The Visits Office assigns a slot according to available places. Your visit email gives the date and time, along with your language and booking reference.

Check those details before you pay. A second email contains the payment link. You must pay by credit card; cash and bank transfer are not accepted for the Necropolis booking.

The Scavi tour costs €20 for adults or €14 for ages 10 to 17. Both prices include the guide. Children under 10 cannot enter, so this visit will not suit every family.

Your ticket is valid only for its assigned slot and cannot be refunded. Late arrival can mean losing the visit. Booking changes go through the Guided Tours Office and depend on availability.

Visits start at 9:00 from Monday to Friday, with the last visit at 16:15. Saturday visits run in the morning. The Necropolis closes on Sundays and Vatican holidays.

The guided visit takes about 1 hour. Groups generally leave every 15 minutes, with up to 12 people. Your ticket is for a particular group time, so you cannot arrive whenever you wish.

Go to the Excavations Office at least 10 minutes before your visit. Its entrance is on Via Paolo VI by the left colonnade. Ask Basilica staff for directions if you cannot find it.

The route is unsuitable if you use a wheelchair or have claustrophobia or a condition worsened by humidity. There are steps and uneven ancient paving. Humidity is around 98% underground.

Your shoulders and knees must be covered. Backpacks and large bags are forbidden, as are photos and video. Toilets are near the office before your visit; there are none along the route.

None of the 115 tours we compare includes the Necropolis, and some list it as excluded. The €20 official ticket already includes a guide, so the official request is the way in.