Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
after it crosses the Tiber, at the first stop past the tunnel; backtrack toward the tunnel and
turn left when you see the rows of columns). Bus #492 heads through the center of town,
stopping at Largo Argentina, and gets you near Piazza Risorgimento (get off when you see
the Vatican walls). A taxi from Termini train station to St. Peter's costs about €11.
Tours: The Vatican TI conducts free 1.5-hour tours of St. Peter's (depart from TI Mon-
Fri 14:15, plus Tue and Thu 9:45, confirm schedule at TI, tel. 06-6988-1662). Audioguides
can be rented near the checkroom (€5 plus ID, for church only, daily 9:00-17:00). You can
download a free Rick Steves audio tour of St. Peter's; see here .
To see St. Peter's original grave, you can take a Scavi “Excavations” tour into the Nec-
ropolis (€12, 1.5 hours, ages 15 and older only, no photos). Book at least two months in ad-
vancebyphone(tel.06-6988-5318),email( scavi@fsp.va ) ,orfax(06-6987-3017),following
the detailed instructions at www.vatican.va (search on “Excavations Office”); no response
means they're booked up.
Dome Climb (Cupola): To get to the roof (which is about the halfway point to the
dome), you can either take the elevator (€7) or stairs (€6, 231 steps); from the roof, you'll
have to climb 323 steps to the top of the dome. Allow an hour to go up and down. The entry
to the elevator is just outside the basilica on the north side of St. Peter's (near the secret exit
from the Sistine Chapel). Look for signs to the cupola.
Vatican Gardens: If you want to walk through the Vatican Gardens, you must book a
tour online at least two days in advance at http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va . No response
means they're booked up (€31, 2 hours, usually daily except Wed and Sun, includes entry
to Vatican Museum; tours start at 9:30 or 10:00 at Vatican Museum tour desk). Roma Cris-
tiana's open-bus tours of the gardens can usually be booked on short notice (€15, 1 hour,
2/hourMon-TueandThu-Sat8:00-13:00,besttoreserveacoupledaysinadvancebutsame-
day availability possible, Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi office in front of St. Peter's Square,
Piazza Pio XII 9, tel. 06-6989-6380 or 06-698-961).
With Limited Time: Stroll the nave, glance up at the dome and down at the marker of
St. Peter's tomb. Don't miss the Pietà. Skip the crypt and the dome climb.
BaggageCheck: Thefreebagcheck(mandatoryforbagslargerthanapurseordaypack)
is outside the basilica (to the right as you face the entrance) and just inside the security
checkpoint.
Services: WCs are to the right and left on St. Peter's Square (just outside the security
checkpoint and exit), near baggage storage down the steps on the right side of the entrance,
and on the roof.
(See “St. Peter's Basilica” map, here . )
Self-Guided Tour: For a quick walk through the basilica, follow these points:
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