St. Peter’s Basilica Tickets, Opening Hours and Tips for Your Visit

Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is free, and it’s open every day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in summer, with winter hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting October 26. Security checks in the square can take about an hour and a half, so arrive early.

At a glance

• Basilica entry: free
• Dome with stairs: €17 per person, Basilica included
• Dome with lift: €22 per person, Basilica included
• Basilica hours from October 26, 2026 to March 28, 2027: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Last entry (summer schedule): 7:15 p.m.
• Time to allow for the Basilica: 1 to 2 hours
• Nearest metro: Ottaviano-San Pietro, line A

How much are tickets to St. Peter’s Basilica?

Walking into the Basilica costs nothing. Only the Dome and a guaranteed time slot carry a price.

2026 prices:

• Basilica: free
• Dome with stairs, Basilica included: €17 per person
• Dome with lift, Basilica included: €22 per person

Booking a time slot online carries a fee that includes the Digital Audio Guide. Reservation isn’t mandatory, but it’s recommended to avoid long queues. The online Dome ticket comes with a personalized visit time, the lift ride to the terrace level and the inner and outer rings of the Dome. The lower-priced Dome ticket can be bought at the ticket offices before the Dome entrance, subject to availability, and the daily number of Dome tickets may be limited.

Dome tickets are valid for one visit only, and they’re non-refundable and non-modifiable. Pick your date with care. The Digital Audio Guide is available in 7 languages, and its activation QR code is valid for 36 hours from receipt of the email. It covers the Basilica only, not the Dome.

In peak season or a Jubilee year, book online for the guaranteed slot. Anyone happy to wait in line and see only the Basilica can simply walk in.

What are the opening hours of St. Peter’s Basilica?

Summer hours run every day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. From October 26, 2026 to March 28, 2027, the Basilica is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Basilica is open on most holidays, but hours may vary.

The Dome keeps its own schedule. In summer, until October 25, it opens at 7 a.m. or 7:30 a.m. and closes between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. From October 26, it’s open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Guided visits run Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the last registration at 5 p.m. On Sundays and Vatican holidays they run from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the last registration at 3 p.m.

When is the best time to visit St. Peter’s Basilica?

Wednesday is among the busiest days, when the Papal Audience usually takes place. Sunday is the other, with the Pope reciting the Angelus at noon. Midweek days other than Wednesday should be calmer.

Security checks in the square can take about an hour and a half, and they’re slower in high season or a Jubilee year.

Plan 1 to 2 hours for the Basilica. The Dome alone takes about 1 hour on average, and a full Dome visit can stretch to about 2.5 hours. The Basilica entry is set 60 to 90 minutes before the booked Dome time, or an hour after it, so keep a half day free if you’re doing both.

How to get to St. Peter’s Basilica

The nearest metro station is Ottaviano-San Pietro on line A. Cipro, also on line A, has an elevator. Regional trains FL3 and FL5 stop at San Pietro station, and several buses stop near St. Peter’s Square. Driving isn’t advisable because parking nearby is limited, and tourist buses are asked to use the Gianicolo Terminal.

Access begins at the security checkpoints in the right hemicycle of St. Peter’s Square, as you face the Basilica. Dome visitors must pass these checks every time. For the Dome you follow an assigned route, Sobieski or Lambertini, shown in your confirmation and on the signs inside.

What to see at St. Peter’s Basilica

Among the main works are Michelangelo’s Pietà, Bernini’s Baldacchino and the bronze statue of Saint Peter. Construction of the current Basilica began in 1506 and was completed in 1626. Under the central nave lies the Vatican Necropolis, which leads to St. Peter’s tomb. The Vatican Grottoes are free and house the tombs of many popes, including St. Peter’s.

The Dome has 551 steps in total. With the lift, 320 steps remain after the terrace level. The top gives views of the Basilica’s interior and the rooftops of Rome. On the Sobieski route you see the Basilica first and then the Dome. On the Lambertini route it’s the Dome first, entered through the Welcome Area. You can leave the Dome before finishing the climb if it gets difficult.

The terrace at the base of the Dome has a religious articles shop, a refreshment point, toilets and a post office. Dress so that shoulders and knees are covered. Only small personal bags are allowed, and no cloakroom is currently available. For bookings at 6 p.m., the Grottoes aren’t open to the public.

Is St. Peter’s Basilica wheelchair accessible?

The Basilica has ramps and elevators, and a privileged entrance with a ramp serves disabled visitors and pregnant women. A stroller deposit area sits under the portico. The Dome involves stairs and isn’t wheelchair accessible, although the lift covers part of the climb. The Digital Audioguide is accessible to blind and deaf visitors.

What else to see near St. Peter’s Basilica

The same complex holds the Treasury Museum, the Vatican Necropolis and the Vatican Grottoes. The Grottoes are free and shelter approximately 91 popes, together with the Basilica. The Historical Archive of the Fabbrica di San Pietro is open from September 15 to July 15.

Pétros ení: Saint Peter’s Digital Experience keeps its own opening hours, so check them before you plan the day.