Didn’t book the Vatican Museums in advance? You’re not doomed to staring at Vatican Museum collections on Instagram.

Between late-day openings, last-minute cancellations on the official portal, and guided tours with their own allocations, you can still see the Sistine Chapel today—if you play it smart.

Below are your best options for booking last-minute Vatican Museum tickets, including their costs and how to avoid the lines that often wrap around the Vatican walls.

Same-Day Tickets From Official Website (how to ‘grab’ cancellations)

Since the Vatican Museums attract nearly 7 million visitors annually, there is a massive demand for tickets, and most days sell out in advance.

But, same-day tickets do appear on the official site when people cancel or reschedule their tickets.

Your best shot is to check for late-afternoon entry (after ~16:00) because the Museums are open Monday–Saturday, 08:00–20:00 (final entry 18:00), giving you enough time to reach the Sistine Chapel near closing.

But be ready to see a message that the day’s tickets are sold out (see screenshot below):

Even if you are lucky, there are very high chances of all your preferred time slots selling out (see screenshot below):

Having said all that, there is still a chance of you grabbing the Vatican Museums General admission ticket on the official website – so try it.

Guided Tours When General Admission Is Sold Out

When general admission appears to be “sold out,” licensed guided tours often still have space available because they draw from separate tour allocations and utilize priority entrance.

If you’re on a true time crunch, this is your emergency parachute: you’ll pay more, but you’ll get inside the Vatican Museums today (or tomorrow).

Reputable travel aggregators offer these guided tours, which also allow you to skip the ticketing line (you still go through security check).

Bonus shortcut to St. Peter’s: Some guided tours end in St. Peter’s Basilica via a group-only passage from the Sistine Chapel, saving the long walk around the walls and a second security line. This varies by tour and availability; book a tour that explicitly includes the Basilica if this shortcut is important to you.

Free-Sunday Strategy (last Sunday of each month)

If your dates line up, the Vatican Museums are open free of charge on the last Sunday of the month: 09:00–14:00 (final entry at 12:30).

You can’t book regular General Admission for free on Sunday, but the Vatican sometimes offers bookable, official guided tours for that morning. Lines are long—arrive very early.

What You’ll Pay For This Last-Minute Entry

• Official General Admission Ticket: €25 on the website, including the €5 booking fee. If you’re chasing last-minute access, the €5 is worth it for the timeslot and shorter ticketing line.
• Guided Tour Ticket: Varies widely (often €50–€100+). But the premium ticket grants you entry when General Admission tickets are sold out. Not to mention the priority entrance, a guide, and sometimes the basilica shortcut, all of which can save you 1–2+ hours on busy days.
• Free Sunday Entry: €0 for entry; optional Vatican-run guided tours may be offered at a reduced rate that morning (subject to availability).

Didn’t get a last-minute ticket? Visit free areas of the Vatican

One of the highlights is St. Peter’s Basilica, which is free to enter—though keep in mind that you’ll still need to pass through a queue. You can enter the main area and admire its stunning architecture and the famous Pietà sculpture by Michelangelo.

You can also freely enter and explore St. Peter’s Square, a grand open space that’s home to the Vatican’s iconic obelisk and offers a beautiful view of the Basilica. But there’s no access to the Dome, Necropolis, and Sacristy, as they require tickets.

Vatican Grottoes are located beneath the basilica and are open to visitors for free, but you need to contact the Excavations Office for access.

Even though St. Peter’s Square doesn’t require entry tickets, they are still incredibly beautiful and offer a chance to experience the essence and spirituality of the Vatican.

These areas provide a meaningful visit at no cost, allowing you to enjoy the beauty and significance of the Vatican without needing a ticket.

Essential Rules & Practicalities (so you breeze through)

• Dress code: Shoulders and knees must be covered; hats must be removed inside sacred spaces. You may be refused entry if not appropriately dressed. (If in doubt, carry a light scarf.)
• Photography: Allowed without flash in most Museum areas; no photos in the Sistine Chapel. Selfie sticks, tripods, drones, and pro rigs are banned.
• Cloakroom: Free service after security; great for large items you can’t carry in.
• Accessibility: Many visitors with disabilities receive free entry (with a companion) and priority access. Wheelchairs are available free of charge from the cloakroom, subject to availability, and a deposit is required (ID is also required).
• Route reality: The Sistine Chapel sits at the end of the Museum path—you can’t “pop in” at the start. Plan your pacing accordingly.

Pro tip—silence in the Sistine. Guards may request quiet and ask that you stow your phones/cameras. Take a few moments to sit against a wall and look up; you’ll remember it forever.