How to get to the Sistine Chapel: complete guide

The history of the Sistine Chapel, whose name is inextricably linked to that of Michelangelo, actually begins well before the creation of his masterpiece.

In fact, the chapel existed as early as the 14th century, and it was not until the late 15th century that work was begun to transform it into what it is today. The reconstruction is asked by Pope Sixtus IV (hence the name Sistine Chapel) and lasts a few years: on August 15, 1483, in fact, it is already possible to celebrate the first mass.

At that time, some of the most fashionable artists in Florence, including Botticelli and Ghirlandaio, were sent to Rome by the Medici family. The decoration of the Chapel could thus have its spectacular beginning.

We have to wait a few more decades to have Michelangelo decorating the Sistine Chapel's ceiling. In fact, it is Pope Julius II that in 1507 decided to entrust Michelangelo with the work. Michelangelo and his collaborators work here for a full four years.

Of course, this is not the end of the story: Pope Leo X decides to enrich the Chapel as well: in fact, he donates a series of tapestries that are woven no less than in Flanders, based on a design by the great Raphael.

And the fresco of the Last Judgment? Well, Michelangelo did it no earlier than in 1536.

Entering to visit the magnificent vault of the Sistine Chapel means purchasing admission to the entire Vatican Museums. The Sistine Chapel is located inside the Vatican Museums, the entrance to which is located at Viale Vaticano, 6. Once inside the Museums, the tour route will naturally lead you to the Sistine Chapel.

Here your gaze will be enraptured by the magnificence of all that surrounds you and, above all, by all that towers above you. Indeed, the excitement is such that time inside the Chapel seems to pass in the blink of an eye.

This is another reason why organising your visit as best you can is a good idea and, above all, purchasing tickets in advance.

As we shall see, getting to the Sistine Chapel is rather simple. The main difficulty is juggling the large lines of visitors who, especially at particular times of the year, crowd the entrances. You can reach the Sistine Chapel by various means of transport, each with its specificities. Here is a detailed guide for each option.

With our suggestions, however, you will see that your visit to the Sistine Chapel will be much easier and you will be able to fully enjoy the experience.

You can take an exciting tour through several sights and tourist attractions of Rome with the support of the innovative audio-guide app.

You can reach the Chapel by metro, which is the most often recommended choice. You simply hop on the Metro A (to Battistini) and get off at the Ottaviano stop, which is a 5-minute walk from the entrance to the Museums. You have to calculate about 30 minutes in total.

Alternatively, you can reach the Vatican by going by train. In about 25 minutes, you can arrive at the Roma San Pietro station. From here, however, the route to the entrance of the Museums is about 2 km: it can be convenient, however, in case you decide to visit Piazza San Pietro first and then head to the Museums.

From Termini, however, it is also possible to get to the Museums by bus. The line to choose from is 64 and the reference stop is Piazza Pia, next to Castel Sant'Angelo (about 1.5 km from the entrance to the Museums).

For art history enthusiasts, eager to admire the spectacular cycle of frescoes by Michelangelo, and the splendid collection of sculptures from the Roman era, there is another option. It is to arrive at the Sistine Chapel by travelling on board a Hop-on Hop-off bus with the support of a very useful and well-prepared audio-guide that allows you to enjoy the view of the city from an unprecedented perspective and, with a single ticket, gain priority entry to the Vatican Museums and the famous Sistine Chapel.

Tiburtina Station is located diametrically opposite the Vatican Museums.

The most convenient solution is to take Metro Line B (direction Laurentina) and get off at Termini. From Termini, follow the instructions above. 

Alternatively, one can take bus 490, which connects Tiburtina to the Candia/Mocenigo stop, 200 meters from the entrance to the Museums, in about an hour's journey.

Once you arrive at your destination, you may benefit from early entry by participating in an exclusive and exciting tour, which will take you to discover the wonders of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel more privately and intimately.

In addition to the most common transport options such as the metro and buses, there are also alternative ways to reach the Sistine Chapel that may better suit your needs or preferences. If you want a scenic route or a journey without the need for changes, trams and taxis may be convenient and pleasant choices.

Tram 19 is a convenient option, getting off at Piazza del Risorgimento. From Piazza del Risorgimento, the walk to the Vatican Museums is about 10 minutes. On the other hand, taxis are readily available throughout Rome and are a practical solution if you prefer direct transport without changes. Ask the taxi driver to take you to the entrance of the Vatican Museums on Viale Vaticano. Taxis offer a comfortable option, especially if you are travelling with luggage or prefer to avoid the crowds of public transport.

Reading this article, it will probably be clear by now that you can get to the Sistine Chapel in many ways, even by car if you prefer. At this point, if you choose to arrive by car, we leave you with some useful advice: the area where the Museums are located is protected by ZTL; therefore, not all categories of vehicles are allowed to travel. For more information, it is advisable to consult the official Mobility Rome website.

If among the many solutions you have available to get to the magnificent Sistine Chapel, you have chosen to get there by car, you might consider an efficient and practical rental service. Thanks to it you will be able to get close to the famous Vatican Museums and also visit the Chapel. Use the form below:

If you are planning to visit the Sistine Chapel by car, it is important to be aware of the parking options available nearby. The Vatican Museums, located in a central and busy area of Rome, do not have dedicated parking spaces, but there are several paid parking options that can make your visit easier. 

There are several options offering parking spaces within a few minutes walk of the Vatican Museum entrance, but it is advisable to check availability and, if possible, reserve a space in advance, as these car parks tend to fill up quickly, especially during peak tourist season. Also consider using parking reservation apps, which can give you more information on rates and availability in real time.

The journey time to the Sistine Chapel can vary significantly depending on your starting point within Rome, but let's have a quick recap. If you start from Termini Station, one of the city's main transport hubs, the fastest route is to take the metro line A. This journey takes about 30 minutes, including the time to get to the metro station and walk to the Vatican Museums.

If, on the other hand, you are at Tiburtina Station, you can take the metro line B to Termini. This journey takes between 40 and 60 minutes, depending on waiting time for changes and metro traffic. Alternatively, a more direct but potentially slower option is to take the 490 bus, which will take you to the Candia/Mocenigo stop, about 200 metres from the entrance to the Vatican Museums. On average, the journey by public transport may take between 15 and 30 minutes.

If you prefer walking, you may enjoy a pleasant stroll through some of the most picturesque areas of Rome, further enriching your visit experience.

There are two major airports: Fiumicino, the international airport, and Ciampino Airport.

In both cases, these are airports well connected to the city centre by an efficient train and bus system.

Using public transportation, the most convenient thing to do is undoubtedly to get to Rome's Termini Station and from there move by public transportation, which we will see in a moment.

Ciampino is connected to Termini by the bus routes of several companies: Sit Bus Shuttle, Terravision and Atral, whose tickets cost between 4 and 6 euros per person each way. You just need to consider that although it is only 13 km away, traffic in Rome can often be merciless and travel times often lengthen.

Fiumicino, however, is also connected to Termini by Trenitalia trains, as the train station is right inside the airport. It takes about 30 minutes for the entire journey for 14 euros per person one way.

Alternatively, at a lower cost, it is possible to use the buses of the Sit Bus Shuttle, Atral, Cotral, T.A.M. and Terravision lines at a cost starting at about 5/6 euros per person (the inconvenience is still traffic).

If you want to visit Rome's splendid attractions while optimising your time, don't miss the pass, which gives you access to 3, 5, or 7 of the many places of interest that sprinkle this incredible city.

Due to the high number of visitors, it is highly recommended to book tickets for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel in advance. This will allow you to avoid the long lines that often form, especially during the busiest tourist periods, guaranteeing a more relaxed and enjoyable visiting experience. Fast-track tickets are a particularly useful option to maximise the time you have available and reduce the stress of waiting, so that you can enjoy your visit to the full and choose what to see at the Sistine Chapel.

Furthermore, it is important to be aware of the opening hours of the Vatican Museums. These are open to the public from Monday to Saturday, with continuous opening hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and last admission allowed at 4 p.m. Special mention must be made of the last Sunday of the month, when admission to the museums is free. However, on this occasion it is not possible to book tickets in advance, which means that you must prepare for longer waits.

During your visit inside the Sistine Chapel, remember that photography is not allowed. Since the time inside the Chapel is not very long, it is best to put your phone in your pocket and let your eyes take the most unforgettable photographs of your life. Even if it is one of the most famous places in the world, it is still a sacred place! For this reason, only those dressed appropriately will be allowed to enter. Do not bring backpacks or bulky bags as you will have to leave them in the lockers at the entrance. Also, remember not to bring any sharp, pointed objects, just like when checking in at the airport!