Basilica, dome and papal tombs
The best St. Peter's Basilica tours
Guided Basilica tours, the dome climb, the papal tombs, the papal audience and the Scavi. Here is what to book. We are honest about the security line, the dress code and paying for a church that is free to enter.
See our 6 picks
Entry to St. Peter's Basilica is free, and anyone can go in. You pay only for the dome (€17 by stairs, €22 with the lift) or for a guide. Our top pick is a guided tour of the Basilica, papal tombs and dome from €17.
Our 6 picks for St. Peter's
The five with free cancellation come first; the non-refundable one comes last. No tour skips the security check.
-
from €17 per person Our top pick 1.5–2.5 hours 4.6 (4,176) reviews on GetYourGuide
Guided Basilica tour with the papal tombs and dome option
A guide shows you the Pietà, the Baldachin, the Chair of St. Peter and the papal tombs. You can add the dome. 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Free cancellation.
Best for First visits that want a guide cheaply
Check availability: Guided Basilica tour with the papal tombs and dome option on GetYourGuide -
from €23 per person 2 hours 4.6 (1,530) reviews on GetYourGuide
Dome ticket with the papal tombs and an audio tour
A dome ticket, Basilica and papal tombs access, an audio guide and a host who walks you to the dome entrance. About 2 hours. Free cancellation.
Best for The dome without a guide
Check availability: Dome ticket with the papal tombs and an audio tour on GetYourGuide -
from €37 per person 3 h 30 min 4.8 (1,553) reviews on GetYourGuide
Papal audience tour with reserved access
A guided tour with headsets and a free ticket to the weekly papal audience, except in August. About 3.5 hours. Free cancellation.
Best for Faith visitors who want to see the Pope
Check availability: Papal audience tour with reserved access on GetYourGuide -
from €40 per person 1–2 hours 4.3 (2,134) reviews on GetYourGuide
Guided Basilica tour with dome and tombs options
A guide and reserved access to the Basilica. The listing says this is not skip-the-line. You can add the dome and the papal tombs. Free cancellation.
Best for Visitors who want a guide and the dome
Check availability: Guided Basilica tour with dome and tombs options on GetYourGuide -
from €19 per person 1–2 hours 3.8 (3,845) reviews on GetYourGuide
Reserved Basilica access with an audio guide
Reserved access, escorted entry and an audio guide, with the dome as an option. Not for strollers, backpacks or large bags. Free cancellation.
Best for Only if the others are sold out
Check availability: Reserved Basilica access with an audio guide on GetYourGuide -
from €8 per person 2 hours 4.1 (3,533) reviews on GetYourGuide
Timed Basilica entry with a Rome audio app
Non-refundable. A timed entry, a Rome audio app and the dome by lift as an option. GetYourGuide marks it as an official ticket. At least 2 adults per booking.
Best for Budget visitors in pairs with a fixed date
Check availability: Timed Basilica entry with a Rome audio app on GetYourGuide
St. Peter's tours compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Free cancellation | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Basilica tour with the papal tombs and dome option | €17 per person | 1.5–2.5 hours | Yes | First visits that want a guide cheaply | 4.6 from 4,176 reviews, from €17. |
| Dome ticket with the papal tombs and an audio tour | €23 per person | 2 hours | Yes | The dome without a guide | 4.6 from 1,530 reviews, from €23. |
| Papal audience tour with reserved access | €37 per person | 3 h 30 min | Yes | Faith visitors who want to see the Pope | 4.8 from 1,553 reviews, from €37. |
| Guided Basilica tour with dome and tombs options | €40 per person | 1–2 hours | Yes | Visitors who want a guide and the dome | 4.3 from 2,134 reviews, from €40. |
| Reserved Basilica access with an audio guide | €19 per person | 1–2 hours | Yes | Only if the others are sold out | Rated 3.8 from 3,845 reviews, the lowest here. |
| Timed Basilica entry with a Rome audio app | €8 per person | 2 hours | No | Budget visitors in pairs with a fixed date | The lowest price, from €8, rated 4.1 from 3,533 reviews. |
Guided Basilica tour with the papal tombs and dome option
€17 per person1.5–2.5 hours 4.6 (4,176)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Who it suits
- First visits that want a guide cheaply
- Why we picked it
- 4.6 from 4,176 reviews, from €17.
Dome ticket with the papal tombs and an audio tour
€23 per person2 hours 4.6 (1,530)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Who it suits
- The dome without a guide
- Why we picked it
- 4.6 from 1,530 reviews, from €23.
Papal audience tour with reserved access
€37 per person3 h 30 min 4.8 (1,553)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Who it suits
- Faith visitors who want to see the Pope
- Why we picked it
- 4.8 from 1,553 reviews, from €37.
Guided Basilica tour with dome and tombs options
€40 per person1–2 hours 4.3 (2,134)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Who it suits
- Visitors who want a guide and the dome
- Why we picked it
- 4.3 from 2,134 reviews, from €40.
Reserved Basilica access with an audio guide
€19 per person1–2 hours 3.8 (3,845)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Who it suits
- Only if the others are sold out
- Why we picked it
- Rated 3.8 from 3,845 reviews, the lowest here.
Timed Basilica entry with a Rome audio app
€8 per person2 hours 4.1 (3,533)
Details
- Free cancellation
- No
- Who it suits
- Budget visitors in pairs with a fixed date
- Why we picked it
- The lowest price, from €8, rated 4.1 from 3,533 reviews.
- None of the 6 includes hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point.
- Private option: Guided Basilica tour with the papal tombs and dome option.
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 25 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Is there a line to get into St. Peter's Basilica?
Yes. Everyone starts with a security check by the Italian State Police, on the right side of St. Peter's Square. People without a booking join a line there.
Tour listings warn of waits of 10 to 120 minutes in peak season. No tour skips this check.
The Basilica is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from 26 October 2026 to 28 March 2027.
| Visit | Price |
|---|---|
| Basilica entry | Free |
| Dome by stairs (Basilica included) | €17 |
| Dome with the lift (Basilica included) | €22 |
| Guided tours here | From €17 |
Which St. Peter's Basilica tour to book
Book the guided Basilica tour if you want the story for little money. Pick by what you want most:
- A guide: the guided tour with the papal tombs, from €17.
- The dome: the dome ticket with an audio tour, from €23.
- The Pope: the papal audience tour, from €37.
- Just entry: walk in for free, or book a timed entry.
Inside St. Peter's Basilica
Inside, our top guided pick shows you Michelangelo's Pietà, Bernini's Baldachin and the Chair of St. Peter. It also visits the papal tombs and the Tomb of St. Peter below.
Taking photos inside
One tour listing says flash-free photos are welcome in the Basilica. Leave the flash off.
Climbing the dome
The dome climb is 551 steps, or 320 steps if you take the lift part of the way. The ticket costs €17 by stairs or €22 with the lift, and includes the Basilica.
Dome tickets carry your name. You cannot refund them, change the date or pass them on.
The climb is not advised for heart or breathing problems, a fear of tight spaces, vertigo or pregnancy. The dome is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from 26 October 2026.
Papal audience tickets
According to the Vatican's ticket page, papal audience tickets are free. You request them from the Prefecture of the Papal Household.
Our papal audience pick includes a free audience ticket, except in August. Everyone passes a security check before the audience.
How to book the Scavi tour (the Vatican Necropolis)
The Scavi tour of the Necropolis under the Basilica is not sold on GetYourGuide. You request it on the Basilica's own site, visite.basilicasanpietro.va.
After your request you get an email, then a second email with a link to pay by card. The time you ask for is not final; the Visits Office confirms it.
It costs €20, or €14 for ages 10 to 17, with a guide. Groups are up to 12, and the visit takes about an hour. Children under 10 cannot go. Book as early as you can.
St. Peter's and the Sistine Chapel in one tour
Some guided tours visit the Vatican Museums and the Basilica together. Travellers report a passage for guided groups, but we found no official page on it.
For the Sistine Chapel, see our guide to Vatican City museums tickets.
Tips before you visit St. Peter's
Dress for a church
No very short clothes, sleeveless tops or hats. Cover your shoulders and knees.
Come early for security
One listing asks you to arrive 1 hour before your time for the security check.
Expect sudden closures
Tour listings say the Basilica can close at short notice for papal events.
Leave big bags behind
Several listings do not allow large bags, backpacks or strollers.
St. Peter's Basilica: questions and answers
Can anyone visit St. Peter's Basilica?
Is there a line to get into St. Peter's Basilica?
Can I wear shorts in St. Peter's Basilica?
How can I see the Pope in Rome?
Can I walk from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter's Basilica?
How do I book the Scavi tour?
More St. Peter's tours, live
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
See every tour with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.
Browse all on GetYourGuideMore near the Vatican
Sources (8), facts checked on 25 October 2026
Written by the Things to Do in Rome editorial team.