St. Peter's Dome: frequently asked questions

€17 with the stairs and €22 with the lift up to the terrace. It includes entry to the basilica, which you can use up to 90 minutes before your time slot, and the basilica's digital audio guide. There is no separate audio guide for the dome.

Yes. You can now reserve a time slot with an audio guide for a fee, but this is not compulsory. What you pay for is the dome.

When you want the basilica explained to you. The official ticket only has the digital audio guide, so a guided tour is booked through a provider. Some tours include the Vatican Grottoes with the papal tombs.

The basilica's booking system shows no reduced price for the dome. Whether a provider offers child prices, you can see in its booking.

Only at certain points and while the daily allocation lasts. The number of tickets per day is limited because of the dome's capacity.

551 steps. If you take the lift to the terrace, 320 remain.

No, only to the terrace. From there you walk along the inner gallery and up narrow stairs between the shells of the dome.

According to the basilica, about an hour on average, depending on your pace and how long you stay at the top.

The basilica advises against it for people with heart or respiratory conditions, a fear of heights, claustrophobia or limited mobility, and during pregnancy. Young children are allowed, but it can be difficult for them. You can turn back on the way up.

136 metres up to the cross. The viewing walkway is at the lantern, below the cross.

From 26 Oct 2026 to 28 Mar 2027 the dome is open 7:30–17:00 and the basilica 7:00–19:00. The dome can close at short notice for celebrations of the Holy See.

Shoulders and knees must be covered. Sleeveless tops, very short clothing and hats are not allowed in the basilica.

Under the right-hand colonnade of St. Peter's Square. All visitors go through it, even with a guided tour or a ticket.

Only small bags are allowed. Large backpacks, wheeled cases and bulky luggage are not, and there is no cloakroom.

The basilica assigns every visitor a route. Sobieski: basilica first, then the dome. Lambertini: through the Welcome Area up the dome first, then into the basilica.

Yes, on the terrace at the foot of the dome, along with a kiosk, a shop and the Vatican post office.

Take Metro A to Ottaviano; from there it is a walk of a few minutes to St. Peter's Square.

No. The basilica's dome ticket is non-refundable, and the name, date and time cannot be changed.

That depends on the product. If a card mentions free cancellation, the deadline stated there applies. If it doesn't, read the provider's terms before you book.

If it closes for celebrations or because of the weather, the provider you booked with will let you know. Its terms set out how refunds or rebookings are handled.