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Traveler Essentials for Vatican

Traveler Essentials

2.1

Vatican Visa Requirements:

Vatican City by virtue of being located in Rome hence it is only accessible via Italy and Vatican maintains an open border with Italy and is treated as part of Schengen area hence Schengen visa rules apply de facto. Visitors from non-Schengen nationals need to apply and obtain Schengen visa to enter Vatican City while citizens of Schengen countries do not need a visa for Vatican City, they are able to visit the Holy See by simply presenting a valid national ID card at Schengen border checkpoints.

Traveller Essentials (Contd.)

2.2

Getting to Vatican City:

i. International Arrivals and departures:

The Vatican City has no airport and no sea borders and the only way to enter is from Italy. Since Vatican City is an enclave in Rome, it is serviced by two international airports Fumicino and Ciampino is closest to the Vatican City. Both airports operate with international airlines thus having flights from/to most countries of the world.

ii. Commuting from Rome Airports to Vatican City:

By Tax/Limousine: is a convenient way to commute from both the international airports in Rome to Vatican City and back. Taxi and limo transfers can be booked online or on arrival at airport through Rome Airport Taxi–https://www.romeairporttaxi.com , Welcome pickups-https://www.welcomepickups.com, Book Taxi Rome–https://www.booktaxirome.com, Roma Limousine Car Services– https://www.romalimousinecarservice.com/airportshuttle_en, Connecto–https://www.connectotransfers.com

iii. By Metro:

Ciampino airport does not have its own train station within the building, the closest train station is Ciampino train station located 5 kms. from the airport accessible by bus from the airport. From the Cimpiano airport visitors can take a train to Roma Termini. From there visitors can take Rome Metro line A to Ottaviano-S station which is located outside Vatican walls. From here it is a few minutes walk to the Vaticam City.

Travelling from Fumicino airport to the Vatican is not possible with a direct line. Visitors intending to go to Vatican should take Leonardo express to Rome and from here take metro from Metro A Battistini and alight at the Cyprus Vatican Museums stop.

iv. By Bus:

Visitors travelling on a budget can avail public bus service however there is no direct bus service from Cimpiano airport to Vatican City. From Cimpiano Airport the bus will drop the visitor to center of Rome at Termini station and from here visitors can avail the metro service which will drop the visitor to Ottaviano station a few blocks away from the Vatican City.

From Fumicino airport to Vatican City by bus is a budget friendly option. The bus will drop visitors near Vatican at Piazza Cavour. The bus takes a circuitous route and it can take over an hour depending on traffic conditions.

Traveller Essentials (Contd.)

2.3

Vatican Dress Code:

Men and women need to cover their knees and upper arms. It is prohibited to wear shorts or skirts above the knee and sleeveless tops. Male visitors take their hats off before entering whereas women may continue wearing theirs.

2.4

Electricity, Voltage and Power Plugs:

The standard voltage is 230 V and frequency is 50 Hz and the power plugs and sockets are of type F and L.

Traveller Essentials (Contd.)

2.5

Travel Cards Visitors can avail:

i. Omnia Card:
This Rome and Vatican pass is a great option for the visitors to the eternal city – Rome and the key attractions of Vatican City. It is a city travel card that will help visitors navigate their way in Vatican City. Access to major museums and sights in Vatican are included in this pass and visitors can save a further 10% by booking online to avoid crowds when you arrive in Rome. The card includes free public transport (bus, train, tram and metro). Free transport to and from airport is not included. The card from activation is valid for 3 days. It is activated the first time you enter one of the included attractions or use public transport for the first time.

ii. Rome Tourist Card:
Is a great option for visiting Rome and Vatican. It includes skip the line tickets to St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and to Castle St. Angelo. It also includes public transport inside Rome (buses, metro, trams and trains). The purchased card is valid for 6 months unless there is a price change of the card or the services is made before the expiry of 6 months. The card gets activated at the time of first entry to museums/sights and/or the first journey on public transport.

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