Basilica San Marco skip-line math
Pick the time of day and what else you plan to see. The tool returns the queue time at that hour, whether the skip-line ticket pays off, and the dress code rules.
What this solves
Basilica San Marco is free to enter but the line is the price — 30-90 minutes at peak. The skip-line ticket (€3, combined with a Museum Pass or museum entry) lets you walk past the rope. Whether it's worth €3 depends on the hour and what else you're booking. This tool returns queue time, skip-line cost, and the dress code that gets you turned away at the door.
How to read the result
"Queue time" is the typical wait at that time/day combination. "Skip-line cost" is the marginal ticket price added on top of any museum pass you may already have. "Skip-line worth it" turns on whether the saved time exceeds the cost.
The free entry is a queue. The skip-line ticket is bundled with several combos; buying only skip-line is rare. Most visitors get it via the Museum Pass (€20) which already includes it.
Limitations
FAQ
Can I just walk in?
Yes, after joining the queue. From 09:30-16:00 in summer, the wait is 45-90 minutes. At 08:30 or after 17:00, it can drop to 15-20 min.
What happens if I'm wearing shorts?
You will be turned away at the door. The basilica enforces strict dress code — see dress code decoder.
Can I take pictures inside?
No. The interior is a sacred space and the basilica is dark — the mosaics are best viewed with eyes, not phone.