Tours and tickets
Timed entries and sights that sell out: when to book, where the official price is and when a tour earns its fee.
For a sight that sells timed entry, book on the attraction's own site as soon as its sales window opens, and pay a reseller or a tour only for something the official ticket lacks. First, when: owners release tickets on their own schedules, from 30 days ahead for the Colosseum to six weeks for the Anne Frank House and about two months for the Sagrada Família, and several publish no window. Second, where: start from the owner's website and follow its ticket button, because lookalike sites can charge more for the same slot. A reseller is reasonable for a guided tour with entry included, or for free cancellation when the official ticket cannot be refunded. Third, whether a city pass saves money, which comes down to how many paid sights you will visit and whether you still have to reserve a time. The guides here give the release dates, the official domains and the break-even sums.
Questions people ask
Should I buy attraction tickets from the official site or a reseller?
Check the official site first: its price is the base, and a reseller's total is usually higher for the same date and time slot. To find it, type the attraction's own address and follow its ticket button. A reseller is reasonable for a guided tour with entry included, or for free cancellation when the official ticket cannot be refunded.
How far in advance should I book attraction tickets?
As soon as the owner releases your date. Windows the owners stated in early October 2026: the Colosseum opens sales 30 days before the visit, the Anne Frank House releases tickets every Tuesday at 10am CEST for visits six weeks later, and the Sagrada Família sells about two months ahead. The Louvre, the Vatican Museums and the Uffizi state no window.
What can I do if tickets are sold out on the official site?
Look at how the owner releases tickets before you pay a premium. The Last Supper in Milan adds tickets every Wednesday at noon for the following week, and the Uffizi sells same-day tickets at its ticket office. The Anne Frank House has no waiting list and says commercial tours do not give access to the house, so a tour sold elsewhere is not a way in.
Are city passes worth it?
Only if the entries you will use add up to more than the pass. The Paris Museum Pass site says its 4-day pass saves money on average from the fifth visit. The Vienna City Card pays back through public transport, since its attraction discounts are €1 to €4 each. A pass does not always replace a time slot: the Colosseum requires one for every ticket.
Are guided tours and skip-the-line tickets worth it?
A tour earns its fee when it includes the entry ticket and adds a guide the owner does not sell: the Alhambra's council says it offers no guide services. Skip-the-line entry is sold by the owners themselves. The Vatican Museums charge €5 for it on their own ticket site, and the Louvre tells visitors not to buy tickets that claim to jump the queue.